Did a 4 mile move today with the Volvo EC700B machine. Once we arrived I noticed some grease/oil on the inside of the track shoes. Found that is was coming from the middle-bottom roller. This one definitely seemed warmer than the others just by touching it. Is it normal for these to warm up like that on a continuous move of that distance? We did verify that it is still rotating in forward and reverse. Are these rollers oil or grease filled? Thanks!
It's oil filled and I would be replacing it soon.
Good day Thats a long way to tramp, normally filled with light gear oil or heavy engine oil. That appears to be seal failure N0.2&3 in attached. The seal may have given up due to worn bush's if that is the case you may expect more rollers to do the same. Kind regards Uffex
Are these rollers considered maintenance free or do they sometimes need the oil level checked? We weren't really sure if 4 miles was considered a very long distance for a machine like this. Any tips for when we move it back in a few weeks? Take a few breaks along the way to let things cool down a bit? Thanks!
Those are life time filled. Is your company the original owner of the machine? A call to your dealer parts and service people should make for an interesting discussion about them replacing the leaking rollers. It makes no different how far you walk the machine. Rollers should not leak.
We bought this machine from the original owners about 3 months ago out of Saskatchewan. It has excellent service records and seems to be a very well taken care of machine. Care to explain what you mean by "interesting discussion"
Rollers are guaranteed for life, but no one defines what life is. On used machines the dealers and parts houses usually just tell you no, they won't replace them. The photos of the rollers on your machine show that the rollers have very little wear. There is no way those should be leaking for any reason.
You are correct. This machine has had a lot of money put into it recently, including a new undercarriage. That seems odd they won't replace a part if your willing to pay for it. Unless you meant they won't honor a warranty on something like that. I was hoping we didnt make the wrong decision by walking this large machine 4 miles, but we figured it was built to handle that....
Good day Tyler The figure that has been the norm is 20% of the working hours, replacing one roller in our experience is not such a good idea especially in the middle of the frame as it may stand proud and take more punishment. There is a plug in many for initial filling, if you replace an individual roller it is best to keep it at the idler end of the frame. It may be more economical in the long run to low boy the machine. Wear limits attached. Kind regards Uffex
If it had a new undercarriage, then the supplier of that undercarriage should supply a new roller to you at no cost. You will have to do the labor to R&R the roller. It has been my experience that the supplier will claim that the parts warranty only applies to the original purchaser and they will sell you a new roller to replace the leaking one. It is preferable to trailer tracked machines any distance but it is not always practical. My thoughts are that the components that were replaced in the undercarriage were not OEM.
Understandable. I think the amount that actually leaked out is not as bad as it looks. We will probably just take a few breaks when we move it back to give it some time to cool down a bit...
If you can find the fill plug pump it full of corn head grease
Maybe since these parts are all fairly new and filled with oil, the heat from the move caused it to build up enough pressure to push some out... Just a thought and I could be totally wrong. I think Im going to just raise the machine up on that side and see how it turns by hand. Maybe its nothing to worry about at all
You won't be able to turn a fairly new roller unless the seals are junk. Call the dealer and ask about the roller. At least give them a chance to say yes we'll replace it.
Got it. I will continue to monitor that roller especially after the 4 mile trip back with it. Worse case it leaks all of the oil out and eventually it locks up completely Im guessing?
You never did respond in that thread you posted about "unusual farm equipment". What are you using them all for?
Goodc day You maybe know there has been s recent innervation adapting an axle to carry a large excavator resting the bucket in the back of a dump truck. Where it is inevitable to travel long distances, I suggest you make a frequent check of frame bolts where appropriate along with a more regular change of the transmission lube. I should have mentioned the twenty percent figure is at the top end of use with machines below 50 tons, larger machines will normally spend a great deal less time travelling in comparison to actual working. KInd regards Uffex
We deal in some heavy equipment and also use them for projects we have.
Oh, ok. I thought maybe you were starting some massive development project or something. Around here, all the farmland is being used to grow houses. They are about the only cash crop left in the county I grew up in. I just sold the land I got from my ancestors and bought a place further inland to get away from it.