Measure & Assembly
HOW TO FIND THE CORRECT SIZE OF RUBBER TRACK TO REPLACE?
Are you looking for a Rubber Track for your mini-excavator, excavator, track loader or other tracked vehicle? Below you will find a simple guide to help you identify the right size for your machine. There are three possible ways to find the perfect replacement rubber track for your construction machinery, here they are below.
The easiest way to go is through the use of our Search Engine. By entering the brand and model of your tracked construction machine, the search engine will automatically suggest the matching rubber track. We recommend that you check the size match, directly on the track to be replaced.
Alternatively, to receive the right replacement rubber track, you will need to know the following information: track width (mm), pitch (mm) and link number (#).
You can get these measurements by reading them directly on the rubber track; you will find them inside the track. If you should not find the measurements printed inside the track, take the following 3 measurements directly on the product to be replaced:
WHAT DO THE LETTERS AFTER THE MEASUREMENT MEAN?
These letters identify a specific application by indicating the type of ride of the vehicle; more specifically, they indicate how the undercarriage rests on the inside of the rubber track. This is a convention adopted to identify very quickly and easily what the application of a specific measurement is.
The rubber tracks with the additional designation we offer on our online sales site are as follows :
N = "narrow" = narrow guide | inner guide rubber tracks
W = "wide" = wide guide | internally guided rubber tracks
K = reinforced rubber tracks | externally guided rubber tracks
B = rubber tracks intended primarily for Bobcat construction equipment | rubber tracks with internal or external guidance
Y = rubber tracks intended primarily for Yanmar construction equipment | asymmetrical externally guided rubber tracks
T = Rubber tracks intended primarily for Takeuchi construction machinery | rubber tracks with internal or external guidance
C = Rubber tracks intended primarily for Caterpillar construction equipment (CAT) | externally guided rubber tracks
Once you have gathered this information, enter it into our Advanced Search Engine, and purchase the rubber track that fits your machine perfectly!
HOW MANY VERSIONS OF RUBBER TRACKS ARE THERE?
As far as pitch is concerned, there are two versions of interchangeable rubber tracks: Long-Pitch and Short-Pitch
"Long-Pitch" version
Long-pitch rubber tracks are usually recognized by the fact that their links engage every two teeth of the drive wheel; the long-pitch track will have twice as many links as a short-pitch track.
"Short-pitch" version
Compared with the long-pitch rubber track, the short-pitch track generally has half the links. Each link of the short-pitch track engages each tooth of the drive wheel, and the distance between the links of the short-pitch track is thus halved. A typical feature of a short-pitch rubber track is its relatively smoother and more uniform rolling behavior.
On the other hand, as far as guide is concerned, there are either inside-guided or outside-guided rubber tracks:
Internal guide rubber tracks
An internally guided rubber track can be identified as follows: the undercarriage roller runs and rests internally with respect to the track links.
External guide rubber tracks
An externally guided rubber track can be identified as follows: the undercarriage roller rests externally relative to the links of the track itself and can run on a metal plate, on the links or on rubber.
Rubber tracks can still be differentiated on the basis of their symmetry or asymmetry, ergo whether the guide runs in the center of the track, or whether it is off-center:
Symmetrical rubber tracks: in this case the guide is centered with respect to the width of the track. The distance between the center of the links (guide) and the outer edge of the rubber track is the same on both sides.
Asymmetric rubber tracks: unlike symmetric rubber tracks, asymmetric rubber tracks have an offset. An example of this is the rubber tracks intended for YANMAR construction machines, which have the guide offset from the total width of the rubber track.
HOW TO REMOVE AND INSTALL A RUBBER TRACK
Removing and installing a rubber track on a mini excavator is a fairly simple task that can be tackled in less than an hour without the help of industry experts. If this is your first time, this process may take a few more minutes, depending on your technical and manual skills, but no special skills or equipment are required. We recommend that you always work with someone who can support you and that you both wear appropriate accident prevention clothing.
Here's how to replace a rubber track:
- Raise your machine off the ground about 150mm so you can work comfortably on the machine. Help yourself with the blade and arm to lift your mini crawler excavator.
- Loosen the idler bolt. Grease will leak from the piston and the track tension will slowly loosen. You can speed up the idler retraction process by pushing on the center of the track with one foot.
- Get the rubber track off the idler wheel first and off the sprocket later. If necessary, help yourself by levering a wooden bar between track and undercarriage, moving forward very slowly.
- Place the rubber track under the machine and rest it on the undercarriage. Start with the sprocket and only then proceed with the idler wheel. If necessary, help yourself with a wooden pole. We do not recommend using an iron pole in order to preserve the good condition of the rubber track and undercarriage.
- Close the idler bolt and pump grease through the valve using a grease gun. The idler wheel will move slowly and the track will return to tension. Remember not to pump too much grease into the idler valve, a moderate gap between track and undercarriage must be present.
- Lower the machine and check that the new rubber track is assembled the correct way. If your new rubber track does not run smoothly on your machine, do not force it, remove it immediately and contact us.
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR RUBBER TRACKS
The durability of your track depends on how you use it. Here are some tips that can help you extend the life of your Rubber Tracks:
- Use the three points of support for steering to reduce lateral wear on the track.
- Flush the track with high-pressure water after using the machine, so you can keep the track clean and prevent oil and debris from accumulating in the undercarriage.
- Check the track tension periodically, possibly every 50 to 100 hours of operation. Excessive tension could result in premature track failure, while a track left loose has a good chance of coming off the undercarriage guide and falling off.
- Avoid high speed in transfers
- Avoid tangenting steps and sharp edges.
- Reduce use in extreme temperatures (above +55°C and below -25°C).
For any information please feel free to contact us here
HOW ARE RUBBER TRACKS MANUFACTURED?
We work to select the best quality tracks; our choice always falls on a high quality rubber: a compound created from the best natural and synthetic rubber, reinforced by continuous iron cord.
Every track sold by PowerTrack is manufactured with Continuous Steel Cord technology.