Track rollers wear out first on most excavators, and usually show flat spots within 1,500-2,000 hours under tough conditions. However, proper track tension and daily cleaning separate machines that last 6,000 hours from those that fail at 3,000. In fact, undercarriage components account for more than 50% of an excavator's total maintenance costs over its lifetime. Most operators miss early warning signs like uneven wear patterns and minor oil leaks around track adjusters. As a result, major damage shows up before anyone notices the problem. In this article, we'll cover which undercarriage parts fail first. You’ll also learn about the visual signs that signal replacement, and simple daily habits that prevent costly repairs. Let’s find out the best way to care for your
Excavator
Why Undercarriage Parts Fail Early and How Contractors Can Prevent It
When undercarriage parts fail early, it is often due to everyday work conditions and maintenance habits, and not bad luck. These components are also the fastest-wearing parts of heavy equipment. So, knowing why this happens can help you avoid breakdowns, reduce downtime, and save money on repairs. Problems with the undercarriage account for roughly 50% of all track machine maintenance costs, according to an industry report. That means half your maintenance budget goes to one system alone. In this article, we'll cover the inspection routines that catch $200 problems before they become $15,000 emergencies. You'll find out why undercarriage components fail early, which excavator parts break down first, and the daily maintenance mistakes that speed up wear. Let’s begin with the reason undercarriage
How Bites Off Broadway Built the Longest Warranty in the Industry
Are you tired of buying excavator parts that break down right after the product warranty expires? The reason this keeps happening is that most suppliers in the construction industry offer the bare minimum coverage. They're counting on you not to read the fine print. We decided to do things differently. Our warranty backs every part we sell for longer than anyone else because we've tested the quality enough to stand behind it. If you're wondering how we built the longest warranty in the business, here's what we'll cover today: the difference between written warranties and implied warranty protection, our quality control testing process, why cheap parts fail so fast, and what actually happens when you need warranty service. At the end of the
Five Essential Parts Every Excavator Owner Should Always Keep On Hand
Every excavator relies on a handful of components that determine how well it operates day to day (and whether you're dealing with downtime or smooth sailing). Those parts include the hydraulic pump, final drive, swing motor, control valves, and undercarriage components like track rollers and idlers. In this article, we're going to walk through each part, explain what it does, and help you spot early warning signs before something breaks. If you're running equipment on-site or managing a fleet, partnering with a leading supplier makes sourcing reliable parts far easier. Let's start with the hydraulic pump, which powers nearly every movement your excavator makes. Hydraulic Hoses and Fittings Hydraulic hoses fail more frequently than almost any other excavator component because they're constantly flexing under
How the Parts Shortage Changed Equipment Supply Chains
The parts shortage forced construction companies to completely rebuild their supply chains. Between 2020 and 2023, lead times jumped from weeks to months, costs skyrocketed, and projects stalled because of missing parts. We’re Bites Off Broadway, and we supply top-quality equipment parts in New York. Over the last 30 years, we’ve witnessed how the entire parts industry has changed. In this guide, we'll cover: What initiated the equipment parts shortage Which parts are still hardest to get in 2026 What the shortage actually cost construction companies How companies are avoiding future disruptions Ready? Let’s begin. What Caused the Equipment Parts Shortage? The equipment components shortage started in 2020 when COVID-19 shut down factories worldwide. Nobody anticipated how quickly the supply chain industry could collapse until that point. How about we
Choosing the Right Track System for Your Excavator
If you choose the wrong excavator tracks, you have to pay an arm and a leg for early replacements. And when you’re running an excavator on any project, your track choice becomes even more important because it affects surface protection and the working life of your machine. The right track system also cuts down repair costs, extends your equipment's working life, and keeps operators comfortable during long shifts. So you'll spend less time dealing with broken components. In this guide, we explain the differences between rubber tracks, steel tracks, and hybrid options. And, you'll also learn how to measure tracks correctly so you don't end up with parts that don't fit and maintenance habits that can double your track's lifespan. Let's get into
How to Extend the Life of Excavator Tracks
When life gets a little rocky, think about how excavator tracks have it even rockier! These poor things go through tough conditions every single day on construction sites. All that mud, debris, and rough terrain grinds away at the rubber like a cheese grater on a block of cheddar. But still, some tracks look like they’re just built differently. While a few tracks last 800 hours, others can push past 2,000 hours. It usually comes down to how you treat them between jobs, instead of the brand name stamped on the side. This guide walks you through the practical steps that stretch tracking life. We're covering the maintenance that stops costly downtime, the damage you can dodge, and the inspection checks that
How to Choose a Reliable Construction Equipment Parts Supplier
Have you ever had your excavator break down right when you needed it most? We've seen contractors lose thousands because one simple part took weeks to arrive. That’s why you need a reliable parts supplier that gets you replacement parts before you start losing money. Some suppliers promise fast delivery but leave you waiting. Others send cheap parts that break after a month, forcing you to pay twice for the same repair. This guide will show you how to choose the best parts supplier that keeps your equipment running. We'll cover inventory checks, customer service evaluation, and backup plans for when things go wrong. At Bites Off Broadway, we've been helping construction firms for over three decades by providing quality excavator parts and
5 Signs Your Excavator Needs New Parts
Nothing stalls a job site faster than a machine breakdown, especially when it’s your excavator. These heavy lifters are central to keeping projects on schedule, and any downtime can lead to missed deadlines, increased labour costs, and client frustration. Spotting those early indicators could be the difference between a simple part replacement and a costly repair that derails your entire schedule. In this post, we’ll walk through five clear signs your excavator parts are nearing failure and show you how to address them before they shut you down. Let’s get started. 1. Sluggish Hydraulic Performance in Your Excavator The first and most common warning sign you'll encounter is sluggish hydraulic performance. This is your machine's way of telling you that critical components are starting
How to Extend the Life of Your Excavator: Maintenance Tips That Save Money
If your project has ever stalled because of a broken excavator, you already know how frustrating and expensive that can be. We’ve seen it happen more than once. But the good news is that you can avoid most of these breakdowns with consistent, well-planned excavator maintenance. In this guide, we’re sharing everyday strategies based on what works in the field. You’ll learn how to spot early warning signs, prevent costly failures, and stretch your machine’s life across the entire equipment life cycle. We’ll walk you through: What daily checks should you never skip A maintenance routine that works even on busy schedules The best times to swap out worn parts Field-tested advice that’s saved real crews thousands Read on to find out how to extend the life