MTL Tracks

Confirm Your MTL Platform and Undercarriage Type

Before you order, confirm that you are actually on an MTL style machine and not a CTL.

Good checks:

• Look in the manual for Multi Terrain Loader MTL language

• Check if the undercarriage uses bogie wheels and a suspended design

• Confirm if the current tracks are all rubber MTL tracks with drive lugs, not CTL style with steel bars inside

Putting the wrong style of track on your machine can:

• Cause the sprocket to skip or slip

• Lead to early drive lug damage

• Put extra stress on the undercarriage

• Void warranties and create safety issues

If you are unsure, send us photos and we will help confirm the undercarriage type and correct MTL tracks.

Get the Right MTL Track Size

Size matters.
Too long, too short, or the wrong pitch, and the MTL tracks simply will not run right.

Look for:

• Size molded on the side of the MTL tracks for example 381x86x52

• Size information in the operator or service manual

• Any part numbers or codes stamped inside the track

If the markings are worn off:

• Measure track width in millimeters

• Count the number of drive lugs around the inside of the track

• Measure pitch: the distance from the center of one drive lug to the center of the next

Send those details to Dyne and we will match the correct MTL tracks for your loader.

Pick a Tread Pattern That Fits Your Ground Conditions

Tread pattern has a huge impact on how your MTL tracks behave.

Common choices:

• All round tread
  Good for general construction and mixed conditions. Solid grip without being too aggressive.

• Open tread
  Better in mud and wet soils where you want the track to clean out and not pack full.

• Block or bar patterns
  Strong choice for mixed dirt, clay, and hardpack where you need stable contact and good forward push.

If you spend most of your time in mud or feed yards, you may want a more open tread on your MTL tracks.
If you do fine grading on pads and driveways, you may want a stable, all round pattern.

Choose Track Width and Footprint

Track width affects:

• Flotation

• Stability

• How much ground you disturb

• How easy it is to fit on trailers and between tight obstacles

Narrower MTL tracks can make sense when:

• You work in tight spaces and need more clearance

• You are mostly on firm ground and do not need maximum flotation

Wider MTL tracks help when:

• You are on soft, wet, or sandy ground

• You need more stability on slopes

• You want to protect finished surfaces with a larger footprint

We can help you weigh the tradeoffs and choose a width that matches your work.

Decide Between Standard Duty and Heavy Duty Kevlar MTL Tracks

Dyne offers different duty levels of Kevlar MTL tracks.

Standard duty Kevlar MTL tracks fit:

• Lower hour machines

• Light to medium duty attachments

• Mixed jobs where you are not pushing the machine all day

Heavy duty Kevlar MTL tracks fit:

• High hour commercial fleets

• Work with high flow attachments and aggressive use

• Crews that run in rough, mixed conditions all week

Tell us how many hours you put on the machine per year and what you hang on the front. We will size the MTL tracks and duty level to match.

Pre Install Checks for MTL Undercarriages

Before you install new MTL tracks, give the undercarriage a proper inspection.

Look at:

• Sprockets for sharp, hooked, or broken teeth

• Bottom rollers and bogie wheels for flat spots, leaking seals, or wobble

• Front and rear idlers for wear and alignment

• Track adjuster and grease fittings to make sure they move freely

Clean out packed mud, rocks, and debris.
Starting with a clean, healthy undercarriage helps your new MTL tracks last longer.

High Level MTL Track Installation Steps

Follow your machine manual, but the basic steps look like this:

1. Relieve tension
   Crack the adjuster fitting and bleed off grease until the MTL tracks loosen.

2. Walk the old tracks off
   Use the machine to help roll the track off the sprocket and idlers.

3. Clean and inspect
   Check each component again as the track comes off.

4. Fit the new MTL tracks
   Position the new track, get it around the sprocket and front idler, then walk the machine to seat it.

5. Re tension and test
   Pump grease into the adjuster until tension is in range, then drive forward and reverse to confirm tracking.

If you are not comfortable with the process, your local dealer or mechanic can help.
We can also provide guidance when you order your MTL tracks.

Correct Track Tension for MTL Tracks

Track tension will make or break the life of your MTL tracks.

Too tight and you will:

• Put excess load on rollers, idlers, and the adjuster

• Wear the track and undercarriage out faster

Too loose and you will:

• Increase the chance of de tracking

• Let the track slap, which beats on the whole system

Most manufacturers give a sag measurement at a specific point on the undercarriage.
As a rule of thumb, you want a small, even sag in the center, not a tight band and not a loose rope. Always follow your machine manual for the exact spec for your MTL tracks.

Daily Habits That Extend MTL Track Life

Simple daily habits make a big difference:

• Clean out packed mud, rock, and ice from the undercarriage

• Walk around and check for cuts, missing chunks, or exposed cords

• Look at tension and adjust if it has clearly changed

• Park on level ground with the tracks relaxed when possible

A two minute check at the end of the shift can save you an expensive surprise in the next one.

Operating Practices That Protect Your Kevlar MTL Tracks

Good operators get more life out of their MTL tracks.

Helpful practices:

• Avoid full speed sharp turns on pavement and hard surfaces

• Use smooth, three point turns instead of spinning in place when you can

• Slow down over curbs, frozen ruts, and edges

• Avoid running with one side up against sharp concrete or steel

• Match high speed travel to the ground you are on

Kevlar MTL tracks are tough, but they are still rubber. Smart operation stretches your investment further.

Tread Wear and Traction Loss

Over time, tread lugs wear down.
When the lugs on your MTL tracks:

• Are rounded off and much shorter than new

• No longer bite when you push into a pile

• Let the machine spin easily in situations that used to be fine

It is time to plan a replacement.
Waiting too long means longer stopping distances on slopes and more risk for the machine and operator.

Cracks, Cuts, and Exposed Cords

Keep an eye on the body of the MTL tracks.

Be concerned when you see:

• Deep cuts that reach down into the cord layer

• Large chunks missing from the tread or edges

• Kevlar or steel cords visible anywhere in the track

Once cords are exposed, water and dirt start to work on them.
The risk of a sudden failure climbs fast. At that point, new MTL tracks are a smart safety decision, not just a cost.

De Tracking or Slipping Under Load

If your MTL tracks:

• Walk off the undercarriage more than once

• Slip or skip under high torque even with correct tension

• Make the machine feel unstable on side slopes

The cause can be a mix of track wear, undercarriage wear, and tension issues.
If the tracks are old and other components are in decent shape, it is often time to replace the MTL tracks before they cause damage.

Undercarriage Wear that Shortens Track Life

Worn undercarriage components will eat even good MTL tracks.

Watch for:

• Hooked sprocket teeth that grab and tear lugs

• Flat spotted or seized rollers

• Idlers that are out of line or wobble

• Loose or damaged bogie wheel mounts

When you replace MTL tracks, look at undercarriage parts the same way you would look at tires and alignment on a truck. Fixing problems early saves you money over the next set of tracks.

Typical Service Life for Kevlar MTL Tracks

Service life depends on:

• Ground type

• Operating style

• Maintenance

• Machine size

In real world use, many operators see Kevlar MTL tracks last:

• Around 600 to 1,000 hours in very rough or abrasive work

• Around 1,000 to 1,500 hours in mixed construction and landscaping

• Up to 1,500 hours or more in lighter duty, well maintained applications

On excavators, rubber tracks sometimes run longer because the undercarriage and machine loads are different.
But the same rule holds: good care and smart operation give you the most hours out of any rubber track.

MTL stands for Multi Terrain Loader.
MTL tracks are the rubber tracks designed for these machines, built to run on a suspended undercarriage with low ground pressure and a smooth ride.

Compared to a wheeled skid steer, an MTL with proper MTL tracks gives you more traction, less rutting, and better control on soft and uneven ground. That is why many people casually call them “MTL skid steers” or “track skid steers” even though the undercarriage is different.

MTL stands for Multi Terrain Loader.
MTL tracks are the rubber tracks designed for these machines, built to run on a suspended undercarriage with low ground pressure and a smooth ride.

Compared to a wheeled skid steer, an MTL with proper MTL tracks gives you more traction, less rutting, and better control on soft and uneven ground. That is why many people casually call them “MTL skid steers” or “track skid steers” even though the undercarriage is different.

The biggest difference between MTL tracks and CTL tracks is construction and what they are built to do.

• MTL tracks are lighter, more flexible, and often have all rubber bodies with cord reinforcement. They are made for low ground pressure and soft or finished surfaces.

• CTL tracks are heavier, with more steel inside. They are built to handle high torque and abrasive surfaces like gravel and demolition rubble.

Because the undercarriages are also different, MTL tracks and CTL tracks are not meant to be swapped between machines. The wrong track on the wrong loader can lead to early failure and unsafe operation.

In skid steer training you may hear about the 70 30 rule, which is a weight distribution guideline that calls for roughly 70 percent of the machine weight on the front and 30 percent on the rear for best performance. That rule affects how any track or tire setup behaves when you load the bucket.

Kevlar MTL tracks are built to outlast standard MTL tracks, but the final number depends on how and where you run them.

In many real world cases, Kevlar MTL tracks see:

• Around 600 to 1,000 hours in heavy, abrasive work

• Around 1,000 to 1,500 hours in mixed landscaping and construction

• Up to 1,500 hours or more in lighter duty, well maintained use

For comparison, rubber tracks on mini excavators sometimes last longer because the undercarriage load and travel pattern are different.

No matter what machine you run, smart operation, good tension, and a clean undercarriage are the keys to getting the most life out of your rubber and Kevlar MTL tracks.

To find the correct size for your MTL tracks:

• Look for the size molded into the sidewall or inside of the track

• Check the operator or service manual for the original track size

• Note any part numbers on the current tracks

If those are gone or unreadable, you can:

• Measure the track width in millimeters

• Count the number of drive lugs around the track

• Measure the pitch between lugs

Send that information to Dyne and we will match the right MTL tracks. We can also check it against your make and model so you know the fit will be correct.

For most contractors and fleet managers, yes, Kevlar MTL tracks are worth the extra cost.

Kevlar MTL tracks:

• Hold tension better over time

• Resist cuts and lug damage more than basic tracks

• Reduce the risk of sudden failures that shut down a job

Think about the cost of one day of downtime with a crew and trucks sitting. If a stronger set of MTL tracks prevents even a single failure like that, they usually pay for themselves.

Machine brand matters too, but even the most reliable track loader will not perform with poor tracks. Good Kevlar MTL tracks from a supplier like Dyne protect your machine investment.