What’s New From the Shows: The interest in tracks for better flotation continues.
By Farm Progress staff
Ever since growers and companies realized in the 1980s that soil compaction was not only real, but also costing bushels and dollars, there has been a search for a solution. Several people have latched on to tracks vs. tires for tractors, combines, grain carts and even planters to help provide more flotation, spread out the footprint and hopefully cause less deep-soil compaction. Deep soil compaction is the toughest kind to correct and prevent from reoccurring.
Major companies today offer machinery on tracks, but short-line companies offer tracks, as well. Some are designed for tractors or combines. Others are for specialized uses.
Two new offerings displayed at recent farm shows were for grain carts. In addition, J&M exhibited the largest grain cart with the highest bushel capacity at the current time in the industry. It was shown on a large set of long tracks designed to help provide flotation and spread the weight over a larger footprint compared to tires.
Proving anything when it comes to soil compaction is difficult, notes Gary Steinhardt, a Purdue University Extension soil specialist. He has worked on proving possible damaging effects of soil compaction since the early 1980s and was one of the first to get farmers to recognize that some of the uneven corn growth they were seeing at that time was caused by soil compaction. He was one of the first to coin the phrase “tall corn, short-corn syndrome” that describes how corn growing in a compacted field may appear.
Many people believe tracks are a solid option to help minimize soil compaction. They now have even more products to choose from.
To see some of these latest track offerings, check out the slideshow.
Widest track around
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The Equalizer Track System from Continental, in collaboration with Unverferth Manufacturing, is touted as the industry’s largest rubber track and undercarriage system available for grain carts. The system provides a larger footprint for optimized ground contact with less ground pressure to reduce compaction. At 50 inches wide, the Equalizer has the same tread as previous narrower models, but now offers the widest option available for grain carts. Get more information at continental-trackman.com, or call 877-394-0482.
Extreme track for longer life
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The Trackman HP Extreme from Continental has MAXXTUFF steel belt reinforcement and a wider center design for better cleanout in the field. Engineered with more usable tread rubber for longer life, the Trackman Extreme has fully molded lugs and wire-ply construction, with 50% more wires per inch and galvanized cables to prevent corrosion and premature weakness. Get all the details at continental-trackman.com or by calling 877-394-0482.
Tractor tracks for big horsepower
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The Trackman Series from Continental covers all horsepower needs for a track tractor system. The Trackman XP is standard for quad tracks less than 580 hp. The Trackman XP ArmorLug is for quad tracks at 580 hp and greater, while the Trackman XP ArmorLug Ultra is for the heaviest loads at maximum horsepower and torque. All Trackman products feature improved track life, reduced vibration for improved ride, and a new wheel-path compound formulated to minimize abrasion and punctures. Get more information at continental-trackman.com or by calling 877-394-0482.
Big tracks for big combines
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The Soucy S-Tech 1000X track system for combines offers more flotation and less compaction, with an unrivaled contact area to the soil. The bolt-on system can be installed in two to three hours, making it easier to operate on tires or tracks, depending on the conditions. With pivot-pins in oil baths, an adjustment system that increases the life span, and a hydraulic tensioner with nitrogen accumulator to eliminate the risk of power surges, the tracks are made to last through challenging harvest conditions. Learn more at soucy-track.com or call 800-9118-7225.
Tracks travel 25 mph
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If you drive a red machine, getting to your fields quicker on narrow tracks is about to get easier. Camso introduced its RD 4500 High Roading track for Case IH Rowtrac tractors. These tracks allow you to travel up to 25 mph. The new tread bar design allows for the maximum amount of rubber to meet the road. A four-ply carcass can endure higher internal temperatures when traveling at higher speeds. The tracks come in 16-, 18-, 21-, 24- and 30-inch widths. For more information on the RD 4500 from Camso, Magog, Quebec, call 819-868-1500 or visit camso.co.
Large-volume grain cart
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Big grain carts don’t always have to leave a big footprint. Unverferth’s Equalizer Track provides more than 60 square feet of contact. The 42-inch tracks offer the widest footprint in the industry. Independent chambers allow the track to follow the ground’s contour, no matter the terrain. Tracks come in two lengths: 131 inches for 1,100- to 1,300-bushel grain carts, and 148 inches for 1,300- to 2,000-bushel carts. For more information on the Equalizer Track, contact Unverferth, Kalinda, Ohio, at 419-532-3121 or unverferth.com.
