Rubber tracks are an increasingly common sight on construction sites and other places where work machines operate. They are an alternative to traditional steel tracks, offering a number of advantages, such as lower noise levels, less ground load and greater operator comfort.
Although the bonded metal plates provided durability, they also had numerous disadvantages. Rubber track structures eliminate most of the disadvantages typical of steel structures. The production of rubber tracks differs from classic steel tracks by using an alternative process, similar to the production of car tires. The internal structure of rubber tracks is a flexible steel mesh, which serves as a bonding element for all structural components, such as steel cords and load-bearing metal plates. The stability of this connection is strictly dependent on the quality of the mesh used, but this solution is less susceptible to failure compared to traditional steel tracks, which use interconnected steel links.
Among construction machines, rubber tracks are used primarily in mini excavators , ensuring their stability on uneven terrain and enabling work in cities and private areas without damaging the surface. Their lightness and compactness are ideal for mini excavators, guaranteeing maneuverability in tight spaces. Loaders with rubber tracks benefit from ease of maneuverability in difficult conditions.
The flexible rubber surface has excellent grip on a variety of surfaces, including asphalt, pavement and paving slabs, which distinguishes it from traditional steel tracks, which often led to surface damage. Especially models with a large number of links, such as those used in tracks with dimensions of 230 x 48 x 68, are able to effectively overcome terrain unevenness. In addition, rubber tracks are also used in work inside buildings , where even the smallest mini excavators can freely maneuver through doors and perform demolition work in halls, warehouses and other facilities. Their versatility allows them to operate both on flat surfaces and in areas with excavations or rubble, which makes them extremely useful in areas with diversified terrain structure, enabling precise control and efficient execution of tasks.
Using rubber tracks instead of traditional steel ones has many advantages. These certainly include:
Rubber tracks are a versatile solution that offers many advantages over traditional steel tracks. Their use in various fields is constantly growing, which makes them the future trend in machine technologies.
Rubber tracks are complex structures consisting of several layers with various functions. The core, made of steel mesh or rods, constitutes the skeleton of the caterpillar and is responsible for its strength. There is a rubber layer on it that is in direct contact with the ground and provides shock absorption while driving. The rubber mixture from which it is made is characterized by high resistance to abrasion and mechanical damage. The outer layer of the track is a tread whose pattern is responsible for adhesion to the ground and may vary depending on the use of the machine.
These various elements form a coherent whole, giving rubber tracks their characteristic properties, such as flexibility, driving comfort, reduced wear and longer service life.
Rubber tracks are a modern solution that offers many advantages over traditional steel tracks. They are more flexible, quiet and less harmful to the substrate. Although they are more expensive to purchase, their lower consumption and less stress on the machine can reduce operating costs in the long run.
ITR Usco brand caterpillar (A: 0214331)
