FARGO, N.D. – Demand for non-driven rubber tracks continues to increase as farmers concentrate on completing field operations within their critical time windows and without wet weather interference.
The other big factor is that farmers are focusing more on reducing soil compaction and field rutting. Compaction reduces yield, while rutting costs money in broken equipment and extra field passes.
“Probably the biggest thing we hear from farmers is they’re looking for better flotation so they don’t track up their fields,” says John Golden of Northern Plains Track in Warren, Minnesota.
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His company recently began selling LandLuvr non-driven rubber track systems designed specifically for agriculture.
“There’s a major move toward track systems that are strictly carriers. In most cases, you can get three to four times the flotation you get with tires. Sometimes more.”
Golden said a small tire, such as a 12.4R46, has a footprint of 160 sq. inches per tire, or 320 sq. inches per pair.
The smallest pair of LandLuvr carrier tracks has a footprint of 1,450 sq. inches when fitted with the narrow 14.5 inch wide belt.
With the optional 27 inch belt, the footprint of two tracks grows to 2,700 sq. inches.
Going to the opposite extreme, Golden said a large tire, such as a VA73x44-32, has a footprint of 730 sq. inches per tire, or 1,460 sq. inches per pair.
The largest pair of LandLuvr tracks has a footprint of 3,600 sq. inches when fitted with the narrow 16 inch belt. With the optional 36 inch belt, the pair of footprints grows to 8,100 sq. inches.
Golden said the short track system has a single bogie wheel. The system his company calls the three-quarter length has two bogies, and the full-length track system has four bogies.
A unique feature of the LandLuvr design is the ability to flex in three directions so implement weight is evenly distributed across the entire footprint of the rubber belt.
This means fewer shocks and jolts transmitted to the implement. Weight on the soil is spread to reduce compaction and rutting.
The bogie wheels move vertically over obstacles. Their pivot mount also lets them move fore and aft to crawl over obstacles without abrupt hits.
However, the most interesting design feature is the ability of the bogie wheels to also pivot side to side.
This lateral movement means that if the left side of the track encounters a rock, it flexes in three dimensions to ride over it.
The right side of the track isn’t affected by the rock. It maintains its full contact with the soil.
The best comparison is the old four by four trucks with solid front axles versus newer four by four trucks with independent front suspension allowing each front tire to move by itself.
Golden said belt life is also improved with the three-dimension pivot system because side stress is reduced.
Even used rubber belts have a long life when put into service on non-driven systems, he added.
“Most farmers want used belts. I think 30 inch is the most popular width. And there are a lot of them around. There are a lot of used Case Quad belts, but also all kinds of Deere and Cat belts,” he said.
“Some guys are very deliberate. They want the smoothest belts we can find for them. If the lugs are worn down, they don’t pick up mud and they roll easier. As long as the carcass is good, you really don’t need the lugs anyway.”
Golden said the track sets can be ordered with built-in weigh scales. Another option is the Quick-Swap axle, which allows one set of tracks to be shared between two or more implements.
Prices start at $10,000 US for the short track and top out at around $25,000 for the full-length track system, which includes used belts. New belts are also available for an added charge.
For more information, visit www.landluvr.com or phone Golden at 218-745-4044.
