Excavator owners often ask the same question—why is the undercarriage wearing out so fast? The steel track system is built to last, but certain operations can accelerate wear beyond expectations. Understanding these causes can save serious money and prevent unexpected downtime.
One of the biggest culprits is constant turning on hard surfaces. Tight pivoting on concrete, asphalt, or compacted ground creates extreme friction. The steel links grind against the surface, and the side force stresses the rollers, sprockets, and bushings. Over time, this weakens the integrity of the entire undercarriage system.
Another wear trigger is excessive travel distance. Excavators are designed for digging, not long-distance movement. Driving the machine across job sites repeatedly over time causes unnecessary stress on the track shoes and links. Especially in quarry work or large construction areas, this travel adds up quickly and can shorten undercarriage life by thousands of hours.
Improper tensioning is also a silent killer. A track too tight increases pressure on all undercarriage components. It reduces flexibility, leads to cracking in links, and prematurely wears the sprockets. On the other hand, a track too loose causes slapping, derailing, and damage to rollers. Regular inspection and proper adjustment are essential for long-term performance.
Sloped work surfaces and one-sided operation also cause uneven wear. Constant work on slopes causes one side of the track to bear more load. Over time, this imbalance results in one-sided link and roller failure. If left unchecked, it leads to expensive repairs and complete undercarriage replacement.
Poor cleaning habits play a role too. Soil, clay, gravel, and debris buildup hardens between links and rollers. These materials act like sandpaper when the machine operates. Over weeks or months, they wear away steel surfaces and accelerate failure of key parts.
At FL PART, we know the cost of undercarriage failure can shut down a job. Made to take on the tough jobs: Our steel track parts, from strong track chains to heat-treated rollers and sharp sprockets, are ready for hard work.For all major digging machine brands and types: We have parts ready.
Need to find odd wear? Our crew can show you the early signs and suggest the best parts.Quality you can trust: Every piece is checked, tested, and built to last.Fast delivery, all over the world: Whether it’s a single part or a full fix-up, we get it to you quick.
FL PART Operation Team
2025.7.14
