I have an early 90's Model Yanmar B50 and it currently is equipped with steel tracks. I'd like to switch over to rubber tracks but I have received conflicting information that I may need to change and/or update components of the undercarriage. I've done a fair amount of searching and cannot find a definite answer. Has anyone converted from steel tracks to rubber? Local dealers don't want to bother with a 30 year old excavator.
Why do you want to switch?
I’d imagine you at least have to change bottom rollers, carrier rollers and idlers. Probably sprockets too.
The steel tracks just make a mess on pavement and rubber would suit my needs better. Its not a deal breaker, rubber would be my preference over steel. All of my other equipment have rubber tracks.
Just a idea but maybe consider just adding rubber (or wood) pads to your existing steel tracks? I have a couple friends locally that have antique John Deere Dozers and they bolted rubber pads to the steel track so they could run in parades and go to local tractor shows and not have issues with pavement.
Sounds good to me Brian. It makes sense to me if you often run on pavement. My first excavator had steel tracks...just bought one that has rubber. I'm strictly a back yard hack, not a pro by a country mile, so never run on pavement. I like steel tracks better for dirt.
You can buy bolt on rubber pads. Not sure about your machine, but we put them on our 308. They just bolt over you steel track pads