General Track Use Guidelines

Avoid track and track system component damage, pre-condition tracks.

• Before driving tractor on road for first time, pre-condition tracks. See Perform Track Systems Break-In in Service-Break-In (100 Hours or Less) section in this Operator’s Manual.
• Avoid traveling at high speeds with new set of tracks and wheels, especially during the first 50-100 hours.

To extend drivetrain and track life, avoid excessive soil compaction, and reduce rolling resistance: avoid adding excessive ballast. Never add ballast that results in operating with heavy loads and with continuous full-power below 6.6 km/h (4.1 mph). For 9RX Narrow, avoid operation with continuous full-power loads below 7.5 km/h (4.7 mph).

Trash build-up can cause fire from increased friction. Remove trash from trash build-up points between track and tractor frame.

Avoid operating track in grease, oil, or other petroleum chemicals. Avoid spilling these materials on track and wheels during service.

Maximizing Track Life

Track carcasses are designed to exceed tread wear out, so long as integrity of carcass is maintained. It is critical to keep moisture out of the steel carcass and to avoid situations where localized cable overloading could occur. Track machine owners are advised to follow these guidelines to achieve maximum track life and avoid operational problems, all of which results in lower cost per operating hour:

• Minimize roading. Excessive roading can increase track wear up to 15 times field wear rates
  • Minimize transport weight during road transport.
  • Reduce maximum travel speed especially during high ambient conditions.
• Use correct operational techniques
  • Avoid skidding and tread bar scrubbing on hard surfaces to reduce track wear.
  • Use care when crossing ditches or transitions while making turns. Diagonal crossing of ditches causes track to become unsupported in the center and with idler hitting opposite embankment, can cause momentary loss of tension that can drop center section down and outside drive or idler wheels, making derailing a much higher risk if in a turn.
• Maintain correct track tension
  • Under-tension causes rapid wear on tracks and inside surface of belt due to slippage and potentially cause material buildup.
  • Over-tension adds extra load and stress to undercarriage bearings, internal track cables, and track frame.
• Keep irregular material out of tracks

  Sharp hard material inside the track is primary reason for localized track tears and subsequent entry points for moisture into track carcass.