K008 excavator - Knocking noise from tracks

[dig dug dan]

I wonder if someone can shed light on a problem with my k008. (giles?)one of the front idlers appears to make a knocking noise when it goes round, almost at the same point each time.
Do these wear out often? machine has done 1600hours.
Not sure how you get to them to replace them tBH



Edited By dig dug dan on 1267899965

[GB_Groundworks]

not normally after that long and you don't normally excessively track a mini like that,

to get them off, slacken the grease nut off,its the one in the middle of the track side board used to expand the tracks,

slacken it off or remove it and then compress the idler in (the non driven end) can be stuck some times, use the machine and a timbre brace etc or a strong puller. to push it back in, grease will squirt out.

the idler is just a metal wheel on a U shaped metal bracket with a long lenght of steel dowel on to act as the ram that the grease push out to keep the track tight.

you can lift the machine with the arm and brace it with timbers.

that will allow you to get the track off to inspect

then to remove it, just pull it out with a pry bar or if the machine is stable use the machine. if its well lubed it should just pull out by hand, on the 13 tonners there a bit of a struggle haha

some times it just a piece of stone stuck in there and mormally crushes up and cleans itself out or a track link in the rubber has gone.



Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1267912919

[GB_Groundworks]

[dig dug dan]

Thanks Giles

I knew about how to slacken the tracks, as I have changed them once. I took the outside plate off thinking it hid something and it was just a metal weight!!
The tracks on the picture look like they need tightening!

now you say about the track link, i will check it as that could be the problem.

[dig dug dan]

that picture is strange as that model all came in blue, it changed to 008-3 and became orange. must be a re spray!

[GB_Groundworks]

its american i think google image search

saw some yellow ones as well

http://images.irondealer.com/dealers....866.jpg

[GB_Groundworks]

some times you want your tracks slack

if you are working in sand you have to slacken them off as the sand get in every where and tightens them to the point of snapping less so with rubbers but on the steels can be a problem but you can feel it with sand all tighten up.



Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1267913486

[dig dug dan]

well upon inspection, one of the idlers bearings had collapsed (ball bearings and shards of metal all over the trailer floor!)
Couldn't believe how easily they came out Giles, as you say, loosen the track, take it off and they just slide out!
Took the liberty of replacing them both.
I would recommend digbits for spares. £150 cheaper than the dealer where the machine came from!
Its tracking smoother now, and no noises!

[Dave_L]

Idler failed at 1600hrs! Blimey you must do some tracking with it Dan!

[dig dug dan]

i guess, or it was poorly made in the first place. the other one was fine, and i have kept it as a spare!
I do track on and off the truck and around to back gardens a fair bit!

[Dave_L]

You should see the tracks on our 3 and 5 ton machines!

They are totally slick - no grip left on them whatsoever, totally flat - but that suits us as 99% of our work is on a sealed tarmac or concrete surface.

3 tonner has done 2000hrs+ and the 5 has done 1970hrs on the same tracks!

[dig dug dan]

that's not bad Dave. The tracks on mine were replaced at 1200 hours.
At least you don't have metal ones digging into the tarmac!!

[GB_Groundworks]

Our 8 ton on metals still going strong, has over 5k hours on same set of triple gausers with bolt on rubber street pads but they haven't been on for ages. Gets a bit fun on a greasy field with cross fall etc. Kubota 3 ton just had new tracks, one snapped after 1300 hours in a deep sand hole, changed both though. Most our work requires grip in fields etc.