Track Controls and Climbing Hills

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How to run an Excavator for Beginners. What you Need to know to get started Pt. 1/2

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What happens here

Danny demonstrates how to control the excavator's tracks for movement and climbing. The tracks can be operated using two foot pedals or by manipulating the joysticks. Pushing both pedals/joysticks forward moves the machine forward, and pulling them back moves it backward. To turn, move one track forward while keeping the other steady. When climbing steep grades, it is crucial to orient the machine with the track motors (sprockets) at the front, as this part of the machine is weighted and reinforced for stability. The boom and stick should be kept low and extended in front of the machine, close to the hill, to shift weight forward and prevent tipping. For very steep grades, scooping some material into the bucket and extending it forward can further help to keep the front end down, acting as a counterweight.

Goal: Learn to effectively operate the tracks and safely climb/descend steep inclines.

Tools and materials

Boom Arm Volvo — The main lifting and moving arm, used for weight distribution
Bucket Volvo — The digging attachment, can be used to add forward weight
Foot Pedals Volvo — To control track movement (forward/reverse)
Joysticks Volvo — To control track movement (forward/reverse and turning)
Stick Volvo — The arm extension, used for weight distribution
Volvo EC140EL Excavator Volvo — Demonstrating track controls and hill climbing

What they say

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on which way you which way you Okay. So Dan, what were you saying about the track drives and climbing hills? Okay. Typically Stan, when you're when you're going to climb steep steep grades, Yep. You want to put the track motors in the front because remember we talked about it earlier where it's it's weight in front and you want to when you're climbing the hill, you want to keep your boom and stick in front and low to the hill so you can all your weights in the front which keeps you safe on the hill. Nice. So the track drive guys, let's go back. That's that's back here. Idlers are up front. Yep. Climb a hill, Dan the man. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Okay, Dan, I want to qu I got to ask you a question. That wasn't a very steep hill, so you could just drive right up that with your boom arm in the air. If it was a steeper hill, would you tuck that in and spread it out to try to get your weight forward of the machine? You would want to spread Yes, you would want to put the bucket out as far as you can if it's real steep. I've seen guys get a scoop of material in the bucket to help hold the front end down. Okay. Now, you came down with the drive arms in the back or the drive uh motor in the back. Exactly. Okay. So, but notice how I had my bucket in front of the machine and had it down low to the ground. Yep. Um, that way if the machine starts to tilt, it's basically just going to hit the bucket. The bucket will slide along the ground as you come down and you you're fine.

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