John

Why Missing Undercarriage Hardware Should Not Be Ignored

What Undercarriage Hardware Does  Undercarriage hardware includes items such as bolts, idler caps, track roller caps and rubber plugs. These may be relatively small parts, but they help keep the undercarriage complete, correctly positioned and properly secured.  How Missing or Loose Undercarriage Hardware Causes Frame Damage  Missing or loose bolts can allow rollers, idlers and […]

Why Missing Undercarriage Hardware Should Not Be Ignored Read More »

Chassis Crack Mapping: Finding the Crack Is Only the Start

Structural cracking is an ongoing challenge on large mining equipment. Haul trucks operate under heavy loads, continuous vibration and changing road conditions. Over time, cracks can develop in the chassis and other structural areas. Most mining operations already inspect for these cracks, but the way the information is recorded can make it difficult to manage

Chassis Crack Mapping: Finding the Crack Is Only the Start Read More »

Choosing the Correct Measure for Undercarriage Usage

Most maintenance systems track operating hours, but measuring undercarriage distance travelled provides a far more accurate forecast of actual component life. For many mining operations this works well. But what happens when a machine spends several hours each shift idling? In very cold climates, particularly the Canadian oil sands, machines may idle for extended periods

Choosing the Correct Measure for Undercarriage Usage Read More »

Why It’s Time to Digitise Chassis Structural Crack Inspections

Every mining operation performs structural inspections on its mobile equipment. Whether it’s an electric rope shovel, hydraulic excavator, haul truck, loader or dozer, inspectors routinely identify cracks, assess repairs and monitor structural integrity to ensure equipment remains safe and reliable. Yet despite the importance of these inspections, many organisations still manage them using a combination

Why It’s Time to Digitise Chassis Structural Crack Inspections Read More »

Data can drive big increases in profitability by reducing operating costs

Maximizing Undercarriage Life with Distance-Based Forecasting 

For track-type dozers, undercarriage life has traditionally been forecast using machine hours.  It’s simple. It’s widely accepted. But it’s often wrong.  Hours measure time — not work.  Undercarriage wear is driven by movement, not idling.  Why Hours Fall Short  Two machines with the same hours but different travel distances will not experience the same undercarriage wear behaviour. Because hours don’t account for: 

Maximizing Undercarriage Life with Distance-Based Forecasting  Read More »

Variability in Undercarriage Consumption Across Identical Machines

Why Identical Machines Wear Differently Mining operations often see two tracked machines performing similar work consume undercarriage components at very different rates. One machine may achieve significantly more operating hours from chains, rollers, or idlers than another machine working in the same mining area. Regular undercarriage inspections provide the starting point for understanding this behaviour.

Variability in Undercarriage Consumption Across Identical Machines Read More »

Identify cracks on the main frame components

Crack Mapping of Off-Highway Trucks chassis & Shovel Components

Large mobile equipment structures experience extreme stresses that cause metal fatigue and cracking. Maintenance teams measure, monitor, analyze, and repair these cracks to prevent escalation and structural failure. Key Capabilities Immediate Benefits

Crack Mapping of Off-Highway Trucks chassis & Shovel Components Read More »

Undercarriage Inventory Components in the Yard ready to be used

Undercarriage Inventory Management

Ensure dozer swing chains and frames are available when required so teams can remove and rebuild installed components without impacting production. Effective inventory management keeps components ready, tracked, and rebuilds on schedule. This results in end to end swing chain and Frame inventory management. Key Capabilities Immediate Benefits TrackTreads provides the Software Tools to manage

Undercarriage Inventory Management Read More »