Loud Popping from Excavator Track

[Dataway]

I've got a new KX040 with about 20 hours on it, half a dozen times now the tracks have made a load popping .. which I assume is a mis-alignment on the sprocket as it follows a tight turn. I try to exercise good practice and keep both tracks moving when turning. I think I know the cause, the question is, is it relatively normal or indicative of a problem. So, should I improve my turning technique, or worry about the machine?

 

[nforktractor]

I have a smaller Kubota, the KX018, and occasionally I hear what sounds like a popping, but I think it is a small rock or debris getting busted by the tracks.

 

[mikester]

Check your track adjustment

 

[nforktractor]

I did, was okay and within the measurements.

 

[RogerDL]

I have a smaller Kubota, the KX018, and occasionally I hear what sounds like a popping, but I think it is a small rock or debris getting busted by the tracks.

I have a little KX008-3 and mine does the same thing. I think it's usually sticks or something out in the woods.

 

[Code54]

Mine does it also, mostly when I pickup a pick of gravel or stone in the track. It is a noticeable pop!

 

[laurencen]

my Bobcat E32 does this all the time worse when I have been in the gravel and rotated, try turning the bucket 90degrees and lift one side of he machine then run the tracks on that side and see if you have rocks or debris in the track, when clear does the popping stop?

 

[mike0000]

Mine’s the same, in my case it’s a rock, dirt or stick, I’ve learned to reverse that track to try to eject the debris. Make sure you tracks are tight or you could throw one when this happens. Mine doesn’t like gravel turns at all.

 

[kenmac]

mine does it on one side. I thought something boke. I have a takeuchi TB235. Doesn't do it all the time but when it does, it's loud

 

[Dataway]

I never thought about the fact that it could be debris scooped into the tracks when it's sliding sideways during pivot.
In my case it could be chucks of hard clay soil, I mean stuff so hard you'd think it was a rock.
It only does it once ... I'll make a pivot using only one track, then move a few feet forward and the track that was not moving during the pivot will making the popping noise, just once, then won't do it again unless I do a sizeable pivot without one of the tracks moving. Sounds a lot like one of the sprocket teeth "popping" into place on the track.
I'll check my manual again ... but I think it recommends keeping both tracks moving when pivoting.

 

[kenmac]

well I finally got around to loosing my popping track today. Hoping this stops the popping . We'll see when it dries out here

 

[laurencen]

what did you do?

 

[Dataway]

Mine has basically stopped the popping, a lot of it was my technique for turning improved. As long as I kept both tracks moving it doesn't do it.
Checked the manual and it does not say anything about having to keep both tracks moving during turns. Also the tracks are breaking in some I'm sure, still only about 29 hours on the machine.

 

[laurencen]

when I turn on the spot I rotate the house 90 degrees, lift one side and rotate as I run track that contacting ground, turns on a dime and no gravel in the tracks