How To Put A Track Back On A Kubota Excavator Safely And Correctly

Putting a track back on a Kubota excavator is a common job for owners, operators, and mechanics, especially on mini excavators working in soft or uneven ground. Done correctly, you can get your Kubota back to work quickly, avoid costly undercarriage damage, and reduce downtime on the job.

Why Kubota Excavator Tracks Come Off

A thrown track on a Kubota excavator usually has a combination of mechanical and site-related causes. Understanding these root causes helps you fix the issue once and prevent repeat failures.

Common reasons a Kubota excavator track comes off include:

• Excessive mud, rock, or debris packed in the sprocket and idler area that forces the rubber track to walk off.

• Running with track tension too loose, which allows the track to derail when turning or working on slopes.

• Worn sprockets, idlers, or bottom rollers that no longer guide the track correctly.

• Aggressive side-hill work, pivot turns on uneven ground, or repeated operation over curbs, stumps, and large rocks.

• Misalignment or damage to the undercarriage frame, track guards, or guiding flanges after impact.

On newer Kubota mini excavators, rubber tracks are tensioned using a grease-filled adjuster behind the front idler. If that adjuster leaks or is not properly set, even a relatively new track can walk off, especially in sticky clay or rocky conditions.

Safety Preparation Before Reinstalling A Kubota Track

Before you put a track back on a Kubota excavator, you must treat this as a heavy mechanical repair task. The track, sprocket, and undercarriage components are under high load, so safe preparation is non‑negotiable.

Key safety preparation steps:

• Park the Kubota excavator on firm, level ground that can support the machine and jacking points.

• Lower the front blade and bucket to the ground to stabilize the machine and prevent unintended movement.

• Turn off the engine, remove the key, engage any safety or travel lock levers, and block the control levers if possible.

• Wear proper PPE: gloves, eye protection, and safety boots with reinforced toes to protect against pinch points and dropped tools.

• Keep bystanders away from the machine and ensure only one trained person runs the controls if the engine must be restarted later.

Many OEM and aftermarket undercarriage guides emphasize that you should never put hands or feet between the track and sprocket, idler, or rollers at any time. Use pry bars, wooden blocks, or lifting devices instead of body parts when guiding the track back into position.

Step-By-Step: How To Put A Track Back On A Kubota Excavator

The exact procedure for putting a track back on a Kubota excavator can vary slightly by model, but the overall method is similar for most Kubota mini excavators like the KX and U series. Always cross-check with the operator’s and service manual for your specific unit.

Step 1: Lift And Support The Machine

Use the boom, arm, bucket, and blade to raise the side with the thrown track until the track is completely off the ground. On many Kubota mini excavators you can:

• Lower the blade fully and then press the boom down to lift the chassis.

• Use a jack and jack stands or sturdy blocking under the frame points as backup support.

• Ensure the machine is stable and cannot roll or drop while you work on the undercarriage.

The goal is to have enough clearance that you can freely rotate the track and sprocket and safely insert tools underneath.

Step 2: Release Track Tension On The Kubota Undercarriage

To put a track back on a Kubota excavator, you need slack in the rubber track. Kubota uses a grease-tensioned adjuster rod behind the front idler.

Typical sequence:

• Remove the small access cover in the track frame over the front idler tensioning area.

• Locate the grease fitting and the bleed or relief plug for the adjuster.

• Carefully loosen the fitting or plug to allow grease to escape; this will move the idler back and reduce track tension.

• Keep rags ready and stand to the side, as grease may exit under pressure.

Do not completely remove fittings unless instructed by the manual, and take care not to contaminate the adjuster area with dirt or grit. The goal is enough slack that the rubber track can be lifted over the idler flange and sprocket teeth with hand tools.

Step 3: Clean The Undercarriage And Track Path

Before repositioning the Kubota track, clean the undercarriage thoroughly. Packed material will fight you when you try to rerail the track and can cause it to come off again.

Focus on:

• Digging out mud, stones, and roots from around the front idler, sprocket, and between bottom rollers.

• Removing any chunks of concrete or rebar embedded in the rubber track lugs.

• Inspecting the inside of the track where it rides on rollers for cuts, tears, or exposed steel cords.

A clean track frame allows the track to seat fully on top rollers, slide smoothly under bottom rollers, and mesh correctly with the sprocket teeth.

Step 4: Position The Track Over The Sprocket And Idler

With tension relieved and the frame cleared, begin positioning the Kubota excavator track back into the undercarriage.

General technique:

• Lay the track flat on the ground, aligning it parallel to the undercarriage with the drive lugs facing inward.

• Start by engaging the rubber track lugs over the drive sprocket teeth at the rear of the Kubota excavator.

• Use a pry bar, timber block, or lifting device to help lift and hold the track on the sprocket.

• Once a portion of the track is engaged on the sprocket, you can rotate the sprocket slowly (by carefully using the travel motor later or by turning by hand if safe) to walk more of the track onto the teeth.

At the front, guide the track over or around the idler, ensuring it sits centered between the flanges and aligns with the rollers and guides. The more evenly you align the track before tensioning, the less risk of derailment during the first movement.

Step 5: Walk The Track Back Onto The Kubota Sprocket

Often, the hardest part of putting a track back on a Kubota excavator is finishing the last section onto the sprocket. A typical approach used in mini excavator shops is:

• Place a robust pry bar between the sprocket and the inside of the rubber track.

• Lever the track onto the sprocket while another person carefully engages the travel control to rotate the sprocket at very low speed.

• Keep everyone clear of pinch points, and never stand where the track could suddenly snap into place.

As the sprocket rotates, it should gradually pull the track fully onto its teeth. You may need to repeat this process in small increments, repositioning the pry bar as you go. Stop immediately if the track begins to twist or climb out of the guides.

Step 6: Check Alignment On Rollers, Idler, And Guides

Once the track is back on, but before you re-tension it, inspect the entire undercarriage on that side:

• Verify that the rubber track is sitting squarely on top rollers and bottom rollers.

• Confirm that the inner guide lugs are correctly positioned between roller flanges and against the idler guide.

• Look along the side of the machine; the track should form a straight, uniform line with no bows or bulges.

Misalignment at this stage will shorten track life and can cause the track to come off again after only a short period of operation.

Step 7: Re-Tension The Kubota Excavator Track

With the track fully seated, you can now reapply tension using the Kubota track adjuster:

• Tighten the grease fitting and then pump grease into the adjuster using a manual grease gun.

• As grease fills the cylinder, the front idler moves forward, tightening the rubber track.

• Keep pumping until the sag at the center of the track, between idler and sprocket, matches the specification in the Kubota operator’s manual, typically a small amount of vertical deflection when lifted from the bottom.

Proper track tension on a Kubota excavator is critical. Too tight and you accelerate wear on rollers, idlers, sprockets, and the track itself. Too loose and the track will walk off again, especially when turning or operating in trenches.

Step 8: Lower The Machine And Test

After the track is back on and tensioned:

• Carefully remove blocking or jack stands and lower the Kubota excavator back to the ground using the boom, arm, bucket, and blade.

• Start the engine, unlock controls, and travel slowly forward and backward in a straight line.

• Then make gentle turns left and right to verify that the track runs smoothly without binding or climbing off the rollers.

Stop and recheck track tension after these initial movements. Many technicians recommend re-inspecting tension after ten to twenty hours of operation, as new or reinstalled tracks can stretch and settle.

Market Trends: Kubota Excavator Undercarriage And Tracks

Demand for rubber tracks and undercarriage components for compact and mini excavators continues to grow as more contractors rely on smaller Kubota machines for urban construction, landscaping, and utility trenching. Industry data from equipment market analyses shows that compact excavators are among the fastest-growing segments in rental fleets and owner-operator businesses, driving demand for replacement tracks, idlers, and sprockets.

Operators now expect Kubota excavator track systems to offer longer life, better ride quality, and lower ground pressure. That has pushed manufacturers and aftermarket brands to improve rubber compounds, steel cord layouts, and tread designs that resist chunking and de-tracking. As these technologies improve, correct installation and tensioning become even more important to realize the full lifespan of premium rubber tracks.

Company Background: AFT Parts For Kubota Undercarriage

AFT parts was born from a collective vision to revolutionize the aftermarket wear parts industry for heavy machinery, bringing reliable alternatives to professionals who depend on their equipment. Today, AFT Parts manufactures precision-engineered undercarriage components such as track rollers, carrier rollers, idlers, and sprockets compatible with Kubota and other leading brands, supplying contractors, rental companies, and dealers across key markets.

Top Undercarriage Components For Kubota Excavator Track Systems

When you put a track back on a Kubota excavator, the condition of the undercarriage dictates how long that repair will last. The main components that interact with the rubber track are the sprocket, front idler, carrier rollers, and bottom rollers.

A simple undercarriage component overview for Kubota mini excavators:

Matching the right undercarriage components to your Kubota machine and work environment reduces the risk of thrown tracks. Many contractors now choose premium aftermarket parts that combine OEM fit with upgraded wear life, especially when operating in abrasive soils or high-hour rental applications.

Competitor Comparison: OEM Kubota Tracks vs Aftermarket Options

When deciding how to maintain your Kubota excavator undercarriage, you can compare OEM and aftermarket solutions on several dimensions: price, longevity, availability, and compatibility with your maintenance strategy.

The key factor is not just the brand, but how properly the track is installed and tensioned. Even the best Kubota rubber track will fail early if it is consistently run loose or if sprockets and rollers are worn past their service limits.

Core Technology: How Kubota Rubber Tracks And Tensioners Work

To understand how to put a track back on a Kubota excavator and keep it there, it helps to know how the track and tensioning system operate under load.

Kubota mini excavator rubber tracks typically consist of:

• A continuous rubber belt with embedded steel cords that provide tensile strength.

• Internal guide lugs that mesh with the drive sprocket teeth and ride between track rollers and idler flanges.

• External tread patterns designed to disperse mud, provide traction, and protect surfaces on turf or asphalt.

The grease-type track adjuster works like a simple hydraulic cylinder:

• Grease pumped into the cylinder forces the idler forward, increasing track tension.

• Releasing the grease fitting allows the idler to retract, creating slack for removing or reinstalling the track.

• Internal seals must hold pressure; if they leak, the track loosens and will be more likely to come off during side loading or tight turns.

When you travel, dig, and swing with a Kubota excavator, dynamic loads constantly change tension on the rubber track. Proper design of track lugs, sprocket tooth profile, and roller spacing ensures that the track stays centered and guided, provided the operator maintains tension and avoids abusive techniques like spinning the tracks in rocks or performing sharp turns at speed.

Real Jobsite Examples And ROI From Proper Track Reinstallation

Contractors and owner-operators routinely report that learning how to correctly put a track back on a Kubota mini excavator pays off quickly in reduced downtime and undercarriage costs.

Example scenarios:

• A landscaping contractor with a Kubota mini excavator working on wet slopes throws a track twice in one week due to running with insufficient tension. After following a proper procedure—cleaning, reseating the track on the sprocket and idler, and tensioning to spec—the same machine works an entire season without another derailment, saving several unplanned service calls and keeping crews productive.

• A small utility contractor trains operators to spot early signs of track derailing, such as excessive side-to-side movement and clunking noises from the undercarriage. When a track starts to climb off the idler, the operator stops immediately and corrects tension or alignment on site, preventing full derailment and avoiding tow fees or emergency service rates.

• An equipment rental company standardizes its process for putting tracks back on Kubota excavators and includes detailed instructions in its field manuals. Reduced track-related downtime improves fleet utilization and increases rental days per year for each unit, improving ROI on undercarriage investments.

Quantifying ROI depends on hourly bill-out rates, but even one avoided day of downtime per year on a busy Kubota mini excavator can offset the time spent learning the correct track reinstallation procedure.

Preventive Maintenance To Avoid Future Thrown Tracks

Once you know how to put a track back on a Kubota excavator, the next step is to keep it from coming off again. Preventive maintenance on the undercarriage is essential for reliability.

Key preventive actions:

• Check track tension daily or weekly, depending on operating hours, and adjust per the Kubota manual.

• Inspect sprocket teeth for hooking or sharp points; replace sprockets before they excessively wear the track lugs.

• Examine idlers, bottom rollers, and carrier rollers for oil leaks, wobble, or flat spots, replacing components before they seize and cause the track to jump off.

• Clean the undercarriage at the end of each workday, especially when working in clay, frozen mud, or concrete slurry that can harden around the track and rollers.

• Avoid aggressive pivot turns on hard surfaces and minimize high-speed travel over rocky terrain with a fully loaded bucket.

Teaching operators to respect the undercarriage is one of the most effective ways to lower total cost of ownership for Kubota excavators. A few minutes spent checking track sag and inspecting rollers can prevent hours of downtime later.

Future Trends In Kubota Excavator Track Design And Maintenance

The future of Kubota excavator tracks and undercarriage systems is moving toward longer-life, lower-maintenance designs and smarter monitoring. Manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers are experimenting with:

• Rubber compounds that balance flexibility in cold weather with resistance to cutting and chunking in abrasive soils.

• Reinforced steel or synthetic cords that reduce stretch while improving resistance to bending fatigue.

• Redesigned sprocket tooth profiles that improve engagement with rubber track lugs and reduce noise and vibration.

• Integrated undercarriage monitoring systems that help operators maintain correct track tension and alert them to abnormal wear patterns.

As these advanced technologies appear on new Kubota models and compatible aftermarket parts, the fundamental process of how to put a track back on a Kubota excavator will remain similar, but the tolerance for improper tensioning may narrow as components become more optimized.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kubota Excavator Tracks

How do you know if your Kubota excavator track is too loose?
If you notice excessive sag in the middle of the track, frequent de-tracking when turning, or clunking as the track rides over rollers, the track is likely too loose and should be tensioned according to the Kubota specification.

Can you put a track back on a Kubota excavator by yourself?
On smaller Kubota mini excavators, an experienced technician can often put a track back on alone using the boom and blade for lifting and a pry bar for guidance, but having a second person to assist and operate the controls makes the job safer and easier.

How often should you adjust Kubota track tension?
Track tension should be checked at least weekly in normal use, daily in heavy or muddy conditions, and anytime the machine is transported, as changes in temperature, contamination, and wear can affect sag.

When should you replace a Kubota excavator track instead of reinstalling it?
If the rubber track has deep cuts exposing cords, missing or torn internal guide lugs, severe sidewall damage, or significantly worn tread that compromises traction, replacement is usually more cost-effective and safer than repeatedly reinstalling a failing track.

What tools do you need to put a track back on a Kubota mini excavator?
Typical tools include a strong pry bar, grease gun, wrench set for the adjuster fittings, blocking or jack stands, and basic cleaning tools such as a shovel and scraper for removing packed material from the undercarriage.

Practical CTAs: From Diagnosis To Long-Term Reliability

If you operate or maintain Kubota excavators, start by standardizing a safe, step-by-step process for diagnosing why a track came off and how to reinstall it correctly. Make sure every operator understands how to lift the machine, release tension, reseat the track on the sprocket and idler, and then tension it to the correct sag. Next, build a simple undercarriage inspection routine into your daily or weekly maintenance checklist so potential problems are caught long before a track derails on a busy job.

Finally, review the condition of your existing Kubota excavator undercarriage parts and determine whether premium replacement tracks, idlers, rollers, or sprockets could reduce downtime and operating costs over the life of the machine. By combining proper reinstallation technique with proactive component selection and maintenance, you can keep your Kubota excavator’s tracks on the ground, your crews productive, and your projects on schedule.