AG Track Talk Key Takeaways
Superior Tire & Rubber, AgriTraxx: “Midrollers tend to wear out faster than other components, making them a reliable starting point for an inspection.”
Camso: “Excessive heat build-up is an indicator of trouble. It can cause the rubber track to soften and break down more quickly, compromising the overall performance of your equipment.”
Trackman: “Regardless of the piece of mechanical equipment, it is recommended to have “Safety and maintenance inspection” conducted by the operator prior to advancing any activity.”
Superior Tire & Rubber: AgriTraxx Polyurethane Mid-Roller, Idlers, and Drives
Jerrod Ossa, Aftermarket Sales Manager Agricultural Components
For those using RT or rubber-tracked equipment, maintaining undercarriage components is crucial. But how do you know what needs attention and what doesn’t? Let’s explore key indicators that can help you determine if your undercarriage is ready for another season or in urgent need of repairs.
Midrollers
Undercarriage inspections are usually straightforward, as most damage and wear are visually detectable. Midrollers tend to wear out faster than other components, making them a reliable starting point for an inspection. Most undercarriage systems feature rubber tread on midrollers, idlers, and drive wheels. If you see tearing or chunking in the rubber, it’s important to replace these parts promptly. Worn treads can increase friction and heat, accelerating wear on the rubber track.
High heat buildup is especially damaging to both tracks and midrollers. Over time, the repeated heating and cooling of the midrollers causes the bonding adhesive between the steel wheel and rubber to break down. If this separation begins, wheel failure is imminent, and replacement is necessary. When replacing midrollers, it’s recommended to swap them in pairs (both the inner and outer midrollers) to ensure even wear.
Rubber Track and Guide Lugs
When visually inspecting your undercarriage, don’t forget the rubber track itself. Pay special attention to the guide lugs, which can develop cracks or tears, especially around their base. Misaligned tracks can cause midrollers to wear unevenly, rubbing more aggressively against the track lug. This not only damages the track but also harms the midrollers. A telltale sign of track misalignment is heavy wear or missing material on the inner half of the wheel. If you spot this, it’s important to replace the midrollers immediately to avoid further damage to the rubber track.
Even if the outer half of the wheel appears fine, excessive heat buildup from the exposed steel can rapidly deteriorate both the guide lugs and the midroller adhesive.
Hub-Bearing Style Wheels
For equipment with hub-bearing wheels, it’s essential to inspect the bearings and seals. If a bearing seizes, slowing or preventing wheel rotation, it can lead to issues like flat spotting or bond separation. This results in excess heat buildup, which can damage the tracks. If visual inspection while the machine is idle is difficult, try having one person crawl the machine forward slowly while another observes the wheels to see if any rotate out of sync.
For a more precise inspection, use a thermal camera or laser thermometer immediately after operation. A failed bearing will be significantly hotter than the others. Additionally, keep an eye out for sloping or stretching of the bore, which indicates improper wheel tightening or a poorly seated bearing race. These issues cause wobbling, which generates heat and deforms the hub, rendering the wheel irreparable. Cracking or chipping of the bore also makes these wheels unusable.
The Role of Heat
Heat is the number one cause of undercarriage failures. Excessive heat, whether from wheels or tracks, can damage your tracked machine. While some heat buildup can be minimized through regular maintenance, proper alignment, and limiting hard maneuvering, there is a fundamental issue with the rubber wheels used on most undercarriages.
Rubber is susceptible to heat damage, dry rot, debris embedding, and UV deterioration. A simple upgrade to polyurethane wheels can significantly reduce these risks. Polyurethane, used in midrollers, idlers, and drive wheels, is resistant to chemicals, UV, dry rot, and debris embedding. They run 30% to 45% cooler than rubber wheels and have a much higher heat tolerance. While there are only a few manufacturers of polyurethane midrollers in the U.S., one also makes polyurethane idlers and drive wheels. Upgrading to polyurethane wheels can help extend the life of your rubber tracks by dissipating heat, reducing wear, and preventing debris punctures.
Final Tips
As with any equipment, staying on top of maintenance is key. Keep moving parts lubricated and always follow the manufacturer’s torque specifications.
Camso
David Graden: Operational Market Manager – Agriculture
Maintaining the operational health of agricultural machinery is essential to ensuring optimal performance and minimizing downtime. One of the most critical components of farm equipment are the tracks and undercarriage systems, especially in challenging field conditions.
Camso Undercarriage: Original Equipment on Deere 8RX 410
For operators using Camso Ag tracks and undercarriage systems, understanding when to replace or inspect components is key to maximizing both longevity and performance. Here’s a breakdown of when to replace parts, key visual cues to look for, and recommendations from Camso on monitoring these systems.
Key Indicators for Replacing Camso Ag Track and Undercarriage Components
Camso recommends monitoring both the undercarriage and tracks frequently to catch issues before they result in bigger problems. Components should be replaced if there is visible wear that can impact the system’s efficiency or safety.
Tracks: One of the first signs that the tracks are due for replacement is significant wear or cracking on the lugs, belt or drive lugs. Over time, the rubber can wear down, losing its tractive capacity and flexibility. If you notice deep cuts, exposed steel, or extreme cracking in the rubber, it’s time for a replacement.
Undercarriage: For the undercarriage components, inspect the rollers, sprockets, and idlers. Look for signs of excessive wear such as broken or worn-out sprockets, bent or deformed idlers, and damaged rollers. As these components wear, they can lead to misalignment, which accelerates wear on both the undercarriage and the tracks.
Visual Cues for Track and Undercarriage Inspections
Farmers should inspect their undercarriage and track systems regularly for the following visual signs:
- Cracks in the Track: Small cracks are common with age, but large, deep cracks could indicate the need for a track replacement.
- Excessive Wear: Look for uneven tread wear or thinning of the track lugs, as it will compromise traction and overall efficiency. At the lugs wear, you begin to lose tractive capacity and overall efficiency.
- Track Cupping or Fraying: Frayed edges or cupped tracks often indicate that the tracks are misaligned or under undue stress, signaling that the undercarriage components may need attention.
- Roller Damage: If rollers are worn down, broken, or you see the rubber around the roller is chunking, they will no longer provide the necessary support for the tracks. This can lead to faster wear on other parts and misalignment issues.
- Sprocket Wear: A worn sprocket can cause uneven tension on the track, leading to faster wear and risk of damage. Check for any visible signs of wear or missing teeth.
Excessive Heat Build-Up
Heat is a natural byproduct of the friction in track and undercarriage systems. However, excessive heat build-up is an indicator of trouble. It can cause the rubber track to soften and break down more quickly, compromising the overall performance of your equipment. Operators should perform regular checks for elevated temperatures, especially after long periods of use or prolonged road travel. If heat levels are high, stop the machine and allow it to cool before continuing.
One way to detect heat build-up is to touch the tracks or undercarriage components after the machinery has been in use. If the components feel excessively hot, it’s a good idea to stop and inspect the system thoroughly. Excessive heat is a natural enemy to rubber and can lead to cracking and other forms of track damage.
Camso’s Recommendations for Replacement Parts
Camso recommends replacing undercarriage components and tracks as part of a regular maintenance routine. This proactive approach ensures that equipment performs at its best and prevents the need for costly repairs down the line. Camso specifically suggests replacing components at the following intervals:
- Tracks: Typically, Camso tracks should be replaced when they show signs of deep cracking, significant wear, or failure to maintain the correct tension. Camso advises that the track system is designed to last for several thousand hours, but operating conditions and the type of work performed will directly influence longevity.
- Undercarriage Components: Rollers, sprockets, and idlers should be checked for wear at every routine maintenance check. Components that show significant wear, such as broken rollers or excessive play in the sprockets, should be replaced immediately.
Regular maintenance, inspection, and replacement of Camso Ag tracks and undercarriage components not only help extend the life of your equipment but also enhance your productivity and safety on the farm. By following these recommendations and keeping an eye out for key visual cues, farmers can prevent premature wear and costly repairs, ensuring smooth operations during planting and harvesting seasons.
For more detailed information regarding Camso Ag Tracks and Systems, please visit:
https://camso.co/en/agriculture/service-and-support/
Trackman
Tom Feldmann, Chief Manager of Engineering Development
While there are some differences between the Friction Drive undercarriages and Positive drive undercarriages, for purposes of this discussion we remain focused on the undercarriage components that are relatively common to both of those applications.
First, it is appropriate to advise that on ANY piece of mechanical equipment that the recommended “Safety and maintenance inspection” schedule be conducted by the operator prior to advancing any activity. In all cases OEM guidance should be followed. This is typically found in the Owner’s manual from the OEM.
The Undercarriage components include but are not limited to the following:
- Bogie (Mid-roller) Wheels
- Idler Wheels
- Drive Wheels
- Tension devices
- Mounts/Isolation/Vibration/Suspension Systems
- Bearings and Seals
- Frame
For purposes of this article, the primary and most common parts requiring replacement are the Bogie (Mid-roller) Wheels and the Idler Wheels,
When inspecting and particularly when new tracks are being installed, any Bogie (Mid-roller) wheels that have been damaged should be replaced. Similarly, any wheel where more that 1/3 of the rubber is missing the mid roller should be replaced.
If all the rubber is missing at any point across the Bogie (Mid-roller) or if there are any “flat spots” the affected wheels should be replaced.
Any flat spots seen may indicate the Bogie (Mid-roller) stopped turning- causing the resulting flat spot. Root cause investigation should be conducted to prevent reoccurrence.
Similar guidance is applicable to idler wheels and consideration of replacement for them.
Worn or damaged Bogie (Mid-roller) or Idler wheels can damage the track if not replaced in a timely fashion.
Replacement Wheels or Remanufacture wheels are available for most applications. Remanufacture wheels typically have a longer lead time but can be more economical.
Both Poly and Rubber options can be available depending on vehicle. Trackman has a broad offering of Bogie (Mid-roller) wheels available through its dealer network (www.rheinmetall-arv-us.com/Trackman). Each Trackman® wheel is produced to the high standards of our proprietary processes similar to those used on OEM applications.
With any track undercarriage it is important to keep it clean of foreign materials and mud as that can impact the overall performance of the undercarriage system.
Additionally, when doing regular inspections of the undercarriage it is important to identify any leaks from the wheel bearing lubrication as that can cause track damage and if not maintained at appropriate levels can cause bearing failure
Any time a track is replaced it is a good idea to check Front Idler Pivot assembly and bearings. Any side-to-side movement of this joint indicates wear and the bushings/bearings should be inspected/replaced at this time as excess play will cause track alignment issues and accelerated drive lug wear.
Depending on the undercarriage, there may be mounts that should be inspected to ensure that they are functioning as intended. Any “collapsed” mount should be replaced for the system to operate properly. Typically, these are only available from the OE.
Drive wheels should also be inspected to ensure that they are within manufacturer tolerances as positive drive wheels can wear and impact the track engagement and Friction drive wheels require rubber contact around the wheel diameter for required Coefficient of friction to operate.
Again, with regular inspections of the system, look for any fluid leaks on the undercarriage components and ensure proper oil levels are maintained to reduce any unexpected performance failures.
Trackman has a Track Warranty guide on its website that offers more hints at gaining the best performance from your system and lower cost of operation for your tractor.
Stay tuned to AG Track Talk for more tips on keeping your undercarriage in top shape throughout the year.
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.
