Ground Pressure Calculator
CalculatorsFind track ground bearing pressure from machine weight and shoe width, and compare shoe sizes.
Not sure what to check first? Hand the result to the assistant.
About this tool
Ground bearing pressure is how much of a machine's weight each square unit of track puts on the ground. It decides whether a crawler floats on soft ground or sinks in, and it is the number buyers and site planners compare when choosing shoe width. This calculator divides the operating weight by the total track contact area (both tracks, shoe width times the track-on-ground length).
Enter the operating weight, the track shoe width, and the track-on-ground length (the straight contact run from front idler to sprocket, on the spec sheet). Add a second shoe width to see exactly how much a wider grouser lowers the pressure - the same weight over a bigger footprint.
The result is nominal pressure, assuming the weight spreads evenly. Real peak pressures under the idlers and sprocket are higher, and swinging a loaded boom shifts weight to one end. Treat the figure as a comparison and planning number, not a soil-mechanics guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good ground pressure for soft ground?
Lower is better on soft or wet ground. Standard crawler excavators run about 30–55 kPa (4–8 psi); low-ground-pressure (LGP) dozers and swamp machines with wide shoes can get down to 20–35 kPa. Wheeled machines are far higher.
Where do I find the track-on-ground length?
It is on the machine's spec sheet, often labelled 'track on ground' or 'ground contact length'. It is the straight contact run between the front idler and the sprocket, not the overall track length.
How much does a wider shoe help?
Ground pressure is inversely proportional to shoe width, so going from 600 mm to 700 mm shoes lowers nominal pressure by about 14%. The comparison field shows the exact change for your machine.
Does this account for the boom and load?
No. It uses even weight distribution. When you dig or lift out to one side, weight shifts and local pressure rises well above this nominal figure. Use it for comparison, not for a critical bearing-capacity decision.
How is ground bearing pressure calculated?
Operating weight divided by total track contact area: both tracks, shoe width times track-on-ground length. Enter kg or lb and mm or in; the tool converts internally and shows the result in both kPa and psi.