Soucy Track
Nicolas Dubuc, ing., P.Eng.:Soucy Track Product Manager – Track Systems & Tracks

How does producer know when Ag Track is out of alignment, and what specific corrective actions should be taken to fix?  Friction vs Positive Drive.

Track alignment is critical to ensure long track and wheel life. During the alignment process the easiest way to tell that a track is not properly aligned is by a significant temperature differential between the left and ride sides of the drive lug. This indicates that the drive lugs are running against the wheels on one side. It is then necessary to adjust the alignment mechanism to push the track towards the cooler side, until both sides reach similar temperature during a road test. When performing the alignment adjustment on a new track it is critical to use dry lubricant (such as talc powder) in the track to avoid track damage.

Soucy Drive Lug

Failure to properly adjust track alignment will result in drive / guide lug scuffing and chunking due to constantly running against wheels.  In situations with major misalignment over long periods of time this can result in wearing out a significant portion of the drive lug width. In addition to wear on the track, poor alignment will also cause surface coating damage (scuffing / chunking) on the inner side that’s running against the drive / guide lugs. This can also create a heat buildup in the wheels that can lead to wheel failure. 

 It is critical to properly align any new track, as well as perform visual observations – and if required alignment adjustments – during the track break-in period.

Trackman
Tom Feldmann, Chief Manager of Engineering Development

When an Ag rubber track is out of alignment, the side surfaces of the inner drive/guide lugs will show, or begin to show, in the case of a new track, some distress and deterioration. There will also be an inboard to outboard drive/guide lug side surface temperature difference.  The rate of side wear will be proportional to the amount of temperature difference.  Improve the alignment for both positive and friction drive tracks using the following procedure.

Corrective action:

  1. Transport the vehicle on a smooth straightaway at near maximum speeds for approximately 1/4 mile.
  2. Stop and check the temperature of the inboard and outboard side surfaces of the guide/drive lugs carefully by feel, or by using a heat gun.  Note any noticeable temperature difference.
  3. If the temperature difference is considerable (>15 deg F), use vehicle’s undercarriage alignment feature to make an adjustment.
  4. After the adjustment repeat the transport step and again feel/measure guiding surface temperatures inboard and outboard.
  5. Repeat process of measuring temperatures, making alignment adjustments until track is more centered and temperatures are w/in 15 deg F.

Notes:

  1. Always refer to the vehicle manufactures Operation and Maintenance Owner’s Manual for specific track alignment procedures.
  2. Often, a small amount of smooth wear will be acceptable, and will not reduce performance or expected track service life.
  3. Narrow row-crop width tracks tend to be more difficult to align as compared to wide tracks.
  4. A newly installed track should also be preconditioned. Preconditioning instructions, as well as other rubber track “care and use” guidelines, can be found in the Trackman Rubber Track Manual & Warranty Guide, which can be found on our website.

Find your local Trackman dealer at http://www.LocPerformance.com/Trackman

Camso
David Graden: Operational Market Manager – Agriculture

Advice regarding track alignment and how to achieve alignment can really differ between track manufacturers and even OE equipment manufacturers. The bottom line is, track alignment truly has a major impact on your machine performance and the longevity of your track system and rubber, regardless of brand.

Camso Undercarriage

As a good rule of thumb, machine operators should rest their hand on a guide/drive lug (inside the track belt of both friction and positive drive tracks) immediately after the machine has been worked/driven. If they have an alignment issue, but catch the issue before it causes damage, they will find that one side of the guide/drive lug is much warmer than the other side. There is no specific temperature difference to look for, however if an alignment issue exists, this is an easy way to diagnose an issue early.

If you are beyond the early stage, you may notice some scrubbing or damage to the sides of the guide/drive lugs, which indicate the track may need an alignment adjustment. Keep in mind that corner conditions like steep side slope farming will also cause guide/drive lug side wear normally and it cannot be prevented.

On another note, if a track hasn’t been pre-conditioned (broken in) in the first 150 hours of usage, some guide/drive lug scrubbing may occur naturally. This is not an alignment issue, but more of a lack of proper track break-in, which adds lubricity to the track. You will notice light scuffing on either side of the guide/drive lug, if a track is properly broken in. Otherwise, you may notice major scuffing or even chunking of rubber on either side of the guide/drive lugs if the track is not properly broken in.

How to “Break In” a new track? Our recommendation for breaking in a new track will require up to 150 hours of operating conditions in dry and dusty soils. The dust acts as a dry lubricant to assist in heat reduction and polishing in of the components. On the other hand, extended roading of a new track during the break-in period, and especially prior to initial field use, is not recommended and may lead to significant drive lug scuffing as well as midroller failures due to head. Unfortunately, break-in wear is a non-warrantable condition.

Finally, if the operator hasn’t been paying attention at all, misalignment and correction will be quite costly. They will begin to smell burnt rubber, the track could run off of the undercarriage, damage to the wheels on the undercarriage, or severe scrubbing and chunking of the guide/drive lugs.

Track machines and replacement tracks are a major investment. Ensuring they are working properly and aligned can be as simple as reaching down to touch the guide/drive lugs periodically.

All information is provided in this blog solely to provoke thought. All deductions made from information on this site must be confirmed by Certified Ag Track Dealer before use. Ag Track Talk does not recommend anyone conduct track service work with exception of Certified Ag Track Dealer Professionals.