Simplicity attractive | Tidue aftermarket rubber track system has shorter footprint
There are many North American built aftermarket rubber track systems on the market, yet at least one Minnesota dealer sees advantages in importing a new track from Italy.
“Tidue is the simplest rubber track conversion anywhere in the marketplace today. It has the least number of working parts,” said Lee Rognes of RDO Sales.
RDO, a John Deere dealer in Moorhead, Minnesota, picked up the Tidue line in 2011 to offer farmers a less-complicated rubber track system.
“It has a slightly shorter footprint, so there’s less stress on the combine final drive when you’re turning.
Read Also
China’s grain imports have slumped big-time
China purchased just over 20 million tonnes of wheat, corn, barley and sorghum last year, that is well below the 60 million tonnes purchased in 2021-22.
“That’s why combine manufacturers seem to prefer it to other aftermarket tracks.”
Rognes said transit speed is a factor when fitting aftermarket tracks to an implement, especially if fields are spread out over long distances.
He said the internal gearing on the Tidue allows 80 percent of the original transport speed at the same engine r.p.m.
The accumulator is a key element to this.
“The enclosed hydraulic system performs two functions: It’s a tensioner and a shock absorber. It has a nitrogen accumulator that serves to adjust belt tension and absorb the shock. There’s a gauge so you can check the pressure and make changes if needed.”
RDO is importing two configurations of the Tidue track. The model with three fixed bogies sells for $65,000 US for the pair. The model with four oscillating bogies sells for $72,000 US for the pair.
“The model with four oscillating bogies is best if your farm is spread over a wide area and you do a lot of road travel between fields.
“The road is crowned. The oscillating bogies take the pressure off the tracks so the mechanisms last longer.
“But if you’re lucky enough to have your land in a tight area, three fixed bogies is best. When you’re in soft conditions giving way underneath the track, it seems the fixed bogies work better.”
All models come with 36 inch wide tracks from the factory. Like other track conversion kits, they can be removed and reinstalled as quickly as a regular rubber tire.
For more information, contact Lee Rognes at 701-526-2200.
