ing final drive maintenance: Inspect it often. Give your equipment a quick once-over at least once a day so as to catch problems early on. Then follow these maintenance suggestions for optimal performance.
1. Maintain a clean drive and undercarriage. Regularly blast off dirt and debris because leaks and other issues can hide beneath layers of dirt and grease.
2. Watch oil levels. The gear oil inside of the drive reduces friction and dissipates heat. Due to the constant movement of gears inside the drive, even a short span of time with a low oil level can be catastrophic.
3. Change your gear oil on time. The rule of thumb is doing this annually. But actual frequency could be determined by operating conditions and the manufacturer’ s recommendations. When changing the oil, check out the spent oil too. Discoloration or metal particles could be indications of internal problems.
4. Change your filters on schedule. While some final drives have their own filter, they can also be affected by the machine’ s hydraulic oil. Keep that clean as well.
5. Be a thoughtful operator. Don’ t be any harder on your final drives than necessary. Avoid impacts while in reverse, minimize times operating at maximum loads and full output and always be aware of the conditions in which you are working.
The underrated and understated final drive is a very elegant system that gets very little press and has one of the dirtiest jobs on earth, but without it, our monstrous machines could not accomplish the herculean tasks that they do. We need to show it some respect by giving it the same care and attention as its more well-known workmates. Whether you are putting your equipment through its paces while working or giving it some much-needed maintenance, don’ t forget the final drive!
28 • 800-247-2000 • November 2024