How to Put a Track Back on a Kubota Mini Excavator

Kubota mini excavators have earned a reputation for their reliability and power, tackling even the toughest excavations easily and efficiently. However, even the most robust equipment could encounter challenges. That's why you should know how to put a track back on a Kubota Mini excavator to maximize lifespan and performance.

Fortunately, you can easily troubleshoot any issues and confidently put the track back on your Kubota machine with our comprehensive, step-by-step guide. Let’s learn how to put track back on excavator!

How Often Do Kubota Mini Excavators Lose Tracks?

As with every heavy machinery, there’s a possibility that these excavators may lose their tracks. Depending on their frequency of usage and the intensity of their work, mini excavators can lose their tracks more or less often.

Heavily used machines engaged in demanding tasks on challenging terrains or constant maneuvering may lose tension more quickly and frequently than ones that see light use. In addition, certain weather conditions and harsh environments can also affect the tracks' tension and cause them to potentially pop off more frequently.

However, following proper maintenance practices and proactive checks can reduce the chance of Kubota mini excavators losing their tracks. By adopting protective measures, operators and enthusiasts can nourish the overall reliability and longevity of their machines while also enhancing their performance. 

We recognize the significance of seamless equipment operation. Whether you need track replacement, maintenance service, or expert advice, our dealership for Kubota Mini Excavator in Colorado is dedicated to providing the necessary equipment and support.

How to Put a Track Back on a Kubota Mini Excavator

Kubota mini excavator track replacement doesn't require extensive or advanced knowledge. But it is a critical skill for optimal performance and maintenance. 

So, how do you put the track back on a mini excavator? Thankfully, this process is rather straightforward. You’ll need a few tools to perform it, including the following:

• A socket set
• Grease
• A grease gun
• Pry bars

Here’s our simple five-step guide on how to put track back on Kubota excavator:

1. Setup

The first step of putting the track back on a Kubota excavator involves raising the side of the track you’re trying to fix. The elevation is crucial for creating a sufficient space to access the displaced track. Before you begin, ensure your Kubota is secured and parked on a surface level, allowing a safe and accurate execution.

Use the blade by pushing it into the ground at the rear side. Then, push the arm and bucket into the ground at the front end. With the arm and bucket pushing down, your mini excavator will lift up, allowing you to work on the track.

2. Remove the grease valve

The second step of putting the track back on your mini excavator involves locating and removing the grease valve. Look at the side of the track frame for an open access hole. The grease fitting for your track adjuster will be inside the hole.

Use the socket set and carefully loosen the track tension by turning the adjuster valve. This step is crucial as grease will start to flow out. This will release pressure and tension along the crawler track, which will make its removal easier. You can accelerate the retraction process by applying pressure to the center of the track with one foot.

3. Remove the track

By the third step, the track should be almost completely slack. Make sure that the track adjuster is completely retracted, and the idler is positioned well within the track frame. Even a slight amount of adjustment remaining can lead to difficulty when trying to remove or refit the tracks on your Kubota.

Now that you’ve successfully loosened the track, use a pry bar to maneuver it and level it over and off the front idler. Once cleared from the idler, carefully guide the track out of its position on the sprocket and completely remove it.

Ensure a seamless execution process without entanglement with surrounding components. However, this is where you might need a second person, as the tracks can be heavy.

4. Install the track

Precision and caution are crucial because it is the fourth step for installing the new track on your Kubota mini excavator. Carefully install the replacement track, ensure it aligns over the sprocket, and then use a pry bar to move it over the front idler. Take time to confirm the track’s links fit correctly into the grooves, engaging smoothly with the idler and guaranteeing optimal function.

Before reinstalling, make sure the tracks are properly positioned. Rubber tracks commonly feature V-shaped patterns, serving as directional indicators for proper placement.

So, you have to confirm that the tracks are mounted with the V pointing toward the front idler. Correct positioning is imperative for your Kubota mini excavator's proper and optimal function.

5. Adjust the track tension

Once the new track is in place, use paper towels to clean the access hole and grease valve before reinstalling it. Screw and place the valve in position. Then, pump grease inside using your grease gun and adjust the tension of the tracks. 

Also, check the manufacturer’s specification manual for the appropriate tension setting for your specific Kubota excavator model. Reattach the panel, and your machine should be ready to return to work.

Finally, lower your excavator and perform a test run. Engage the forward gear to check the tension, which may need further adjustment.

Symptoms of Loose Tracks on Kubota Mini Excavators

By being conscious and addressing errors associated with tension loss, you can ensure the longevity and efficiency of your machinery for years to come. Some of the most common and obvious signs of loose tracks on Kubota excavators may include:

• Sprocket issues - If your sprocket is worn or you have a loose track, you will find them interlocking and skipping over the lugs.

• Cracks on the tracks - As with most machinery, there’s a possibility that the exterior of your track may crack due to usage. This could happen if the excavator is operated on rough, harsh terrains or aggressively maneuvered.

• Lost tension - The tracks on an excavator tend to stretch over time of frequent use. Check them regularly for tension by lifting them off the ground and examining the sag between the bottom and the top of the lug.

• Dry-rotted tracks - Due to environmental exposure and job conditions, you may find stress marks and rotting rubber in the tracks of your machine, indicating the requirement for them to be replaced.

• Steel cording is visible - Exposing the cording can make the steel susceptible to moisture. This may cause rust, raising the possibility of track failure.

• Deterioration - If the guide rail is deteriorating, it may strain your rubber tracks and cause them to derail, leading to equipment breakdown.

Conclusion

Kubota Mini excavators are versatile and reliable heavy machinery renowned for their exceptional capabilities and efficiency. Basic maintenance like regular inspections, timely adjustments, and addressing wear and tear are paramount for Kubota operators and enthusiasts to preserve their optimal performance.

Knowing how to put a track back on a Kubota Mini excavator is a skill that will optimize productivity while minimizing downtime and the risk of damage to crucial components. With our step-by-step guide, you can ensure these heavy machines' longevity and proper function.

We hope this article helped you understand the importance of proper maintenance of our incredible Kubota Mini excavators. If you want high-quality equipment, get your Kubota product today!