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Here’s the Best Way to Clean Dozer Tracks
Small dozers are industry powerhouses, relied on for their earthmoving capabilities in rugged applications. With their ease of operation and dependable power, it can be easy to forget they need routine maintenance, too. A dozer’s undercarriage is its foundation—essential not only to its productivity but also to its overall ease of operation. It’s also a top priority when it comes to maintenance, since it accounts for roughly half of a dozer’s lifetime repair costs. Much like the dozer itself, the undercarriage track is a workhorse that can last for up to 4,000 hours—if you put in the time and effort to maintain it.
Notice how we didn’t say “the time, effort and money” to maintain it? That’s because the quickest and most cost-effective dozer track cleaning tool is something you probably have dozens of already. Read on for some simple dozer undercarriage tips.
Small Dozer Material Buildup: What to Use…
Dozers and dirt go hand in hand…or track to earth, as the case may be. Regardless of analogy, it’s natural for dozer tracks to experience a lot of material buildup, especially on their center top roller frame. That’s why it’s important to check the undercarriage daily to make sure the track stays clear of dirt and debris. The essential dozer track cleaning tool—and the key to reducing your owning and operating costs—isn’t as high-tech or expensive as you might think. You can probably spot one from any point on your jobsite.
It’s a shovel.
How to Use Your Dozer Track Shovel
A track shovel is the best way to clean dozer tracks. Use your shovel to gently scrape any material buildup from the sides of the undercarriage. Scrape along the entire length of your small dozer tracks, removing buildup from the front idler all the way back to the sprocket. Be sure to scrape outward so the material falls to the ground, not inside your small dozer. Any soil or material that gets inside the dozer undercarriage and moves around can quickly cause wear, which costs you money.
While material buildup most commonly occurs on the top roller frame, you don’t want to forget about the dozer’s track pads. Check for any rocks or debris that may have became lodged under the trailing edge, which can contribute to rapid dozer undercarriage wear.
How Often Do I Check My Dozer Undercarriage?
Short answer: every day. Ideally, at the end of each workday, you should take time to clean out dirt, mud and other debris that can get stuck in the dozer undercarriage and eventually lead to buildup. You want to remove materials as soon as possible to prevent them from causing damage to components and premature wear, especially in colder climates, where debris could freeze in the undercarriage. That can cause the bolts to rub together, the guilds to loosen and the rollers to seize up. If you stay on top of your dozer maintenance, this should take only a few minutes each day but could save you countless hours—and dollars—in repair.
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