Keeping rocks out of tracks

Probably one of the only disadvantages to rubber tracks. Most small excavators do not have rock guards like a dozer. Try avoiding skid steer turns and counter-rotating. Also, when crowding material toward the machine, avoid ramping it up on the track frames and sprockets/idlers.

I leave a small berm of material between the machine and the material I'm bailing to load against. When it is unavoidable and you get material inside the tracks, just pick the machine up on that side and give the track a quick spin to clear it before traveling.

Running a track machine with material packed in the tracks is not good, especially with rubber tracks. You can break the steel cables in a rubber track with relative ease if you are not careful, rendering it useless and costing you some serious $$$.

Good luck,
Scott

• Sunset Hollow Farm