How to remove and replace excavator tracks the easy way

This video shows how to replace rubber tracks on a 1.7 ton digger, the same technique can be used for larger machines with steel tracks using crow bars.

[@aussiegardenerstore]

Thank you for creating this great video . Im down in Sydney Australia. The track came off when i was in the bottom of a dry creek bed. I thought there was no way I could fix this but then came across your video and decided to give it a go. Amazingly we got it back on but in the process of screwing the tension bolt back in I stripped the thread. No parts dealers open on a sunday... and unlikely theyd have it in stock I was so close but one small bolt meant I was still stuck there. I turned to youtube again and learnt about die and tap sets so ventured out to buy a kit. $200 later. Managed to rebuild the thread... got it back on the machine.. pumped it with grease. I was using a manual grease gun but that was killing me... changed over to a Makita one that attaches to your cordless drill... worked brilliantly and you could see the track lifting. Did it till 2cm gap.. closed the cover and drove my machine out of the creek. Brilliant! Could not have done it without your help mate. Thank you. Brian :-)

[@MartyT]

Well done mate, glad you got the machine out of the creek. KZbin is a great source of knowledge

[@keitho77]

I don't need to change my tracks. In fact, I don't even own a machine with tracks that need to be changed. But I watched this video anyway. Thanks Marty.

[@joeyoliver579]

Great video. No fluff, no drama, no BS. Simple and to the point. Thank you sir

[@kfelix2934]

We just used your video on a Kubota KX033 and did the track in like 20min or less and at night. We had a big rail road tie that we stuck over in the front to use when push the tension in with a long 4x6.

[@martinsorra6529]

Your newer videos where your talking are so much better. I don't want to diss you very much as how anyone makes their own videos is their own business, but your voice lends itself to excellent narration. Embrace it, you make great videos. I'm a 56 year old fan from the east coast of Canada. :)

[@petrarose9741]

Marty, thanks for taking the time to do this and following your video i just did my tracks in no time at all with no issues. All i did different was to fully remove the greasing nut so when i pushed back the wheel it went fully back easily making it simple to slip over the track. Cheers.

[@MartyT]

Glad you found it useful :)

[@tw1972]

Every one has their own way of replacing tracks. I did 5yrs as a plant fitter you have a good method but there is an easier way. But a good method. Do enjoy watching your video's.

[@pingpong9656]

Please share it with us.

[@don3146]

great video, just popped my track off and was lost. Found this and feel very good about gettin it back on now, thanks again.

[@MartyT]

Glad you found it useful :)

[@Chr.U.Cas2216]

👍👌👏 With a piece of an old tire = ingenious Kiwi style repair! Very well done, Sir!

[@CharlieRemusMerrydew]

Clear, well filmed and straightforward process to replace a track. I’ve gotten myself into a pickle before with equipment and each time I’ve received clear solutions through this medium. Thank you.

[@AkatarawaJapan]

Thanks for the vid. Nice trick with the car tire repair.

[@mdouglaswray]

Your love of machinery, deliberation and care are wonderful to watch. THANK YOU for sharing!

[@ogexotics9099]

Much respect for the video tooo less than an hour both tracks 🙏

[@theyoutubist4392]

What a lifesaver man! Thanks a million

[@natehanley7920]

I just pivot the boom (using foot pedal) until the boom is close and use my bladed bucket and push the ideler wheel back, usually has old track still on it, But have done it once on the wheel when a track broke and still worked fine. It gets the wheel ALL the way back and makes changing out the tracks a lot easier and stops the need of having to pull the bleed bolt all the way out also.

[@HS-to5et]

Awesome! Short. To the point. Useful tips where appropriate

[@johnnylyonns79]

I was able to do mine by myself on the Kubota thank you very much

[@MartyT]

Great, it's not hard when you get the technique right

[@RideBikesBeHappy]

Thanks dude. Your video saved my ass today.

[@MartyT]

Nice, glad you found it useful

[@87xfute]

Hey Marty, just an idea, I know it's a while ago since this vid was made , but you could use the old tracks lay on their side as a circular raised garden bed or and oval garden bed or something like that if your into growing your own veggies !! Seeya Rob

[@hamop3]

Nice job Nelson.

[@fantasy1134]

Excellent! Thank you

[@amatoly]

И ноги под отвал... МОЛОДЕЦ!

[@amatoly]

Nelson Bomber what it's meen?

[@Chr.U.Cas2216]

Dear Marty T. Now look at that. I already watched and commented this video 9 months ago and totally forgot about it. Maybe because of getting older and because I have to use a lot of Ibuprofen pain killer unfortunately. Nevertheless: Thanks for the link. Best regards luck and health to all of you.

[@indianatone218]

Thanks for showing ive a small kabuto to do ,looks fairly straight forward ,but could do with you as a neighbour lol.

[@Darryl603]

Nice work!

[@aqpham84]

Thank you so much for this video

[@465painkiller465]

Hero! Made it so easy

[@tomyhr501]

Nice job!

[@RadicallyLowly]

What are them Tracks made of...some type of Hardened Plastic or Aluminum?

[@MartyT]

not sure but they have steel wire reinforcement

[@jayeff3196]

Marty..... just watched this video from 4 years ago....did the same with my IHI....was wondering how did you recycle the old tracks....eg...get the metal out from the old track....I have tried cutting it into pieces but slow work....🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@MartyT]

Still sitting in the yard, they might come in handy for something one day 😂

[@jayeff3196]

😄😄😄

[@doxielain2231]

So the grease is what tensions the track? Like a static hydraulic piston?

[@MartyT]

Yes thats right

[@WarHogz]

What size socket do you need to loosen it off? Thanks

[@MartyT]

I don't recall, this was years ago, probably around 20mm

[@WarHogz]

@@MartyT thanks!

[@tommywraps3565]

Just saved me losing a days money tomorrow legend

[@anthonynapier4668]

👍 👍

[@shepherd1006]

Marty how much did the wee digger cost you?

[@MartyT]

$6k nzd, it was pretty rough when I got it, had to spend a few $k on parts and a solid week working on it, its good now

[@shepherd1006]

@@MartyT that's not bad she's a handy wee digger.

[@gc19901]

i find it easier to wedge the pry bar in at an angle on the idler and let the mchine work it back on by tracking it forward (the one up in the air only obviously)

[@MartyT]

Some people prefer to do it that way, got to be careful the bar doesn't get caught, flick round and break a leg or something. Others will use the bucket to apply pressure to the track while walking it on, this can damage the tracks and idler if not careful

[@gc19901]

@@MartyT I'm always careful. I would never use the bucket, you are rite that's asking for trouble

[@M60A3]

I respect you but as they say in caterpillar safety video: never rely on hydraulics alone, cause you would be shaking hands with danger,

[@AAAAlberto]

Bel video ! Il cane temeva di essere abbandonato ! Imho ! Bye

[@tonystewardson1119]

Plenty of life in the original track, you’ve too much money.

[@MartyT]

No the wire bands were broken and it was skipping teeth