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TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT In addition, debris can add additional weight to the undercarriage, reducing fuel economy. Many compact equipment manufacturers offer undercarriages that are designed for easy track carriage cleanout, helping debris fall to the ground rather than become packed in the undercarriage. And shovels and pressure washers can be used to help clean any remaining debris from the undercarriage. Tip No. 2: Routinely inspect the undercarriage. It is important to complete a full undercarriage inspection for excessive or uneven wear, as well as look for damaged or missing components. The following items should be inspected on a routine basis: ■ Drive motor ■ Drive sprockets ■ Main idlers and rollers ■ Rock guards ■ Track bolts ■ Track chains ■ Track shoes ■ Track tension During a routine machine walk-around inspection, operators should check the tracks to see if any components look out of place. If so, this could indicate a loose track pad or possibly a broken track pin. In addition, they should inspect the rollers, idlers and drives for oil leakage. These oil leaks could indicate a failed seal, which could lead to a major failure in the rollers, idlers or track drive motors. Always follow your manufacturer's Operation and Maintenance Manual for proper undercarriage maintenance. Following the proper maintenance procedures will help reduce the risk of unplanned machine downtime. ■ BY ALLISON MCNEAL One of the hardest-working parts of a compact excavator or compact track loader is its undercarriage. And for the moving components — such as the idlers, rollers and sprockets — to function properly, the undercarriage must be maintained and kept clean. If the undercarriage is not routinely inspected and maintained, it can easily cost you valuable time and money — and potentially decrease the track's lifespan. By following these six tips, outlined by Bobcat Marketing Manager Chris Girodat, you can get better performance and life out of your compact excavator or compact track loader's undercarriage when working in a variety of landscaping applications. Tip No. 1: Keep the undercarriage clean. Operators should take time at the end of each workday to clean out dirt and other debris that may lead to undercarriage buildup. Regardless of the application, if the undercarriage is dirty, it needs to be cleaned. If the undercarriage is not routinely cleaned, it will lead to premature wear on components. Proactive Undercarriage Maintenance Six tips to extend undercarriage life 28 March 2017 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com