If you own and operate a mini-excavator, you know what a useful, versatile, and crucial piece of equipment you have. With the right attachments, it can dig trenches and drill holes for utility work, demo trees, and small structures to make way for new construction, and even spear and move hay bales quickly on a farm. Just like any other piece of heavy equipment, however, it can’t do any of these jobs if it isn’t working properly. This means you have to keep up with routine maintenance inspections and keep a keen eye on your final drive motor to ensure it is in good working order.
The final drive motor is an important part of the drive unit. Made up of a hydraulic motor and reduction gearbox, its basic role is to take power from the engine and convert it to the energy your machine needs to dig, push, and traverse often difficult terrain.
1. Serving as the Driving Force Behind Your Compact Equipment’s Track Movements
As noted previously, your mini-excavator can accomplish a lot of great work. But if the tracks don’t move, then your excavator isn’t going to do anything. A final drive literally converts the power from the engine or hydraulic motor into the rotational force called torque that drives its tracks or wheels.
2. Reducing the Speed and Increasing the Torque of Your Equipment
Here’s the thing. Heavy-duty equipment is built for power, not for speed. Yes, excavators and other heavy equipment can move quickly if the situation requires it, but if you want the focus of your machinery to be on speed, then you’ll have to accept the fact that its power to push, pull, dig, and do all those other forceful jobs will be diminished. This is the tradeoff: As torque increases, thanks to your final drive motor, the output speed of your machinery will decrease proportionally. When you need greater torque, your final drive motor will use its reduction gearbox to slow down your machine’s speed and utilize that diverted power instead of doing the heavy lifting work you demand of it. Think of it as a built-in protection against your machinery becoming overstressed.
3. Distributing Power to Your Mini’s Tracks in an Even Manner
Construction sites don’t start out flat, smooth, and free of ruts and debris. That’s what excavators, bulldozers, and other heavy equipment are supposed to be for. Driving on uneven, challenging terrain, however, puts a lot of stress on machinery and its many individual components. (Think about how much your car rattles when driving down a relatively flat dirt road in comparison to when on amesite!) The final drive motor in your compact excavator evenly distributes power to its tracks so no single component carries an excessive amount of the burden. This not only protects against wear and tear but also allows for safer, more balanced movement of your equipment. It is also especially helpful when carrying excessive loads.
With routine maintenance inspections, changing the oil regularly, and keeping your machine clean of debris, your final drive motor can last for years.
