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LI Earth MovErs www.landscapeirrigation.com Landscape and Irrigation April 2015 17 every 10 to 15 hours of use, or at least ev- ery day. Tracks that are too tight can cause excessive roller and idler wear and can tear the tracks." Santos recommends the best way to inspect the tension of the track chain is to raise the machine up. In this raised position, the track should sag enough to leave about 10-15 mm of free space under the center track roller. "For your excavator's correct track inspection and tensioning procedures, always refer to the operator's manual for the manufacturer's recommended guide- lines," said Santos. TIp #2: Keep The undercarrIage cLean and covered Jobsite debris, such as mud, snow and rocks, packed around the undercarriage also leads to faster component wear. Compact excava- tor manufacturers, including Terex, recom- mend that the undercarriage be inspected, cleaned and greased daily. "At the end of each workday, knock away any debris that's accumulated in the tracks, and then while the machine is still warm, wash it down to get rid of any remaining materials that could cause corrosion or contamination," said Santos. The end-of- day wash-down process is a good time to remove embedded foreign objects from the tracks and to lubricate all moving parts. "The daily wash down is also an excellent time to look for any loose, worn, cracked, bent, broken or missing components. Re- place these items immediately." If your compact excavator is going to be parked for a period of time, particularly in the extreme heat, it is important to cover the tracks or to exercise the machine at least once a week. This prevents water and con- densation from building up in the under- carriage and rotting the components. TIp #3: TraIn every operaTor on The proper drIvIng and dIggIng TechnIques Your excavator operators have more influ- ence on the life and longevity of an un- dercarriage system than all of the manu- facturer's best efforts. "The operation and upkeep of your compact excavator," said Santos, "directly impacts your repair time and downtime costs." Santos recommends that each opera- tor be taught the correct way to drive the compact excavator, understanding what they can do to keep it running in top form. For example, operating at higher speeds can cause more wear on the undercarriage, so drivers should apply the slowest possible operating speed for the job. Also, operators need to alternate their turning directions during the day — con- tinuous turning to the same side can cause asymmetrical and accelerated wear. "And quick or sharp turns ought to be avoided entirely, especially when operating in rocky conditions," said Santos. Operators should also learn to control track spinning when filling the bucket be- cause unnecessary spinning also accelerates wear and causes cuts in the tracks. Operators also need to be cautious when driving over edges, curbs or other sharp angles to prevent breaks in the tracks. "It is always best to use boards, beams or small ramps when driving on or off any angle," said Santos. Finally, operators must learn to plan the machine's movements with the terrain, not against it, to reduce wear. "Working uphill adds stress to the rear of the machine, as working downhill shifts the stress to the front," said Santos. "Balance the wear of the undercarriage's components by alternating the work direction on the slope." At the end of the day, usage conditions greatly influence the life and longevity of your compact excavator's undercarriage. Proper care of this valuable investment will go a long way in reducing your maintenance costs. Amber Reed is PR consultant for Signa- ture Style PR, Huntersville, N.C. Article provided by Terex Construction Americas, Southaven, Mississippi