How do I adjust excavator track tension and know if it is too tight or too loose?

Expert Answer

Correct excavator track tension is usually a small amount of sag, not a track pulled drum-tight. If the track is too tight, it accelerates wear on rollers, idlers, sprockets, and the final drive; if it is too loose, the track can derail, rub, or ride up on the sprocket.

Start by working on level ground and following the machine maker’s service procedure, because the correct measurement point and sag vary by model and track type. A common mistake is checking tension with the machine lifted or with debris packed in the undercarriage. Clean the undercarriage first, then measure sag at the specified midpoint under the carrier area. If the tension system uses grease, add or release grease only in small steps and recheck each time.

Signs of over-tight track tension include hard travel, hot components, rapid pin and bushing wear, and a track that feels rigid over the rollers. Signs of under-tight tension include track slap, walking off the idler or sprocket, uneven wear, and visible side-to-side movement. If the machine keeps throwing a track after adjustment, look for worn idlers, damaged rollers, bent frames, seized adjusters, or uneven wear between the left and right sides.

VANROCK supplies excavator undercarriage parts, including track chains, track shoes, rollers, idlers, sprockets, rubber tracks, rubber pads, and track bolts and nuts through our appointed dealer network. If you need replacement parts, fitment is confirmed and pricing is quoted on request. If you are working on a Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, or another OEM machine, VANROCK is an independent manufacturer and is not affiliated with the OEM.

Answered by VANROCK specialists · Published 10/1/2026