The use of rubber-coated plates

Rubber-coated plates are widely used in construction machines, such as:

• Tracked excavators
• Mini excavators
• Bulldozers
• Crawler loaders
• Armored personnel carriers
• Other specialized vehicles, e.g. used in agriculture and forestry

Their main purpose is to protect the surfaces on which tracked vehicles operate, such as asphalt or concrete pavements, from damage and to reduce noise during operation.

Types of rubber-coated plates

There are several types of rubberized plates, distinguished by their method of installation and purpose:

• Rubber pads (bolt-on): attached to the tracks using screws or clamps. They are easy to install and remove.
• Rubber pads (clip-on): mounted using clips. Faster to assemble, but less stable than bolt-on.
• Rubber-coated plates Integrated rubber pads: rubber embedded directly into the metal track plate. This type is characterized by greater durability and resistance to wear.

Materials

Rubber-coated plates are usually made from the following materials:

• Natural rubberFlexible, well dampens vibrations, but less resistant to oils and chemicals.
• Synthetic rubber (e.g., nitrile rubber, neoprene): more resistant to wear, chemicals, and oils, but it may be less flexible.
• Rubber composites: a blend of natural and synthetic rubber to achieve better mechanical and chemical properties.

Advantages of rubberized plates

• Ground protectionMinimization of the risk of damage to delicate surfaces, such as asphalt, paving stones, or concrete.
• Noise reduction: Thanks to the flexibility of rubber, vibrations and sounds generated by metal tracks are dampened, which reduces the noise level of the machine's operation.
• Increasing operator comfortReducing the vibrations transmitted to the machine improves work ergonomics.
• Longer chassis lifespan: protection of metal track components from excessive mechanical wear and chemical factors.

Application of plates in different working conditions

Rubber-coated plates work best in:

• Urban areas: protect roads and sidewalks from damage.
• Construction sites with hard ground: reduce the risk of surface damage.
• Interior work within buildings: they reduce noise and vibrations, which is important in enclosed environments.
• Agricultural and forestry work: increase traction in difficult terrain while minimizing ground degradation.

Installation and removal of rubber-coated plates

The installation of rubber-coated plates depends on their type:

• Bolt-on overlays: require assembly tools (screws, nuts, wrenches).
• Clip-on overlays: can be installed faster, without the use of tools, but may require more frequent checking of the fastening.
• Integrated circuits: are a component of the track, so they do not require additional assembly, but in case of wear, the entire track link may need to be replaced.

Trends and innovations

• Hybrid technology: combining rubber with modern synthetic materials that have higher durability and resistance to abrasion.
• The use of eco-friendly materials: attempts to use recycled rubber and more environmentally friendly production processes.
• Intelligent boards: equipped with sensors monitoring usage and working conditions, which allows for better maintenance management.

The rubberized track pad is a key component in tracked machines, especially where a combination of surface protection, noise reduction, and increased work comfort is required. Despite higher purchase costs, properly selected and maintained rubberized track pads can significantly increase the efficiency of construction machinery and extend their lifespan.