Expert Treads

The canvas of an excavator artist includes a variety of landscapes. Pristine green grasses, brown muddy jobsites, white broken concretes – a mini ex digs and works in a rich mixture of colorful ground conditions. So in order to make sure your compact excavator stays on the right path, retaining the ability to finely sculpt earth, the right set of rubber or steel tracks is essential for picture-perfect control, traction, flotation and success.

Understanding jobsite conditions and applications, an excavator operator can pick and choose the exact tracks for his or her destination and operations.

“Rubber is the most common type,” explains Chris Ono, product manager for McLaren Industries, an OEM and aftermarket manufacturer for rubber tracks, over-the-tire tracks and semi-pneumatic tires. “They can be used on various jobsites — dirt, mud, concrete, asphalt and sand. Steel is typically used on harsh terrains such as demolition sites and forests. And then there are hybrid tracks. These are steel tracks with bolt-on rubber pads, which provide the strength of steel and the advantages of a rubber track. They can be used on delicate surfaces like asphalt and then rubber pads can be removed so it can be used as a dedicated steel track.”

Most replacement tracks will cost anywhere from $300 to $3,000, noting hybrid’s are bit more unique ranging from $2,000 to $6,000. Rubber tracks are by far the most popular on compact excavators and feature continuous rubber belt tracks with steel or iron cores and cables embedded within. Rubber tracks are an all around track, ideal for areas that are sensitive, but with the ability to traverse most grass, ground or concrete conditions. Rubber tracks work well in landscape applications when a crew must glide across both green space and concrete. They also work great on general construction and rental lots.

Steel tracks are recommended for use in harsher environments such as jobsites that feature rocks (demolition) and other debris (like forestry applications) that may harm the integrity of rubber tracks. Because of their severe nature, steel tracks can damage asphalt, grass and other landscaping, so roll with caution. The final alternative would be hybrid tracks, which are the combination of a steel track style with bolt-on rubber pads (like what you see in over-the-tire skid steer tracks). This type of track offers the strength of steel mixed with flexibility of rubber — ensuring a smooth ride, less damage to surfaces, reduced downtime and all-around excavator operation.

“When you have to decide which type of tracks is right for your machine and job application, it always pays to consult with the track manufacturer,” says George Zafirov, marketing manager at McLaren. “Even though sometimes the jobsite may appear too harsh for rubber tracks, they may still be the best option. Other times the terrain may appear easy, but it may still require steel or hybrid tracks. If you share with us some details about the job application, we may be able to recommend the best option.”

Portraits of Pattern, Pitch and Width

The great art of excavating takes the proper tools, engineered with purpose and used with precision. When purchasing replacement tracks for a mini excavator, a digging expert can choose from three track features: width, pitch and tread pattern. First, the proper width of the track should be determined to best suit the machine. The width of tracks is measured in millimeters and wider tracks offer better flotation, while narrower tracks are typically less expensive, typically ranging from 180 to 500 mm.

The pitch of the track is the distance from one guide tooth on the inside of the track to the next. There are two types of pitches — long and short. Short pitch tracks engage every sprocket tooth on the track, ensuring a smoother ride and long pitch tracks engage every other sprocket tooth, resulting in a slightly rougher ride. However, long pitch tracks are generally less expensive.

Finally, the tread pattern of the new track should be determined. There are typically two main types of tread patterns to choose from — turf-friendly and aggressive. A turf-friendly track has more contact points with the ground ensuring less pressure for delicate landscapes. The lugs on the tracks are spaced more closely together, so the ground is less disturbed and the machine doesn’t have much impact on the ground, avoiding scarring or markings. An aggressive tread pattern may feature a zigzag pattern with sharp, prominent lugs. With an aggressive pattern, an operator can expect better traction on loose, wet soil conditions, but also a bigger footprint.

Smart dig artist should work with a reputable manufacturer and dealer that will take the time to understand their unique needs as a professional excavator operator.

“Never underestimate good customer service and the power of a local dealership,” says Jared Steier, national track manager for Solideal USA, a manufacturer and OEM supplier of mini ex tracks for 10 years now. “Local sales reps on the ground mean you know who you are buying from and who you will go to if you have a problem. If you buy them from an online auction site or someone over the telephone, be aware that most will not provide after-sales support if needed. Also, it is also good to remember that most warranties are no transferable and do not apply if purchased from a non-authorized dealer; therefore, it never hurts to ask if you are buying from an authorized dealer.”

As important as buying the ideal set of work tracks is understanding the signs of replacement. Experienced excavators can maximize track life while optimizing operations.

Art of Operation

Veteran diggers realize the important of routine inspections. By conducting a simple track inspection after each work day, an operator can evaluate the wear tracks have accrued over each job and jobsite. One of the most common checks is to focus on the track’s tread pattern and its depth. If the pattern is nearly worn out or almost smooth, the track should be replaced since it will most likely not achieve the traction it needs to perform efficiently.

Beyond normal wear and tear, there are larger damages that can occur to a track that require a replacement immediately. A deep crack or tear in the track that expands almost halfway across the track warrants the need for a replacement

“Track wear can be tough to judge,” admits Steier. “Simply looking at tread depth or overall appearance does not accurately tell the operator that a replacement is needed. One must keep in mind that application, abuse, cuts and tears can cause more damage to the track than you might think. A deep cut can expose the steel cables imbedded inside the track to water which can lead corrosion and premature failure. Curbing the machine [running up over a curb] or impact damage [like running over an exposed tree stump] can also lead to metal piece or steel cable breakage, leading to reduced overall life expectancy.”

In order to prevent damaging a track like this, an operator should be cautious in maneuvering the machine on narrow roads, logging areas and construction areas that have broken concrete pieces, trees and other obstacles. Operators should also be aware of specific types of damage to the tracks such as separation of the steel links, broken steel cables and cuts or gashes that expose the steel cords. Worn steel links are also a concern since they can cause the track’s pitch to be off. When a pitch is off it means that it is not engaging with the sprocket tooth correctly — either the sprocket teeth distance or the pitch is off.

“A rubber track will show tread wear over the period of its life,” says Ono. “The edges of the tread will begin to round off over time. The steel links on the inside portion of the track is covered by a thin layer of rubber which wears out soon after being installed. The normal lifespan of mini ex tracks are hard to determine. Unlike track loaders a mini ex can sit for an extended period of time while it digs. Therefore providing how long a track would last will not necessarily indicate the true life of a rubber track. Areas with large debris such as rocks, stones, branches are considered to be harsh

environments.”

Most manufacturers recommend that the tracks on a mini excavator should be replaced every 1,500 hours of use, depending on application. However, the life of the tracks can extend beyond that time if the tracks are maintained properly throughout their use. Ono is quick to note that smart operation is a key to that longevity. For example, sharp turns on the machine will wear out the tracks the fastest. “We recommend turning on one side of the track instead of both if the space allows for it,” he notes. Also, rotating the tracks every now and then will extend the life of the rubber track.

Master operations come with time and experience, but they also correspond to the right tools. Because great works of art continue to readapt to the time and space of the viewer, the measure of success and construction is the extent to which you can create a new world for the customer (whether it’s a new pool, a treed landscape or unseen infrastructure). When it comes to compact excavator creationism, utilizing the right set of rubber or steel tracks can help your crews build the best projects possible, earning the title of master craftsmen and the awe of old and new customers alike.

Keith Gribbins is managing editor of Compact Equipment, based in Peninsula, Ohio.

Keys for Track Masters

By Raymond Oh – Manager of Sales & Marketing, DRB America

If you are that smart buyer who is concerned with the longevity of your tracks, it’s just as crucial to understand warranty as the causes and prevention of track maintenance and wear. Nowadays most all tracks come with warranties, but it wouldn’t hurt to know some of the more common types of problems coming from poor maintenance.

1. Rubber Tracks are made out of RUBBER, so they are not meant to last forever: If you are working on rocky roads and pavements and continuously operate the machine against sharp objects and rocks constantly, there will not be a track that would last 100 hours – operate your excavators with caution
2. Asides from common wear & tear, track splitting and unusual cracks can also occur from inside undercarriage, where as your tracks are mostly in contact with the ground. It’s always good idea to clean out any debris or check for any sprocket wear regularly – preferably every 50 hrs of operation
3. Tensioning plays a crucial role in track life: While you are at keeping the undercarriage area clean every 50 hours, also check track tensions. Too much tension may cause the tracks to tear more easily, as opposed to too little tensioning may kill the traction power of the machine, or even “de-track”
4. When it comes to mini excavators, machines don’t move around as much compared to loaders. Whenever there is a possibility of long term storage for your mini excavators, try to rotate the tracks once a month to avoid intensive fatigue placed on one spot continuously. Lug areas over the idler or sprocket may start to crack horizontally due to repeated stretching. These cracks can start out small but may extend to the entire track surface — another reason your tensioning is the most important factor in getting the most out of your tracks.

Clean and Tensioned

The track’s tension should be checked every 50 hours of use. In order to do that, one side of the excavator should be lifted using the boom. At the midpoint of the track undercarriage, the track should be able to flex 10 to 15 mm to ensure proper tension. Maintaining the right tension will help extend the life of the track. Some flex is needed, otherwise the track will react similarly to an over-inflated tire. Conversely, tracks that are too loose can eventually damage the cleats around the planetary drive wheel. Included in the operating manual for each machine should be the ideal slack for the rubber track..

Keeping the tracks clean is also important. Since debris may become stuck between the track and metal components of the undercarriage, washing the track with a pressure washer helps eliminate the possibility of debris grinding at the surface. By neglecting to wash the undercarriage, it can cause the recoil mechanisms to fail and a track’s cables to break. Cleaning is also important for towing operations. It doesn’t have to have a blinding sparkle, but anything that flies off the machine during traffic situations is your fault, so avoid extra headaches in our sue-happy world.