How much does an excavator undercarriage replacement cost?

It cannot be given as a single figure. The main drivers are how much is being replaced, genuine versus aftermarket specification, machine size, ground conditions, whether the root cause has been fixed, and freight. Compare quotes on landed cost and specification, not headline price.

Why do two quotes for the same machine differ so much?

Usually different scope (one includes sprockets, one does not), different specification (link count, shoe width, material grade), different freight basis (EXW vs FOB vs delivered), or different warranty terms.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace an undercarriage?

Repairing individual components before they damage neighbours is cheapest. A chain measurably over pitch specification cannot be repaired. A cracked frame or an ovalised boss bore is not worth repairing.

Undercarriage & wear parts

What drives excavator undercarriage replacement cost

Undercarriage replacement is the single largest maintenance cost on a tracked excavator. What follows separates the figures we can source from those we cannot — because a number without a source is not something you should quote against.

What the components cost

Published marketplace prices for a 20-tonne class machine, observed 2026-11:

Component	Observed range (USD)	Note
Track roller	$20–268	Range reflects mini to heavy-duty
Front idler	$39–1,500	PC200-7 idler sits at both ends of this
Sprocket	$45–750	Most listings MOQ 10 pcs
Track shoe / pad	$11–88	Per shoe; MOQ commonly 100
Track chain assembly	$320–1,200	Per side; SALT chains at the top

These are published marketplace listings, not transaction prices. MOQ and negotiation move them.

Full set versus chain and shoes only

For a 20-tonne machine, three independent industry sources put the difference at a consistent figure:

Good-quality aftermarket full set: $3,500–6,000
OEM equivalent full set: $12,000–18,000
Chain and shoes only: roughly 50–60% of a full set

That last line is the one that matters commercially. Replacing only the chain and shoes saves 30–45% — but only if the rollers, idlers and sprocket have enough life left. If they do not, you pay the labour twice.

The labour figure, and why it is not proportional

Labour is where partial replacement stops being cheap. A full undercarriage on a 20-tonne machine is typically 16–32 hours of work. The important point is that labour is driven by how many times the machine is dismantled, not by how many parts are replaced. Replacing a chain now and the sprocket in six months means paying the dismantling cost twice.

Duty into the EU is zero

This surprises most buyers. Undercarriage parts fall under HS 8431.49 — castings at 8431.49.20, other at 8431.49.80 — and the EU tariff rate for both is 0%. US HTS 8431.49 is also duty-free.

So the landed cost of buying undercarriage from China into Europe contains freight and VAT, but no duty. VAT at 19–23% depending on member state is normally recoverable if you import under a VAT registration. Freight is the real variable: Shanghai to Rotterdam was $3,504 per 40ft in the latest published index.

Where quotes differ for the same machine

Scope. One quote includes sprockets, the other does not.
Specification. Link count, shoe width, tooth and bushing material grade.
Freight basis. EXW versus FOB versus delivered — the headline differs, the landed cost may not.
Warranty. No warranty is not comparable to a wear guarantee.

Compare on landed cost and specification, never on the headline number.

What we do not publish

We do not publish a single "replacement cost" figure, because it depends on your machine, your ground conditions and the specification you choose. What we do instead: confirm the exact part numbers for your serial number, then price the items you actually need.

Before you order

Send machine make, model, serial number and a photo of the casting mark. We confirm the part number and fitment basis before any price discussion.

Send part details

Sources and dates

Every figure on this page comes from one of these. If a number is not listed here, we did not use it.

Component price ranges: published marketplace listings, observed 2026-11-13. Listing prices, not transaction prices.
Full set versus chain-and-shoes ratio: three independent industry sources, consistent at 50–60%.
EU tariff 0%: HS 8431.49.20 and 8431.49.80, EU TARIC. US HTS 8431.49 also free.
Freight $3,504/40ft Shanghai–Rotterdam: World Container Index, latest published assessment 2026-11-12.
Labour hours 16–32: industry worked examples for 20-tonne class machines. This is a range, not a measurement of your job.

What we could not source, we did not state: the exact labour hours for replacing a single chain, and repair-shop hourly rates in the Middle East. Neither appears on this page.

Confirming the part before you order

Measurements get you close. A serial number and a photograph of the casting mark confirm it. Here is exactly what we need, and why each item matters:

What we need to confirm a part

Trademark notice

Machine brand names and part numbers are used only to describe fitment and application. We are not an authorised dealer of any machine manufacturer.

Reviewed by Zhonglei M&E parts desk — export trading partner for undercarriage and wear parts. Last updated 2026-11-13.