Traction Just wondering about Mattracks.

[dickfoster]

Just wondering if anyone here has tried Mattracks yet. They do make them for tractors. If it's about ground contact, you'd have plenty just by swapping out the wheels for track drives. Not cheap but it's a bolt on affair so could be a seasonal thing.



Here's their smallest ones for tractors, they have larger sizes for larger tractors. Mattracks | Tracks >> Track-Tor-Assist >> 3K Series >> 3535

 

[tcartwri]

The biggest issue we had with them on pickups, was that they would break the steering components. Not sure you would have the same problem with a tractor.

 

[dickfoster]

The biggest issue we had with them on pickups, was that they would break the steering components. Not sure you would have the same problem with a tractor.

Maybe but the tractor steering is full hydro so maybe not.

BTW I checked and their price for their TR3500 which is sized for my CUT runs just north of $31K. Wow, I knew they weren't cheap but that's really kinda high as my tractor with loader and backhoe was just a shade less brand spankin new. I know they don't make as many and the whole economy of scale thing but compared to the parts and complexity of the tractor that sounds dayum high to me for no more than what they are. I was thinking they might be cheaper than a track steer and that could help justify some high cost but maybe not even that compared to a used track steer. I was thinkin maybe 10 grand or something along those lines. I didn't know they were making them out of gold.

 

[Btown]

31K holy cow Batman. I bet they don't sell many at that price

 

[TedReese]

I don't see how those would work on a 4x4 tractor, the diameter ratio is not even close to stock. What am I missing?

 

[Code54]

Wow is right, may was well buy a nice used track loader for that price! Ouch

 

[1965]

The units that bolt onto ATV's and side by sides cost in the $5000 range new, you can usually pick a set up used for $3000 here in Ontario. I imagine they are a lot more light duty compared to those designed for tractor weight and torque. But never the less you would really have to justify that kind of cost or be able to write off on a business use.

 

[crazyal]

About 15 years ago when I was up in Canada there was a tractor grooming the snow machine trails. It had tracks on the rear tires only. The tracks went around the rear tires, not the type that have their own separate hub. It was night and on the trail so I couldn't stop and get a good look. I'm not sure how the tire drove the track but it must of worked pretty well as the tractor had no problem pulling the drag.

 

[1965]

About 15 years ago when I was up in Canada there was a tractor grooming the snow machine trails. It had tracks on the rear tires only. The tracks went around the rear tires, not the type that have their own separate hub. It was night and on the trail so I couldn't stop and get a good look. I'm not sure how the tire drove the track but it must of worked pretty well as the tractor had no problem pulling the drag.

Very similar to the old model T conversions, an idler wheel is added just ahead of the rear tires. I believe you have to use the left and right brake along with the steering to turn, A unit close to me has a similar set up but the track goes around the front wheels as well and steered by independent braking like a bulldozer.

 

[1965]

duplicate

 

[check]

About 15 years ago when I was up in Canada there was a tractor grooming the snow machine trails. It had tracks on the rear tires only. The tracks went around the rear tires, not the type that have their own separate hub. It was night and on the trail so I couldn't stop and get a good look. I'm not sure how the tire drove the track but it must of worked pretty well as the tractor had no problem pulling the drag.

Yup. The local snowmobile club up in Haliburton near Algonquin Park has a tractor with those tracks, which they use to groom the snowmobile trails. Very effective, and looks great! (Even if it is blue!�&#56860

 

[dickfoster]

Yup. The local snowmobile club up in Haliburton near Algonquin Park has a tractor with those tracks, which they use to groom the snowmobile trails. Very effective, and looks great! (Even if it is blue!��)

I have no doubt that it's effective it's the price I have trouble with. I was interested because it would seem to add a lot of side hill stability since it widens out the track width and no doubt puts more weight on the ground down low so the CG would tend to be much lower with this kinda rig bolted up.
Then there is the winter time snow use. I don't see how you could stop it for almost any kind of snow no matter how deep it was. Imagine putting studs in those tracks. But like I said that that price I could probably find a used track steer. Maybe the guy was pulling my leg or something because it doesn't make any sense.

 

[RaydaKub]

Very similar to the old model T conversions, an idler wheel is added just ahead of the rear tires. I believe you have to use the left and right brake along with the steering to turn, A unit close to me has a similar set up but the track goes around the front wheels as well and steered by independent braking like a bulldozer.

I would think going around the front wheels could give you all kinds of chances that the track could run off like an idler pulley with the bearing gone out. Turn the steering wheel just a touch and the track rides up off the tire and slips off the side in just a second. :confused3:

 

[1965]

Not sure if the wheels actually steer on this unit.

 

[pat32rf]

A lot of the four wheel tread systems such as Mattracks are priced for the public utilities to buy with tax dollars....One year someone at Ontario hydro decreed that all their ATVs would have treads as a safety factor as they are less tippy and would give fewer injury claims. The next year they decided that Argos were needed instead.