Excavator track options

KW Land Works · Sep 10, 2014

We're looking to add an excavator with a mulching head to our fleet. We've been talking about the 308E2 from Cat. They have the typical 3 options for tracks: rubber, steel w/ rubber pads and straight steel. We frequently drive over asphalt and concrete so the rubber has a strong vote. We also do quite a bit of work in swampy areas where the DEP doesn't want us to rut things up. The 450mm (~18"s) rubber tracks have a reputation for being the easiest on terrain but the 600 mm (~24") triple grouser steel tracks would have a lower ground pressure. Does the compliance of the rubber track make up for the higher ground pressure?

Any opinions?

Thanks,

Jim

SSdoxie · Sep 10, 2014

Difference in ground pressure of the 18" rubber versus 24" steel is because of the extra width. Ground pressure is = total weight of machine spread over the surface area of the track, wider track will give less ground pressure. A steel track will pull up more mud and terrain with it simply because it allows soft material to work up in between each track section then, where as a rubber track has tendency to push this loose material down and pull less material up over the tracks leaving reduced ground disruption.

Each track option has its own pros & cons. That is why there are so many available, just have to understand each option and make best choice for your application.

KW Land Works · Sep 11, 2014

Good point with the material working between the tracks.

andrehoude123 · Sep 11, 2014

I got a kx o80 in the 8 ton class and I really would not want rubber tracks I jut think at that weight it's just to heavy to be going over rocks with rubber track I got 24 inch pads on mine and it will walk over really wet stuff with out sinking more than 2 inch I got out of my machine once and walked in the soft stuff and I almost sank 4 inch to give you an idea how much those extra square inch help I'm also looking a getting a forestery head on my machine but one step at a time

KW Land Works · Sep 11, 2014

We drive over asphalt and concrete. I've been told that steel tracks on hot asphalt are a non starter.

Wnc3 · Sep 11, 2014

From what you described, I think the LGP(low ground pressure) 24" steel pads with rubber inserts would be your best option. Any turns on hot asphalt will potentially cause surface damage with any setup.
I am sure this is also the most expensive option.
To answer your last question: no, the more compliant rubber will not make up for the LGP of the wider tracks. ( in my opinion)

slowJEEP · Sep 12, 2014

I believe they only come steel at the 24" width and the hybrid or straight rubber tracks are 18". Seems like it'd be a good combo but they must not do it for a reason.

fishfactor · Sep 12, 2014

Go with steel and use mats when you need to get on hot asphalt. Plywood, 2x12 boards, old tires, etc. You can always add aftermarket rubber pads to the tracks if you want.

KW Land Works · Sep 13, 2014

Aftermarket never occurred to me. Thanks fish.

GreensForestryMulching · Sep 14, 2014

KW Land Works said:
Aftermarket never occurred to me. Thanks fish.

There are multiple company's out there that make bolt on rubber and poly pads for triple grouser style metal tracks. We ran a a set on a 225d deere for some while. They held up surprisingly well even on a 65k lb machine. I believe they were made by Rio who makes a lot of pads for paving machines.

KW Land Works · Sep 15, 2014

Thanks Greens.

I just sent Rio an email. Turns out there are several manufacturers via a google search.

Whitnel · Sep 15, 2014

This is what we run on ours. They seem to hold up pretty good. Our guys are hard in them, we have a lot if rock here so it's on everything from dirt to pavement / concrete and shot rock. Don't know the brand though.

KW Land Works · Sep 16, 2014

Thanks Whitnel. How do you like the 308?

Whitnel · Sep 16, 2014

The crews like it. It is pretty old so its a not as fast and as powerful as it once was but it gets the job done. The 308 and 303 we have stay busy, there is always a small spot we need to get into. We are trying to talk the bosses into getting a 305 to fill that size gap and get an extra machine.

KW Land Works · Sep 16, 2014

Got a quote back from Superior Tire & Rubber Corp.

Email went as follows:

***************
"Knowing that your machine will be in a wood, marshy environment, the only track pad that is going to withstand this is the polyurethane mold on pads. We can do this one of two ways – if you can afford the down time on your machine (say this winter) you can send me your steel shoes and we can mold the poly directly to your steel shoes. OR, we can buy new steel shoes and mold polyurethane to them.

Here are what the costs would be:

24” Poly Mold on to your steel shoes: $128.00
24” Poly Mold on to new steel shoes: $205.00

Lead time would be 4-5 weeks lead time after we received the steel shoes.

I know this may seem like a lot of money – but trust me the other options of pads just will not withstand working in the woods. I look forward to speaking with you about any other questions you may have."
**************

Quick count gave me 84 shoes on the excavator. That times 128 is just shy of 11k$. Not a trivial purchase.