The website for Flaman’s Great Stuck In The Muck 2010 photo contest had 132 entries, of which 129 were machines mounted to tires.
Only three were on tracks and those were construction-type tractors that ventured out to help in the rescues.
What does that tell us about rubber tracks versus round, rubber tires in wet conditions?
“It tells us that if it’s too muddy to be in the field, but you feel you have to get out there anyway, you’re better off with rubber tracks,” said ag engineer Reed Turner, who recently retired from the Alberta Ag Tech Centre in Lethbridge.
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“Sometimes we know we shouldn’t be out there, but we just have no choice.”
Turner conducted many studies while at the centre comparing track tractors to rubber tires tractors.
Lawrence Papworth, unit manager at the centre, said flotation is the biggest factor in keeping a tractor out of the quagmire.
More rubber surface on the ground reduces the likelihood of sinking. Rubber tracks provide more surface than tires.
“Flotation is one thing, but spinning is another thing altogether. Spinning tires will bury a rubber tire tractor, no matter how many tires you have. A rubber tired tractor is designed to operate with 10 percent slip. That means the tires always have a certain amount of spin.
“Once you hit a really wet spot, they (tires) want to dig in right away. No way around that fact. They go down.”
Papworth said dual radials running at a low pressure of 10 pounds per sq. inch are the best bet if farmers don’t have rubber tracks. If tires are at 20 p.s.i., he urges producers to take the time to lower the pressures before venturing into the field this spring.
Turner agreed.
“There’s no question, rubber tracks are better in mud. They give you a much larger surface to float on. Yes, I’ve seen rubber track tractors stuck, but typically they don’t dig down as deep.”
Turner said the Case IH QuadTrak is the best example of better flotation created by rubber tracks.
“You can get a QuadTrak stuck and just about pull it out with your pickup.
“It can’t move on its own. It just floats on the surface and spins the tracks. It almost never sinks out of sight.”
Tracks not only have more flotation, but they’re also designed to function with only five percent slippage. Radial tires are designed to function with 10 percent slippage.
Turner said it will be all about mobility this spring.
“Staying mobile by remaining on the surface is a good thing. If you stay mobile by cutting ruts two feet deep and throw mud out the back, that’s a bad thing. You may deal with the consequences for a long while.”
He said farmers often have no choice, especially in the fall when there’s a decent crop standing in mud.
“That’s why we’re seeing more tracks on combines. Last year, there were a lot of fields that couldn’t be harvested without combine tracks.
“The guys who went in with tires on their combines and trucks and carts left appalling ruts. Those ruts will haunt us for at least a year.”
Although tracks have a definite mobility advantage in wet conditions, research says tires have the overall farming advantage.
Turner said tracks are not bad. They’re just a little more costly in non-mud situations.
“When we study power from the fuel tank to the ground, tires come out a little bit better than tracks. From output of the engine to the drawbar, tires always win.
“But when we look at input to the track and follow back to the drawbar, tracks are more efficient than tires.
“The other advantage to tracks is there’s nothing to set. It’s easy to screw up your rubber tires with wrong inflation, especially duals or triples.”
