How should rubber tracks be stored?

Expert Answer

Rubber tracks should be stored clean, dry, cool, and out of direct sunlight, ideally lying flat or resting on their sides on a clean surface. Keep them away from ozone sources, fuels, oils, solvents, heaters, and hot metal, and avoid hanging them on a single narrow support for long periods.

Before storage, wash off mud, stones, and chemicals, then let the tracks dry fully. Moisture trapped in storage can speed up rubber aging and corrosion on the steel reinforcement or embedded hardware. If you are storing a machine, park it on boards or another clean support rather than bare soil, and reduce track tension if the equipment will sit for a long time.

A few practical rules help prevent permanent deformation and early cracking:

• Do not bend or fold tracks tightly for storage

• Do not stack heavy items on top of them

• Rotate parked equipment occasionally so the same lugs are not carrying the load for months

• Inspect stored tracks periodically for flat spots, cuts, hardening, or oil contamination

If you are choosing whether a track is still fit for service after storage, look for cracks, exposed cords, unusual stiffness, swelling, or a track that no longer sits or tracks properly. If the track has been stored in poor conditions, those signs matter more than appearance alone. For replacement or specification advice, VANROCK supplies through its appointed dealer network; pricing is quoted on request. If you are asking about a specific OEM such as CAT, Komatsu, Kubota, Bobcat, or Volvo, VANROCK is an independent manufacturer and is not affiliated with the OEM.

Answered by VANROCK specialists · Published 7/25/2026