- Excavator
- All
- Track-Type Tractor
- All
During alternating freeze-thaw cycles in moist underfoot packing material, some track roller or idler duo-cone seals on Track-Type Tractors and Hydraulic Excavators can experience leaks. These leaks are preventable. With the proper preventative actions, this leakage should not result in component failure or replacement due to leakage.
Leaks become more likely when the following conditions combine:
- Machine is operated in moist, packable underfoot
- Ambient or component working temperatures are above freezing
- Undercarriage is packed and not cleaned out when parked
- Machine is parked overnight in ambient temperatures below freezing
- Machine is moved only a short distance the next day (rollers and idlers are not warmed up)
When material is packed around the duo-cone seals, and temperatures drop below freezing, the water in the packed material freezes, expands, and displaces the duo-cone seal. Even in this condition, the duo-cone is capable of maintaining a good seal.
When the machine is moved the next day, the packed, frozen duo-cone seal may leak. The leak typically appears if the machine is moved only a short distance or is operated a short time, and the rollers and idlers are not warmed up to allow the packing material to work loose.
Leak Prevention
To avoid this type of leakage after operating in moist, packable underfoot material, use the following practices.
- At the end of the day, use a shovel to remove excess packed material from the track, track roller frame, rollers, and idlers. Replace full length track guide guarding with partial guarding if the guarding is allowing material to pack heavily around the rollers and track roller frame.
Show/hide table
Illustration 1 g06005950 - Operate the machine forward with implements raised for approximately
50 m (165 ft) , using a moderate S-shaped pattern. Then, move the machine in reverse in the same manner. The S-shaped pattern helps remove loose material and equalize pressure on the duo-cone seals. See Illustration 1 - At the start of the next day, operate the machine continuously in FIRST or SECOND gear until the rollers and idlers are warm. Stopping the machine prior to warming the duo-cone seals can cause the seals to leak.
Remedy
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| Illustration 2 | g06005994 |
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Minor leak | |
If the leak is minor, clean off the oil and continue to monitor the seals during normal operation. See Illustration 2
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| Illustration 3 | g06006002 |
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Significant leak | |
If the leak is significant, wash the component with water, perform a vacuum leak check and refill with oil. Continue to monitor the seals during normal operation. See Illustration 3
Note: Avoid high pressure washing near the duo-cone seals and rubber stopper in the end of the shaft.