Earth Tools now offers tracks??

CodeMonkey · Jan 25, 2016

Earth Tools

I have read threads about tracks offered from Canada and some comments that they weren't good for the tractor?

I was just looking at what accessories and implements I was going to order and I was thinking about getting some larger wheels and noticed these new tracks from Italy.

I work my tractor (Grillo 110) mostly in the land clearing role using my Berta 26" flail mower, and I do this in my forest, which is rough ground, sometimes large depressions and ruts and mounds and such left by heavy equipment when I had my trees thinned. I also sometimes hit small logs and other obstacles that are hidden by the vegetation which is quite thick. This summer about 75% of the struggle dealing with brush was dealing with the rough terrain where I couldn't see the holes and such and I would get both the mower and the tractor stuck in them - and that is with dry ground (very dry this last summer).

I also have a gully, about 50 feet deep with a part time wash at the bottom, that separates about 10 acres from the rest of my property where I would like to take the flail over and clear some trails (the brush isn't as thick, but it does grow up and the trails need to be mowed). There is a path that is walkable down into and across the gully, but I don't even want to tray to get down and back up it with the tractor pushing the mower, for fear I would never get it out of the bottom of the gully without a winch.

I was thinking that tracks would be great, but they weren't available - now it seems they are, and that they would be ideal for what I do.

I would want the rubber tracks because although the steel would be better in the woods, I do have to go across my paved driveway and I use the flail to mow my lawn too.

Thoughts?

Anybody have any experience with these particular tracks?

CodeMonkey · Jan 25, 2016

Found a vid.

Not how I wanted to see it used - I want to see the tracks in the mud and going through holes and over things.

CodeMonkey · Jan 25, 2016

CodeMonkey · Jan 25, 2016

Better

farmerboybill · Jan 25, 2016

I think they'll be very effective for traction and stability. The old one you are talking about were not well thought out and were kept from spinning with a short length of chain. They caused a lot of stress on the transmission housing and led to premature failure of said housing. Joel tells me these have a better designed system for mounting. The biggest downfall is of course the price. $1100 for the hi-speed units, 1300 for the rubber lo-speed units, and $1400 for the steel lo-speed units.

I have a set of the hi-speed tracks on order. I'll give you a review after I try them out with a BCS 735 and Ravenna trailer.

CodeMonkey · Jan 25, 2016

Compared to the amount of effort I put in trying to keep my tractor from getting stuck, and then getting it unstuck, the cost is insignificant. I can always compare it to the cost of a heart attack or heat stroke.

Apparently this Agrizeta makes tracks for a number of machines - not just two wheel tractors:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFr8muVqbLyhlNMWGdW7lCQ

I am trying to figure out which rubber tracks are which - I think I want the ones with the larger drive wheel. In my experience and observation, if you want a track to climb over something or up out of a hole, you want a decent upward incline on the track. The other two tracks are flat and then a short but backwards angle up over the forward bogie.

I am going to bet the one with the large drive wheel is the hi-speed unit - large wheel means it covers more ground per RPM.

Yup - looking at their website, the larger drive wheel unit has no speed reduction - and I am betting, depending on the wheel you replace, it is probably caster than most stock wheels.

Which is fine for me, when I am using my flail in heavy brush, I run in first gear.