What Are the Common Issues with Excavator Rubber Tracks, and How Can You Avoid Them?

Excavators are mainly used in work sites that are very harsh and rough. Unfortunately, they are among the machines used every day, especially when there is a large construction, mining or agricultural project. Therefore, the components of the excavator, especially the excavator rubber tracks, endure rigorous use in different environments and applications.

Though the excavator rubber tracks are durable, they also encounter some common issues over time due to misuse, environmental conditions and wear. Therefore, you have to do all you can to minimise these issues and enhance the lifespan and performance of the rubber tracks. Minimising these issues can also optimise your operations and reduce downtime. This is why you need to know the standard excavator rubber track issues and how to minimise them, thereby maintaining the efficiency and reliability of your excavator.

If you are an excavator owner or an operator, the following are the common issues you will face with your excavator rubber tracks and the strategies you can use to minimise the problems;

  • Treadwear

As you use the excavator tracks, tread wear gradually occurs over time. Though tread wear is meant to happen as you use your excavator rubber tracks, you can also minimise the rate at which your tread wears. For instance, when you avoid abrasive surfaces, rotating your tracks regularly and maintaining proper track tension, you will minimise the tread wear rate.

  • Punctures and tears

There are those operators who do not care about the kind of environment in which they are using their excavator rubber tracks. This includes people who use their excavators on debris and sharp objects on the ground. If this is what you do, your excavator rubber tracks are prone to having tears and punctures. Therefore, you should minimise the risks of tears and punctures by ensuring that your work areas are debris-free. Also, you should avoid driving over sharp objects.

  • Track misalignment

This is one of the reasons why excavator rubber tracks have uneven wear and reduced stability. However, the issue can be prevented by maintaining proper tension and ensuring all track components are aligned. You must also check for alignment issues regularly and address them promptly during your routine inspections.

  • Track damage due to overloading

When you overload your excavator, you cause excessive stress on your excavator rubber tracks. This leads to premature wear and damage to your excavator rubber tracks. Therefore, make sure that you check the maximum load capacity that your excavator can handle and avoid overloading it. Also, distribute the weight evenly on your excavator and ensure that your excavator rubber tracks do not have excessive strains.

  • Environmental factors

Environmental factors like extreme temperatures, abrasive terrain and moisture can also affect the condition of your excavator rubber tracks. This is why you should minimise the effects of extreme environmental factors by ensuring that your excavator is stored in a sheltered area when you are not using it. Additionally, you should avoid exposing it to harsh conditions for a long time and clean it irregularly to remove the accumulated debris and dirt.

  • Improper maintenance

Whenever you neglect routine maintenance of your excavator rubber tracks, they become prone to premature wear and damage. This issue can always be prevented by ensuring that you never neglect tack maintenance at any given time. Also, if you identify any problems during inspection and maintenance, address them promptly.

All the above are the most common issues you will experience with your excavator rubber tracks. The good thing about them is that you can always prevent them. Therefore, ensure you use the abovementioned strategies to avoid these issues when operating your excavator rubber tracks. Get more information when you visit https://www.bearcattyres.co.nz/rubber-tracks/.