Category Archives: Excavator Attachments

Rubber tracks on Kubota excavator
Rubber tracks on Kubota excavator

Rubber tracks are used on excavators and other tracked vehicles to minimise ground damage. They’re very good in this regard and you can be sure that you won’t be leaving a wasteland behind your machine. The main issue, in fact, is keeping the rubber tracks in good working order.

These tracks take a lot of wear and tear when compared to steel tracks. Although they’re very durable, they need some maintenance and attention, preferably whenever there are time and space to do it. This regular care reduces overall maintenance time, taking care of minor issues to prevent a bigger workload later.

Rubber Tracks – Care and Maintenance Tips

To care for and maintain your rubber tracks, you need to know what to expect. Different types of terrain can cause different problems but can predict some issues before they happen and deal with them easily.

For example:

  • Mud and debris: Materials of this type are taken up by the tracks, which clogs them. It’s not good for the tracks over time. The easy fix is a thorough clean and removal of the mud, preferably ASAP.

 

  • Undercarriage and assembly: These areas, being under the vehicle, also take up a lot of mud, dust, and small debris. It’s best to check the undercarriage regularly and ensure that there are no significant deposits of materials on them.

 

  • Uneven wear: This type of wear is caused by more pressure being put on one track than another, often during repetitive work. The unevenness of the tracks affects performance. It’s best for operators to avoid the usual practice of locking tracks. Make turns with the vehicle, rather than locking, to avoid uneven wear.

 

  • Inspect the machine before operation: Your machine can start up and instantly have problems because of some minor difficulty with the tracks. It’s a good idea to check the rollers and driving sprockets for any issues before operation. Driving sprockets are also very prone to accumulating materials, due to their shape. Be patient, but quick, when fixing any problems.

 

  • Track tension: Over-tension in tracks can be a serious problem. The tracks, if stretched too tightly, react to pressures and impact much more than at a slightly loose tension. This can do damage to alignment and increase wear on the tracks. Stick to a specified level of tension and “track sag”.

 

  • Common sense: The other simple and very effective way to care for your tracks is to simply stay alert and be aware of any unusual movements or sticking, or similar behavioural issues. While it’s important to be vigilant, don’t try to DIY-fix anything that looks like a complex issue. Get it checked out by your service people for the best results.

 

Allclass Construction Equipment Are Your Track Specialists

Allclass Construction Equipment provides a full range of 5-star rapid response services for our Kubota tracked vehicles.  We’ll be onsite ASAP to avoid downtime and solve your servicing issues right away. You can call us or contact us online to get expert help anytime.

Yellow diamond safety sign with large black exclamation mark
Yellow diamond safety sign with large black exclamation mark

Trailer safety is not a compromise, especially when you’re towing a trailer with an excavator. While it might seem like common sense to drive safely when towing, there’s a lot more to it when you’re carrying a heavy load. We have some tips and pointers for you to help you manage your trailer safely on the road.

Critical Safety Tips

The bottom line with trailer safety is making sure your trailer is secure and safe on the road. You need to cover all the angles:

  • Safety chains: Whatever load you’re carrying, you may need one or more safety chains depending on the loaded weight of the trailer.  Chains must comply with Australian Standards as specified under relevant regulations and guidelines from the state traffic authority. Safety chains must be connected to the towbar.

 

  • Towbars: Towbars must be rated to at least the weight of the load. Underweight towbars are major risks on the road; they can’t manage the heavier load and may even detach while driving.

 

  • Braking systems: Braking systems may or may not be legally required for lighter weight loads, but they’re good value for safety on the road. Best practice is to have a braking system that is operable from the driver’s seat.

 

  • Towing vehicle requirements: The vehicle must not carry loads over the manufacturer’s rated towing capacity and the trailer’s towing capacity. If you try to haul a trailer over either the vehicle or the trailer’s capacity, there are very serious risks of instant failure.

 

  • Rear marker plates: If your trailer is over 7.5m long, you must have a Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle plate attached to the trailer. This is also a useful reminder to following vehicles that you’re driving a long trailer with a turning curve slower than they are, so it’s well worth fitting these plates.

 

Safe Towing: Things to Look Out for on the Road

Anyone who’s ever towed a heavy load will tell you that you can actually feel load problems within seconds of starting. The above points are the simplest ways to ensure that your vehicle and trailer perform well.

Major issues with a towed load include:

 

  • The sluggish or erratic performance of a trailer on bends in the road: This indicates that the trailer is lagging behind and that it may drift outwards or inwards towards traffic or the road edge. The trailer can also act as a counterweight, pulling against or away from the direction of your vehicle’s movement. At the first sign of performance issues, check the trailer.

 

  • Steering issues caused by the load: If the towing vehicle isn’t responding properly to steering, the load may be unsafe. The risk is that you may not be able to respond quickly enough to traffic movements or sudden events. Don’t take any risks with an unpredictable steering situation; you need a bigger, better trailer to manage the load.

 

Talk to Allclass Construction Equipment

If you’d like some expert help with trailer safety, or you’re looking for a new trailer to upgrade your mobility, Allclass Construction Equipment is your local source for top quality trailers. Call us or contact us online and speak to our experts.

Hydraulic hammer on excavator breaking up large rocks.
Hydraulic hammer on excavator breaking up large rocks.

Hydraulic hammers are some of the handiest demolition tools, but improper use can cause them damage or present safety risks. Knowing how to use the tool correctly will keep you safe and help the hydraulic hammer last longer.

Below is a step by step guide on how to properly operate the tool as well as how to care for it.

Guide to Proper Tool Use

  1. Apply grease liberally on the parts that receive the most stress before use
  2. Position the tool on the surface and then operate it. Once the material below the tool is demolished, stop the hammer immediately.
  3. Attack the surface with short strikes between 10 and 20 seconds before removing the hammer and choosing a new angle or position of impact.
  4. Make sure the tool is striking the surface at a 90-degree angle so the shank, chuck and carrier all act as one unit.
  5. Do not overuse the motion between the chuck bushing and the tool to prevent damaging the tool or the chuck bushing.
  6. For larger material, take a gradual approach to breaking it up by working on sections at a time. Start at the edge and then work your way to the centre.

When your hammer heats up, let it rest for a short period of time. This will let it cool off and prevent damage. If the tip gets dull, recondition it with lathing, milling or planing. Do not lift, pry or pick up material with the hammer and never operate it underwater.

Common Causes of Tool Breakage

Hydraulic hammers are durable, well-constructed tools. If they break, it generally means the tool has been subjected to a lot of bending or some other mistreatment that has weakened it. Anything that interferes with the flow of compressive and tensile action will apply a lot of stress to the tool and shorten its lifespan.

Common causes of tool breakage include:

  • External forces – Anything that causes side force to be applied to the hammer should be avoided. This includes using the tool to pry, working at an incorrect angle (other than 90 degrees), or attempting to break ground using the pull of the machine. The hydraulic power in the carrier far exceeds the strength of the tool itself.
  • Blank-firing – This happens where the hammer piston strikes the top of the tool but the working end of the hammer isn’t in contact with the material you’re trying to break. This could be because the tool slid off the work or broke through it before you switched it off.
  • Mechanical damage – General mistreatment or damage directly caused to the hammer such as scratches, gouges, bending or weld marks can cause the tool to fail.
  • Cold – Low temperatures can increase the chance of tool failures. Your hammer should be warmed up by breaking light or moderate materials before excessive use or attempting to break through large materials.
  • Poor lubrication – Ensure the tool shank is well lubricated before inserting it into the tool holder. Metal to metal contact can cause deep damage marks, cracks and eventual failure of the tool. Grease should generally be applied every two hours but you should check the operator’s manual for the specific tool you have.
  • Corrosion – Keep tools well greased and sheltered from the weather when not in use to prevent parts from going rusty.

Brisbane’s Home of Quality Construction Equipment

If you need a hydraulic hammer or other construction machinery in Brisbane, get in touch with the team at Allclass Construction Equipment. We stock all sizes of the famous Toku brand hydraulic hammers, from 0.8 to 80 tonnes. These hammers are adaptable for excavators, backhoes and skid steers.

For new or used construction equipment, call us on 1300 255 252 or contact us online.

Mini excavator digging the earth using ANT tilt hitch attached to mud bucket
Mini excavator digging the earth using ANT tilt hitch attached to mud bucket

The ANT Tilt hitch allows to you to do more than just digging. It is versatile and it gets the job done with minimal effort.

Today we’re going to explore some of the key features of the ANT Tilt Hitch as well as its various applications.

Features of the ANT Tilt Hitch

The ANT Tilt Hitch system lets you secure attachments quickly. It comes equipped with a hydraulic exchange and an automatic locking system. This means you won’t need to get out of the cab to attach your mud bucket.

The quick and straightforward pick-up process also makes it easy to exchange attachments as and when required. The hitch has a front safety latch and two coupler connections. It offers operators the perfect combination of strength and endurance.

Applications of an ANT Tilt Hitch

You can rotate attachments with the ANT Tilt Hitch, allowing you to reach hard-to-dig areas. It handles angle cutting and slope cutting and it can also shape the edges of the hole you’re digging. Unlike most other tilt hitches, the ANT Tilt Hitch offers you 180 degrees of tilt.

One of the most outstanding features of the tilt hitch system is that you can use it to perform tasks that require precision, such as digging or drilling close to utility lines. Simply rotate the hitch to prevent the attachment from hitting the power or gas lines.

You can also pair the hitch with a hydraulic grapple. It has excellent holding force, which makes it easy to pick up rocks or boulders from trenches.

The ANT Tilt Hitch features German engineered actuators and protected hose routings.


 

Proper Use of the Hitch

Never modify the hitch without getting in touch with the manufacturer. You should also avoid replacing original components with aftermarket parts or cheap substitutes. Make sure all the safety features of the hitch are in proper working order before using it.

Get the Best Excavator Parts

If you need high-quality excavator parts and attachments, talk to the professionals at Allclass Construction Equipment. We have been operating for more than two decades and we’re committed to bringing you the best excavators at an affordable price.

Whether you’re looking for new or used excavators, you’ll find them under our roof. We have three state-of-the-art service centres and we have received 5-star Kubota accreditation.

Our range also includes generators, engines, track loaders, trenchers and much more.

Call us on 1300 255 252 for a quick quote or ask us about our latest Kubota excavators for sale in Brisbane.