Combine, Grain Cart Fitted With Cat Tracks

Combine, grain cart fitted with cat tracks COMBINES Traction Devices 11-6-36 One of the biggest showstoppers at the re-cent Farm Progress Show in Iowa was the first combine to be fitted with Caterpillar's new rubber-tracked drive system. Mounted on a Claas 116 combine, the new Mobil-Trac rubber tracks are identical to the drive system recently introduced on Caterpillar's new Challenger farm tractor. The combine-mounted tracks are 30 in. wide and 128 in. long. When fitted with an 8-row cornhead, combine ground pressure is reduced to just 7 lbs. per sq. in. According to Caterpillar engineer, James Gee, that helps make Mobil-Tracs the best harvest traction system around. "They work better than flotation tires, hydraulic assist rear wheel drive, and metal half tracks. Under wet conditions, where wheels would cut 1 1/ 2-ft. deep ruts, this track-equipped Claas machine just flattens down the stubble. You can see the imprints of the bars - that's all." Gee notes, however, that the company looks at the Mobil-Trac system as an all-weather drive because of the benefits from reduced compaction. "The track system will pay for itself in increased yields due to lower compaction," he says. Caterpillar has conducted compaction studies in cooperation with Iowa State University for the past four years. Track-equipped tractors have demonstrated up to a 5% yield advantage over wheel-tractors, according to Gee. Those tests have only compared the effects of spring tillage work. "When we start using tracks on combines and grain wagons at harvest, we may see considerably more than a 5% yield in-crease," he notes. Caterpillar claims the rubber-track system will far outlast conventional rubber tires. "Because they drive so much easier they'll easily last the life of the combine," says Gee. Up to this point, the track-equipped combine is still experimental. Both Cater-pillar and Claas spokesmen told FARM SHOW the companies have no plans yet to produce a tracked combine. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, James Gee, Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill. 61629 (ph 309 698-5959). Kinze Mfg., Williamsburg, Iowa, equipped a large 625 bu. grain cart (model 640) with non-powered Caterpillar tracks ùthe same Mobil-trac System used on the new Cat Challenger 65 tractorù to decrease compaction, and to provide added flotation for moving big loads through wet spots ù without getting stuck and without tearing up fields. The experimental Kinze rig has been field tested for two seasons "with flying colors," says Jon Kinzenbaw, president. "It'll run circles around conventional grain wagons in mud. We figure soil compaction with a fully-loaded wagon on tracks is only about one-fifth as severe as with conventional rubber-tired wheels." The 24.5 in. wide belts spread total weight over 106 in. of ground surface ù 5,194 sq. in. of ground contact ù and exert only about 5.7 lbs. of pressure per sq. in. The one-piece rubber belts are reinforced with flexible steel cable bonded into the rubber. There are 36 sets of ribber lugs on each belt.

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