Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNMkutk41qk (9 min)

There is a lot of confusion about how and when to check the hydraulic oil, so Mike from Rippa USA Sales walks through it on a Rippa R18 Pro, with a quick look at the RS06 and RS03 mini skid steers too.

CHAPTERS

- Preparing for maintenance

- Adjusting the chassis

- Track tension and maintenance

- Checking hydraulic fluid

PREPARE THE MACHINE

1. Retract the cylinders as far as possible so the hydraulic oil is back in the tank. On an excavator that means the boom, stick and bucket cylinders, plus the thumb and dozer blade. On the mini skid steers, keep the lift cylinders down.

2. Park on level ground and turn the machine off.

ADJUSTABLE CHASSIS (R10, R15, R18, R22)

- These models let the tracks move in and out, about five or more inches on each side. The exact specs are on the machine page at RippaUSASales.com.

- Do not widen or narrow the tracks while the machine is sitting on the ground. Raise the machine up on the dozer blade and bucket first, then move them.

TRACK TENSION

1. Tension is adjusted with a grease fitting on the track tensioner. Adding grease pushes the tensioner out and tightens the track.

2. A good rule of thumb is about two fingers of gap between the roller and the track.

3. Too loose can cause a track to hop, which you will hear as a rubber popping noise as it tries to slip off the drive motor sprocket or front idler.

4. Too tight is just as bad, so do not over tighten.

5. New rubber tracks stretch as they break in, so check tension every so often, and before a job rather than in the field.

CHECK THE HYDRAULIC FLUID

- With every cylinder retracted and the machine off, look at the sight gauge on the hydraulic tank. The oil level should be right around the red line.

These tracks are heavy, so if you do not have to remove one, leave it alone. Check your owner's manual and call us if anything looks off.

Questions? Call Rippa USA Sales at 817-382-3201 or visit RippaUSASales.com. We deliver nationwide with flat rate shipping, and you get 50% off attachments when you buy a machine from us.