Tips to Extend the Life of Compact Track Loaders' Rubber Tracks

By Buck Storlie, ASV LLC

Great equipment design is the first step toward more uptime and ROI, but ultimately a machine is only as good as it’s treated. If you want the greatest bang for your buck, it’s in your best interest to train equipment operators on operation and cleanliness to optimize equipment longevity. It’s also a good idea to closely monitor equipment to prevent potential problems.

These tips couldn't be more applicable when it comes to a compact track loader's rubber track undercarriages. Simply taking the time to implement these steps can help you get a lot more mileage from your machines. That saves money in service and replacement costs and reduces downtime.

How is the Equipment Being Used?

Improper or aggressive operation is a major contributor to excessive wear. In addition, certain applications result in much higher wear than others. To minimize damage, train operators on proper operation before they use the equipment.

One of the first areas to look when faced with excessive rubber track wear is how the compact track loader is being operated and where. Improper or aggressive operation is a major contributor to excessive wear.Counter-rotations, or sharp changes of direction, are a big cause of premature undercarriage wear. This is especially true when driving over highly abrasive material, such as shale, granite or ragged materials commonly found on demolition sites. Not only do counter-rotations often lead to cuts in the track, they also result in material build-up on the tracks’ outer edge that gets into the undercarriage.

Track systems with rubber wheel designs have the advantage of being open, allowing material to spill out. But it’s still possible for the abrasive material to get stuck among the roller wheels, lugs and track. Although the mostly rubber components are more forgiving to each other than steel-on-rubber designs, materials can cause chips and cuts. To reduce the risk, encourage operators to use three-point turns.

Operators should also avoid spinning the tracks, especially on abrasive surfaces. Like counter-rotations, spinning can result in cuts in the rubber and unnecessary undercarriage wear.

It isn’t always possible to choose the types of jobs and conditions machines will be used in, but it is important to be aware of the toll different applications can have on track life. Jobs involving a lot of abrasive material, such as demolition, scrap and quarry applications, usually cause extra wear. The potential damage is much greater so it’s especially important to avoid counter-rotating and spinning in these applications. On the other hand, tasks such as landscaping or golf course work that involve sand, soft dirt or turf result in minimal wear.

More Clean, Less Wear

Aside from using proper operating techniques, drivers should regularly clean a compact track loader’s undercarriage since its cleanliness directly impacts the wear rate.

The cleaning frequency depends on the applications and materials operators use the machines in, but daily cleaning is usually sufficient. Remove cohesive and abrasive material such as mud, clay and gravel as often as possible, even several times a day. This limits wear to undercarriage components or material buildup that can increase track tension. Remind operators that cleaning off materials such as mud at the end of the day is easier than trying to remove it the next morning after it has dried.

Rubber track treads accumulate cuts and missing chunks over a lifetime, but these are often cosmetic and may not affect performance. This track is still usable but should be monitored because the damage may worsen.Pay close attention to cleaning around the front and rear roller wheels, where material can accumulate. Use a pressure washer, if available; otherwise, a small shovel or similar tool is sufficient. The most important items to remove are highly abrasive objects such as sharp rocks and demolition material including rebar, concrete and scrap metal. All of these can damage the inside of the track and undercarriage components. Also, look for strands of material, such as metal wire, that can wrap around components.

Achieving the Best Track Life

Closely inspect rubber track undercarriages regularly. First look at the track, the part of the compact track loader that gets the most abuse. The average rubber track life is about 2,000 hours but can be as high as 5,000 if maintained well. On the other hand, neglecting a rubber track can result in a wear life as low as 500 hours. To get the longest track life, check track tension and condition daily, conduct visual checks for damage and lubricate grease points.

The track tension should match what is listed in the equipment manual. A loose track can result in ratcheting — lugs skipping over sprocket rollers — which accelerates wear or damage to the lugs. A loose track also increases the risk of derailment. Alternatively, a track that’s too tight can accelerate wear on bearings, wheels and sprockets.

Examine the outside of the track for damage. Rubber track treads accumulate cuts and missing chunks over their lifetime, but these are often cosmetic and may not affect performance. Watch for deep cuts — about 4 in. or larger — that dig into the core of the track where the inner cords are embedded. Bad cuts such as this may get worse and make track replacement necessary. Also check the tread depth. Rubber track manufacturers generally produce tracks to be usable until there is no tread left. When wear makes it difficult or impossible to properly tension tracks, then it’s time to replace them.

Next, look at the drive lugs. Like the track, lugs encounter wear over time, especially when working in abrasive materials. Side slopes can also be hard on lugs, resulting in one side of the lugs wearing more than the other. Check that the lugs still fit well with the sprocket rollers. A track isn’t usable if lugs are worn down so far that they continually skip over rollers when the track is properly tensioned. This usually happens when about 50% of the lug is gone.

Replace rubber track drive wheels when two-thirds of the rubber is gone. This wheel is still usable.Look at individual components next. Drive wheels wear similarly to the tracks and lugs. Replace a wheel when two-thirds of its rubber is gone. Also, look at the sprocket rollers about every 50 operating hours. Rubber track undercarriages use steel outer roller sleeves that cover steel pins on the sprocket and engage with the lugs. Replace sleeves when they are 50% worn or when they show signs of cracking. The steel sprocket pins can be rotated 180 degrees during sleeve replacement to prolong their service life, as the pins are stationary and typically only wear on one side. When available, it’s best to have inspections and replacements completed by a rubber track compact track loader dealer.

Achieve High ROI from Good Service

Gaining the most out of a rubber track undercarriage requires proper operation, a knowledge of how different applications affect wear and regular cleaning and inspections. In addition, you should inform operators of proper operation tips and ensure they clean and inspect the tracks regularly.

Proper care can prevent problems and lengthen track life, which keeps costs low. Teach and practice careful operation and take a few minutes every day for cleaning and inspection — small tasks that will often result in a high return on investment.

Buck Storlie is the testing and reliability leader at ASV LLC. His 22 years with the company give him the expertise to manage product testing, reliability and field issue resolution. He focuses on ensuring customers receive maximum productivity, durability, ROI and comfort out of their ASV machines.