What's the toughest rubber track?

Time for new tracks for my Mecalac 6MCR. This machine does a lot more tracking than a traditional mini excavator because of it's skid steer capabilities. So I'm looking for tracks that will hold up the best to skid steer type use on rough ground. I've heard good things about Bridgestone, any other favorites?

Bridgestone is the toughest we've come across for our CTL's. Last time I bought a set for one of our 279's they were double the price of the cheap aftermarket but worth the price IMO. Dealer was running a special at that time where we basically got the Cat sprocket segments and bolts for "free". I have thrown good money after cheap southeast Asian made tracks and will not do it again.

When I was in need of new tracks for my TB 260 I asked everyone I knew who had equipment. Every one recommended KTSU tracks from Tractor & Equipment in Birmingham, AL. I've been completely satisfied with them. After about 400 hours the small bars are still visible on the pads. YMMV By the way, they were just over half the price of Bridgestones.

camso MEX/HD I've run 2 sets on fractured rock etc and they hold up great... a little pricy but worth it

KenMac said: When I was in need of new tracks for my TB 260 I asked everyone I knew who had equipment. Every one recommended KTSU tracks from Tractor & Equipment in Birmingham, AL. I've been completely satisfied with them. After about 400 hours the small bars are still visible on the pads. YMMV By the way, they were just over half the price of Bridgestones. Click to expand... I've bought the same from TEC in the 'ham with not the same results. However that was years ago.

jbernielh said: camso MEX/HD I've run 2 sets on fractured rock etc and they hold up great... a little pricy but worth it Click to expand... What machine were you running them on and how many hours did you get out of a set?

CM1995 said: I've bought the same from TEC in the 'ham with not the same results. However that was years ago. Click to expand... What were the results?

KenMac said: When I was in need of new tracks for my TB 260 I asked everyone I knew who had equipment. Every one recommended KTSU tracks from Tractor & Equipment in Birmingham, AL. I've been completely satisfied with them. After about 400 hours the small bars are still visible on the pads. YMMV By the way, they were just over half the price of Bridgestones. Click to expand... What sort of use does your machine get?

I got 1200 to 1400 hours on a cat 304C CR dirt, bare rock, fractured rock and steep slopes the original bridgestones were trashed by 900 hours

materthegreater said: What were the results? Click to expand... Got about 500 hours out of them. Bobcat T250. Got almost 2000 hours out of Bridgestones on a 279D. Same conditions - dirt, asphalt, rock, demo, etc.

jbernielh said: I got 1200 to 1400 hours on a cat 304C CR dirt, bare rock, fractured rock and steep slopes the original bridgestones were trashed by 900 hours Click to expand... CM1995 said: Got about 500 hours out of them. Bobcat T250. Got almost 2000 hours out of Bridgestones on a 279D. Same conditions - dirt, asphalt, rock, demo, etc. Click to expand... What type of failure did each have that prompted replacement?

materthegreater said: What type of failure did each have that prompted replacement? Click to expand... Broken cords that resulted in one of the T-bones out of line for lack of a better term. Learned early on if one of the T-bones starts protruding out the track is toast - just a matter a time until failure. Have not had that issue with Bridgestones - they just wear out to the point they're slick.

Also add we are getting 2,000 hours out of a set of Bridgestone tracks on our 279D's. We use these CTL's as utility machines on dirt, rock, concrete, asphalt etc. Never got that many hours with an aftermarket set even when we started changing sprocket segments with tracks. Had a couple of real pre-mature failures in the early days not knowing the sprockets needed to be changed along with a new set of tracks. My first track machine was a 2001 T190 I bought new. Unless the next set of Bridgestone tracks are complete pieces of **** I'll never buy another brand.

My machine has operated mostly in wooded areas, but has been tracked on asphalt for about a quarter mile.

Sounds like Bridgestone is your best bet.

CM1995 said: Had a couple of real pre-mature failures in the early days not knowing the sprockets needed to be changed along with a new set of tracks. Click to expand... Same here. Do you put new sprockets on old tracks? My current set of tracks are still in pretty good shape, but the sprockets are getting worn down pretty good. It seems like once the sprockets get to a certain point it really starts accelerating the wear.

Acoals said: Same here. Do you put new sprockets on old tracks? My current set of tracks are still in pretty good shape, but the sprockets are getting worn down pretty good. It seems like once the sprockets get to a certain point it really starts accelerating the wear. Click to expand... No. Normally when the sprockets are toast the tracks are close to slick as well so might as well replace both. It's such a PITA to R&R tracks might as well do it all at the same time. I try to schedule this at the end of the year when the dealer is running a special and we need a tax deduction. Sometimes we'll buy the tracks and sprockets the following tax year then put them on the following year.

The "spiral" cord design by Bridgestone looks interesting:

The problem we've had is where the cords overlap they come "un-bonded" from each other causing a T-bone to protrude which is basically a lump in the track. When that happens just run it till it breaks and have a set on order. Thankfully do not have to deal with that anymore. We can plan replacement with the Bridgestones.

Just got a quote from the dealer. $2485 ea for the tracks and $1065 ea for sprockets. Supposedly the OEM tracks are DRB. I haven't heard of that brand before.