Understanding the Travel Motor Assembly

An excavator travel motor consists of two main sections: the hydraulic motor and the planetary gearbox.

• The Hydraulic Motor: Receives oil from the main hydraulic pump to create high-speed rotation and efficient power transmission.
• The Planetary Gearbox: Reduces speed to increase torque, allowing the machine to climb steep grades and push heavy loads.

Our undercarriage parts feature precision-ground gears and bearings that minimize friction. This reduces wear and tear and prevents the overheating that often leads to total undercarriage system failure.

Warning Signs of Final Drive Failure

Identifying issues early can save thousands in costly repairs. Inspect your undercarriage drive components if you notice:

1. Hydraulic Fluid Leaks: Oil pooling around the motor housing or track chain often indicates a failed mechanical face seal.
2. Unusual Noises: Grinding or clicking suggests worn bearings or damaged gears.
3. Loss of Power: If one track moves slower, your final drive may be losing internal pressure.
4. Overheating: A gearbox that is too hot to touch usually suffers from low gear oil.
5. Metal Contamination: Finding metal shavings in the gear oil is a critical sign of internal grinding.

Maintenance for Optimal Performance

To protect your undercarriage system, regular maintenance of pins and bushings and track tension is essential. Always check your gear oil levels and inspect the case drain filter. A clogged filter is the #1 cause of "blown" motors, as it causes pressure to build up until the motor housing or seals rupture.

Replacing worn track links and excavator sprockets helps reduce vibration in your drive system. High vibration speeds up wear on internal parts, causing early failure.