Would appreciate advice on how to identify the cause of the excessive side wear on the rail bushing. See attached pics. I believe the wear is coming from the inside of the lower roller guards. Could this be due to worn down lower rollers? My question is how does is have this much side to side movement? Machine does track a lot as we use it to clear trees in pastures. 25 ton Machine has just over 3000 hrs on it, original undercarriage. Tracks are tensioned properly. My fear is that the wear continues until is penetrates to the rail pin and then game over. Thanks in advance.
Worn track rollers. Wear on the roller treads (arrowed) has allowed the track links to essentially move "upwards" until the bosses on the end of the links are rubbing on the flanges of the roller. That's what makes the marks. Maybe not all the rollers are rubbing, but at least one will be.
Are you traveling across the slope of hills a lot?
You could wear that spot down to the pin and beyond and it wouldn't be an issue. I believe you are correct that the wear is coming from the track guides. Uneven ground is causing the rails to flex around. I'm seeing the similar wear on my 290 rails, 3800 hours and I've only tightened the tracks twice in 1000 hours.
Not a lot, mostly flat ground.
Thank you, that makes sense. What about the side wear on the inside of roller guard? Excessive lateral movement on the rail links?
Stand on track mid-way between idler and first top roller, a foot on each outside edge of pad and rock back and forth. Are they loose or tight?
Tight. Hardly any movement.
What would this mean if you could rock the track back and forth? Worn rail pins?
Yes, internally. they may look ok on outside but the internal bushings are worn. Therefore the tracks like to bend to the side when turning, and if your jump turning on uneven ground they can rub up against track guards or worse skip over it. Here is a picture of a 22t rail that has a heap of internal wear, say 70%, however you would never tell from looking at it.