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Checking bolt torque, track tension and alignment of the components and guides are key areas. Checking bolt torque is most important during the first 100 hours of operation, then every time you change track pads, or shoes, although you will want to check periodically to ensure no bolts have worked their way loose.

Use of shoes wider than necessary can cause breakage to bolts and/or shoes. "The shoes are what come in contact with the ground," says Bottin. "Just like the tires for your car, they have to be in perfect efficiency all the time."

Track pads are most vulnerable in hard rock applications. And once the pad is gone from the track, so is protection for the chain surface. "If it's left for too long, you will get damage to the track chain surface where the pad is supposed to mount," says Pooley. "If there isn't a flat surface for the pad to mount, you won't be able to tighten the bolts to hold it on and it will keep coming off."

Check track tension to ensure tracks aren't too tight or too loose. If too tight, components will wear out prematurely; if too loose, the track chain may slide out of the guide.

Typically, you want a sag of about 1 to 2 in., but this will vary according to site conditions. In rocky situations, they will be tighter, while in soft or swampy conditions, they will be looser. Check your owner's manual to ensure the proper sag for your particular conditions. Most machines can be easily tightened or loosened on site.