Safety and simplicity in track installation with Cat® Track Clamp Master Link

The new Track Clamp Master Link, which replaces both slip-style and press-fit joints, needs no hydraulic tooling and presses, allowing operators to safely remove and install tracks without any additional equipment.

By Caterpillar

Published: Dec 03, 2025

Highlights

Improves track installation efficiency by eliminating the need for additional tools and equipment, making the process safer and quicker for operators
Enhanced durability with higher pin retention and is applicable across various hydraulic excavators, supporting different types of undercarriages and helping ensure long-term reliability

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IRVING, Texas, December 4, 2025― It’s all about getting back to work quicker with the new Cat® Track Clamp Master Link assembly, designed to improve track installation efficiency in the field by eliminating the need for a portable field press.

The new Track Clamp Master Link, which replaces both slip-style and press-fit joints, 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. 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.

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.

Tim Nenne

Senior Market Professional

Caterpillar

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.

More information can be found by contacting a Cat dealer or visiting cat.com.

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Cat® Track Clamp Master Link rendering on excavator track

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Cat® Track Clamp Master Link

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About Caterpillar:
With 2024 sales and revenues of $64.8 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed. Caterpillar does business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment. Visit us at caterpillar.com or join the conversation on our social media channels at caterpillar.com/en/news/social-media.html.

Caterpillar rolls out products and services in each of its regions at different time intervals. Although every effort is made to ensure that product information is released only after Caterpillar has received confirmation from its independent dealer network, plants, and marketing subsidiaries that products and services are available in the relevant region, editors are kindly requested to verify with a Cat dealer for product availability and specifications.

CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Corporate Yellow,” the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

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Press Inquiries:

Amy Doughty

Caterpillar Trade Press Media Representative

Amy.Doughty@cat.com

For Release: North America, Europe, Japan, China, South Korea, Türkiye, Chile, Colombia, Africa, Middle East, South America [excluding Brazil], Australia, New Zealand, Asia, India, Indonesia
Release Number: 192PR25 - December 2025

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