How To Put A Track Back On A Skid Steer: A Master Technician's Guide
Throwing a track on a compact track loader (CTL) or skid steer halts jobsite productivity instantly, but throwing it back on safely requires a systematic understanding of the hydraulic grease tensioner system rather than brute force. By safely relieving track tension, repositioning the rubber or steel track over the idlers and sprockets, and properly re-tensioning to manufacturer specifications, an operator can get the machine back to work in under 45 minutes.
Pre-Operation & Equipment Checklist
Throwing a track typically occurs due to low track tension, worn undercarriage components, operating on steep side slopes, or debris packing tightly into the sprocket teeth. Before attempting any track-seating operation, assemble the proper safety gear and heavy-duty tooling required to handle steel-reinforced rubber matrices weighing anywhere from 300 to over 1,000 pounds.
- Essential Tools & Safety Gear: 19mm or standard wrench/socket set (depending on your machine make like Bobcat, Caterpillar, or Takeuchi), a heavy-duty grease gun filled with multipurpose lithium or high-pressure grease, a breaker bar or ratchet, a large steel pry bar or track alignment tool, a high-capacity floor jack or bottle jack rated for heavy equipment, heavy-duty wheel chocks, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots.
- Prerequisite Knowledge & Standards: Familiarity with the machine's specific grease valve location, located inside the undercarriage window. Ensure the machine is parked on a flat, stable, level concrete or hard-packed gravel surface away from active traffic.
- Time & Cost Benchmarks: Estimated completion time is 30 to 45 minutes for a single operator. Financial cost is zero if performed in-house, preventing costly mobile mechanic dispatch fees ranging from two hundred to five hundred dollars.
Step-by-Step Track Realignment Workflow
Step 1: Secure and Elevate the Machine
Park the skid steer on a level, hard surface and lower the loader arms completely to the ground. Shut down the engine and engage the parking brake. Place heavy-duty wheel chocks against the tracks that will remain on the ground to prevent any unintended rolling. Position a high-capacity hydraulic bottle jack or floor jack securely beneath the frame of the side with the thrown track, ensuring you lift only from the manufacturer-designated jacking points. Pump the jack until the affected track clears the ground by approximately 4 to 6 inches, allowing enough clearance for the track to swing freely without binding against the undercarriage frame.
Warning: Never rely solely on a hydraulic jack to support a multi-ton skid steer while working underneath or near the undercarriage. Always slide heavy-duty structural steel jack stands under the machine frame before beginning any mechanical adjustments.
Step 2: Relieve Undercarriage Track Tension
Locate the grease tensioner valve window on the inside frame of the undercarriage, positioned between the front idler and the rear drive sprocket. Remove any accumulated dirt, mud, or debris from around the grease fitting and the release valve nut using a stiff brush or flathead screwdriver. Using an appropriate wrench, slowly loosen the grease release valve nut counter-clockwise by no more than one full turn.
Pro-Tip: Never loosen the grease release valve more than two full turns, and keep your face and body positioned well away from the valve opening. High-pressure grease stored inside the hydraulic tension cylinder can project grease at dangerous velocities if unseated too rapidly.
Step 3: Collapse the Front Idler and Clear Debris
With the release valve open, take a heavy-duty pry bar or a sledgehammer handle and push the front idler wheel backward toward the rear sprocket. As the idler slides inward, the trapped grease inside the hydraulic tensioner cylinder will purge out through the open valve, creating the necessary slack in the track loop. Inspect the track frame, rollers, and sprocket teeth while the tension is slackened, and use a scraper to remove any impacted stones, frozen mud, or wood debris that caused the track to de-track in the first place.
Step 4: Position the Track Over the Rear Sprocket and Rollers
Drag or lift the unseated track back toward the undercarriage assembly. Start by aligning the inner guide lugs of the track directly over the teeth of the rear drive sprocket. Ensure the rubber or steel embedded lugs engage cleanly with the sprocket valleys. Next, work your way forward, draping the upper portion of the track over the top rollers and guiding the lower edge over the bottom bogie rollers. The track should now rest loosely across the entire length of the undercarriage, with the front section hanging just short of the front idler wheel.
Step 5: Leverage the Track Onto the Front Idler
Position your heavy-duty steel pry bar into the track tread or against an inner lug near the bottom of the front idler wheel. Using mechanical advantage, pry the track upward and outward while an assistant slowly rotates the drive sprocket in reverse (or uses the pry bar to walk the track outward) until the track edge pops over the lip of the front idler wheel. Ensure all inner guide blocks are properly centered between the roller flanges and idler grooves all the way around the loop before attempting to apply tension.
Step 6: Re-Pressurize the Tensioner and Verify Sag
Close the grease release valve securely by turning it clockwise, but do not overtighten and shear the threads. Attach a high-pressure grease gun to the zerk fitting and pump fresh grease into the cylinder. Watch the front idler push outward as the track tightens up. Pump until the track sag meets manufacturer specifications—typically measuring a sag of 1.0 to 1.5 inches when applying a 50-pound downward force at the midpoint between the front idler and the middle roller. Lower the machine back to the ground, remove your chocks, and run the tracks slowly in both directions for a few minutes to ensure proper seating.
| Undercarriage Component | Primary Function | Common Failure Mode | Inspection Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive Sprocket | Transfers rotational torque to track links | Excessive tooth pitting and shark-toothing | Every 100 operating hours |
| Front Idler | Guides track and maintains running alignment | Bearing seizure and outer flange cracking | Every 50 operating hours |
| Tensioner Cylinder | Maintains hydraulic pressure against slack | Internal seal blowout and grease bypass | Monthly or during track service |
| Bottom Rollers | Supports machine weight along ground plane | Flat spotting and bushing wear | Every 100 operating hours |
How to Change out Skid Steer Tracks - Skid Steer Solutions
Common Undercarriage Failures and Field Fixes
- Grease Valve Refuses to Accept Grease During Re-Tensioning:
- Root Cause: The zerk fitting is clogged with hardened dirt, or the internal check ball is seized due to corrosion.
- Actionable Fix: Clean the zerk fitting thoroughly with a wire brush, spray it with penetrating fluid, and replace the zerk fitting with a standard replacement part if grease still fails to pass through.
- Track Repeatedly Throws Itself Off During Operation:
- Root Cause: Excessively worn sprocket teeth or idler flanges have lost their retaining edge, allowing the track to slip sideways under load.
- Actionable Fix: Inspect all undercarriage components with a depth gauge, measure wear limits against your owner's manual, and replace worn sprockets or idlers immediately.
- Track Sag Cannot Be Adjusted Even with Maximum Grease:
- Root Cause: Internal failure of the tensioner spring mechanism or a blown internal hydraulic seal letting grease escape past the piston without moving the idler.
- Actionable Fix: Disassemble the tensioner assembly, replace the O-rings and backup rings, or install a complete replacement tensioner cylinder assembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a skid steer track back on without lifting the machine?
No, lifting the machine is mandatory because the weight of the skid steer creates immense friction against the ground, preventing you from generating the slack required to slip the track over the idler. Always support the lifted machine safely with rated jack stands before reaching into the undercarriage.
Why do skid steer tracks keep coming off?
Tracks typically de-track due to incorrect track tension, worn sprocket teeth, operating across severe side slopes, or allowing excessive buildup of mud, stones, and frozen debris to pack inside the track frame and push the track outward.
How tight should a skid steer track be adjusted?
Most manufacturers recommend a sag measurement of 1 to 1.5 inches when pressing down with moderate force at the midpoint between the front idler and the center roller. Over-tightening can accelerate wear on drive motors, bearings, and idlers, while under-tightening causes frequent de-tracking.
Is it harder to put a rubber track on compared to a steel track?
Rubber tracks offer more flexibility due to their elastomeric compound, making them easier to pry and maneuver onto the idlers. Steel tracks are heavier, rigid, and require specialized track tensioner tools or pin presses to reconnect the master link if major slack is needed.
Keep your compact equipment operating at peak efficiency by maintaining proper track tension schedules and addressing undercarriage wear before minor slips turn into costly jobsite delays.
