Track Drives Vital to CTL and MTL Equipment

If you own a CTL (Compact Track Loader) or MTL (Multi-Terrain Loader), you know that it needs a working track drive in order to move. Track drives are a vital part of your CTL, whether it's an ASV compact track loader or a CAT multi-terrain loader, they are also commonly neglected. In this Shop Talk Blog post, we are going to talk about three common mistakes equipment owners make in maintaining their track drive motors.

Mistake #1: Not Changing the Gear Oil

The planetary side of your track drive uses a planetary gear system to convert speed into the torque needed to make a CTL move. That part of your track drive needs gear oil to function properly. If the gear oil runs low, it will lead to severe damage of the components in the planetary hub. When these components, which include gears and bearings, are damaged, the repairs and replacements can quickly become expensive.

If the gear oil is running low, it can easily be topped off. However, if it consistently runs low then there is leaking seal that needs to be attended to immediately.

When the gear oil isn't changed regularly, it's key lubricating properties can degrade and it won't work as effectively. If the gear oil is no longer doing its job of lubricating, reducing friction, and conducting heat away from key components, your final drive will not be as efficient and will begin to suffer damage.  A simple thing like neglecting the gear oil can lead to costly repaires -- compact track loader parts are never cheap.

Mistake #2: Not Checking the Case Drain Filter

At Texas Final Drive, you may have noticed that we dwell quite a bit on case drain filter problems. Case drain filters are the number one cause of catastrophic final drive failures. Here's what happens:

1. The case drain filter becomes clogged
2. The hydraulic fluid increases in pressure because it's flow through the case drain line is hindered
3. The hydraulic fluid begins to look for the path of least resistance
4. That path of least resistance is the oil seal between the planetary hub and the hydraulic hub
5. The oil seal is blown, and hydraulic fluid makes it way into the planetary hub
6. Once in the planetary hub, the pressure continues to build

Depending on how long the problem goes unresolved, bearings can be damaged, the rotary group can be destroyed, and the track drive cover plate can be completely blown off.  The picture above shows an extreme case of damage due to a neglected case drain filter.

Mistake #3: Neglecting Leaks

We mentioned the problem with neglecting leaks. A failed, leaking seal not only allows key lubricants leak and hydraulic fluid out, but can allow abrasive contaminants into your track drive. Many of the most important components in your track drive can be destroyed by abrasive damage or metal-on-metal contact.  As soon as leaks are spotted, they need to be addressed as soon as possible.  The image below shows the horrific sludge that can form when leaks are neglected and debris gets inside your final drive.  This type of damage is very expensive.

Maintenance Is Key

If you want to keep your track drives running efficiently, then remember these keys to final drive maintenance: change the gear oil, check the case drain filters, and attend to leaks as soon as possible. Your compact track loader will keep running and you will save significant money in repairs and reactive maintenance. 

When excavators track drives do fail and it's time to replace the final drive motor do your research.  Explore best-in-class reman track drive motors from Texas Final Drive.  Shop for your final drive motor either new or reman.

Looking for a reman ASV Compact Track Loader hydraulic drive motor, check out the latest in inventory.