The Top Five Problems With Small Excavators

Don’t be fooled by their diminutive size: compact excavators require the same level of upkeep as their larger counterparts.

Here are five concerns with compact excavators that need to be addressed.

1. Keep an eye on the stress. Track tension is one of the most ignored service sites on compact excavators. The majority of them have rubber tracks that must be adjusted appropriately to enhance longevity and minimize wear on the track and its components. A loose track will accelerate wear, incurring extra downtime and halting production while a new track is installed. A track that is overly tight, on the other hand, can shred the rubber material and greatly increase wear on the other track system components, such as traction motors, sprockets, and front idlers. To ensure the track tension is just correct, operators should always refer to the operator’s manual and check track sag measurement on a regular basis.

2. Put some grease on it. Grease is the lifeblood of all pins and bushings, and it’s a regular servicing point that’s often overlooked. All pins and bushings should be lubricated on a daily basis as a general rule. The operator’s manual will assist in identifying each grease spot as well as recommending grease quantity and quality. If a single machine is used by numerous operators, it’s a good idea to label-less prominent grease spots, such as the turntable bearing, using orange marking paint around the grease nipple to serve as a reminder to all users.

Over-greasing, like under-greasing, can be harmful. Typically, one to three injections of oil are sufficient to complete the task. Any more, and it becomes a waste of money while also posing an environmental hazard and creating a significant mess.

3. A propel drive gearbox is a gearbox that allows you to propel yourself forward. The propel drive gearbox is one of the most important components of a machine’s performance, but it is frequently overlooked when it comes to maintenance. Gearboxes are frequently covered with mud, and the fill and drain plugs are hidden, so operators and service staff are rarely aware of them. Gearboxes, on the other hand, require an oil change every 1,000 hours or so, depending on the manufacturer. Even though gearboxes are small, they are nevertheless costly to produce since they contain the same internal components as their larger cousins, albeit on a smaller scale. They usually store 1/2 to 1 quart of oil and can be changed quickly in most circumstances, so it’s a little investment that pays out in the long run.

4. Hydraulic oil replacement. Hydraulic oil can be deceiving because, like engine oil, it breaks down, loses its viscosity, and loses its ability to keep impurities suspended in suspension, a process that helps safeguard all moving elements in the system. Hydraulic systems are built to exact tolerances, and the majority of hydraulic problems may be traced back to contaminated or incorrect hydraulic oil.

Hydraulic oil absorbs moisture in the system and keeps it away from hydraulic components, which is one of its many critical roles. Rust may not appear to be a concern in a sealed hydraulic system that is constantly filled with oil, but it is. Make the mistake of assuming that simply because hydraulic oil appears to be nice, it actually is. When hydraulic oil turns hazy, it is well past the point when it should be replaced and has lost much of its capacity to adequately preserve the components in your hydraulic system. Most equipment manufacturers recommend changing hydraulic oil every 2,000 to 4,000 hours, although each unit is different. Your operator’s manual will detail a precise servicing schedule as well as oil requirements.

5. Keep track of everything. Although keeping track of service records and invoices for oil, filters, and repairs is the most laborious and time-consuming of all activities, it can provide useful information in the future when evaluating the service life of your equipment. All equipment will ultimately reach the end of its service life, and if you keep correct records, you’ll have a baseline against which to evaluate the machine’s performance and make an informed decision about whether to buy the same manufacturer’s product again or move to a different brand.

When dealing with your dealer if an issue arises, having accurate service documents is also beneficial. Accurate records will demonstrate to both your dealer and the manufacturer that you value your equipment and are properly servicing it. When dealing with warranty claims, this is very important. If you have a fleet of mini-excavators or just a single machine, this principle is essential.

Source : Totallandscapecar