Keep Your Final Drive Motor in Good Shape

Construction work is not just the physical manpower put into a job, but the had work of large excavators, bulldozers, and more, all of which need their internal parts well-maintained, powerful, and up to date so the machine can run. The final drive motor in any vehicle is essential to keeping it running, and drive motors are vulnerable to various problems and breakdowns, but there are ways to diagnose a problem and fix or replace a final drive motor so a vehicle can keep running. Any machine operator would do well to keep his or her vehicle in top shape inside and out.

The Power of Vehicles

The construction equipment industry has plenty of need for Bobcat, Caterpillar, and Komatsu vehicles, among other brand names. In fact, it’s growing: the industry for construction equipment is predicted to grow 12% from 2016 to 2026, and in 2016, the industry for construction equipment operators had approximately 426,000 jobs total. Excavators are particularly important: they are huge, weighing anywhere from 3,790 to 188,716 pounds, and their net rated power can be as low as 14.5 horsepower to a general maximum of 512. These mighty vehicles can dig as deep as 32 feet. However, these machines need their inner parts in top condition, or else a vehicle may stall, veer off course, or lack power. A final drive motor malfunction is always a problem to look out for in any brand. John Deere final drives, final drive motors for Bobcats, and Caterpillar final drive travel motors need tuning or replacement every so often. The good news is, there are well-known ways to diagnose a problem and tune the engine.

Care for a Final Drive Motor

According to Texas Final Drive, tuning such a motor begins with spotting a problem in the construction vehicle’s performance. For example, if the vehicle goes backwards when it should go forwards, that means that the input and return lines in the motor are reversed, and should be switched back to normal. Another common problem is a lack of power when the vehicle carries a load or goes uphill, which points to problems not just with the motor drive, but possibly the charge motor or brakes. If a machine veers to one side, the final drive motor has a problem on that particular side. The hydraulic hoses are also prone to leaks, so they should be checked regularly so the vehicle remains in good working condition.

The final drive’s performance can be due to external causes rather than a problem with the final drive itself. These causes can vary, from a problem with the drive sprocket to insufficient hydraulic pressure reaching the final drive motor to the vehicle’s tracks simply being too tight. A good mechanic will know to check for all these things when a vehicle’s performance is hampered. Of course, if the problem really is inside the final drive motor, it could be a lack of lubrication in the gear box, worn out bearings or gears, or a loose sprocket.

Diagnosing a machine’s affected performance early and accurately is key to keeping it running longer. Universal problems, such as lack of power, strange vibrations, veering to one side, or strange sounds inside are immediate signs of a problem. But if the machine can get looked at and repaired correctly, the final drive motor is bound to get right back into working shape.