Every tracked excavator runs on one of three set-ups: rubber tracks, steel tracks, or steel tracks fitted with rubber pads. Each suits different ground and different work. Choose well and the undercarriage looks after itself. Choose badly and the machine damages surfaces, wears out early, or both.
Rubber tracks are usually fitted to machines up to 8 tonnes, and suit work on or around finished surfaces where noise and vibration matter. Steel tracks carry heavier machines and give strength, stability and wear life on abrasive ground. Rubber pads on steel tracks let a steel-tracked machine cross finished surfaces without a full conversion. Astrak stocks all three.
The three options
Rubber tracks
A continuous rubber track with steel links and cords inside. Usually fitted to machines up to 8 tonnes. Kind to finished surfaces, quiet, with non-marking options available.
Steel tracks
A track chain with bolted steel shoes. Built for strength, stability and wear life on abrasive ground, with chain pitches from 101mm to 260mm.
Rubber pads on steel
Rubber pads fitted to a steel track chain. The machine keeps its steel undercarriage and still works on roads, paving and concrete without damage.
When rubber tracks are the right choice
Machine weight settles most of the decision. Rubber tracks are usually fitted to machines up to 8 tonnes, which is why almost every mini digger leaves the factory on them. Within that weight class, rubber is the natural fit for machines that spend their working life on or around finished surfaces. Driveways, footpaths, block paving and landscaped ground all survive a rubber-tracked machine. Steel grousers cut into them.
Astrak has supplied rubber tracks since 2003 and is an established global supplier. The TerraTrack range covers widths from 180mm to 800mm and includes non-marking tracks for specialist applications. TerraTrack is the cost-effective option. TerraTrack Plus is the premium range, with an interlocking steel link design engineered to resist detracking in demanding, high-load conditions. Integrated anti-vibration steel links reduce vibration, lower noise levels and improve operator comfort.
Inside every track, toughened steel links are bonded by continuously wound, anti-corrosion high-tensile steel cords, encased in an abrasion-resistant rubber compound. Getting the right track also means matching the pitch: our guide to long pitch and short pitch rubber tracks explains how to check yours.
When steel tracks are the right choice
Above 8 tonnes, steel is the usual fitment. Steel tracks give an excavator strength, stability and wear life. On demolition, quarry and heavy earthworks ground, that is what matters. The trade-off is simple: they also chew up everything they travel over, so they belong on machines that stay on rough ground.
A steel track is a track chain with bolted track shoes. Astrak supplies greased track chains in pitches from 101mm to 260mm, covering machines from 3 to 50 tonnes. Chains up to and including 135mm pitch are dry, as no greased version exists at those sizes from any manufacturer. From 140mm pitch upwards, all Astrak chains are greased, and greased chains typically last 20 to 30% longer than a dry track chain. Polyurethane seals keep abrasive material out of the pin and bush, and every chain is offered with easy-fit or press-fit master pins.
Rails are heat-treated boron steel hardened to 48-56RC up to 10mm deep, and all pins and bushes are hardened to 55-60RC. DuraTrack excavator track chains carry an 18 month warranty. Track shoes are stocked in widths from 300mm for standard, heavy-duty and low ground pressure applications, and fully assembled track groups are built to your chain and shoe configuration in our workshop.
The middle ground: rubber pads on steel tracks
Many machines do not fit neatly on one side of the line. A steel-tracked excavator on urban civils or road maintenance still has to cross tarmac and concrete. Rubber pads solve this without giving up the steel undercarriage.
The DuraLine Plus range comes in three fitting styles for machines from 4 to 26 tonnes. Roadliner pads bolt directly to the chain in place of the shoe. Bolt-on pads are a semi-permanent conversion onto the existing shoe. Clip-on pads can be fitted in around half the time of conventional pads, which suits machines that switch between rough ground and finished surfaces. Our article on the advantages of rubber pads covers the three styles in detail.
Rubber, steel or pads at a glance
| Option | Best suited to | Range stocked | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber tracks | Machines usually up to 8 tonnes on finished surfaces, landscaping and urban sites | Widths 180mm to 800mm, non-marking options | TerraTrack Plus adds anti-detracking interlocking links |
| Steel tracks | Abrasive ground, demolition, quarrying, heavy earthworks | Chain pitches 101mm to 260mm, machines 3 to 50 tonnes | Greased chains last 20 to 30% longer than dry; 18 month chain warranty |
| Rubber pads on steel | Steel-tracked machines that must cross roads, paving or concrete | Three DuraLine Plus styles, machines 4 to 26 tonnes | Clip-on pads fit in around half the time of conventional pads |
Greased track chains typically last 20 to 30% longer than a dry track chain. On the pad side, DuraLine Plus pads offer 52% more durability than standard pads based on independent abrasion analysis.
Astrak has supplied rubber tracks since 2003 and is an established global supplier, standing behind the TerraTrack range with extended warranties. Place your order prior to 4.30pm and it will be despatched for delivery on the next working day.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose rubber or steel tracks for my excavator?
Start with machine weight: rubber tracks are usually fitted to machines up to 8 tonnes, and heavier machines run steel. Within that, choose by the ground the machine works on. Rubber suits finished surfaces and jobs where noise and vibration matter. Steel gives strength, stability and wear life on abrasive ground such as demolition, quarrying and heavy earthworks. If a steel-tracked machine has to cross finished surfaces, rubber pads bridge the gap.
Can I run a steel-tracked excavator on roads?
Not on bare steel shoes without damaging the surface. Rubber pads fitted to the steel track chain let the machine work on roadways, concrete hardstanding and other finished surfaces. DuraLine Plus pads come in Roadliner, bolt-on and clip-on styles for machines from 4 to 26 tonnes.
What sizes do rubber tracks come in?
Astrak stocks rubber tracks from 180mm wide to 800mm wide, with non-marking tracks available for specialist applications. Tracks are specified by width, pitch and link count, so we confirm the exact size from your machine make and model.
What sizes do steel track chains come in?
Astrak supplies track chains in pitches from 101mm to 260mm, covering excavators from 3 to 50 tonnes. Track shoes are stocked in widths from 300mm for standard, heavy-duty and low ground pressure applications, and fully assembled track groups are built to your configuration.
How long do greased track chains last compared to dry chains?
Greased chains typically last 20 to 30% longer than a dry track chain. Chains up to and including 135mm pitch are only made dry, and from 140mm pitch upwards all Astrak chains are greased and sealed with polyurethane seals.
Not sure which way to go?
Send us the machine make and model and the ground it works on. We will confirm the right option, current availability and price.
Astrak Group develops and manufactures products intended to be compatible with machinery and equipment from various manufacturers. Unless indicated otherwise, Astrak Group has no relationship, commercial or otherwise, with the owners of the trademarks.
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