Rubber Track Assembly – What Do You Need to Know?

It is normal for rubber tracks on construction machinery to wear out over time. If you decide of rubber track assembly by yourself, follow our tips on how to do it safely and effectively. This will help you avoid unnecessary delays at work.

It is worth remembering that replacing a track is an activity that should be performed by two people. It is also important to do this in a safe place away from other distracting machines.

Undercarriage parts wear check

When removing the rubber track, check the condition of the remaining undercarriage parts, such as sprocket, track rollers. Installing a new rubber track makes no sense if the remaining parts are not suitable for further use. Working on a machine with worn parts is not only dangerous, but also unprofitable, as it can result in a costly breakdown.

When you are certain that undercarriage components are in good condition, you can install a new track. If you are dealing with a large excavator, the blade and bucket of a second excavator can help. In such a situation, the operator’s task is to slide down and then install the track. It will require a lot of patience and, most importantly, accuracy in action. For smaller excavators, the rubber track assembly is much easier as the presence of a second machine is no longer necessary. In this case, make sure that the excavator is tilted at a safe angle – the track must not touch the ground. Then you need to unscrew the bolt loosening the idler pulleys. And voilà! The caterpillar virtually slides off the excavator by itself! Install a new track in a similar manner.

Track tension

When installing a new track, make sure it is properly taut. This is really important as loosely fitted tracks will fall off and cause problems with the machine moving. If, on the other hand, the caterpillar is overstressed, it can simply tear. So how do you get it right? The optimal track tension should be approx. 10-20 mm. The track may become loose during the daily operation of the excavator, so it is worth checking and correcting it regularly, especially when it comes to new tracks.