Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/891178
EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT Taking care of the machine — including the undercarriage — is the key to productivity. Taking care of the machine — including the undercarriage — is the key to productivity. Taking care of the machine — including the undercarriage — is the key to productivity. 20 AGGREGATES MANAGER / November 2017 D ozers are workhorses on an aggregate site, so optimizing production while minimizing downtime is a huge priority. Last year, U.S. domestic production and use of construction aggregates amounted to 2.5 billion short tons of crushed stone, sand, and gravel. That values the industry at $25.1 billion, according to the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA). Yet, despite its size, by and large, aggregates is a high-volume, low-margin business, so owners need to get the most out of their machines and equipment. The number one maintenance issue for dozers is damage to the undercarriage, because of the large quantity of relatively expensive parts involved and high utilization every time the dozer is travelling. Abrasive sandy soils — the bread and butter of the aggregates industry — accelerate undercarriage wear. Although a crawler undercarriage typically accounts for 20 percent of a dozer's purchase price, it commonly racks up 50 percent (or more) of its lifetime repair tab. The undercarriage of a dozer suffers more force, sliding, and abrasion than any other piece of equipment. And that's a lot of money tied to one component. With such large potential repair expenses at stake, keeping the under- carriage in good working condition can signifi cantly minimize repair expenses and lower per-hour operating costs. But, when you fi gure in 10-hour days, high duty-cycles, and unforgiving terrain, maintaining uptime gets trickier. Undercarriage management Undercarriage management has been described as part science and part intuition — all refi ned by experience. It encompasses everything to do with ma- chine operation, routine maintenance, periodic evaluation, and, sometimes, even decisions about how best to handle wearing components. by Chuck Murawski A proactive stance toward maintenance is the best way to prevent a small problem from turning into a major maintenance headache. Particular attention should be paid to the undercarriage, which often accounts for half of a dozer's lifetime repair costs. Be Proactive with Dozer Maintenance Be Proactive with Dozer Maintenance Be Proactive with Dozer Maintenance