Solving Steel Track Compatibility for Old and Imported Equipment
At SteelTracks.com, we frequently receive inquiries about equipping used or older construction equipment—often imported from places like Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand, or old well-worn machines from the United States.
Recently, we assisted a customer over 2,000 miles away who owns an old Kubota mini excavator with conflicting model identifiers, marked as both a Kubota KX 030 and a Kubota KX 024 on the chain link. One calls for 37 shoes and the other 41 shoes. And, lets not forget, if the chain and bushings is really old it’s possible someone took a couple of links off. Thant can throw you.
With limited information and the high cost of incorrect parts and shipping, precision was critical. Through a meticulous process, we exchanged photos and measurements with the customer, examining details such as the width of the track, the number of steel shoes, and the inner guide width of the chain. In a few days, we were about 95% sure of the correct steel chain style needed for their excavator.
Today, many parts departments rely solely on product codes, and if the system doesn’t match the equipment, it leaves the customer out of options. However, with a bit of knowledge and hands-on effort, identifying the right fit becomes manageable. In this case, our approach worked—steel tracks were installed, and the Kubota (kx030 or kx024 – who knows!) is back in action, ready to tackle maintenance work.
For all your steel and rubber track needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at SteelTracks.com or VIQAN.com. We’re here to help you find the right parts to keep your equipment running smoothly, even if it’s an older or hard-to-identify model.
