How to Refit an Excavator Track? Avoid Having It Come Off Again!
Many operators wonder how to refit an excavator track when, by accident, the chain comes off its path. Although it is possible to reposition the track and retrack it by following a few basic steps, it’s important to remember that this failure is not normal in a well-maintained machine. A track coming off usually indicates wear in key components such as the rollers, sprockets, idler wheels or track adjusters. If not replaced in time, the issue may repeat and cause greater damage.
Steps to Refit and Retrack a Track
In the event of an occasional track dislodgement, the basic procedure to retrack and put the track back on is as follows:
- 1. Safety: park the excavator on firm ground, turn off the engine and lock all controls.
- 2. Release tension: loosen the track adjuster system so the track becomes slack and easier to handle.
- 3. Use a lever: in some cases, a lever can be used to help lift the chain and guide it onto the rollers—always carefully and following safety measures.
- 4. Put the track back on: use the machine’s boom to raise one side and guide the track onto the sprocket and support rollers.
- 5. Reapply tension: operate the grease or hydraulic system to restore proper tension.
- 6. Final check: make sure the chain is correctly seated on the rollers and idlers.
Why Tracks Come Off
Although learning how to correctly refit an excavator track is useful, the real key is understanding why it comes off. The most common causes are:
- Worn rollers or sprockets.
- Damaged adjusters that do not maintain proper tension.
- Excessively worn or deformed steel chains.
- Strong impacts that cause misalignment and require retracking again.
Recommended Replacement Parts
To avoid having to reposition the track repeatedly, the ideal solution is to replace the worn components. At Cohidrex, we offer complete solutions:
Parts Compatible with Major Brands and Models
At Cohidrex, we not only know how to refit an excavator track; we also offer an extensive catalog of compatible parts for the main heavy machinery brands. So, when the track comes off models such as Caterpillar, Komatsu or JCB, simply retracking it is not enough: it is advisable to replace damaged components with quality spare parts. Among our most notable compatibilities:
- Caterpillar – CAT 320, 330, 336 excavators and D6 or D8 bulldozers, with high-durability rollers and sprockets.
- Komatsu – PC210, PC240 models and D65 bulldozers, with reinforced adjusters and steel chains.
- Volvo – EC220, EC300 excavators and wheel loaders, with undercarriage solutions adapted to quarry and public works.
- JCB – 3CX and 4CX backhoe loaders, as well as JCB 8026 mini excavators, with specific rubber tracks and rollers.
- Fiat-Hitachi – EX135 and EX215 excavators, still active in civil works, with compatible undercarriage parts.
- Hyundai – LC series excavators (LC-3, LC-7), with idlers and sprocket segments adapted to their design.
- Case – CX210 or CX350 excavators, with complete undercarriage replacements.
- Doosan – DX225 and DX300 excavators, with wear-resistant parts for abrasive materials.
Thanks to this wide coverage, we can guarantee alternative spare parts for any mixed fleet, always with Cohidrex reliability.
Final Tip
Now you know how to refit an excavator track, but remember: if the problem keeps recurring, simply retracking the chain again and again is not enough. You may need new undercarriage components to restore your machine’s optimum performance.
➡ Contact our team and we will help you identify the exact spare part you need. At Cohidrex you will find undercarriage parts, chains, rollers and all compatible replacements for leading brands such as JCB, Caterpillar, Komatsu, Volvo, Hyundai, Case and Doosan.
Become a Distributor
