Rubber Tracks Fit Over Rear Tires

Rubber tracks fit over rear tires TRACTORS Accessories 17-6-24 A prototype "row crop capable" rubber track system that fits over a tractor or combine's existing drive wheels was shown for the fast time at the recent Farm Progress Show in Iowa The add-on rubber track system, designed by Peter and Earl Christianson,Fargo, N. Dak., was shown on a Case-IH 7110 2-WD tractor. The track is held in place by a pair of steel rollers, one ahead and one behind the wheel, and a pair of side plates that fit over the inside and outside of the wheel rim. Four small rollers, mounted on each side plate, roll against the rim to keep the track undercarriage aligned. "Our goal was to make rubber tracks system that are simple, adaptable, and affordable," says Peter. "This prototype system is relatively simple to build and mounts right on the tractor without modifications. It can be easily adjusted for different row crop spacings by simply adjusting the position of the wheels on the axle the way you would normally. Our tracks ride much more smoothly than other rubber tracks because they fit over air-filled rubber tires. Gives you the benefits of both tracks and tires and also runs at normal speeds. "Each track has four contact points - the top and bottom of the tire and the two rollers, one located at each lower corner of the track. There are two friction or drive points - one on top of the tire and one at the bottom. The footprint of the track is 300% larger than a normal tire. "Switching to a different track width is no more difficult than changing tires. You can use 16-in. wide tracks for row crop work and 30-in. wide tracks for tillage work or on a combine for harvest" The Christiansons are still at a prototype stage in their design, but anticipate having the system on the market next year. No further information is available at this time.

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.