TECHNICAL RESOURCE

Rubber Tracks

DIGBITS have specialised in the supply of rubber tracks since 1991. Our mini excavator rubber tracks come with a 1000 hour, or one year’s warranty*. Bear in mind that many excavator manufacturers do not cover tracks in their warranty schedule, and are therefore very unlikely to cover replacement/second fit tracks.
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However, even our warranty does not include for abuse, only manufacturing defects. Observing the guidelines in this section will help ensure you get the longest, safest service from your new rubber tracks.
*This does not apply to skid steer loader tracks, and machines have a travel speed over 3 mph, where the warranty is 500 hours, or six months.

Ground Conditions And Use:

Rubber tracks were designed primarily to avoid damage by steel tracks on paved surfaces, for use on flat, hard surfaces.
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To get best life from your rubber tracks, it is vital to follow the guidelines below, as well as any guidelines in your machine’s excavator operators manual:

1. Surfaces: Avoid, as far as possible, using the machine on sharp, uneven surfaces.
2. Debris: Keep the tracks clean of soil, stones and other debris by keeping your work area tidy. In quarries where very large (100 tonne plus) excavators work, there is often a small bulldozer working, just for this purpose – it does pay dividends!
3. Clogging: During either cold and/or very wet weather mud and debris can freeze and/or dry solid within the tracks. Parking the machine overnight or for long periods on timbers will to help avoid these issues.
4. Tension: Keep tracks tensioned correctly. De-tracking can cause extensive damage to the core wires of the tracks, especially of the sprocket punctures the rubber.
5. Speed: Be aware that constant use of fast travel will severely reduce track life. In rough terms, doubling tracking speed will cut track life expectancy by 75%.
6. Dozer work: Excessive use of the dozer blade will put more stress on the tracks than ordinary tracking and digging, especially if debris become trapped in the tracks. (Remember that on larger machines, dozers have far heavier tracks than the equivalent weight of excavator, because of this fact.)
7. Edges: Balancing the machine over an edge (e.g. high kerb) can damage tracks and undercarriage.
8. Steps: When tracking the machine up a step-change in gradient (e.g. kerb or step), try to approach head-on and use the bucket to aid the climb, remembering to work the machine within the stability parameters set by the manufacturer.
9. Kerbs: Do not drive with the track edges pressed against, or up kerbs or other hard step changes.
10. Turns: Avoid fast, sharp turns, especially on either very grippy or very soft ground.
11. Transporting: Transporting or lifting the excavator with chains/straps bending or cutting into the rubber will shorten life and may damage them. (See further notes in TRANSPORTATION section.)
12. Repairs: Always repair cuts and damage to avoid corrosion of the track core wires and metal inserts.
13. Undercarriage: Always check the condition of your undercarriage components. (See UNDERCARRIAGE section.)
14. As far as possible, limit the exposure of new tracks to oil, grease, salt, excessive sunlight and moisture whilst in storage. In use it is impossible to completely avoid all of these, but be aware they all may reduce track life.
15. Avoid bending or folding new tracks sharply when storing.