305 CR Mini Hydraulic Excavator Track Adjustment - Inspect Caterpillar

Measuring Rubber Track Tension

1. Park the machine on a level surface.
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   Illustration 1	g00696958

2. Position the upper frame over the tracks at a 90° angle.

3. Lower the bucket to the ground with the stick in a vertical position.

4. Chock the track that is not being lifted off the ground.

5. Apply boom down pressure until the track that is on the same side as the bucket has cleared the ground.

6. Chock the lower frame of the machine in this position.

7. Clean the track rollers and the area around the skid plate.
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   Illustration 2	g00484245

8. For a machine that is equipped with the rubber tracks, locate the "omega" mark on the inside flat of the track.

9. Locate the "omega" mark under the center track roller.
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   Illustration 3	g00522663
   The distance (B) should be 10 to 15 mm (0.4 to 0.6 inch).

10. Measure the sag in the track. The sag is measured from the bottom of the roller to the surface on the top of the track. A properly adjusted track will have 10 to 15 mm (0.4 to 0.6 inch) of sag.

Measuring Steel Track Tension

Follow the same procedures for measuring rubber track tension. There is not a "omega" mark on the steel tracks. You do not need to align the steel tracks. The proper amount of sag for steel tracks is 25 to 35 mm (1.0 to 1.4 inch).