Welcome to the Industrial Tractor Parts Glossary, your go-to resource for understanding important terms related to undercarriage parts, rubber tracks, rubber pads, ground-engaging tools (GET), and other equipment components. Whether you're new to the industry or looking for a quick reference, this glossary helps explain essential terms and concepts to ensure you have a solid understanding of the parts and products we offer.
Adapters
Parts used to connect bucket teeth to a bucket or other undercarriage components. They are essential for ensuring proper fitment and secure attachment.
Aftermarket Parts
Replacement parts made by third-party manufacturers, designed to meet or exceed the quality and performance of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts.
Backhoe
A type of heavy equipment typically used for digging and excavation, which uses a bucket with a hydraulic arm for digging and lifting materials.
Berco
An Italian manufacturer of undercarriage components and a long-established name in the undercarriage aftermarket. ITP has operated as an authorized Berco dealer for decades, and many ITP part numbers trace directly to Berco's own numbering system.
Bottom Rollers
Rollers mounted along the bottom of the track frame that support the full weight of the machine and guide the lower, load-bearing run of the track chain as it travels. Also called track rollers. Distinct from top rollers, which only support the upper return run of the chain.
Buckets
Attachments for heavy equipment used to dig, carry, and move materials. Buckets come in various sizes and configurations, including general purpose, heavy-duty, and specialized types.
Bucket Teeth
Removable teeth attached to the front edge of a bucket to enhance digging performance. Bucket teeth can be made from forged or cast materials and are available in different profiles for specific applications.
Bolt-On Rubber Pads
A type of rubber track pad designed to be easily bolted onto steel tracks for added protection, especially when working on sensitive surfaces such as asphalt or concrete.
Carrier Rollers
See Top Rollers.
Caterpillar (CAT)
A leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, whose products are widely used across the heavy equipment industry.
Compact Track Loaders (CTLs)
A type of skid steer loader equipped with rubber tracks for improved performance on rough or soft surfaces.
Cutting Edges
Parts attached to the front of buckets or blades, designed to provide a sharp edge for digging and scraping. Used across a wide range of earth-moving applications, from grading to trenching.
Dozer
A heavy construction vehicle equipped with a large blade used for pushing earth, debris, and other materials.
Drive Sprockets
The sprocket mounted directly on the final drive that engages the track chain and transfers engine power into track movement. See also Sprockets.
Excavator
A large piece of machinery designed for digging, lifting, and moving materials. Excavators are equipped with hydraulic arms and buckets, and are commonly used in construction, mining, and landscaping.
Excavator Buckets
Heavy-duty attachments designed for use with excavators. These buckets come in different sizes and configurations based on the specific job requirements.
Final Drives
The hydraulic motor and gear reduction assembly mounted at the rear of the undercarriage that powers the drive sprocket. Final drives convert hydraulic flow from the machine's pump into the torque needed to turn the track, and are one of the most expensive undercarriage components to replace.
Forged vs. Cast (GET)
The two primary manufacturing methods for ground engaging tools like bucket teeth and cutting edges. Forged GET is shaped under high pressure and heat, producing a denser, more impact-resistant part typically favored for high-abrasion or rocky digging conditions. Cast GET is poured into a mold, which allows for more complex shapes and is generally a more economical option for general-purpose digging.
Grouser Bars
Metal bars on the steel tracks of heavy equipment, designed to enhance traction in soft or muddy terrain.
Ground Engaging Tools (GET)
A category of parts designed for machines that come in direct contact with the ground, including bucket teeth, cutting edges, ripper shanks, and blades. These tools are crucial for earth-moving operations and are built to withstand tough working conditions.
Hydraulic Excavators
Excavators powered by hydraulic systems that provide exceptional digging, lifting, and material handling capabilities in construction, demolition, and mining.
Hydraulic Thumbs
A hydraulic attachment for excavators that allows the operator to grab, hold, and manipulate materials. Thumbs are especially useful for picking up and moving large or irregularly shaped materials.
Idlers
A part of the undercarriage system that supports the track and helps maintain the correct tension on the track chain.
John Deere
A well-known manufacturer of agricultural, construction, and forestry machinery. John Deere equipment is widely used across the heavy equipment industry.
Loader Buckets
Buckets designed for loaders, equipped with a cutting edge for digging, lifting, and moving materials in a variety of applications, from construction to landscaping.
Locking Devices
Mechanical components used to securely fasten parts such as pins and bushings on equipment. These devices ensure parts remain securely in place during operation.
Mini-Excavators
Compact excavators used in tight spaces and for lighter excavation work. These machines often require specialized rubber tracks and undercarriage parts.
Pad/Track Pitch
The distance between the centers of two consecutive track links, measured in millimeters. Pitch determines which chains, rollers, and sprockets are compatible with a given machine, and is one of the key measurements needed when ordering undercarriage parts.
Pins and Bushings
Pins are used to connect and pivot the various parts of heavy machinery, while bushings are used to reduce wear between moving parts. Both are critical for the performance and longevity of undercarriage systems.
Portable Pin Press
A heavy-duty tool used for track pin removal and installation in large machinery. The Portable Pin Press helps reduce downtime and is easy to transport to job sites for on-site maintenance.
Recoil Springs
A heavy spring mounted behind the idler, working together with the tensioner to absorb shock loads and keep the track chain under proper tension as the machine travels over uneven ground.
Ripper Shanks and Teeth
Heavy-duty attachments used for breaking up hard ground, rock, or frozen soil. Ripper teeth are often used for digging or scraping during earth-moving tasks.
Rubber Tracks
Tracks made from durable rubber designed for use on mini-excavators, skid steers, and compact track loaders. These tracks provide superior traction and a smoother ride compared to steel tracks, especially on sensitive surfaces.
Segment Group (Segments)
The replaceable, bolt-on wear surface attached to the sprocket rim that engages the track chain. Segments allow the sprocket teeth to be replaced as they wear without having to replace the entire sprocket hub.
Skid Steer
A small, highly maneuverable loader that steers by varying the speed of wheels (or tracks, in the case of a CTL) on each side rather than turning the wheels themselves. Skid steers run on either rubber tires or rubber tracks depending on the model.
Sprockets
The toothed wheel that engages the links of the track chain to drive the machine forward. On most machines, the drive sprocket is mounted on the final drive output shaft. See also Drive Sprockets and Segment Group.
Steel Tracks
Heavy-duty tracks made from steel, designed for high-torque and rugged performance in extreme conditions. Used on larger equipment like bulldozers and excavators.
Tensioners
A hydraulic or mechanical cylinder, typically mounted near the idler, that maintains correct track chain tension and works with the recoil spring to absorb shock during operation. Properly adjusted tension is critical to preventing premature wear on rollers, idlers, and the chain itself.
Track Chains
The continuous loop of interlinked metal components that form the track system of many construction machines. Track chains are essential for keeping track-equipped machines moving smoothly.
Track Pads
Pads that are mounted on steel tracks to provide better surface protection and reduced damage when working on sensitive surfaces. Available in both bolt-on and clip-on varieties.
Track Rollers
See Bottom Rollers.
Top Rollers
Rollers mounted on top of the track frame that support only the upper, return run of the track chain, keeping it from sagging between the sprocket and idler. Carries far less load than bottom rollers since it isn't bearing the machine's weight. Also called carrier rollers.
Track Shoes (Track Plates)
The individual flat steel plates bolted to the track chain links that contact the ground. Track shoes are available in different widths and grouser patterns depending on ground conditions and flotation needs.
Undercarriage
The complete system of components beneath a tracked machine that supports its weight, transfers power from the engine to the ground, and allows it to travel. The undercarriage includes the track chain, rollers, idlers, sprockets, final drives, and tensioning system, and typically accounts for a major share of a machine's total lifetime maintenance cost.
Wear Parts
Parts designed to withstand high levels of wear and tear, including bucket teeth, cutting edges, and track chains. These parts are essential for ensuring the continued performance of heavy equipment in challenging environments.
Zero-Turn Equipment
Heavy equipment designed to rotate 360 degrees on its own axis, offering high maneuverability in confined spaces. Often used in landscaping and agricultural tasks.
