Tires, belts, and undercarriage.
What carries the machine and transfers the pull to the ground
It is the undercarriage — tyres or tracks — that transfers the machine's weight and the engine's traction to the ground. Incorrect tyre pressure, worn tracks or a misaligned undercarriage reduces traction, increases fuel consumption and can become dangerous. That is why the undercarriage is a fixed point in every inspection.
§Tires on wheel machines.
Tires on agricultural and contractor machinery are often large and specialized. Pattern and construction are adapted to the work — for example strong lugs for traction in the field or robust tires for contractor work. Tire pressure has great importance: too high pressure gives poor grip and compacts the soil hard, too low pressure wears the tire unevenly and can cause it to slip on the rim.
§Belts and crawler tracks
Many heavy machines run on tracks. Tracks distribute weight over a large area so the machine sinks less and has good traction on soft ground. A track system typically consists of drive wheels running rollers support rollers a guide wheel and the track itself held tight by a tensioning device. Wear and incorrect tension on any of these elements affects the entire system.
§What you check
- 01Tire pressure according to manufacturer's instruction for the task.
- 02Pattern depth and damage on the sides of the tire.
- 03Belt tension and wear on rollers drive wheels and chain/belt.
- 04Signs of oil leakage at the rollers' bearings.
- 05Wheel bolts and rims being intact and tightened correctly.
§Wear is related to operation
Uneven tire wear or rapid belt wear is often a symptom of something else—wrong pressure skewed wheel alignment or a steering error. Note the wear pattern because it tells you where to look for the cause so you fix the problem not just replace a worn part.
A well-maintained undercarriage gives better traction lower fuel consumption and longer life — and is cheap insurance against expensive breakdowns in the field or on the lot.