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The use of heavy equipment is perhaps one of the most important aspects of the construction industry. If you are into the arena of construction, then you will have to acknowledge the power that these machines have over the smooth functioning of the industry. Without the correct operation of heavy equipment the construction industry will cease to function. Among the many construction equipment on the block, the track loader can definitely be said to occupy place of pride in the industry.

What Is A Track Loader?

The one question that must be answered before anything else is what exactly is a track loader? You must have seen this large machinery in the construction site that loads debris and earth from one place to another. Well, that is what is called the track loader. Track loaders are just another category of construction equipments that is used for moving earth, bricks and mortar in construction sites. Advancement in technology is leading to the decrease in size of this heavy equipment by a certain factor every year, but that does not really affect the capacity of the machine in any way.

The Working of a Track Loader

The track loader is an important part of the construction industry- yes. But have you ever wondered how does it exactly work? In a majority of commercial vehicles, it is seen that the wheels are under the chassis. But things are a bit different in case of the track loaders- it has tracks that somewhat resemble the military tank. The main purpose of the track loader, i.e., digging and loading is performed by the loader that is attached to the front end of the machinery. What makes the track loader such popular equipment in the construction industry is its ability to multi task- it is effectively an excavator, wheel loader and excavator rolled into one.

It must however be noted that the Track Loader has undergone significant alterations in its design ever since its introduction in the construction forum. The early track loaders were modelled to fit the bill of the tractors with “scratch built loading extensions”. They were somewhat similar to the bulldozers of the time and hence were not suitable enough to dig the soil. Operated by means of a cable they were primarily functioned as a tool meant for stowing vehicles and moving bricks, mortar and earth.

The hydraulic system that makes the track loader as we know it today, aids in increasing the overall capacity of the loader, thereby enabling the loader to put a downward pressure on the bucket, which in turn, allows the track loader to dig the soil. However, this puts a certain amount of strain on the undercarriage of the machine, thus leading to wear and tear of the same. The turn of the track loader into the refined equipment that is used today happened with the introduction of the hydrostatic drive mechanism.

The great power and multi tasking ability of the track loader, thus, makes it an indispensible part of the construction business.