Rocky job sites are tough on undercarriages. Premature track wear is one of the most common — and costly — issues for excavator owners. Here are four practical tips to get more hours out of your tracks.

1. Match Track Tension to Ground Conditions

Many operators keep track tension too tight on rocky ground. This increases pin and bushing wear.

Soft ground / loose material – Slightly tighter to prevent derailment

Hard rock / quarry – Looser by 10–15mm sag to reduce internal friction

Check tension daily. A simple ruler measurement takes two minutes.

2. Avoid Sharp Turns on Hard Surfaces

Spinning the machine on bedrock grinds track bushings rapidly. Instead:

Lift the track slightly with the boom and arm

Make multi‑point turns rather than pivoting on one spot

This single habit can double bushing life.

3. Clean the Under carriage Regularly

Rock packed between the track frame and rollers acts like sandpaper. Pay attention to:

Space between sprocket and track link

Roller flanges

Idler guides

A quick wash down at the end of each shift removes trapped debris.

4. Rotate Tracks When Wear is Uneven

Front idlers and sprockets wear faster than middle rollers. Swap left and right tracks every 1,000–1,500 hours. On machines with reversible tracks, flip them inside‑out for even wear distribution.

Quick Check Before Starting Each Shift

Check point What to look for

Track sag - 30–50mm between bottom of track frame and track

Roller seals - No grease leakage

Sprocket teeth - No hooking or sharp edges

Track links - No cracks between bolt holes

Small daily habits add up to hundreds of extra undercarriage hours. Next time you are on a rocky site, start with the tension check — it costs nothing and saves the most.