Tracks are among the more expensive wear parts in a harvester’s travel system. Just 10–15 minutes of proper daily maintenance can double the service life of a set of tracks, while also protecting the equally expensive undercarriage parts around them — idler wheels, track rollers, drive sprockets, and tensioner arms — reducing the end user’s replacement costs. Maikeyier has compiled a checklist covering everything from daily inspections to off-season storage. We hope it helps!
Daily Inspection Points for Harvester Tracks
| Inspection Item | Key Points |
| Tension | Check track sag according to the manual standard; adjust if too tight or too loose |
| Wear condition | Check pattern wear, guide lug wear, and edge cracking |
| Debris removal | Remove straw, mud clumps, and stones stuck between tracks |
| Crack inspection | Check rubber tracks for cracks, aging, and chunking |
| Pins/bushings | For steel tracks, check for loose pins and worn bushings |
Why Should Harvester Tracks Be Maintained?
Rubber tracks on harvesters are composed of a carcass layer (core), tread (traction lugs), guide lugs (center hump), and steel cores / drive lugs. They bear the entire machine weight plus impact loads during travel, while also resisting lateral forces when turning.
| Proper Maintenance | Poor Maintenance |
| Extends life by 1–2 harvest seasons | Severe wear within one season |
| Reduces derailment and tooth-skipping failures | Frequent derailment, delaying operations |
| Lowers travel resistance, saves fuel | Increased resistance, higher fuel consumption |
| Protects drive sprockets and track rollers | Causes collateral damage to other undercarriage parts |
| Lower overall cost of use | Frequent replacement, higher cost |
How to Maintain Harvester Tracks？
| Maintenance Item | Specific Practice | Purpose and Effect |
| Maintain correct tension | Adjust track tension according to the manual standard, keeping left and right equal | Too tight increases travel resistance and wear; too loose causes tooth skipping and derailment |
| Clean mud and water promptly | Rinse tracks after paddy field work; remove mud, straw, and debris | Prevents dried mud from accelerating wear; reduces corrosion and sticking |
| Avoid sharp turns | Avoid high-speed sharp turns on hard ground | Sharp turns intensify edge wear and can even tear the track |
| Avoid overload | Do not operate overloaded; maintain a reasonable load | Overload causes excessive track stretching and shortens service life |
| Long-term storage | Release tension, store in a dry, ventilated place, away from direct sunlight and rain | Prevents rubber aging, steel cord rust, and track deformation |
| Regular rotation | If left and right tracks wear unevenly, consider rotating them (if the structure allows) | Evens out wear on both tracks and extends overall service life |
When Should Tracks Be Replaced?
| Judgement Standard | Description |
| Worn-flat tread | Traction drops noticeably; slipping during travel |
| Worn-pointed guide lugs | Poor engagement with drive sprocket; tooth skipping |
| Track breakage | Reinforcement layer broken; cannot continue to be used |
| Severe cracks/aging | Large-area rubber cracking and chunking |
| Excessive elongation | Tension adjustment can no longer compensate |
| Repeated derailment | Frequent derailment even after eliminating tension and guide issues |
Key Points for Long-Term Storage Maintenance
The three great enemies of rubber are ultraviolet light, ozone, and chemicals. After the harvest season ends, a harvester may be parked for months. If tracks are stored improperly, the rubber will age, the steel cords will rust, and the tracks will deform.
- Thorough cleaning: Remove all mud, water, straw, and debris
- Release tension: Loosen track tension to avoid long-term stretching
- Avoid direct sunlight: Store indoors or cover
- Avoid contact with oil: Rubber tracks in contact with engine oil or diesel will age faster
- Raise the tracks: If conditions permit, prop up the tracks with wooden blocks to avoid long-term compression deformation
- Regular inspection: During long-term storage, inspect every 1–2 months to prevent rodent damage or water accumulation
- Spare storage: Store spare tracks upright in a cool, dark place, away from heat sources
Maikeyier supplies complete undercarriage solutions for Kubota DC series, Yanmar AW series, Lovol, World, and other tracked harvesters: rubber tracks come from long-term partner factories, supplied according to our specifications and incoming inspection standards. If you are looking for a reliable harvester track and undercarriage parts supplier, welcome to contact Maikeyier.