Seems like a common track noise I hear around work sites. My dozer only makes it running a higher speeds or in reverse. What is the main cause and does it indicate a problem ?? Thanks. gg
I believe it is the track bushings engaging and disengaging with the sprocket.
It is letting you know that the wear is greatly accelerated due to higher speeds. The very reason why many of the old D8s and 9s are found today with high gear locked out.
Klat klat klat is good. Scree Scree Scree is bad.
Brand new track chains will also make the sound at any speed. The squealing sound happens in very dry conditions normally and if doing it when wet sometimes indicates worn out chains. In my experience it is continuous. I've seen operators wearing ear plugs plus muffs and having a funny look in their eyes at the end of a day of listening to that.
Not just old tractors. We do it to all our machines before an operator gets anywhere near it.......
Thanks for the comments and info. I had to travel 3/4 mile down a woods road yesterday and moved right along faster than normal. Heard the clat-clat-clat and wondered about it. gg
I suppose it could be said that the noise you were asking about is the undercarriage telling you “too fast man, too darn fast”.......
Klat, Klat, Klat , is the sound of $$$$$$ Making or Losing ; some S. Cal contractors order D10 undercarriages 6 sets at a time and receive a discount from dealers.
It's due to backing up fast when the track is not loaded with tension . It's all " loose " and the chain is clanking over the sprocket & wheels . Normal for a dozer . The Ford Galaxie 500 will do it in a curve when ya let off the throttle & get a little sideways in loose gravel .
One of my favourite earthmoving sounds is the sound of Apex Plate tracks going around.Very gentle compared to single grousers.
You hear the clacking a lot at forest fires where the tractor will often be moving pretty fast (for a Cat) from point A to point B along a road or trail or something. Sometimes even when pushing, when it is open grass country and working the active fire edge.
I wish our dealer did that ....... last time I looked we had five complete sets of new tracks in the yard for both 10 & 11. Undercarriage on our tractors is a set of swing track frames with idlers, track/carrier rollers and pivot shaft seals already installed. Flog a set of sprocket segments onto it, wrap a new pair of tracks on and Bob's your father's brother. Then deal with the track frame bogie pin/roller/whatever replacement on the frames that came off at your leisure. Just a thought. Has anyone noticed whether or not track noise is reduced by having the optional carrier roller installed or not..?
Last time I Flog-ed on 9R segments without spitting tracks: 3/4" impact has too-easy working trigger, 1 extra bit trigger on threw the bolt striking me diagonally dead center across the lips under my nose. Cut to the bone, bit of blood; had to check if my teeth were still in place via service truck's mirror. Worst part my buddies kept asking, 'hey, did you get into a fight with the 9R'? I don't think carrier rollers reduce track noise, because tracks in reverse still have sprocket tooth to bushing clearance. I like carrier rollers on high drives, we fabricated our own in the mid 80s so we could wear-out chains without damaging the recoil assembly from over extension.