Order the wrong rubber track and it will not fit. It is that simple, and it is why the first question our team asks is never how much you want to spend, it is what machine it is going on. Get the size right and the track slips on, tensions correctly, and runs for years. Get it wrong and you have a machine sat idle and a track going back on a pallet.
The good news is that reading a rubber track size is straightforward once you know what the numbers mean. This guide walks through the three figures that define every track, where to find them on your machine, and the one thing that catches people out even when they have the numbers right in front of them.
THE THREE NUMBERS THAT DEFINE A RUBBER TRACK
Every rubber track is described by three measurements, usually written in this order:
WIDTH × PITCH × NUMBER OF LINKS
A common size looks like this: 300 × 52.5 × 80. Here is what each figure means.
Width (mm). The overall width of the track across the tread. This is the easiest one to picture and often the number people quote first. On the example above it is 300mm.
Pitch (mm). The distance from the centre of one link to the centre of the next. It is the small, precise figure in the middle, often carrying a decimal, such as 52.5mm. Pitch is the measurement most likely to be overlooked, and it matters as much as the width because it controls how the track sits on the drive sprocket.
Number of links. The total count of links running the full loop of the track. On the example above there are 80. This sets the overall length of the track once it is joined into a continuous loop.
Read together, 300 × 52.5 × 80 tells you the track is 300mm wide, has a 52.5mm pitch, and runs 80 links around. Those three figures, and only those three, describe the size.
WHERE TO FIND YOUR SIZE
There are three reliable places to look, in order of preference.
On the track itself. The size is usually moulded or stamped into the inside face of the existing track. If your current track is still on the machine and legible, this is the quickest and most accurate source, because it is the exact size the machine was built to run.
In the operator manual. The machine handbook or spec sheet lists the standard track size for that model. This is useful when the fitted track is worn smooth and the markings have gone.
By machine make and model. If you cannot read the track and do not have the manual, the make, full model number and, ideally, the serial number will get you there. MST holds over 200 sizes of ITR rubber tracks covering more than 2,000 mini excavators and rubber tracked machines, so in most cases we can match your machine to the correct size straight away.
WHY THE MACHINE MAKE MATTERS MORE THAN YOU WOULD THINK
Here is the part that trips up even experienced operators. Two machines can appear to need the same track, right up until you compare them properly. Take three real examples from the same 300mm width family:
- A Bobcat E32 runs a 300 × 52.5 × 80 narrow gauge track.
- A JCB 8026 or Takeuchi TB025 runs a 300 × 52.5 × 78 wide gauge track.
- A Kubota U35 runs a 300 × 52.5 × 84 wide gauge track.
Same width. Same pitch. But the link count changes from 78 to 84, and the gauge switches between narrow and wide.
THE TRAP TO AVOID
Order “a 300 track” without pinning down the link count and gauge and there is a real chance it will not fit. The size numbers are the start of the conversation, not the end of it. Gauge type and internal drive configuration vary by manufacturer, and the only way to be
certain is to match the track to the specific machine.
This is also why the cheapest-looking option online, bought on width alone, so often turns into an expensive mistake.
WHAT SETS ITR RUBBER TRACKS APART ONCE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT SIZE
Getting the size right is half the job. The other half is buying a track built to last, because a correctly sized track made from poor rubber is still a false economy.
The rubber tracks MST supplies are the full ITR range, built around a continuous steel cable system. Rather than overlapping the internal steel cabling, ITR runs it in a single continuous loop, which spreads load evenly, resists stretch, and holds tension for longer. In practice that means less wear, more consistent performance, and a track that keeps its shape through demanding work.
The range is also engineered for the day to day realities of site work: low ground pressure on soft terrain, reduced noise and vibration for the operator, high resistance to scratching and chunking, and forged steel components integrated into the track for strength where it counts.
If you want the detail on how ITR compares to the tracks fitted by machine dealers, our guide to whether aftermarket rubber tracks are as good as OEM covers exactly who manufactures rubber tracks and what you are really paying for.
GETTING THE RIGHT TRACK, FIRST TIME
You do not need to become an expert in track sizing to order correctly. You need either the three numbers off your current track, or your machine make and model, and our team does the rest.
MST holds the UK’s largest stock of ITR rubber tracks across four depots in Durham, Glasgow, Birmingham and Guildford, with next day delivery on in-stock sizes. In the rare event we do not hold your exact size, our connection to the world’s largest rubber track inventory through our parent company USCO ITR means we can still source it quickly.
Once your track is fitted, keeping it correctly tensioned and looked after makes a significant difference to how long it lasts. Our rubber track maintenance tips cover the habits that add years to a set.
Not sure of your size? Browse the rubber tracks range or call our team on 0191 410 5311 with your machine make and model, and we will confirm the correct track before you order. Fifty years of getting the right part, first time.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read a rubber track size?
A rubber track size is written as three numbers: width in millimetres, pitch in millimetres, and the number of links. For example, 300 × 52.5 × 80 means a 300mm wide track with a 52.5mm pitch and 80 links around the loop.
Where do I find the size on my rubber track?
The size is usually moulded or stamped into the inside face of the track. If it is worn away, check your machine’s operator manual, or give us the machine make and model and we will identify it for you.
Can two different machines use the same rubber track?
Sometimes, but not always. Two machines can share the same width and pitch yet need a different number of links or a different gauge type. Always confirm the full size against the specific machine rather than the width alone.
What if I only know my machine model, not the track size?
That is usually enough. With the make, model and ideally the serial number, MST can match your machine to the correct track from stock covering more than 2,000 machines.
Does MST stock my size?
MST holds over 200 sizes of ITR rubber tracks in UK stock. If your exact size is not held, it can be sourced quickly through the USCO ITR global inventory. Contact the team to check availability and delivery for your size.