As a general guide is there a certain amount of track tension, slack that there should be on a machine. Somebody said to me the other day 2" of movement in the track if you lift it up, in front of the top idler. Obviously on a big machine your not going to be able to lift the track.:Banghead How do others know when it is track adjustment time and what rule do you use to tension them. Mines only a little 55hP Drott. Also should you run a slight bit more tension when working it on slopes.:drinkup
Many machines have a diagram on them,a data plate or something to tell you what the slack should be and how to measure it.A straightedge between the front idler and the front carrier roller should be about 1 1/2" or so. Others will be along with more specifics I am sure.Ron G
You're gonna get a million replies to this one. There will be a manufacturer's spec using a straightedge between carrier rollers and/or idlers but a lot of the experienced operators are going to tell you about different tensions for different ground conditions, mud, rock, sand, side slopes etc. Bear in mind this is all for undercarriage in good condition. If your U/C is shot, it's different. If the tracks fall off more than once a day then make em tighter!
The way I check track tension is to lift the machine up and check the distance the track hangs down from top of chain to bottom of roller. I used to keep them with about 3 to 4 inches of slack.