Essential Kobelco Crawler Crane Undercarriage Maintenance
Want your Kobelco crawler crane to break down less and last longer? It’s easier than you think. We’ve put together this straightforward checklist—from daily quick checks to monthly Kobelco Crawler Cranes Undercarriage Maintenance—that can seriously cut unexpected downtime and help extend the life of your undercarriage by 30% or more.
The 5-Minute Daily Check
These four quick steps can catch small issues before they become big, expensive problems.
- Walk around and look. Before you start, take a minute to visually scan for obvious stuff: loose bolts, visible cracks in the track shoes, or a ton of packed mud and rocks in the crawler track. Also, keep an eye out for any fresh oil leaks around the rollers or final drives.
- Kick out the big debris. If you see rocks or compacted material stuck in there, take a moment to clear it out. A cleaner undercarriage simply wears down more slowly.
- Feel the track tension. Know that “just right” sag in your tracks? Too loose and you risk a derailment; too tight and you’ll wear out rollers and track pads too fast. It’s a quick check with a big payoff.
- Listen and feel while running. When you’re operating, pay attention to new noises—grinding, squealing, or unusual vibrations from the travel system. If something feels or sounds off, it probably is. Flag it right away.
Seriously, doing this quick routine can prevent a huge chunk of common failures.
The Weekly & Monthly Crawler Cranes Undercarriage Maintenance
Weekly:
· Inspect the track pad rolling surfaces and pin holes for excessive wear, dents, deformation, and surface cracks.
· If it is safe, rotate the track roller and front idler by hand—check for rough rotation or gaps. Wipe the seals and check for grease or oil leaks.
Monthly (or every 250–500 hours):
· Measure wear on track rollers, idlers, and sprockets; document dimensions in a log. Small wear left unchecked will increase wear on adjacent parts by 15–25%.
· Check if the oil level in the travel device system is normal, and whether there are any issues such as oil dripping, abnormal high temperature, or noise.
Lubrication & Seals: Keep the Grit Out
This part is simple but crucial: use the grease Kobelco recommends and stick to the schedule. Over-greasing attracts dirt; under-greasing shortens bearing life. On really harsh sites, you might need to grease more often.
Check those seals and O-rings monthly. Replace any seals that show cuts or hardening. A good seal can improve bearing life by 30% in sandy or wet conditions.
Quick Tips for Different Job Sites
Sandy/Dusty Sites: Clean more often—daily if you can. Make sure you’re using seals designed to keep fine grit out.
Mud & Clay: Get the pressure washer out after the shift. Caked-on mud is incredibly abrasive and will wear things down fast.
Rocky or Urban Demolition: You’re dealing with more impacts. Inspect track shoes and sprockets more frequently for cracks and damage.
Record keeping & parts strategy
Maintenance log: record inspections, torque checks, measurements, and parts replaced. Historical data makes future planning and budgeting 50% more accurate.
Stock critical spares: keep VM® Track Part essentials — track shoes, bottom rollers, top rollers, idlers, sprockets, and a spare final-drive seal kit — to avoid long downtime while waiting for parts.
Matched replacements: replace crane track rollers or track shoes in matched sets when wear is uneven; mismatched parts accelerate damage.

When to Stop and Replace
Persistent oil leaks from the travel device.
Track derailments or repeated track tension loss.
Overheating final drive or grinding/metallic noises.
Visible cracks in track shoes, track rollers, idlers, or track frame.
If you notice any of these issues, stop operating the crane and schedule immediate repair to prevent more extensive damage and safety risks.


Final word — maintenance saves money and time
A clear daily routine, combined with monthly mechanical checks, will typically extend crawler undercarriage life by 20–35%, reduce unexpected downtime, and lower total operating costs. Use quality, OEM-fit parts like VM® Track Part to ensure correct fit and predictable performance across Kobelco crawler cranes. A disciplined Kobelco Crawler Cranes Undercarriage Maintenance plan protects your investment and keeps projects on schedule.