The new Cat Track Clamp Master Link assembly is designed to make getting back to work quicker, improving track installation efficiency in the field by eliminating the need for a portable field press.
Cat Track Clamp Master Link replaces both slip-style and press-fit joints, and needs no hydraulic tooling and presses, allowing operators to safely remove and install tracks without any additional equipment.
“Improperly managed undercarriages cause downtime and cost money, says Tim Nenne, senior market professional at Caterpillar. “The Track Clamp Master Link is available for any standard hydraulic excavator with a 7.5” pitch size class, making in-field track installation both simple and safe.
“We all know how time-consuming both slip-style and press-fit joints can be to replace, but after all that effort, they’re not infallible either. We all know how time-consuming both slip-style and press-fit joints can be to replace, but after all that effort, they’re not infallible either.”
Nenne adds that Caterpillar focused on durability when developing the new link, making durability a feature alongside convenience, speed, and safety. Extensive press-out testing has shown that the Track Clamp Master Link offers 25% higher pin retention compared to the press-fit master and up to a 50% improvement in joint life compared to the slip-fit master.
“Tool-less solutions are often seen as a temporary quick-fix, but with the Track Clamp we’ve set a new standard: it may not require hydraulic tooling, it may be quick, but it’s certainly not temporary,” says Nenne.
The Track Clamp Master Link is widely used across a variety of hydraulic excavators and covers all types of undercarriages, including General Duty, Heavy Duty and Heavy Duty XL. Alongside Caterpillar’s Custom Track Service, Undercarriage Assurance Programs and renowned worldwide parts availability, it’s one of the many ways in which Caterpillar and Cat dealers help operators get the most from their Cat Undercarriage.
The Cat Track Clamp Master link is currently available on the Cat 320 Excavator, with more models available in 2026.
