Diploma in Steel and Rubber Track Engineering
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in steel and rubber track engineering. 8 modules covering tracked running gear, steel tracks, rubber tracks, track-soil mechanics, design and calculation, dynamic simulation, and testing and maintenance under ISO 16754, ISO 6746-1 and ISO 37, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Steel and Rubber Track Engineering — studying from South Africa
Classic vehicle restoration is a niche but active interest in South Africa, supported by owners' clubs, specialist workshops and historic motorsport events. Restoration work draws on skills in mechanical engineering, materials and heritage conservation. Specialists source parts, rebuild engines and conserve bodywork for vintage and classic cars and motorcycles. Clubs and heritage organisations help maintain the community and promote conservation practice.
Fees for South Africa: R 16 700 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any South African body, so they are not official state degrees. Restoration work is not generally a regulated title, though ECSA registration applies to engineering roles and the SABS covers relevant standards. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by clients, employers or the relevant body, so check with them first.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in restoration and classic vehicles?
The classic vehicle sector is largely made up of specialist workshops, collectors and small firms that value demonstrable craftsmanship and reputation over formal credentials. A private qualification may add technical depth to your profile, but its impact depends on individual clients and employers. Speak to people in the field to see how they would regard it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. You get an assigned technical tutor, can pay in instalments, and may seek employer sponsorship. Ask SEIUM about time-zone and workload details before committing.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Describe the components of a tracked undercarriage.
Select materials and processes for steel tracks.
Design rubber tracks and their compounds.
Analyse the interaction between track and soil.
Size track components through calculation.
Simulate the dynamic behaviour of the undercarriage.
Plan track testing and maintenance.
Who it's for
- Undercarriage engineers.
- Construction machinery engineers.
- Rubber track design engineers.
- Heavy machinery maintenance technicians.
- Multibody simulation analysts.
- Special vehicle engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the construction machinery sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 16754 (earth-moving machinery — determination of average ground contact pressure for crawler machines)
- ISO 6746-1 (earth-moving machinery — definitions of dimensions and codes)
- ISO 37 (rubber — determination of tensile stress-strain properties)
- ISO 4649 (rubber — determination of abrasion resistance)
- EN 10083-2 (steels for quenching and tempering — non-alloy steels)
- Regulation (EU) 167/2013 (approval of agricultural and forestry vehicles)
- RecurDyn
- MSC Adams
- Abaqus
- SolidWorks
8 modules
1.1Tracks versus wheels1.2Undercarriage components1.3Drive sprocket and idler1.4Track and carrier rollers1.5Track tensioners1.6Track frames1.7Agricultural, construction and special applications1.8Mean ground pressure1.9Standardised dimensions1.10Practical: identifying the components of an undercarriage
2.1Links and pins2.2Sealed and lubricated chains2.3Single and triple grouser shoes2.4Swamp shoes2.5Quenched and tempered steels2.6Forging and casting2.7Surface hardening treatments2.8Pin and bush wear2.9Pin turning2.10Workshop: measuring chain wear
3.1Structure of the rubber track3.2Embedded steel cords3.3Metal cores3.4Rubber compounds3.5Lug pattern3.6Coreless tracks3.7Manufacturing and vulcanisation3.8Failure modes3.9Repairability3.10Lab: abrasion test of track compounds
4.1Pressure distribution4.2Sinkage and resistance4.3Traction and slip4.4Skid steering4.5Turning resistance4.6Soil compaction4.7Effect of track tension4.8Soft ground and snow4.9Interaction models4.10Practical: traction calculation for a tracked machine
5.1Link sizing5.2Pin calculation5.3Drive sprocket design5.4Rollers and bearings5.5Undercarriage suspension5.6Tension and preload5.7Dynamic loads5.8Fatigue5.9Finite element analysis5.10Case study: undercarriage design for a compact track loader
6.1Multibody track models6.2Link-to-link contact6.3Interaction with the terrain6.4Vibration and noise6.5Turning simulation6.6Gradient simulation6.7Validation against tests6.8Optimisation6.9Computation time6.10Lab: multibody simulation of a track
7.1Durability tests7.2Field tests7.3Wear inspection7.4Maintenance programmes7.5Tension adjustment7.6Component replacement7.7Cost per operating hour7.8Recovery and rebuilding7.9Fleet management7.10Practical: maintenance plan for an undercarriage
8.1Defining the machine8.2Mobility requirements8.3Selecting the track type8.4Component design8.5Calculation and simulation8.6Test plan8.7Maintenance plan8.8Technical report8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is RecurDyn, MSC Adams, Abaqus and SolidWorks, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: measurement of chain and pin wear, traction testing on soft ground and multibody simulation of the undercarriage. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 16754, ISO 6746-1, ISO 37, ISO 4649, EN 10083-2 and Regulation (EU) 167/2013.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with RecurDyn, MSC Adams, Abaqus and SolidWorks, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector; no university degree is required.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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