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Tip No. 3: Follow basic practices. Certain landscaping tasks can create more wear on tracks and undercarriages than other applications, so it is important that operators adhere to the manufacturer's recommended operating procedures. According to Girodat, some tips that can help minimize track and undercarriage wear include: ■ Make wider turns: Sharp turns or pivoting the machine can lead to accelerated wear and increase the potential for de-tracking. ■ Avoid harsh environments: Rough asphalt or concrete or other abrasive materials can cause damage to tracks. ■ Reduce unnecessary spinning: Train your operators to make wide, less aggressive turns. Track spinning can lead to wear, and decrease productivity. ■ Select the correct shoe (track) width: Choose the proper shoe width, also known as track width, by considering the weight of the machine and application. For instance, narrower excavator shoes are better suited for hard soil because they have better soil penetration and grip. Wide excavator shoes typically work well in soft underfoot conditions because they have more flotation with lower ground pressure. ■ Pick the correct grouser: Consider the application before choosing the number of grousers per shoe. Typically, the higher number of grousers the track has, the more contact the track will have with the ground, and the less vibration there will be — and the longer the track will last. Tip No. 4: Maintain proper track tension. Incorrect track tension may lead to increased track wear, so it is important to adhere to the proper tension. As a general rule, when your operators are working in soft, muddy conditions, it is recommended to run the tracks slightly looser. Tip No. 5: Tailor your track to the job. Optimize your compact excavator and compact track loader's performance by selecting a track that matches your needs and the application. For example, wide tracks are a good choice when lower ground pressure and flotation is desired, such as operating on established surfaces. If your operators are looking for increased ground pressure and added traction and pushing force, they should choose a machine with a narrow track. Some compact equipment dealers provide non-marking tracks to avoid leaving marks on finished concrete. Your local compact equipment dealer can help you select the right rubber tracks for your application. Tip No. 6: Adhere to proper digging procedures. Operators should follow basic operating and digging procedures — outlined in your manufacturer's Operation and Maintenance Manual — to minimize excessive wear and track degradation. The undercarriage makes up a large portion of track replacement costs, with expensive components. So adhering to these six undercarriage maintenance tips, as well as proper track maintenance and operation outlined in your manufacturer's Operation and Maintenance Manual, can help keep your overall cost of ownership down and extend the life of your compact equipment tracks. Allison McNeal is with Two Rivers Marketing, Des Moines, Iowa. Article provided by Bobcat Company, West Fargo, North Dakota. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BOBCAT COMPANY www.landscapeirrigation.com Landscape and Irrigation May/June 2017 29