Like any component of a machine that is subject to constant impacts, high friction from rotating parts, and heavy loads, the undercarriage on a bulldozer requires consistent monitoring and regular maintenance. In fact, maintenance to a dozer’s undercarriage is consistently one of the highest costs associated with the machine’s maintenance and operating costs.

A few common issues in a dozer’s undercarriage are:

Advanced and Uneven Wear

All moving parts in the undercarriage will wear down as they come into contact with other parts. The teeth on the sprocket and the individual rollers will wear down as they interact with the track and eventually their usefulness will be reduced, requiring replacements. Pins and bushing also have a finite life, as does the entire track as it loses efficiency.

Overly Tight or Loose Track

An overly loose track can cause a dozer to lose working power and force all parts in the undercarriage to work harder. But an overly tight track can be just as large of a problem as the pressure can lead to a higher required effort to turn the track and increased pressure on all the undercarriage parts. A bulldozer operator needs to consistently monitor the tension of the track, even during work as the impacts from the environment (like a track loaded with mud) can increase track tension and put the undercarriage under undue pressure.

Failing Final Drive

The final drive in a dozer’s undercarriage is a critical component of the machine’s undercarriage, and though the final drive is designed to work consistently under intense forces, the internal gears of the final drive are subject to wear, especially if hydraulic systems are not constantly monitored.

Recoil Springs (Track Springs)

The recoil springs in the undercarriage are subject to constant pressure from impacts with the ground and other objects the dozer comes into contact with. Recoil springs also are designed to be held under high pressure and either through repeated impacts or sudden catastrophic events they can break or become worn out and fail to hold the track under pressure.

Many of even the most common jobs on a construction site wouldn’t be possible without the design and work of a dozer’s tracks. But making a track system work and keeping it working well is no small job. If you’re a dozer pro, you already know that a well-working undercarriage can be the difference between success and failure on a worksite.

If you’ve landed here because you’re searching to solve an undercarriage issue, we’re always happy to help. With our unmatched inventory of new, rebuilt, and used dozer parts, our Parts Specialists are your resource for finding your part and getting your machine running its best. When you call H&R, you can also be confident you’ll find an expert in the construction equipment industry with the knowledge and expertise to make sure your part is the perfect part for your machine. Just drop them a line.