9 hours ago
The Bobcat T770 is a powerful and versatile compact track loader known for its excellent performance in challenging environments. Whether it’s for landscaping, site preparation, or agricultural tasks, the T770 is designed to handle a wide range of duties. However, when dealing with tasks like mowing pine rows, climbing stumps, and traversing hilly terrain, operators sometimes face an issue with tracks coming off. This problem can severely affect productivity and delay project timelines, so it’s crucial to understand the possible causes and how to resolve them.
In this article, we will discuss why the tracks keep coming off the Bobcat T770 in certain conditions, provide troubleshooting tips, and offer solutions to keep your machine running smoothly.
Understanding the Problem: Why Tracks Keep Coming Off
When using the Bobcat T770 on uneven terrain, such as hilly areas or areas with large obstacles like stumps, the loader may encounter conditions where the tracks are more likely to come off. This can be frustrating for operators and often leads to costly downtime.
Here are some common reasons why the tracks may keep coming off:
1. Incorrect Track Tension
One of the most common reasons for tracks coming off a compact track loader is incorrect track tension. If the tracks are too tight or too loose, they may not stay properly aligned on the undercarriage, causing them to fall off during operation.
The idler wheels and rollers are crucial components that keep the track in proper alignment. If they become worn or damaged, the tracks may not stay in place, especially during demanding operations. For example, when climbing a stump or moving over rough terrain, these worn components may not hold the track securely, causing it to come off.
When working on rough terrain or while navigating stumps, large rocks, or other obstacles, the loader’s tracks can sometimes get misaligned, leading to them slipping off the undercarriage. Uneven ground creates irregular stresses on the tracks, which can cause them to come off if they are already misaligned or if any components are already worn.
4. Improper Track Installation
Improper track installation is another factor that can lead to track issues. If the track is not installed correctly—whether it’s not properly tensioned, the alignment is off, or the track is incorrectly placed on the sprockets—the track may not stay securely in place.
5. Track Quality and Age
The quality of the tracks themselves can play a significant role. Over time, the rubber or steel tracks can wear down, particularly when subjected to intense use like mowing or traversing challenging terrain. Older tracks may stretch, crack, or lose their grip, making it easier for them to come off.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Track Problems
If your Bobcat T770’s tracks keep coming off during operation, here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot and fix the issue:
Step 1: Check Track Tension
Start by checking the track tension. Refer to your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended track tension specifications. The correct tension ensures that the track remains snug without being too tight or too loose.
Next, inspect the idler wheels, rollers, and undercarriage components for signs of wear or damage. These parts are responsible for keeping the tracks in place, so any damage to them can result in track misalignment.
Make sure that the tracks are installed correctly. Improper installation is a common cause of track issues. Double-check the alignment of the track and ensure that it is properly placed on the sprockets. The track should sit securely in the grooves of the sprocket teeth and remain aligned with the idlers and rollers.
Step 4: Examine the Track for Wear
If the tracks are old or showing signs of wear, such as cracks or loose rubber, it might be time to replace them. Worn tracks lose their ability to grip the undercarriage components, which increases the likelihood of them coming off. Consider replacing them with new tracks that are designed for the specific demands of your worksite, whether that’s mowing or working on rough terrain.
Step 5: Maintain Cleanliness and Lubrication
Debris such as dirt, mud, or vegetation can also cause the tracks to slip. Regularly clean the undercarriage and ensure that there is no buildup of dirt or other materials that could interfere with the track’s function. Additionally, ensure that all moving parts are properly lubricated to reduce wear and improve performance.
When to Seek Professional Help
While basic track maintenance can often be done by the operator, more serious issues, such as worn-out idlers, damaged rollers, or significant damage to the tracks, may require professional attention. If the problem persists after adjusting the track tension and inspecting the undercarriage, it may be best to contact a qualified technician for a more in-depth inspection and repair.
Conclusion: Keeping Your Bobcat T770 Running Smoothly
The Bobcat T770 is a reliable piece of equipment that can handle a wide range of tasks, but like all heavy machinery, it requires proper care and maintenance. If you find that the tracks keep coming off while mowing pine rows, climbing stumps, or navigating hilly terrain, troubleshooting the common causes of track issues—such as incorrect tension, worn components, or rough terrain—can help resolve the problem.
Regular maintenance, including checking track tension, inspecting the undercarriage, and ensuring that the tracks are in good condition, will go a long way in keeping your Bobcat T770 running smoothly and minimizing downtime. With proper care, your machine will continue to perform effectively on challenging work sites for years to come.
In this article, we will discuss why the tracks keep coming off the Bobcat T770 in certain conditions, provide troubleshooting tips, and offer solutions to keep your machine running smoothly.
Understanding the Problem: Why Tracks Keep Coming Off
When using the Bobcat T770 on uneven terrain, such as hilly areas or areas with large obstacles like stumps, the loader may encounter conditions where the tracks are more likely to come off. This can be frustrating for operators and often leads to costly downtime.
Here are some common reasons why the tracks may keep coming off:
1. Incorrect Track Tension
One of the most common reasons for tracks coming off a compact track loader is incorrect track tension. If the tracks are too tight or too loose, they may not stay properly aligned on the undercarriage, causing them to fall off during operation.
- Too tight: If the tracks are too tight, they can put excessive strain on the drive motor, roller bearings, and track links, causing premature wear. Over time, the increased friction can also cause the track to slip off.
- Too loose: Loose tracks can easily slip off, especially when the loader is working on sloped surfaces or climbing over stumps. Loose tracks may also cause the track system to wobble, leading to an even higher risk of coming off.
The idler wheels and rollers are crucial components that keep the track in proper alignment. If they become worn or damaged, the tracks may not stay in place, especially during demanding operations. For example, when climbing a stump or moving over rough terrain, these worn components may not hold the track securely, causing it to come off.
- Damaged idlers can cause the track to shift side to side.
- Worn rollers can result in uneven weight distribution, further contributing to the risk of the track coming off.
When working on rough terrain or while navigating stumps, large rocks, or other obstacles, the loader’s tracks can sometimes get misaligned, leading to them slipping off the undercarriage. Uneven ground creates irregular stresses on the tracks, which can cause them to come off if they are already misaligned or if any components are already worn.
4. Improper Track Installation
Improper track installation is another factor that can lead to track issues. If the track is not installed correctly—whether it’s not properly tensioned, the alignment is off, or the track is incorrectly placed on the sprockets—the track may not stay securely in place.
5. Track Quality and Age
The quality of the tracks themselves can play a significant role. Over time, the rubber or steel tracks can wear down, particularly when subjected to intense use like mowing or traversing challenging terrain. Older tracks may stretch, crack, or lose their grip, making it easier for them to come off.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Track Problems
If your Bobcat T770’s tracks keep coming off during operation, here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot and fix the issue:
Step 1: Check Track Tension
Start by checking the track tension. Refer to your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended track tension specifications. The correct tension ensures that the track remains snug without being too tight or too loose.
- To check the tension, measure the deflection of the track at a point between the rollers. If the deflection is too high or too low, adjust the tension.
- Adjust the tension using the tensioning screw or hydraulic system (depending on your model). This will allow you to find the optimal track tightness that ensures the track stays in place during operation.
Next, inspect the idler wheels, rollers, and undercarriage components for signs of wear or damage. These parts are responsible for keeping the tracks in place, so any damage to them can result in track misalignment.
- Check for wear on the rollers and idlers. If you find any cracks, grooves, or significant wear, these components should be replaced.
- Inspect the undercarriage for debris, dirt, or damaged parts that may affect the track’s ability to stay aligned.
Make sure that the tracks are installed correctly. Improper installation is a common cause of track issues. Double-check the alignment of the track and ensure that it is properly placed on the sprockets. The track should sit securely in the grooves of the sprocket teeth and remain aligned with the idlers and rollers.
Step 4: Examine the Track for Wear
If the tracks are old or showing signs of wear, such as cracks or loose rubber, it might be time to replace them. Worn tracks lose their ability to grip the undercarriage components, which increases the likelihood of them coming off. Consider replacing them with new tracks that are designed for the specific demands of your worksite, whether that’s mowing or working on rough terrain.
Step 5: Maintain Cleanliness and Lubrication
Debris such as dirt, mud, or vegetation can also cause the tracks to slip. Regularly clean the undercarriage and ensure that there is no buildup of dirt or other materials that could interfere with the track’s function. Additionally, ensure that all moving parts are properly lubricated to reduce wear and improve performance.
When to Seek Professional Help
While basic track maintenance can often be done by the operator, more serious issues, such as worn-out idlers, damaged rollers, or significant damage to the tracks, may require professional attention. If the problem persists after adjusting the track tension and inspecting the undercarriage, it may be best to contact a qualified technician for a more in-depth inspection and repair.
Conclusion: Keeping Your Bobcat T770 Running Smoothly
The Bobcat T770 is a reliable piece of equipment that can handle a wide range of tasks, but like all heavy machinery, it requires proper care and maintenance. If you find that the tracks keep coming off while mowing pine rows, climbing stumps, or navigating hilly terrain, troubleshooting the common causes of track issues—such as incorrect tension, worn components, or rough terrain—can help resolve the problem.
Regular maintenance, including checking track tension, inspecting the undercarriage, and ensuring that the tracks are in good condition, will go a long way in keeping your Bobcat T770 running smoothly and minimizing downtime. With proper care, your machine will continue to perform effectively on challenging work sites for years to come.
