Optimizing Track Sag on Your Cat^® Small Dozer

Cat^® small dozers deliver superior performance, seamless acceleration and maximum fuel efficiency. They’re designed to optimize speed, transportability, maneuverability, versatility and finish-grading accuracy. Nimble and responsive, these dozers have the power and finesse for any size job.

Maintaining your small dozer is essential for continual peak performance, and one of the easiest ways to do that is ensuring you’re always operating with the right amount of track sag. Too tight or too loose is the difference between uptime and downtime, so here’s how to make sure your dozer is operating at ideal tension.

What Is Track Sag?

Track sag indicates the right amount of drop, or sag, on your small dozer’s undercarriage between the top carrier roller and the center of the idler at the front of the machine. That’s where you would measure the amount of sag on the roller. 

How to Measure Track Sag on Your Small Dozer

You can use a straightedge or make your own with string and weights on either side to pull it taut. Once you have the device set up between the two parts of your small dozer, take a ruler and measure how much sag you have between the top of the roller and your string.

What kind of measurements are you looking for? Ideal track sag for small dozers is between 2 and 2.5 inches. Sag can be too tight or too loose, but either way, it’s easier to adjust than you might think. Read on for a few easy steps on how to hit optimum range and maximize your undercarriage wear.

Accessing the Control Panel

No matter which way you’re adjusting your track sag, it’s all done from the same panel. Head to the side of the track roller frame where there’s a covered panel with warning labels. Take a wrench, loosen the bolts and remove the cover. Inside, you’ll see both a relief valve and a zerk fitting. Zerks are metal nozzles attached to small dozers at strategic points where lubrication is necessary. They serve as conduits for grease, which is a key element in adjusting your track sag.

When Your Track Sag is Too Tight

Loosen the zerk fitting in small increments. That will reduce the amount of grease in the cylinder, which causes the idler to retract and your track to loosen, giving more sag.

When Your Track Sag is Too Loose

Use a grease gun, placing its end fitting over the zerk fitting on your small dozer. Pump small amounts of grease into it to extend the rod and push the idler out. This will tighten up the track.