The original machine manufacturers procedures should be followed when known.
How to remove the final drive from your excavator
Remove the track and loosen the sprocket bolts
Tip: It is much easier to loosen the sprocket bolts before removing the final drive
Remove the track motor cover plate from inside the undercarriage frame
Sling the final drive and take the weight: Caution: final drives can be very heavy
Mark the hydraulic hoses so you can later identify them
Remove the hoses and cap them, plug the ports on the track motor. It is very important to seal all hydraulic hoses and ports to prevent contamination of the hydraulic system.
From inside the track frame remove the bolts securing the final drive to the frame.
Swing out the final drive.
If your excavator final drive removal is to replace the final drive seal, you may find some handy tips in this guidance: Final Drive Seal Replacement
If the final drive is tight in the track frame do not hit the travel motor in an attempt to free it. It will damage the motor. Lever the final drive out from outside of the track frame.
Fitting a new final drive
Fitting a new final drive is the reverse of removal but pay special attention when connecting the pipes as incorrect fitting can cause an immediate failure of the travel motor.
ATTENTION Case drain — Leak-off. All piston type hydraulic motors leak oil from the barrel and piston assembly (sometimes called the rotating group assembly) into the motor casing. This leakage is deliberate and lubricates the piston slippers and swash plate (or thrust plate) as well as the interface between the valve plate (or lens plate) and the cylinder block. The oil that leaks into the motor casing has to find it’s way back to the tank under very little pressure and a leak-off pipe (or drain line) runs from the travel motor to the hydraulic tank for that purpose. If the leak-off pipe is not connected or becomes blocked or pressurised, oil pressure will build up in the motor casing and can, and usually does, cause catastrophic damage to the travel motor and often the final drive gearbox. It is therefore vital to ensure that the leak-off pipe is connected correctly, is not obstructed and has no significant back pressure.
