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Rubber tracks - Mini-ex needs new shoes

landscraper

landscraper

Well-known member
Joined
May 19, 2020
Member Number
74
Messages
213
My mini-ex needs new tracks. Rather than run them till they break on a job site and go buy whatever is immediately available, I'm being responsible and planning ahead. Prices are all over the place online and locally. They're also hard to compare without really knowing the reputation of the aftermarket manufacturers.

Machine is a Kubota KX040-4, tracks are 350x54.5x86.

MWE's are $2,808 w/ free shipping (tracksandtires.com)
Grizzly PR Series are $3,050 w/ free shipping (grizzlyrubbertracks.com)
Prowler are $2,594 w/ free shipping (rubbertrack.com)
Local Kubota dealer is $4,866 + tax for OEM equivalent
Other Kubota dealer is $3,912 + tax for better aftermarket or $2,822 for Treleborg(?)
Rubbertracksamerica.com has some for $1,995 w/ free shipping

The low and high prices are out, but I'd like to make sure I spend the $3-$4k as smart as I can. Anyone have experiences they can share good or bad with any of these? Any place to look I haven't found yet?
 
We bought a set for our Dingo from Midwest Equipment. Price was 2/3s OEM I believe.

They've been on a year and a half, are wearing very well and are far superior in mud compared to OEM. Not sure on hours on the new ones though.
 
Surprised that size machine doesn't have metal tracks.
 
1oddtech said:
Steel tracks on a 4 ton machine? Where in the world do you live to need steel tracks on a 4 ton mini? :grinpimp:
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It's what mine has. It's closer to 10,000lbs though a 40 series.

I think rubber tracks were an option.
Steel lasts way longer. I have about 5k hrs and it's easily 75%. Granted excavators don't wear out undercarriage like alot of other stuff... especially if you don't use the little blade pretending to be a dozer.

If I ever got a tracked slid steer, I'd be looking at a steel track model.
We have had 2 rubber tracks at the sawmill, neither lasted much over 2k hrs before breaking cables so wouldn't hold tension anymore. Dealer was surprised they lasted that long :eek: we expected 2x-3x that till replacement.
 
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1oddtech said:
You didn't specify where you are located but I got my last set of tracks for my TL150 from Wilson Finley Company in Ashland VA. They have been highly abused and holding up very well.
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Middle TN

AKnate said:
Surprised that size machine doesn't have metal tracks.
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It's just a little guy. 9,000 lbs.

JD Mark said:
I don't think I've ever seen a mini-ex with steel tracks.
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Me either. Searching the aftermarket though, they're available. With or without bolt-on rubber pads.

1oddtech said:
Steel tracks on a 4 ton machine? Where in the world do you live to need steel tracks on a 4 ton mini? :grinpimp:
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Here. Shot rock (surge stone?) fill and building pads are common. I've told many supers my machines aren't going in that shit.
 
I bought the cheapest set of tracks and drive sprockets on ebay for my yanmar. They sat out in the elements for 2 years till I finally blew one out completely on the machine and swapped them out. Seem to work well, no issues. 5 years old or so now and still look brand new, no weather checking etc.
 
Steeltracks.com is where I buy all mine. McKenzie has a big supplier network so he drop ships from everywhere. Great prices and quality parts, I can't complain about them at all.
 
AKnate said:
It's what mine has. It's closer to 10,000lbs though a 40 series.

I think rubber tracks were an option.
Steel lasts way longer. I have about 5k hrs and it's easily 75%. Granted excavators don't wear out undercarriage like alot of other stuff... especially if you don't use the little blade pretending to be a dozer.
Click to expand...

With you I was joking

landscraper said:
Here. Shot rock (surge stone?) fill and building pads are common. I've told many supers my machines aren't going in that shit.
Click to expand...

Ah yes you definitely need steel in Middle Tn.
 
1oddtech said:
With you I was joking



Ah yes you definitely need steel in Middle Tn.
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I just stay out of the shot rock. We do too much work on new asphalt, concrete, permeable pavers, and manicured lawns to go with steel.
 
AKnate said:
It's what mine has. It's closer to 10,000lbs though a 40 series.

I think rubber tracks were an option.
Steel lasts way longer. I have about 5k hrs and it's easily 75%. Granted excavators don't wear out undercarriage like alot of other stuff... especially if you don't use the little blade pretending to be a dozer.

If I ever got a tracked slid steer, I'd be looking at a steel track model.
We have had 2 rubber tracks at the sawmill, neither lasted much over 2k hrs before breaking cables so wouldn't hold tension anymore. Dealer was surprised they lasted that long :eek: we expected 2x-3x that till replacement.
Click to expand...


Depends on what you're driving on and how abusive you drive.

We had a set of stock cat tracks last over 10000 hours on a 289B. Had a Kubota kx060 that went 14000 hours before someone sliced a track.

We use the shit out of our blades, but we're always just pushing loose backfill into a trench. Not trying to be a dozer, just moving loose material like it was designed for.

We drive our stuff on dirt, not frozen sharp rocks. :grinpimp:


I'd never use steel tracks because the equipment isn't heavy enough. They slide around too easy.
 
JD Mark said:
I don't think I've ever seen a mini-ex with steel tracks.
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they were the only option available decades ago. The Deere 15 and 25 mini excavators in the 80’s (Yanmars) came in steel tracks only

I sold some 35zts Deere mini excavators in the early 2000’s to a contractor who did a lot of work in creeks with natural sharp rocks in the base. He was tired of chewing up rubber tracks. The steel tracks faired a little better but not nearly as much as you’d think they would. Rocks would get caught in between track pads as they rolled around the drive sprocket and front idler, then break or bend the shit out of the pads as the track flattened out on its path.
 
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