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How to extend the service life of steel track shoes

Posted on 25 March 2026 | by dellamonicasara

Steel track shoes are among the most stressed components of the undercarriage. For this reason, they require constant inspections and a specific maintenance.

In this article, we look at the key aspects to monitor to avoid premature wear, reduce costs, and maintain high machine performance.

Choosing the right track shoe
Properly adjust track tension
Daily undercarriage cleaning
Adopt propter operating techniques
Track shoe replacement
Internal component maintenance

Choosing the right track shoe

Choosing the right track shoe is crucial and must be based on the type of operation. The main types are:

Single-grouser track shoes
Ideal for agriculture and all applications requiring high grip.
Double-grouser track shoes
Recommended for heavy-duty work, such as quarrying activities.
Triple-grouser track shoes
Widely used in the construction sector.

Track shoe grousers influence both traction and flotation.
The highest-performing solutions use heat-treated boron steel, which offers greater abrasion resistance.

2. Properly adjusting track tension

Track tension is one of the most important checks to ensure the durability of the track shoes. The main reference is the sag: the track must hang slightly in the center section.

Incorrect tension can cause:

Bushing overheating
Pin wear
Vibrations
Loosening of the hardware (bolts)

Adjustment is performed via the track adjuster grease valve.

3. Daily undercarriage cleaning

Daily cleaning is a simple yet critical practice. Dry mud becomes abrasive and accelerates the wear of all components.

Daily checklist:

Remove mud from around the rollers
Clear the track shoe drain holes
Check for stones jammed between the track links

4. Adopt proper operating techniques

Driving style directly impacts the service life of track shoes. Avoid:

Counter-rotations
High-speed reversing under load
Prolonged side-slope operation

During travel, it is good practice to keep the drive sprockets at the rear to reduce vibrations and improve alignment.

5. Track shoe replacement or refurbishment

Sometimes immediate action is necessary. This applies to:

Worn-out grousers
Thinned or warped plates
Rust around the bolts

Timely intervention prevents further damage and ensures a longer service life for the entire undercarriage.

6. Internal component maintenance

SALT chains contain oil between the pin and bushing: a system that requires special attention. Signs that should not be ignored are:

Hot joints
Squeaking
Side wear on the track links

Other important checks to include in routine maintenance:

rollers
idlers
Any bent pins

Recommended maintenance schedule

To ensure no component is overlooked, it can be useful to follow a simple schedule:

Monday: track tension check
Wednesday: hardware inspection
Friday: thorough undercarriage cleaning
Every 250 hours: grouser height measurement

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Undercarriage Guide: How to Spot Early Wear Patterns and Save on Replacement Parts

Posted on 11 March 2026 | by dellamonicasara

The Undercarriage Failure

Undercarriage failure is one of the most dreaded unforeseen expenses on a job site. According to key OEM data, the track system can represent up to 50% of the total maintenance costs of an earthmoving machine.

Unlike the engine, which operates protected within its compartments, the undercarriage is a “planned wear” system that battles the abrasion of mud, rock, and debris every second. Fortunately, it is possible to intervene promptly starting with a conscious visual inspection.

Why Undercarriage Wear is a “Domino Effect”

Component wear follows a chain reaction. If a single bottom roller seizes, the chain begins to slide instead of rolling, creating a flat spot on the roller and prematurely wearing down the track links.

Identifying the first worn component early means breaking this vicious cycle before it turns into a major expense due to machine downtime.

The “Big Four” of the Undercarriage: Know Your Components

Before inspecting, we must understand the key players:

Track Chain: The metallic “road” on which the machine moves.
Sprocket (Drive Wheel): Transfers the engine’s power to the chain.
Idler: Guides the chain and maintains correct tension.
Rollers (Bottom and Carrier Rollers): Support the machine’s weight and allow for smooth travel.

The Essential Habit: Monitoring Track Tension

A track that is too tight accelerates wear on pins and bushings; one that is too loose risks “de-tracking”, halting operations. Here is how to perform a quick check:

Cleanup: Remove mud or stones from the top of the track.
Positioning: Park on level ground.
Measuring the Sag: Find the highest point between the idler and the first carrier roller. You should see a slight curve (the “track sag”).
Warning Sign: A track that is perfectly straight, like a guitar string, is a symptom of excessive tension—the leading cause of premature sprocket wear.

How to Read Sprockets: The “Shark Fin” Signal

The sprocket is the thermometer of your undercarriage’s health. While a new tooth is thick and blunt, a worn tooth becomes thin and develops a distinctive hooked point.

Warning: When teeth become “shark fins,” they begin to act like small chisels, grinding down the chain bushings with every rotation.

Expert Tip: Sprockets and track chains should ideally be replaced together. Fitting a new chain onto old sprockets cuts its service life in half in a very short time.

Conclusion: Proactive Maintenance Pays Off

Moving from “reactive” maintenance (repairing when it breaks) to “proactive” maintenance (monitoring and planning) is the only way to effectively manage your site budget. A few minutes a day can save months of operational uptime.

Does your undercarriage show signs of “shark finning” or oil leaks from the rollers? Don’t wait for a breakdown.

The voices of Sampierana U/C Spare Parts: interview with Gaia Assistant Logistic Department

Posted on 10 April 2024 | by dellamonicasara

The offices on the ground floor of Sampierana are a corridor of glass windows hiding faces and voices in activity from early morning. Behind one of those doors is Gaia, who greets us with a smile and a desk full of personal and work memories.

When did your journey at Sampierana U/C Spare Parts begin?

I joined the company in November 2022, as an Assistant Logistic Department. My work location is here in San Piero, but the activity I carry out requires daily and constant contact with the Modena office.

How did you get to Sampierana? .

Immediately after the completion of university exams in Venice. While writing my master’s thesis, I returned to San Piero and, in the meantime, started looking for work in the area. I sent my curriculum vitae to Sampierana and, at that very moment, the girl who was filling my position was leaving. So a door opened for me here, even though I did not study logistics.

What is your field of study?

I graduated in Oriental Studies and studied Chinese Language. I make more use of English in the company.

How has your course of study helped you in your current job ?

It was important to help me stimulate the ability to adapt, to be curious and to put oneself out there. I learnt to accept what comes and see the good in what you are presented with. A detail that counts a lot in everyday work.

Did the predominantly male context of the metalworking industry create discomforts or problems for you?

No, actually not so much. Sampierana is a familiar environment and this aspect helped me to always feel at ease, I made friends with everyone and so I didn’t feel any differences. I felt at ease. Mine, then, was not a purely technical role and perhaps these differences are more noticeable in another role.

Could you tell us a few more details about how you do your job?

I manage the Logistics of Spare Parts located in the warehouse at the Modena site.
The sales manager of Sampierana U/C Spare Parts confirms the customer’s orders and organises the shipment. At this point, when the orders are ready, I communicate this to the customer. I try to work out whether the collection will be organised independently or whether we will organise it ourselves and, based on the feedback, I arrange transport with the couriers, evaluating the best offers.

What aspects of your work do you enjoy and inspire you?

Above all, communication, both with the customer and with colleagues. Being able to interact with the various parties, on the one hand supporting the customer, on the other hand finding support from colleagues inside and outside the warehouse, has an important impact on daily work.
It is the aspect I love most about this job.

You told us in advance that you are originally from San Piero in Bagno, where the Sampierana headquarters and your work are located. How do you experience being part of a local company?

At this particular time in my life it means a lot to me because when I am asked what I would like to do when I grow up, at the moment, I find it difficult to answer. Being here with my family, where there are my friends the old ones and the new ones, having at the same time my independence, helps me to build myself up day by day and take my time to continue doing it.

What would you recommend to someone who wants to get involved in logistics?

The first piece of advice is to be organised. The second, no less important, to ask, ask a lot and without fear. I was a bit shy in the beginning and hesitated to ask questions; instead, it is one of the first things to do, especially in such a familiar environment where everyone is willing to offer you support.