Whether mounted on skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders or compact excavators, tracks offer a number of advantages over tires.
They include more traction to keep working in soft or loose soil; lower ground pressure to increase flotation in soft or wet conditions and to reduce damage to sensitive surfaces; a smoother ride over rough or rocky terrain; and, of course, no costly downtime to fix a flat.
Rubber tracks designed for excavators and for compact loaders with track undercarriages consist of a layer of rubber compounds, reinforced with steel cords that run the length of the track. Nylon fabric covering these cords protects them from guide lugs and other metal pieces. A final layer of rubber covers the steel cords, nylon fabric and metal pieces.
Tread designs range from angled lugs, designed for the smoothest ride, to aggressive patterns with deep, narrow lugs that run perpendicular to the length of the track for maximum traction.
Another type of track, available in rubber or steel versions, fits over the front and rear tires of a skid-steer loader, enabling the machine to keep working in conditions where it would otherwise spin its wheels. Unlike the sprockets, rollers and idlers that drive and guide an undercarriage track, this type of track is driven by the tires.
Rubber tracks for tires
The Solideal USA line of rubber tracks includes those designed for compact excavators built just to accommodate rubber tracks; interchangeable rubber tracks that fit compact excavators configured for either steel or rubber tracks; and rubber tracks for compact track loaders. The company also makes over-the-tire rubber tracks with metal imbeds for added strength.
An experienced operator can install or remove a set of these tracks in about 30 minutes, reports Jared Steier of Solideal. “For owners who don’t require a full-time track loader, the much lower purchase price and operating costs of over-the-tire tracks compared to a compact track loader can make economic sense,” he says.
Tracks made from natural rubber are more resistant to cuts and tears and are more durable than those made of synthetic rubber. “Natural rubber also offers a little more comfortable ride,” Steier adds.
The backs of the tread lugs on the Solideal rubber tracks have a stair-step profile from the side. “As the track comes around the tire, the steps on the back of the tread lug allow air to come between the mud and the track,” Steier says. “This helps prevent mud and dirt from accumulating between the tread lugs and keeps the tracks cleaner and working more efficiently.”
Over-the-tire steel tracks
Steel tracks for skid-steer loaders offer a much longer life in abrasive conditions than tires or rubber tracks. In addition, the added weight of the steel tracks improves traction, flotation and stability and even adds a little to lifting ability compared to a skid-steer loader without tracks, says Gary Luther, sales manager for Grouser Products.
“Customers tell us that steel tracks make a skid-steer loader twice the machine, in terms of performance, than running on tires,” he says. His company offers three types of over-the-tire tracks.
The Bar Track has induction-hardened crossbars and traction bars that incorporate the tires for added performance and cleaning. “It is a run-loose design and also helps protect the tires from damage,” Luther says. “The open side plate helps keep the pivot area clean by not giving mud an area to pack into. Each track pad has a built-in length adjustment and is made with contractor-grade and heavy-duty components.”
The Hard Track with replaceable metal shoes and traction inserts adds durability in rough ground conditions and aggressive work applications. Similar in design, the Soft Track has replaceable nonmarking urethane shoes for use on pavement and other sensitive surfaces.
“Replacing a shoe is a matter of using an air wrench to remove two bolts, replacing the worn shoe with a new shoe, and retorquing the bolts,” Luther says. “You can redo a set of tracks in about two hours.”
Combination tracks
Combining the strength of steel with the advantages of rubber, hybrid tracks offer another option for compact excavators. McLaren Industries’ HYBRID tracks are made of special-alloy steel with removable rubber pads bolted to each track section. They are designed to handle the most extreme ground conditions and can replace rubber tracks on many compact excavators with interchangeable carriage systems, reports George Zafirov, marketing manager.
“You can install them without changing sprockets, rollers or idlers,” he says. “Because the rubber pads don’t have to flex like a rubber track, they can be made with more durable rubber compounds to better withstand the impact of sharp objects or operator abuse that can reduce life expectancy of conventional rubber tracks. In fact, these hybrid tracks can last up to twice as long.”
The rubber pads reduce damage to sensitive surfaces. “These pads can be taken off by removing two bolts from each pad to replace worn pads or to operate as an all-steel track when working in challenging environments,” Zafirov says.
Undercarriage for skid-steers
Loegering’s bolt-on VTS-Versatile Track System is for those who want to operate a skid-steer loader either with tires or as a full rubber-track undercarriage machine with suspension, depending on the job. The rubber-track undercarriage bolts to the skid-steer’s standard hubs in less than an hour with no modifications to the machine, the company reports. It operates with two-speed machines and adjusts to fit 35- to 85-inch wheelbases.
VTS can be transferred between different skid-steer loaders. Among the advantages, forward placement of the front idler maintains flotation and adds stability, while the rear idler is placed under the ballast for stability when grading up inclines and traversing on side hills.
The bidirectional suspension adjusts independently from one side of the skid-steer loader to the other. This maximizes the track footprint, helps distribute horsepower evenly, and improves stability on uneven terrain. All-steel idlers and sealed bearings help minimize maintenance costs.
Replacement drive lugs
Larry Lugs were developed by an excavating and site development contractor as an economical alternative to replacing rubber tracks because of broken, worn-out, torn-off or delaminated rubber-track drive lugs.
They can be installed in the field to replace damaged or missing lugs from Caterpillar and ASV compact track loaders without removing the track from the machine. Installation takes about 10 minutes per lug, notes Tonya Bair, operations manager for Bair Products Inc.
“You can replace all the original lugs if you want to maximize life of the track,” she says. “And, you can remove Larry Lugs to reuse on another track.”
Greg Northcutt is a freelance writer based in Port Orchard, Wash. He can be reached by e-mailing this publication at editor@onsiteinstaller.com.
