excavator maintenance

What is a Swing Drive? Everything You Need to Know

Posted: April 13, 2026

Categories: ConEquip 101 - Learning

Tags: swing motor, swing drive, excavator maintenance

A swing drive is a major component on excavators that allows the top portion of the excavator containing the cab and boom to swivel independently from the undercarriage containing the tracks. It is one of the most vital parts on an excavator and without it, an operator would have to back up and adjust the angle of the entire machine to turn, costing time to complete a job. Here’s everything you need to know about your swing drive, how it works, and what to do to keep it running....

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The Basics Still Matter: Six Excavator Maintenance Areas You Can’t Afford to Ignore

Posted: February 19, 2026

Categories: ConEquip 101 - Learning

Tags: excavator technology, excavator maintenance, excavator, cat excavator

Excavators are among the most versatile and hard-working machines on any jobsite. From trenching and grading to demolition and material handling, they do a little bit of everything, and they do it under some of the toughest conditions imaginable. Dirt, dust, heat, cold, vibration, and long operating hours all take their toll. So how do you keep your excavator running at full capacity...

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Swing Bearing Installation - Step-By-Step

Posted: May 12, 2019

Categories: ConEquip 101 - Learning

Tags: swing bearing maintenance, swing bearing, slew ring, machine maintenance, excavator maintenance, excavator

If you are installing a swing bearing on your excavator, you know you're in for a big job. If you're a smaller operation, replacing a swing bearing will likely take at least two days to get the job done right.

Installing a swing bearing on a large excavator can be a risky job as well if the proper safety precautions aren't taken. In any job, safety has to...

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