-
- About Us
- Cooperation
- News
- Offer
- E-shop
- Contact
- TRACK FINDER
- WYSZUKIWARKA SZYB
- Kategorie produktowe
-
ALL CATEGORIES
-
-
-
-
-
-
SLEW SYSTEM
-
-
-
-
-
AXLES
- TIE RODS
- KIT SPIDER FOR DRIVE SHAFTS
- DIFFERENTIAL
- MOUNT THE KNUCKLE
- KIT SPIDER FOR AXLE SHAFTS
- HUB / GEAR REDUCTION
- PROPSHAFTS
- SOLENOID VALVES / COILS
- FLANGES / COUPLING YOKES
- BEARINGS
- BUSHES / WASHERS MOUNT AXLE
- AXLE / DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
- DRIVESHAFTS / CENTER JOINTS
- BOLTS / NUTS / STRAPS
- LOCK / CIRCLIP / CLIP
- CROWN WHEEL AND PINIONS
- SEALS
- OTHERS
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
ENGINE
-
-
-
-
-
COILS / SOLENOID VALVES
-
SWIVELS / TURNING JOINTS
-
PUMPS / STEERING VALVES / MOTORS
-
-
-
VALVES
-
HYDRAULIC HOSES / PIPES
-
RAMS
-
ACCUMULATORS
-
QUICKHITCHES
-
-
-
BOLTS / NUTS / WASHERS
-
PUMP DRIVESHAFTS
-
SEALS VALVES / PUMPS
-
OTHERS
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
TIMING
-
EQUIPMENT
-
-
LUBRICATION SYSTEM
-
-
INDUCTION / EXHAUST SYSTEM
-
SEALS / GASKET SETS
-
ENGINE MOUNTING
-
SERVICE TOOLS
-
-
-
-
-
-
STABILIZERS
-
-
-
-
-
-
FUSES / FUSE BOXES
-
RELAYS / FLASHERS
-
REVERSE ALARM
-
-
HEATERS / BLOWERS
-
BATTERY ISOLATER SWITCH
-
-
-
-
-
OILS
-
FLUIDS
-
-
-
PAINTS
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
GLASS / CAB GLAZING
-
-
-
RUBBER SEALS - GLASS
-
ASSEMBLY KITS / ADHESIVES
-
-
-
-
-
ADAPTERS
-
BOLTS / LOCKS
-
-
-
-
HYDRAULIC INSTALLATIONS
-
TOEPLATES
-
TOOTH RIPPER
-
-
-
HYDRAULIC HAMMERS / TOOLS
-
PLOWS
-
QUICKHITCHES
-
FORKS
-
-
-
EARTH DRILL / AUGER
-
SWEEPER / COMPONENTS
-
SWINGOTILT / PLATFORMS
-
-
-
-
-
ACCESSORIES
-
DECAL / STICKERS
-
-
-
GADGETS
-
CLOTHES
-
FAN ZONE
-
-
-
- SPARE PARTS SUITABLE FOR
- JCB
- CAT
- VOLVO
- KOMATSU
- CASE
- NEW HOLLAND
Adjusting Track Tension – The Key to a Long Undercarriage Life
Adjusting Track Tension – The Key to a Long Undercarriage Life
The Most Important Service Task You're Forgetting
Proper track tension is the single most important maintenance activity that directly impacts the life of the entire undercarriage. Both a track that is too loose and one that is too tight can lead to a cascade of problems and drastically accelerate the wear of expensive components. Spending a few minutes on regular checks and adjustments is one of the best investments you can make in your machine.
Consequences of Improper Tension
Track Too Loose:
- Risk of de-tracking: The most serious consequence, leading to immediate machine downtime and the risk of damaging the undercarriage frame.
- Accelerated wear of rollers and idlers: A loose chain "slaps" around and puts uneven load on the edges of rollers and idlers.
- "Sprocket jumping": Causes loud banging noises and damages both the sprocket teeth and the chain bushings.
Track Too Tight:
- Massive load on the entire system: Drastically increases friction and stress, accelerating the wear of pins, bushings, rollers, and even the bearings in the final drives.
- Power loss and increased fuel consumption: The engine has to overcome much greater resistance to move the machine.
- Risk of chain breakage or tensioner damage: In extreme cases, the tension can lead to link cracking or damage to the tensioning cylinder.
Remember!
Improper tension damages all undercarriage components. By maintaining it, you extend the life of rollers, idlers, and chains, like those offered by the proven brand KERTRACK, and you also protect your expensive-to-repair travel motors.
How to Properly Check and Adjust Tension
The procedure is simple and takes only a few minutes. Always check the recommendations in your machine's operator manual, but the general principle is as follows:
- Prepare the machine: Park the machine on a level, hard surface. Most importantly, the undercarriage must be clean! Mud and rocks will give a false measurement. Drive the machine forward a few meters to settle the track in its natural working position.
- Lift the track: Using the excavator's arm or a jack, lift one side of the machine so the track hangs freely above the ground.
- Measure the sag: Place a straight edge or board across the top carrier rollers (if present) or along the top section of the track. Measure the distance (sag) between the straight edge and the lowest point of the track.
- Compare with the standard: The correct sag value for most mini and full-size excavators is between 20 to 50 mm (about 1-2 inches). Always check the exact values in your machine's service manual!
- Adjust the tension: On the undercarriage frame, you will find a small service cover. Behind it is the grease nipple (zerk fitting) for the tensioning cylinder.
- To tighten the track (reduce sag), pump grease into the nipple with a grease gun. Do this slowly while watching the track tighten.
- To loosen the track (increase sag), VERY CAREFULLY and slowly loosen the valve next to the nipple. Grease under high pressure will begin to escape. Never fully unscrew the valve and do not stand directly in front of it!
- Re-check: After adjusting, lower the machine, drive it a meter forward and back, then lift and measure the sag again to ensure it is correct.
Noticed problems during adjustment?
If the track requires constant tensioning, or if you notice excessive wear on rollers, chains, or sprockets during inspection, it's a sign that service is due. In our offer, you will find high-quality undercarriage components from the KERTRACK brand. And if the problem lies with the travel motor, damaged by excessive stress, our experts will help you select a suitable, reliable replacement from TRK TRACK SOLUTIONS. Contact us!
Related posts
WE OFFER PRODUCTS OF THE BEST BRANDS


















ul. Podkarpacka 57A, 35-082 Rzeszów
NIP: 813-352-97-49 REGON: 180286726
Opening hours
Telephone support - Monday - Friday (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Order pick-up - Monday - Friday (8:00 AM – 4:30 PM)
[email protected]
[email protected]
Gadu-Gadu communicator
GG: 4185846 - Daniel
+48 17 864 31 00
+48 17 864 00 24
+48 17 864 25 96
Mobile phone
+48 607-700-547
+48 695-944-818
+48 691-330-531
+48 690-906-751
Fax
+48 17 864 31 20
