Are there different qualities of rubber tracks?

As a supplier of rubber tracks, we often get the question from our customers, “are there different qualities of rubber tracks?”. The quality of a rubber track depends on several factors. Typically, the following characteristics will play a decisive role in the longevity of your rubber track:

1.Rubber composition

High-performance tracks contain a blend of natural and synthetic rubber for a good balance of flexibility and abrasion resistance. Natural rubber has high tensile strength, making the track more resistant to tears, cuts and abrasion. Natural rubber has higher tensile strength without breaking. This ensures less cracking and tearing under extreme flexing. Synthetic rubber, on the other hand, is more known for its abrasion resistance.

2.Carcass structure and reinforcement

The internal steel wires and carcass determine the strength and extensibility of the track. High-quality steel cables ensure long life and less chance of breakage.

3.Profile and grip

Deep and well-designed tread patterns improve traction and reduce slippage. A poorly designed tread leads to faster wear and inferior performance on soft or slippery surfaces.

4.Weight and dimensions

The weight – and thus the amount of rubber used – has a decisive influence on the possible derailment of the track and its resistance to breakages. Today, there are 2 types of rubber tracks in circulation that can be simply categorized as a thicker variant (more rubber) and a thinner variant (less rubber). The differences in weight can sometimes be as much as 25%. In the following movie we see a comparison of a light track (255 kg) and a thick track (314 kg) suitable for a mini-excavator YANMAR VIO55.