Note: The relief valve pressure settings must be set to the relief valve pressure specification before performing this operational check. Refer to Testing and Adjusting, "Specifications".
Travel the machine in order to extend the variable gauge cylinders or retract the variable gauge cylinders. When conditions prevent machine travel, rotate the upper structure so that the upper structure is perpendicular to the tracks. Once the upper structure is rotated perpendicular to the tracks, lower the work tool to the ground. Use the work tool to raise one of the tracks off the ground. Once the track that is raised from the ground has been extended or retracted, the operator will lower the track to the ground in order to repeat the process for the opposite side track.
Although the method is not recommended, the variable gauge cylinders can be extended or retracted when the machine is static. Extending or retracting the variable gauge cylinders creates side loads on the track if the machine is static.
Perform the following steps in order to test the operating speed of the variable gauge cylinders.
- Place the machine on level ground.
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| Illustration 1 | g01627471 |
(A) Extension test (B) Retraction test | |
- Allow a sufficient area to travel the machine for approximately 30 m (100 ft).
- Rotate the upper structure of the machine so that the upper structure is perpendicular to the track frame. When the upper structure is in this position, the weight of the upper structure is spread equally across the undercarriage.
- Travel the machine.
- Extend the variable gauge cylinders while the machine travels. With a stopwatch, measure the time that is required to fully extend the variable gauge cylinders.
- Travel the machine in the opposite direction and retract the variable gauge cylinders. With a stopwatch, measure the time that is required to fully retract the variable gauge cylinders.
- Refer to the specifications in Table 1 for the operating speed of the variable gauge cylinders.
Note: The times that are listed in 1 are given for the operation of both track frames simultaneously. Each track frame is able to be locked in position by pins. The pins are mechanical locks for the track frame in either the minimum track width or in the maximum track width. The pins can be inserted in a LOCKED position for the left side track or the right side track separately. By locking the left side track frame or the right side track frame, individual extension or retraction of the track frames can be performed. Cylinder cycle times for individual track frames are not listed.
| Cylinder Operating Speed (seconds) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Variable Gauge | Extension | 76 |
| Retraction | 55 | |