6 ultimate tips to optimise the lifespan of tracks

13 June 2022

An important advantage of tracks is that they have better traction than tyres and reduced ground pressure, resulting in lesser surface imprint. The weight of the machine is distributed over a large area, so there will always be enough grip to get a job done. But if you have mini-excavators and/or compact track loaders in your fleet, you might already know that it’s expensive to replace tracks and undercarriages. In fact, they can amount to up to 50% of your machine’s maintenance cost! Luckily, there are various ways in which you can optimise the lifespan of tracks.

How to optimise the lifespan of tracks

Given the cost of tracks and undercarriage parts, it’s worth putting in the effort to maintain them. The following 6 tips will help you optimise the lifespan of tracks.

1. Proper operation

The first tip may seem self-evident, but is nevertheless essential. Ensuring that a machine is always operated in the correct way will significantly increase the lifespan of its tracks. Therefore, the operator of the machine must have received adequate training, so he is also aware of the following points of attention:

Pay attention to the sidewall of the tracks, so it doesn’t rub against hard surfaces.
Avoid sharp turns and turning too quickly.

2. Careful with hazardous surfaces

Even though tracks allow you to drive over sharp surfaces, it is still advisable to avoid those situations as much as possible. Because with sharp surfaces, you always risk puncturing the tracks or damaging them in another way.

3. Safe parking

When the work day is done, always remember to park in a safe place where the machine is protected from the sun and rain. The sun’s heat can cause cracks in the tracks, while rain can corrode the internal metal parts. Moreover, you should never park in a spot where there are traces of oil and grease, since those have an ageing effect on the rubber.

4. Regular inspection

It is crucial to regularly inspect tracks and undercarriage parts for signs of wear and tear. After all, worn out rollers, idlers or sprockets will negatively affect the performance and productivity of the machine.

Note: if you replace the tracks of your machine, you will need to replace certain parts of the undercarriage as well, since undercarriage parts wear out together with tracks.

5. Keep track of tension

In addition to a general inspection, you should also regularly check the tension of your tracks, since adequate tension avoids slipping of the tracks:

The correct tension can be found in the manufacturer’s manual of the machine.
If there is too little tension, add grease to the tensioner grease cylinder.
If the tensioner is fully extended, it is time to replace the tracks.
Never add too much tension, since that will cause damage!

6. Keep it clean

Tracks perform better when they are free of waste and soil. Therefore, it is advisable to regularly clean tracks with water. Also inspect the tracks for oils and greases while cleaning (see tip 3).

Why maintenance is important

Apart from optimising the lifespan of tracks and undercarriage parts, well-maintained tracks also offer some other advantages:

They reduce fuel consumption;
They increase site safety;
They prevent a long downtime of the machine;
They optimise productivity with the machine.

When to replace tracks and undercarriage parts?

However, no matter how well you take care of tracks and undercarriage parts, it’s inevitable that they will wear down over time. You can avoid unnecessary downtime by regularly checking your machine for 4 telltale wear signs.

Ordering new tracks and undercarriage parts

When it’s time to replace tracks and undercarriage parts, technical support will come in handy. Because finding the right replacement parts isn’t always easy: there is no international conformity for the measurement of tracks and every brand has its own system for undercarriage parts.

Therefore, the best way to find the right tracks and undercarriage parts is through the machine details (brand, model, etc.):