Cat/ASV tracks, vs Bobcat stlye hard roller tracks

Bill Schwab · #1 (**permalink**) 06-24-2005, 09:40 AM

I had to pick up a vibratory plate for a day or so yesterday, and on one of the flatbed delivery trucks was a track from a T-190. The inside looked like an esxplosion went off, shredded rubber everywhere. During the time I was in MTL school, Caterpillar brought in a Bobcat for us to look at and show us the differences between the ASV style track and the rigid frame track. The ASV is more open and easier to clean out. It is also flexible, a design I was not sure how happy I would be with. The engineers talked very strongly against why rubber and steel (the design Bobcat and other use) should never be used. When the heat buiolds up from simple usuage, driving back and fourth to do your work, the steel can seperate from inside the rubber, which is what this track had done. I asked the mechanic how many hours were on this track and he looked in the machine and told 540.

Further, the track was not warrantied because the machine was used in a rental application was over 6 months old.

I never thought what the Cat people was telling me would happen, and frnkly, I thought it to be a sales ploy, but, I guess not. I've reached into my drive motors after running on an 85° day and almost burned my hands, so, I know these things get hot. What I don't look forward to is the 2000 hour mark, the day I have to buy a couple retreaded tracks....at $2000.00 ea, I'm not looking forward to that at all.....

siduramaxde · #2 (**permalink**) 10-11-2005, 10:08 PM

Bill,
Stop and think about all the steel belted tires rolling around on cars and trucks. I seriously doubt the bs cat is feeding you on the tracks. I have 1600 hours on a set of bobcat tracks that will easily go another 500-1000.

Pelican · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2005, 12:33 AM

There's a difference in the steel in tires and tracks. The tire does not change its shape much during rotation, while the track does dramatically. This movement is what generates the heat in the steel.

Bill Schwab · #4 (**permalink**) 10-12-2005, 09:47 AM

Sir:

What is the most usuage you perform with your machine? As in how fast or slow it works, and what types of scenarios? That will determine how fast the tracks live even more than proper maintenance.