Ordering the wrong size rubber track is one of the most common and most avoidable mistakes in compact equipment maintenance.
A track that is too wide will not fit the undercarriage frame. One with the wrong pitch will not engage the sprocket correctly. One with an incorrect link count will be too long or too short to tension properly.
All three measurements, width, pitch, and link count, must match the original track specification for a replacement to work. The good news is that taking these measurements correctly takes less than ten minutes if you know what you are looking for.
This guide walks you through each measurement step by step, explains what the numbers mean, and shows you how to read the size designation on a track so you can order confidently.
For rubber track options across excavator and compact equipment brands, visit our rubber tracks for excavators and compact loaders page.
The Three Numbers You Need
Every rubber track is defined by three measurements, typically expressed in a format like this:
300 × 52.5 × 84
These three numbers are:
- 300 — the track width in millimetres
- 52.5 — the pitch in millimetres (the distance between link centres)
- 84 — the number of links in the track
All three numbers must match your machine's original track specification. Getting two out of three right is not enough; a track with the correct width and pitch, but the wrong link count, will not fit the undercarriage.
How to Measure Track Width
Track width is the simplest measurement to take.
Place a tape measure or steel rule across the full width of the rubber track from the outer edge on one side to the outer edge on the other. Measure perpendicular to the direction of travel, not at an angle.
Record the measurement in millimetres. Common rubber track widths for compact excavators range from 180mm on the smallest machines up to 400mm or wider on larger compact equipment. Compact track loaders typically run wider tracks, 320mm to 450mm is common.
One important note: track width is the width of the rubber track itself, not the distance between the two tracks on the machine. Do not confuse overall track gauge with individual track width.
How to Measure Track Pitch
Pitch is the distance between the centres of two consecutive track links,s the metal embedded links inside the rubber track body that engage with the sprocket and rollers.
To measure pitch accurately:
- Look at the inside surface of the track where the metal links are visible
- Identify two consecutive links
- Measure from the centre of one link pin to the centre of the next link pin
Take this measurement across multiple links and average the result tracks that have been in service. Develop a minor variation in link spacing as they wear, so a single measurement may not be representative.
Common pitch measurements for compact excavator rubber tracks:
- 72.0mm — very small compact excavators, typically under 1.5 tonne
- 84.0mm — 1.5 to 3 tonne compact excavators
- 90.0mm — 3 to 6 tonne compact excavators
- 101.6mm — larger compact machines
Pitch must match exactly. Even a few millimetres of difference means the track will not engage the sprocket correctly, causing rapid wear and potential track throw.
How to Count Track Links
Link count is the total number of individual links that make up the complete track loop.
To count links:
- Mark a starting point on the track with chalk or a marker
- Count every link around the full circumference of the track back to your starting mark
- Count the metal link bodies, not the spaces between them
On a worn track, links can be harder to distinguish visually. In this case, measuring the total track length and dividing by the pitch gives a reliable link count, though direct counting is always the more accurate method.
Link count determines the overall length of the track loop. Two tracks with identical width and pitch but different link counts will tension completely differently on the same machine.
Reading the Size Designation on Your Existing Track
Most rubber tracks have the size designation moulded or printed on the outer surface of the track body. If your existing track is still on the machine, check the outer face for a number sequence in the format described above.
If the marking is worn or illegible:
- Check your machine's Operation and Maintenance Manual for the correct track specification, which is listed under undercarriage or track specifications
- Check the manufacturer's parts lookup using your machine's serial number
- Take all three measurements directly from the existing track using the method above
If you are measuring a worn track, measure pitch and count links from the track itself; do not calculate link count from an estimated track length, as stretch in the worn track will produce an incorrect result.
What to Do If Your Measurements Do Not Match a Standard Size
Some compact excavator models,s particularly older or less common, es use track specifications that fall outside the most common size ranges. If your measurements do not correspond to a standard designation:
- Double-check your pitch measurement — this is the most common source of error, particularly if the track is worn
- Recount links starting from a clearly marked point
- Provide all three measurements to your supplier along with the machine make, model, and serial number — a supplier with comprehensive cross-reference data can identify the correct track even for non-standard specifications.
Conclusion
Width, pitch, and link count: those three measurements are everything you need to order the right rubber track.
Take each measurement carefully, record all three, and cross-reference against your machine's serial number before placing an order. A supplier who asks for all three and confirms fitment against your machine details before dispatch is the right supplier to be working with.
At Imara Engineering Supplies, we supply OEM-compliant rubber tracks across the full range of compact excavator and compact loader brands. Our team can confirm the correct track specification from your measurements or your machine's serial number.
Contact our team with your measurements and machine details, or visit our rubber tracks for excavators and compact loaders page to find the right track for your machine.
