Set tension to the machine specification, measured at the specified point with the machine in the specified position on level ground. Too loose accelerates sprocket and roller wear and causes derailment; too tight loads the final drive, bearings and bushings. Neither is a safe default.
What incorrect tension does
| Condition | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Too loose | Track climbs the sprocket and derails under side load; chain slaps the track frame and wears links and guides. |
| Too tight | Continuous overload on the final drive, sprocket bearings and bushings. Produces heat, noise and premature failure of expensive components. |
| Different left and right | Machine tracks straight only with correction; uneven wear develops across both sides. |
| New chain set at the old specification | New chains stretch in their first hours. Tension must be rechecked after initial operation and corrected. |
| Tension that will not hold | Adjuster seal or relief valve failure. Grease is escaping past a failed seal, and pumping more in will not fix it. |
How to confirm it
- Establish the specified measurement and position
Find the specified sag dimension, the measurement point along the track and the required machine position from the documentation. Measuring in the wrong place or with the machine positioned differently produces a number that means nothing, and this is the most common error in the whole procedure.
- Work on hard level ground with the machine correctly positioned
Tension readings are affected by ground conditions and by how the machine is sitting. If the specification calls for the machine to be raised or positioned in a particular way, follow it — it is part of the measurement, not a suggestion.
- Measure with the chain clean and free of packed material
Packed spoil and debris between the links change the reading and hide the true condition of the chain. Clean the measurement area first.
- Add grease to increase tension
Use the grease fitting on the adjuster cylinder and add grease in small amounts, re-measuring between additions. Increasing tension with a grease gun is quick, and it is easy to overshoot, so measure as you go rather than pumping and checking at the end.
- Release tension safely if it is too tight
Loosening requires releasing grease from the adjuster, which is under high pressure. Follow the manufacturer's procedure precisely, including the requirement to loosen the relief valve only a limited amount with the machine in a safe position. Grease escaping under pressure can cause injury, and this is not a step to improvise.
- Re-measure both sides after adjustment
Set both sides to the same specification and confirm with a second measurement after operating the machine. This produces the reference figure for the next check.
- Recheck after the first hours of new chain or component operation
New chains and new undercarriage components settle and stretch in their first working hours. Tension set when new will be wrong soon afterwards, and rechecking it is what prevents early wear on a new set.
What to do about it
Tension that falls away after adjustment: the adjuster seal or its relief valve has failed. This is a seal kit or valve repair; adding more grease only postpones the moment the track derails.
Uneven tension side to side with even component wear: adjust and recheck after working the machine. It usually indicates the last adjustment was not made on level ground rather than a component fault.
Uneven tension with asymmetric component wear: investigate alignment and the condition of the idler and rollers. Tension adjustment will not correct a misalignment problem.
New undercarriage running too tight after a few hours: correct it. This is normal settling, and leaving it tight significantly shortens the life of the new components.
Need the parts this covers?
Send the machine model, serial number and the part numbers you need. We confirm fitment before payment and state the grade of every line — genuine, OEM-quality or aftermarket.
Request a quoteFrequently asked
How do I know my track tension is correct?
By measuring the specified sag at the specified point, with the machine in the specified position, and comparing against the figure for your machine. Eyeballing it is how undercarriages get destroyed, in both directions.
How do I release track tension safely?
Follow the manufacturer's procedure exactly. The grease in the adjuster cylinder is under high pressure and releasing it incorrectly can cause injury. Never fully remove the relief valve with pressure in the cylinder.
Can over-tight tracks damage the machine?
Yes. Over-tension loads the final drive, sprocket bearings and bushings continuously, and the result is heat and premature failure of components that cost far more than the tension adjustment.