Your rubber tracks are built for tough conditions, but if you want them to last—and perform at their best—seasonal maintenance is essential. Whether you’re prepping your track loader or mini excavator for scorching heat or freezing cold, proactive care ensures maximum traction, fewer breakdowns, and longer track life. Here’s how to protect your investment with smart seasonal rubber track maintenance strategies.
Summer Maintenance Tips: Beat the Heat
Hot weather increases track temperature and accelerates wear, especially on abrasive surfaces.
Inspect for sun damage – UV exposure causes dry rot and cracking
Keep tracks clean – Dirt + heat = baked-on buildup that stresses rubber
Monitor tension daily – Heat causes expansion, which can loosen track tension
Grease track adjusters – Prevents stiffness from dried-out lubrication
Avoid long idle times on hot pavement – Stationary machines in the sun can warp rubber tread
Bonus tip: Park in shade or cover your tracks when not in use. It keeps rubber cool and reduces long-term UV damage.
Winter Maintenance Tips: Cold Doesn’t Mean You Stop
Frozen ground, ice, and snow present new risks for your rubber tracks—but with the right approach, you’ll keep moving.
Switch to deep-lug tread designs – Better grip on icy or wet surfaces Inspect for micro-cracks – Cold temps make rubber brittle and vulnerable Clean out ice/snow daily – Frozen buildup between rollers can derail your track Keep track tension tighter – Cold causes contraction and slack Warm up your machine – Let hydraulic fluid and rubber tracks warm slightly before full operation
Also important: store rubber tracks above freezing if detached. Don’t let them sit in icy puddles—they’ll crack when flexed cold.
All-Season Best Practices
Perform a visual inspection every 10 hours Always clean tracks after muddy or wet conditions Recheck tension every time weather changes Keep a maintenance log for proactive upkeep
Think of your rubber tracks like tires—they need attention, rotation (in directional designs), and care as seasons shift.
Get the Most from Your Tracks Year-Round with Ironhorse
Don’t wait until extreme weather ruins your equipment. At Ironhorse Heavy Equipment Parts, we provide more than just top-quality rubber tracks—we offer guidance to help you keep them running at peak performance in every season.
Call us now for expert recommendations on seasonal maintenance, the right rubber tracks for your region, and best practices to keep your equipment working harder, longer.
