The right rubber tracks are found by matching three numbers — width, pitch, and link count — to the machine, then confirming the complete size code against the serial number and OEM part number. Fitment is a verification process, not a guess. This guide covers the buying decision and fitment confirmation; for how to read and measure the size code itself, see our rubber track sizing guide.
Fitment Guidance from AFT Parts
- Supplier: AFT Parts — aftermarket excavator and loader undercarriage components.
- Scope: Fitment verification — size code, serial, OEM number
- Compatible with: CAT, Komatsu, Kubota, Bobcat, Hitachi, John Deere, and more.
- Verification: size code and machine serial confirmed before dispatch.
- Warranty: 12-month pro-rated limited warranty on covered components.
- Application coverage: Ontario rental fleets, contractors, municipal operators
How Fitment Works: Size Plus Tread Plus Machine
Track fitment has three layers: the size code must match the undercarriage, the tread pattern must match the work, and the machine configuration must be approved for the width. All three must line up before a track is correct.
The same model can ship with different undercarriage configurations, which is why the model name alone is not enough. Fitment verification starts with the machine serial number and the complete code from the current track, then cross-checks pitch, link count, and profile against the machine's approved specifications.
Each layer answers a different question: does the track fit the sprocket, does it suit the ground, and is the width approved for the machine? An order that satisfies all three is a confirmed fitment; an order that satisfies only one is a gamble.
Popular Fitments: Bobcat, Kubota, CAT, and Deere
Some size families cover many machines. For example, 300×52.5N×86 style tracks fit several compact excavator models, and 450×100T×48/50 style tracks appear across compact track loader families. The table below shows common starting points, not universal fitments.
| Machine family | Common starting size code |
|---|---|
| Small mini excavators | 230×48×64 / 230×96×33 |
| Compact excavators | 300×52.5N×80 / ×86 / ×88 |
| Compact track loaders | 400×72.5W×72 / 450×100T×48 / ×50 |
These families are useful for narrowing the search, but the serial number decides the final answer. The same machine family can carry different size codes by model year, so treat the table as a filter, not a fitment.
Using Your Machine Serial Number to Confirm Fit
The serial number identifies the exact configuration of your machine, including the undercarriage. A supplier that confirms fitment against the serial number catches differences that a model name hides.
Keep the serial number with the size code in one file, and provide both when ordering. Fitment confirmation against the serial number is also the basis of the warranty: a correctly fitted track is a covered track, and a mismatched one is not.
For a fleet, the serial number is the key to the whole record. A lookup by serial returns the size code, OEM numbers, and order history without re-measuring the machine.
Cross-Referencing OEM Part Numbers
OEM part numbers are the fastest cross-reference because they identify the exact part the machine was built with. Aftermarket listings that include OEM cross-references can be matched without re-measuring.
When the OEM number is available, send it with the serial number and size code. The supplier verifies all three against the machine specification, which closes the loop even when a track label is worn or missing.
What to Have Ready When You Order
Ordering is a five-minute job when you have the machine brand, model, serial number, the full size code from the current track, and the OEM part number. Without those, expect a fitment conversation before the order can be confirmed.
Photograph the current track's sidewall code before removal, because the label is the reference. A rental fleet in Ontario that keeps this information on file for every machine can reorder tracks without measuring anything twice.
Fitment Support and Returns
Fitment support is part of the purchase, not an extra. A supplier that confirms fitment before dispatch and documents the decision protects both sides, and a 30-day return window covers the residual risk of a mistake.
Ask how fitment is confirmed, what the return process requires, and how warranty claims are handled. A written fitment confirmation and warranty terms make the ordering process predictable for contractors, fleets, and municipal operators.
AFT Parts Expert Views
"The fitment errors we see are rarely the operator's fault; they are the result of ordering from a model name instead of a serial number. The same model can carry different undercarriages, and the difference is invisible until the track does not fit. We confirm every order against the serial number and the full size code, which catches those differences before dispatch. The second habit that saves time is keeping the OEM part number on file, because it identifies the exact part the machine was built with. A fleet that logs serial numbers, size codes, and OEM numbers turns every reorder into a two-minute job. Fitment is a verification process, and verification belongs before the order ships." — AFT Parts Technical Team
Conclusion
Finding the right tracks is a verification process: match width, pitch, and link count to the machine, confirm the complete code against the serial number and OEM part number, and order from a supplier that documents fitment before dispatch. The three numbers plus the serial number are all the information a correct order needs.
Key Takeaways for Canadian Operators
- Match width, pitch, link count, and profile to the machine, not the model name.
- Confirm fitment against the machine serial number and OEM part number.
- Keep the size code, serial number, and OEM number in one file per machine.
- Photograph the current track's sidewall code before removal.
- Order from a supplier that documents fitment confirmation before dispatch.
Questions to Ask Before You Order
- Is fitment confirmed against my serial number before dispatch?
- Does the supplier cross-reference the OEM part number?
- Which approved widths and pitch options apply to my machine?
- What does the return process require if the size is wrong?
- How is the 12-month warranty documented and claimed?
Send your machine details to AFT Parts for a fitment check and keep the confirmation on file with your order. Explore the Rubber Track collection, with Bobcat-compatible tracks and Kubota-compatible tracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to order the right rubber tracks?
You need the machine brand, model, serial number, the full size code from the current track, and the OEM part number if available. Fitment confirmation against those details produces the correct order.
Can the same model use different track sizes?
Yes. The same model can ship with different undercarriage configurations, so the model name alone is not enough. The serial number and current size code identify the exact configuration.
What if the track code is missing from the label?
Measure the width, pitch, and link count physically and send the readings with the machine serial number. A supplier can cross-reference the measurements against known machine configurations.
How do I know a track will fit before ordering?
Have the supplier confirm fitment against the serial number and OEM part number before dispatch. A written fitment confirmation removes the guesswork from the order.
Do returns cover a wrong-size track?
AFT Parts offers a 30-day return window for eligible items, and fitment confirmation before dispatch is designed to prevent wrong-size orders in the first place. Confirm the return requirements when you order.