Roller Tread Wear
Track roller wear is the most difficult of all
to measure and interpret. In some cases not
all measurements will be possible. Several
assumptions and correlations may have to
be made to better interpret the roller system
wear condition in the absence of complete
measurements of inner and outer flanges on
all rollers. The measurement techniques
recommended here are reliable and safe
methods of obtaining wear measurements.
Certain modifications of measurement tools
may make this measurement easier, but will
not increase the accuracy.
Tread Measurement Technique
Track roller tread wear can be measured by
three methods, measuring tread diameter
with a large caliper, flange height with a
depth gauge, or rim thickness with an
Ultrasonic Wear Indicator.
Caliper Measurement
1. Position the caliper, where possible, so
the tongs or tips of the caliper are
touching the tread in its most worn
position on the diameter.
2. Pass the caliper back and forth to find
the true minimum diameter.
Pass Caliper Back and Forth
Measure Point of Most Wear
Common Caliper Measurement
Errors
1. Failing to pass the calipers back and forth
across the tread surface to find the true
minimum diameter. Often a diameter is
measured resulting in over statement of
wear. Other times the caliper is not resting
on the most worn areas across the tread
resulting in under statement of the wear.
2. Failure to measure both outer and inner
treads. This may tend to understate the
effect of wear on the roller if inner
tread is more worn.
3. Over tightening calipers will result in
an overstatement of wear due to the
spring-back effect when calipers are
removed from compression contact
with the treads and compared to the
calibrated rule.
4. Failure to clean surfaces before mea-
surement will understate the amount of
wear.