What is a Final Drive?

What is a final drive?

The final drive motor on your mini excavator, skid steer loader, compact track loader, or tractor is truly a marvel of modern technology. To properly appreciate it and take care of it, repair it or replace it, it’s important to understand its role in your machine. Whether you have a Caterpillar, Bobcat, Yanmar, Kubota, or another brand of final drive, they all run on the same principles which we’ve detailed below.

Gears, gears, gears

When you’re working with heavy machinery, even of the compact excavator variety, there’s a lot going on. Across a broad spectrum of all types of machines, the engine powers multiple systems that increase torque at different speeds in different places, including the final drive, the transmission, the torque converter or flywheel, the hydraulic pump/motor system, and/or the differential, depending on the design and application of the machine.

All of these gearing systems are made up, more or less, of pinion gears, ring gears, and hydraulic fluid and/or gear lubricant, and they’re all connected. The torque converter, flywheel, and/or hydraulic pump transfers engine power to the transmission device. The transmission device then provides power to the differential or final drive. In a standard axle-driven design, the differential gears then change the direction of that power in order to turn axle shafts. Alternatively, an excavator final drive has a planetary gearing system that slows things down from what is supplied from the attached hydraulic motor, increasing torque, and making it possible for the machine to do more work.

The final drive’s sun and planets

A relatively small device, your final drive motor is what powers the tracks on your mini excavator. It’s essentially divided into two halves. The first half is the hydraulic travel motor – that’s the back side where the hydraulic hoses are connected. It gets its energy from the main pump on your machine. The high pressure flow supplied by the main pump spins a rotating group of pistons on a swash plate in the hydraulic travel motor, which engages a super-strong shaft that runs through to the other half of the final drive, the final drive gearbox. Because it uses a planetary gear configuration, the final drive gearbox is able to reduce the speed supplied by the shaft, which increases the available torque to rotate the hub to which the track sprocket is mounted. This engages the tracks on your compact excavator with tremendous torque, moving the machine in the direction you want it to go. How does something so small manage to do something so big?

It’s the planetary gear configuration which makes it possible. Back when you took Physics class, you probably learned that:

Torque = Power / Speed


In other words, lowering the speed increases the torque. A planetary gearing system has a ring gear with a sun gear at its center and three planetary, or pinion gears, equal distances apart from each other that rotate around the sun gear. The shaft that connects the hydraulic travel motor to the final drive gearbox turns the sun gear at a super-high speed. The planetary gears mesh with the sun gear and turn while rolling around the ring gear. They spin at a slower rate than the sun gear, and that speed reduction increases torque.

These gearing relationships and the power they provide is known as your final drive ratio. By dividing the number of teeth in your ring gear by the number of teeth in your planetary gears, you arrive at that number. Generally speaking, a higher final drive ratio will mean more torque at the tracks but a lower top speed.

How it works in the wild

It’s amazing how much power and torque these drives can produce relative to their size. Consider for example, a John Deere 35D mini excavator, equipped with a pair of final drive motors that have a total mass weight of only 170 pounds (77 kilograms). These can rapidly move that JD 35D mini excavator — which weighs 7,672 pounds (3487 kg) by the way — at speeds of up to 2.8 mph (4.5 kph). Those little final drive motors are carrying nearly 50 times (5000%!) their own weight at those speeds, and they can do it up an incline, with their bucket full and their blade digging dirt! If that’s not a marvel of human engineering, I don’t know what is. About the only thing in the natural world that comes close to this feat are worker ants, who can carry up to 50 times their own body weight.

Perhaps even more amazing is that, with proper maintenance, your final drive motor can do all that impressive work for many years. Those worker ants may only survive a few weeks! As you can imagine, because of the engineering and workmanship that goes into these final drives, they can be quite expensive to repair or replace when they reach the end of their lives. That’s where we come in. We can help you save a ton of money and get back to work fast!

In future blogs, we’ll cover topics on how to properly care for your final drive motor and maximize the life of this incredibly valuable, hard-working, and too-often under-appreciated and overlooked component of your workhorse mini excavator!

If you want to learn more about how these marvels of modern technology work, or if you need help maintaining or repairing your excavator final drive motor, give Mini Final Drives a call today!

Our family at Mini Final Drives has been providing excellent Quality, Value, and Service for over 50 years, and you can continue to count on us for a lifetime of friendly, helpful support for all your final drive and travel motor needs. Call us today at 877-483-2806 or visit our online store at www.minifinaldrives.com to find and order what you need today for Fast and Free delivery to your door.

Quality, Value, and Professional Services is What You Get from Mini Final Drives

Quality, Value, and Professional Services is What You Get from Mini Final Drives

bobcat final drive motors

Recent trends show that the construction equipment industry will grow by 12% from 2016 to 2026. That is huge growth and shows that there are a considerable number of equipment manufacturing companies that are also growing out there in the industry, such as Yanmar, Volvo, Bobcat, and of course John Deere.

You are likely to come across a considerable number of companies all dealing with aftermarket Bobcat and other brand final drive travel motors. Mini Final Drives is one of the leading companies in selling aftermarket Bobcat, Kubota, Deere, Caterpillar, and many other, final drive travel motors to the construction industry. Here are some of the main reasons why Mini Final Drives should supply your aftermarket final drive travel motors.

1. Industrial Reputation

Travel motors are some of the most important parts of the undercarriage system, and your vehicle will not move without good travel motors. However, you don’t want to buy your travel motors from just any company selling hydraulic travel motors. You are only interested in a company that has a solid reputation in the industry. If you see a considerable number of people buying their final drives from a particular company, you should know that there is something good about that company.

2. Experience

Final drive motors on your Bobcat and other brands of machines are important enough to your equipment that you cannot entrust an amateur supplier or mechanic to handle repairs for you. You only want individuals with industrial experience. Mini Final Drives experts have been in the industry for a longer period, and they know what it takes to come up with one of the best OEM-equivalent or aftermarket final drives that will maintain or improve the performance of the machine. Engineers in this company have been handling thousands of excavator drive motors, which is a clear demonstration of their experience.

3. Quality Final Drives

Many heavy equipment owners pay attention to the price of the final drive and forget that there are other important aspects that matter. If you give too much attention to just the price of the final drive that you will be buying, you are already making a huge mistake. You need to make sure that you are getting a quality final drive that will provide excellent service to your machine. A low-quality final drive, which will be cheap, will only serve you for a shorter period and may not deliver the expected performance.

4. Value

Do you attach any value to the services that you will be offered when you are buying a final drive motor for your machine? If yes, Mini Final Drives is your ultimate destination when it comes to buying aftermarket Bobcat final drive travel motors, and of course, all other brands. You’ll be getting valuable services, and you can be sure that you will get aftermarket Bobcat and other brand final drive travel motors that are OEM-equivalent for even more value for your money. Value is one of the major aspects that differentiate the quality of services offered in final drive industry.

5. Service Guarantee

Service is another major aspect that you should put into considerations when you are buying final drives. Always consider getting your final drive services from well-trained experts who are experienced in what they do. Consider hiring drive technicians who take pride in their work, especially those who have been successful through various challenges over the years. Mini Final Drives experts are always ready to answer your questions before and after the sale.

6. Free shipping

Free shipping and quality customer services could also be important. Mini Final Drives provides free shipping services for all new OEM-equivalent and aftermarket final drive motors in the entire continental United States. You will always get quality services in travel motors and final drives.

Our family at Mini Final Drives has been providing excellent QUALITY, VALUE, and SERVICE for over 50 years, and you can continue to count on us for a lifetime of friendly, helpful support for all your final drive and travel motor needs. Call us today at 877-483-2806 or visit our online store at www.minifinaldrives.com to find and order what you need today for Fast and Free delivery to your door.

Tips for Changing the Gear Oil in the Final Drive

There’s a lot of maintenance that has to be done whether you have a Komatsu final drive, John Deere final drive, Yanmar, or any other brand in order to ensure it keeps running smoothly. One of the most important parts of that maintenance is making sure that there is enough oil in it, and that it’s changed regularly, regardless of the brand. The oil in a new final drive should be changed after the first 50 hours, and then every 250 hours or once a year for the life of the drive. You can follow these tips for changing the gear oil in the final drive below.

Drain the Oil When it’s Warm

The first step in changing your oil is to drain the final drive’s gear oil. It’s recommended that you do this when the oil is still warm because it will be easier to drain it this way.

Rearrange the Plugs

Next, you will want to rearrange the final drive plugs so that they are at the three o’clock (or nine o’clock) and six o’clock position.

Remove Any Debris

After setting the final drive plugs, you should go through and remove any debris. Next you will loosen the final drive plugs. If you have problems with loosening them, carefully use a high-torque wrench.

Remove the Plugs

Once you are done removing any debris, remove both final drive plugs. The plug that is arranged at the three o’clock (or nine o’clock) spot is used for venting. The oil will then drain out of the six o’clock spot. To do this properly, remove the bottom plug of the final drive first, then remove the top plug very slowly.

Check for Metallic Parts

When the gear oil is being drained, check to see if there are any metallic parts in the oil. There will likely be fine metallic materials in your first change of the break-in oil of a new drive. Going forward, if there are any larger particles of metal in the oil, then there could be an issue with condition of the gear hub, so check it more frequently to see if it clears up after the next oil change.

Rearrange the Openings

Before you add new oil, move the positions of the final drive openings to the 12 o’clock and three o’clock (or nine o’clock) positions.

Never Mix Oil

It’s also important to know that you should never mix different types of gear oils for a final drive motor. This can cause some serious problems with how your final drive runs.

Add the New Oil

When you are ready to add the new oil (we recommend full synthetic gear oil), do so at the 12 o’clock opening till it starts to run out of the three o’clock (or nine o’clock) spot. The goal is to have the drive filled halfway of the cover plate – do not overfill!

Check for Leaks

Another tip for changing gear oil in the final drive is to check for any leaks in the mail hub mechanical seal. Leakage can be a sign of a major issue with your final drive, so make sure you get it inspected if you notice this.

Replace the Plugs

After you have added the gear oil to your final drive, the final step is to replace the plugs. While you should check your gear oil frequently, you will usually have to complete this process once a year.

How it Works: A Final Drive Unit

A backhoe digger up dirt on a construction site.

A final drive unit is the largest part of a transmission system in a vehicle. Because of this, a final drive unit can naturally be a complicated unit to understand. However, it’s important to understand a final drive, especially if you work in construction and rely on it to be working properly for heavy-duty equipment, like excavators. There are plenty of problems that you may come across with your final drive. However, having greater knowledge of how it works in not just construction equipment, but also in other vehicles, can help you find a far more efficient solution to any breakdown problems. Understand how a final drive unit works ahead.

Function in an Excavator

The final drive is a component of an excavator’s power transmission system and is located between in the rear of the machine’s undercarriage opposite of the blade. A final drive’s main function is to reduce the speed of the propeller shaft by decreasing RPMs and increasing the torque. This all begins when the final drive engine’s transmitted torque is split up with the two driving tracks and can turn the final drive at a 90-degree angle. This action moves the torque from the final drive’s propeller shaft to the driving sprockets.

Types Across All Applications

Spiral Bevel Gear

There are various final drives gears that are the key to its function. The first one that we will be looking at is the spiral bevel gears. A spiral bevel gear can typically be found in trucks and older vehicles. A spiral bevel gear consists of gear teeth and has a pinion and a ring gear line along with it. These parts are all typically located on the same center line and require a lot of heavy grade lubricants to run properly.

The Hypoid Gear

Newer trucks and rear-wheel drive vehicles will usually have a hypoid gear final drive, which is slightly different from the spiral bevel gear that was previously mentioned. More vehicles today use the hypoid gear instead of the spiral bevel gear because they can improve the gear-meshing action. Another major benefit of the hypoid gear is that it can improve a gear life and reduce the amount of noise it makes.

Double-Reduction Final Drive

Heavy-duty trucks that you will find in vehicles used for the military will typically utilize a double-reduction final drive. A double-reduction drive doesn’t require a large ring gear to get a gear reduction. Instead, a second pinion is placed on the primary ring gear shaft. The other gear reduction happens when the second pinion is roughly a part of the primary ring gear, which can now handle a large helical gear that is on a differential case.

Differentials

In addition to final drives, it’s also important to know about differentials. With many vehicles, the rear wheels will not turn at the same speed. This occurs because the rear wheels may have a different diameter, so they will have to rotate at different speeds. The purpose of a differential is to prevent a situation when tires would slide, make unusual sounds, or wear down as the steering wheel is turned when there is a connection with the axles and the differential case.

When operating a vehicle, there are a few different ways it will work. If you are driving straight, the differential case, the pinion gears, the ring gear, and the differential slide gears will all turn together. However, the two pinion gears will now rotate on the pinion shaft. This allows for a vehicle’s rear wheels to turn at the same speed because the side gears will now turn at the same speed as the ring gear.

Another important function of vehicles is that they can turn. For this to happen, the pinion gears will rotate on the pinion shaft because the parts need to work around the slower turning differential side gear. Because of this, the pinion gears have extra rotary motion compared to the wheel on the outside that is turning faster as the entire vehicle turns.

There are also instances when one wheel may have less traction if a wheel comes across a slippery surface, such as ice. This becomes a problem because that wheel cannot deliver the torque it needs to. A way to give your vehicle more traction is by having a limited slip differential. This is something many vehicles take advantage of and it can prevent this issue. A slip differential is capable of doing this because it can send maximum torque to the wheel and drive your vehicle more traction.

Differential Lubricant Service

To keep your differential running, it’s important to get the used oil drained and replaced with new oil that meets equipment standards. Oils will naturally wear down the fluids over time due to high temperatures. So, it’s very important to refer to your manufacturer’s recommendations on when you should be getting this changed.

Potential Problems

With so many moving parts, there must be enough clearance and bearings put into place to ensure that everything runs properly. When parts are too close together, this can result in loud noises and can wear down your final drive. This issue is prevented with the ability for the gears in the final drive unit to be reset. The bevel gears tend to move away from each other, which is why they need to be restrained. Another issue your final drive may have is that there may be problems with the oil sealing, which can lead to leakage. A way to avoid this is to replace the seals and O-rings if the machinery is being overhauled.

There are a lot of moving parts that make a final drive unit work properly. It’s also the key to a vehicle’s transmission system and can create a lot of problems if you do start to experience problems with the piece of equipment. Now that you have a better understanding of how a final drive unit works, you can now get the right parts for any final drive you have, whether John Deere, Kobelco, Yanmar, or any others and make the necessary repairs that you need. By browsing the large selection at Mini Final Drives, you can exactly what your ride needs, all with great quality guaranteed.

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How to Properly Clean a Final Drive

How to Properly Clean a Final Drive

How to Properly Clean a Final Drive

Construction sites are typically filled with mud, dirt, and other contaminants that tend to get all over construction equipment. The problem with this is this debris can greatly affect the condition of a final drive. The best way to combat this issue upon deinstallation before rebuilding is cleaning. With the help of several tools, find out how to properly clean a final drive.

Remove Any Debris

The first step in cleaning a final drive is to remove as much debris as possible. Over time, final drives will accumulate cement, rust, mud, clay, and more on the exterior. To remove the buildup, use a pneumatic needle scaler to get rid of the crust that may lie on the final drive’s exterior.

Use a Wash Cabinet

Once you have removed the exterior crust on the final drive with a pneumatic needle scaler, place the final drive in a wash cabinet. The parts wash cabinet features a rotating turntable that a final drive part can be placed on. After the door is shut and a timer is set, the final drive will then be sprayed with detergent at a high temperature and pressure. When the timer goes off, the final drive should have any grease, oil, and other dirt removed.

Sandblasting

The last step in cleaning a final drive is to use a method known as sandblasting. To complete this step, place the final drive in a sandblasting cabinet where you can blast it with the use of high pressure. After this step, your final drive will look as good as new and is ready for a full rebuild.

A final drive is a crucial part for excavators and knowing how to properly clean a final drive can improve its performance and prolong its use. However, if you are in need of a Caterpillar drive motor, Mini Final Drive has the parts for Caterpillar and other top construction equipment brands.

Importance of Keeping Final Drive Motors and Construction Equipment Clean

drive motors

If you’re in charge of maintaining all your equipment and machinery within a construction business, you need to make sure you do not neglect your machines’ cleanliness. Keeping your machines clean might not sound like a top priority because they are constantly operating in extremely unclean construction projects, but it’s an absolute necessity if you want your machines to remain functioning for many years to come.

Final drive motors, for instance, are essential for excavators and other types of heavy equipment, and they can be ruined if they aren’t properly inspected and regularly serviced with clean gear oil. Hopefully, this guide will help you understand the importance of keeping your travel motors, finaldrive motors, and all other types of machine equipment components cleaned and regularly cared for.

Here are some reasons why you should keep all your construction equipment clean:

  • Increased durability — If you aren’t cleaning your construction equipment, it’s not going to last nearly as long as it should. Abrasive materials like dirt, sand, grit, rock, and concrete can increase wear on construction parts, especially the undercarriage. Simply cleaning away these materials can easily remove this buildup and keep your machines running well for many years.
  • Improved fuel efficiency — Clean machines run much better because all that debris and dirt is not packed away inside wheels or tracks. If there is a lot of filth on your machines’ wheels or tracks, it will certainly negatively affect the fuel economy.
  • Prevent corrosion — Cleaning your machines will help prevent expensive damage from corrosion. Road salt, deicers, fertilizer, and other materials found on a construction site can cause major corrosion problems if they aren’t washed away, so get cleaning!
Specifically, when it comes to final drive motors, make sure you’re checking gear oil every 100 hours and are changing the gear oil at least once a year, or at the recommended hourly service interval, by draining the dirty gear oil and replacing it with new clean gear oil.

Finally, make sure your construction company has a regular schedule for cleaning and maintaining equipment. Make sure there is a schedule for the visual checks and maintenance that need to be performed daily, weekly, and monthly.

Our family at Mini Final Drives has been providing excellent Quality, Value, and Service for over 50 years, and you can continue to count on us for a lifetime of friendly, helpful support for all your final drive and travel motor needs. Call us today at 877-483-2806 or visit our online store at www.minifinaldrives.com to find and order what you need today for Fast and Free delivery to your door.

3 Tips For Handling Construction Excavators

3 Tips For Handling Construction Excavators



If you’re involved in the construction industry, particularly if you’re overseeing large machinery, it’s imperative that you know all the ins and outs of every piece of your construction equipment.


When it comes to operating large excavators, for instance, not only should you know how to handle them yourself, you need to know how to teach your employees to properly handle them, as well as deal with any problems that may arise.

From knowing when to purchase new final drive motors to performing your own individual inspections, you must take full responsibility when it comes to your construction machinery. Here are some tips that should hopefully help you better handle your construction operation and keep your excavators functioning properly:


  • Inspect your drain filters — If you’re not regularly checking your excavator’s drain filter, you could be jeopardizing your machinery. Approximately 90% of premature final drive motor failures on Bobcat brand machines are due to a clogged case drain filter. If you notice any clogging within your excavator’s final drive drain filter, make sure to get professional help right away so you can protect your machine.

  • Change your oil regularly — Additionally, it’s just as important for you to take a look at your travel motors’ oil. Final drive gear oil should be checked at least once every 100 hours of operation (or once a month) and should be changed at least once a year.

  • Stay up-to-date with safety procedures — If you’re not staying on top of current safety measures within the construction industry, you could end up having some serious problems on your hands. Make sure you and every one of your employees is fully trained in excavator operation and have all the safety gear, equipment, and tools necessary for any construction job.
If you want to learn more about how to properly maintain your final drive motors, are in need of drive motor repairs, or you would like to purchase a high quality final drive for your excavator, give Mini Final Drives a call right away.

Our family at Mini Final Drives has been providing excellent Quality, Value, and Service for over 50 years, and you can continue to count on us for a lifetime of friendly, helpful support for all your final drive and travel motor needs. Call us today at 877-483-2806 or visit our online store at www.minifinaldrives.com to find and order what you need today for Fast and Free delivery to your door.

Understanding Excavators: Important Facts About An Important Tool

Understanding Excavators: Important Facts About An Important Tool

drive motor

The construction equipment industry is expected to increase 12% from 2016 to 2026. Excavators are perhaps one of the most important pieces of large machinery found throughout the entire construction sector today. These excavators are essential for all kinds of construction jobs, both for small jobs and major industry-wide applications.

Hopefully this guide will help you better understand everything from excavator final drive motors to the size of digging depth of these powerful machines. Here is some important information pertaining to excavators and the entire construction market:

  • Excavators come in three main sizes — The three sizes of excavators, which are important depending on the size and scale of a construction job, are as follows: compact mini excavators, mid-size midi excavators, and large excavators.

  • These machines are heavy — Compact excavators can weigh around 3,700 pounds, while still yielding some incredible power. Some of the world’s largest excavators, on the other hand, can weigh much more: as much as 188,716 pounds.

  • These machines are powerful — Since these machines have so many important uses within the construction industry, they need to be extremely powerful. Excavators’ net rated power can range from 14.5 horsepower to as much as 512 horsepower.

  • These machines can dig deep — Though compact mini excavators only dig a few feet deep, larger excavators can reach max digging depths of approximately 32 feet.

  • Excavator final drive motors need to be properly maintained — An excavator’s final drive motor is an integral part of these construction machines. Roughly 90% of Bobcat brand final drives that fail prematurely can be attributed by a clogged case drain filter. It’s important to note that final drive gear oil should be inspected after 100 hours of operation (or once a month). Additionally, whether you’re utilizing the excavator a lot or not, final drive gear oil should be changed at least once per year.

If you want to learn more about these powerful machines, or find high quality final drive motors for major brands like Bobcat or John Deere products, give MiniFinalDrives a call today.

Our family at Mini Final Drives has been providing excellent Quality, Value, and Service for over 50 years, and you can continue to count on us for a lifetime of friendly, helpful support for all your final drive and travel motor needs. Call us today at 877-483-2806 or visit our online store at www.minifinaldrives.com to find and order what you need today for Fast and Free delivery to your door.

A Look Into One of the Most Popular International Excavator Brands: Komatsu

A Look Into One of the Most Popular International Excavator Brands: Komatsu

KomatsuThe global construction industry has expanded tremendously over the last few decades. Thanks to some massive innovations across the construction sector, all kinds of industrial and residential projects can be accomplished with ease. Perhaps one of the main factors as to why the industry has done so well in recent years is the amount of quality construction equipment brands there are out in the world. From small lawn mowers to industrial heavy machinery projects, the top construction brands across the globe make sure that their products are top-of-the-line.

Excavator machines come in three sizes: compact mini excavators, mid-size midi excavators, and large excavators. These machines are essential for agriculture and construction projects across the world. Here is a look at one of the most popular brands that uses excavators with travel motors and final drive motors: Komatsu.

Komatsu Limited is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures high-quality equipment for industrial construction jobs, mining projects, and military use. Based in Minato, Tokyo, the corporation began in 1921 and has been providing hundreds of companies across the world with all kinds of great construction machinery products.

According to Australian Mining, the company has launched a record number of new machines (25 in total), including excavators, loaders, trucks, and graders for numerous construction produces in New South Wales.

“At the same time, Komatsu has introduced new electronic control systems throughout the new machines that ensure engine power, hydraulic requirements and transmission output is optimized — resulting in fuel consumption savings of between 5% to 15% — depending on models and applications,” said Dean Gaedtke, corporation executive general manager of construction.

Our family at Mini Final Drives has been providing excellent Quality, Value, and Service for over 50 years, and you can continue to count on us for a lifetime of friendly, helpful support for all your final drive and travel motor needs. Call us today at 877-483-2806 or visit our online store at www.minifinaldrives.com to find and order what you need today for Fast and Free delivery to your door.

Importance of Quality Machinery: 3 Reputable Construction Equipment Manufacturers

Importance of Quality Machinery: 3 Reputable Construction Equipment Manufacturers

bobcat

It doesn’t matter what kind of construction job your team is working on — if you’re not using the highest quality tools and products on the market, the final result is going to suffer. Additionally, it’s going to take more than merely using the best available replacement final drive motors for major brands like Bobcat, John Deere, or Komatsu – you’ll need to ensure proper equipment maintenance and repair, as well.

In other words, quality control matters. Whether your construction project is big or small, you want to ensure that your heavy equipment is delivering the best value.Construction equipment is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and it’s expected to continue to grow. You may find yourself unsure about what to choose given the large number of brands. Who is the most reliable? Who has the best warranty? Whose replacement parts will stand up to continual use?

Here are some of the world’s most reputable construction equipment manufacturers that you should consider working with to ensure high quality performance.

Bobcat

Bobcat has been a quality construction equipment manufacturer and construction industry leader since 1956. They are, perhaps, the most recognizable brand when it comes to compact equipment. The company is based in the United States, although its products are in use around the world.

In 2009, Hermann Simon’s book Hidden Champions described Bobcat as a role model for other companies of similar size. Many of our customers here at Mini Final Drives appreciate Bobcat for its quality American workmanship, as well as its reputation for comfort and quality assurance.

You may be familiar with Bobcat’s line of mini-excavators. Their compact size makes them ideal for construction projects with width restrictions (e.g., gates and doors). You may also love their intuitive controls and advanced hydraulic features, which are some of the reasons why they’re among the highest-performing machines on the market.

Bobcat final drive motors are high quality, but they do demand a bit of maintenance. Owners should change the oil at least once per year and check the oil every month or after 100 hours of use, whichever comes sooner. As with any piece of equipment, a final drive motor should be replaced using quality OEM equivalent parts.

John Deere

While some may associate the company with its signature-green agricultural products, John Deere offers a wide range of high-quality equipment. Their products can be found at a variety of job sites and construction sites, including those associated with commercial and residential building, lawn care, forestry, mining, and more. You can also find many consumer-grade products made from quality materials that can often be purchased from a local dealership. John Deere also specializes in diesel engines, drive-trains (axles, gearboxes, and transmutation), and all kinds of other heavy equipment products.

Their parent company — Deere & Company — is an industry leader in the United States as well as globally. They frequently rank in the Fortune 500, further emphasizing their reputation for quality and excellence.

Today, they are the largest agriculture machinery company in the world. When you buy their products, you’re contributing to the thousands of American workers employed in John Deere’s factories.

John Deere final drive motors are among the highest quality final drive motors available. Their power and performance is legendary — like the one that powers the 7,500-pound 35D excavator that is capable of moving roughly 50 times its own weight, while moving uphill.

Komatsu

Komatsu Ltd is a Japanese-based, multinational corporation that manufactures all kinds of construction, mining, and even military heavy equipment items — and all of them meet stringent quality standards. In recent years, Komatsu has expanded beyond construction activities, mining, and defense, however, and has also become widely known for industrial products, such as thermoelectric generators, lasers, and press machines.

Komatsu boasts having the largest bulldozer in the world: the D575A. But their excavators have long been popular among contractors who appreciate their transportable size and low engine emission, which makes it easier for construction companies, civil engineers, and others involved in projects utilizing Komatsu equipment to meet sustainability standards set by the EPA.

The final drive motor produced by Komatsu is among the best on the market today because the quality of materials they use is unsurpassed. While the company is based in Japan, its products are distributed from warehouses across the United

States, so customers don’t have to worry about delays when they’re in need of a replacement part.

If you want to learn more about these and more other construction equipment brands, or you are in need of Bobcat, John Deere, or Komatsu final drive travel motor repairs, give Mini Final Drives a call right away.

The Reliability of Mini Final Drives

At MiniFinalDrives.com, we’re proud to say that these manufacturers’ names appear in our online store. If you’re looking for travel motors from these or other companies for your project completion, we can help. We provide quality aftermarket and OEM-equivalent Final Drive Motors with Travel Motors. Because our inventory is based in the U.S., you can expect fast, free shipping.

We can help you find a final drive motor from these manufacturers, along with other reputable companies such as New Holland or Hitachi. You can even search by part numbers, and we can help with any hard-to-find items, too.

Here are just some of the other brands that we supply:

MiniFinalDrives.com is a family-owned business with a national reputation for quality products and cost savings that help you produce quality work. Every product you buy comes with a two-year warranty, as well as a lifetime replacement discount. Call us today at 877-483-2806 or visit our online store at www.minifinaldrives.com to find and order what you need today for Fast and Free delivery to your door.

4 Safety Checks to Perform Prior to Excavator Operation

4 Safety Checks to Perform Prior to Excavator Operation

john deere final drive travel motorThe construction equipment industry is protected to grow 12% over a 10-year period from 2016 to 2026. In order for this industry to remain viable and lucrative, it’s important that every single employee within this field remains as safe as possible when operating any heavy equipment item.

Excavators can weigh anywhere from 3,790 pounds to 188,716 pounds and can cause serious injury if not handled properly. Here are some safety tips for operating excavators and similar heavy equipment machines:
  • Stay up-to-date on training — Proper training is imperative when it comes to machine operations. To maximize excavator safety, each individual operator needs to be thoroughly trained in both machine operation and all the various safety procedures involved. This means going through the proper certification process and having practical knowledge of every part of the excavator.
  • Read the manual — Though many of these machines have similar functions, each brand is different. For instance, a John Deere final drive travel motor differs from other construction equipment components, so make sure you’re aware of how to properly handle and maintain each item. Reading the manual before operation can help you better understand exactly how the machine in question works.
  • Survey the land prior to digging — Digging in an area that wasn’t inspected is extremely dangerous. There could be pipes and utility lines located underground where you’re planning on digging. So make sure you mark every item and are calling the proper One-Call centers before excavating.
  • Inspect the machine thoroughly before use — Before and after each use, it’s important to inspect your excavator in order to maximize safety. Check to see that all seat belts are secure, mirrors are clean, control levers are operating properly, and check the propel system as well. For specific John Deere final drive travel motors, it’s best to consult with professionals when performing thorough inspections.
Operating excavators and similar heavy machinery can be extremely dangerous if you’re not careful. If you want to learn more about excavator safety or find quality OEM-equivalent or aftermarket final drive travel motors for John Deere and other brands, Mini Final Drives is here to help.

Our family at Mini Final Drives has been providing excellent Quality, Value, and Service for over 50 years, and you can continue to count on us for a lifetime of friendly, helpful support for all your final drive and travel motor needs. Call us today at 877-483-2806 or visit our online store at www.minifinaldrives.com to find and order what you need today for Fast and Free delivery to your door.