How to Change a Mini Excavator Track Safely?

1. How to Change a Mini Excavator Track Safely? Mini excavators are powerful earth-moving machines used for various tasks, from lifting heavy loads to demolition and digging trenches. Rubber tracks are these machines' main component as they provide more capabilities to mini excavators. However, excavator tracks can't last for a lifetime. To minimize the downtime of your mini excavators, you must regularly check their rubber tracks for telltale wear signs. Doing that will help you know when to replace the mini excavator track with a new one. Replacing excavator tracks can be daunting, but you can do it safely and quickly with the proper knowledge, tools, and assistance. This article walks you through the step-by-step process of safely changing mini excavator rubber tracks. A Step-bt-Step Approach To Change A Mini Excavator Track

2. Step 1: Preparing for the Job Preparing the machine and workspace is crucial before you start changing the rubber tracks. First, ensure your workspace is free of any obstacles. Next, grab the tools you need to replace the tracks, such as a chisel bar, a wooden block, a grease gun, etc., and wear protective gear like safety gloves and glasses. Aside from the workspace, it will help if you also prepare the mini excavator. It includes draining the oil and disconnecting the electrical connectors and hydraulic hoses. Step 2: Lifting the Machine's Track You can use either of two methods to lift the mini excavator off the ground. If your machine has a blade, ask the operator to push the blade into the ground. Next, push the bucket into the ground to lift the mini excavator. However, if your machine has no blade attachment, you can ask the operator to position the boom and bucket on one side of the equipment. Next, push the bucket against the ground until the excavator's side rises and the rubber track is off the ground. Step 3: Push the Safety Lever Up Make sure to push the safety lever up to prevent the mini excavator from dropping accidentally, which can lead to serious or even fatal injuries to the person replacing the rubber track. Step 4: Empty the Grease Cylinder The grease cylinder keeps the mini excavator track under tension. Thus, emptying the cylinder will reduce the tension. Access the grease cylinder via inspection of the machine undercarriage. Usually, the idler automatically moves into the undercarriage when grease is squeezed out. But a mini excavator working several hours gets dirty, so the idler might not be removed easily. In such a case, you can place a wooden block between the rubber track and the sprocket. When the operator starts the machine and moves it backward, the wooden piece turns the sprocket and pulls the idler into the undercarriage. Step 5: Remove the Old Rubber Track

3. After removing the idler from the undercarriage of the mini excavator, you can easily remove the old rubber track. You can use a chisel bar to remove the track. All you need to do is place the chisel bar under the rubber track. As the operator slowly starts the machine and moves it forward, the chisel bar will help to loosen the track. Remember to keep your body from the chisel bar to prevent you from being injured in case the bar kicks back at you. Once the track loosens, remove it from the front and back idler. Step 6: Check the Undercarriage Parts Once the track is removed, inspecting the undercarriage parts for damage will be easier. The mini excavator's manual shows you how much wear is acceptable. For instance, if the upper and lower rollers or the idler are too damaged, you should replace them to avoid damage to the machine and injuries to the operator. Step 7: Replace the Sprocket Consider replacing the sprockets when installing a new rubber track. There is a high possibility of sprockets being damaged with the machine's track running on its last legs. Not replacing the sprockets can cost new tracks their shelf life. The machine's rubber track can wear out much faster due to a damaged sprocket. Step 8: Place on the replacement rubber tracks Before purchasing the replacement rubber tracks, you should know the track's correct size and tread pattern suitable for the mini excavator. Always check whether the track is correctly positioned when installing the track in the machine. You must lower your mini excavator and lift the track on the carrier roller and sprocket. Then, ask the operator to lift the excavator. You can kick or push the track on the idler when the machine is lifted. Finally, use the chisel bar and ask the operator to move the track forward to let it pop out. Step 9: Refill the Grease Cylinder After installing a new rubber track, you need to adjust its tension. Clean the grease valve and screw it tight in the machine.

4. Fill the valve with grease using a grease gun. You can consult the mini excavator's manual to know the required tension. It's recommended to leave an inch of space between the roller and the mini excavator track. In addition, see to it that the track is not too tight or loose to prevent the chance of wear. To check the tension, you should measure the distance between the bottom of the undercarriage and the inside of the rubber track. Step 10: Check the New Track When you are done installing the new track, run the track forwards and backward to ensure tracks and undercarriage parts are correctly installed. Next, check the track's tension and adjust if there is any problem. Finally, the rubber track installation process can be completed by tightly securing the inspection hatch. To sum up it all Replacing the mini excavator rubber tracks at certain intervals is crucial to prevent the machine from being at a standstill. In addition, see to it that the replacement rubber tracks are of the correct size and suitable for the desired applications of mini excavators. Many find replacing the tracks a daunting task. And if not done right, it can also cause minor to severe injuries. By following the above-discussed steps, you can ensure that the excavator's tracks are replaced correctly. Furthermore, since safety is a top priority when replacing heavy equipment tracks, wear protective gear and use caution when lifting the machine.

5. Contact Us Company Name: Track Hutt Address: 324 Saint Andrews Rd,Rincon,GA,31326,United States Phone(s) : (912) 394-3233 Email id: trackhutt@gmail.com Website: https://trackhutt.com/