Raw stock rubber is used in rubber tracks, it is blended, mixed and calendared to different compounds, thicknesses and hardness depending on the track for which it’s intended. Some synthetics are mixed here into the rubber for hardness and carbon is also used which gives the black color to the white virgin rubber and the green synthetics the carbon also aids in the wearing process of the rubber tracks and rubber pads.The mixing of the the rubber is called candering.
Once all components are ready the steel wire, cleats and rubber are placed in the vulcanizing press and go through a series of heating and pressure procedures to combine all three components producing a high quality rubber track this procedure can take up to 5 hours per track. The track is then trimmed and inspected for any defects before being shipped worldwide.
The multi stranded high tensile stainless steel wire is made up by 52 single pieces of wire, each piece of wire has been coated with copper which aids in the adhesion process during bonding. The copper coating gives the appearance of a mustard colour to the wire. The wire is then spun into 3.6 mm wire cable. Every batch of wire is tested for tensile strength at this stage.
The wire is then coated in the same rubber compound as the steel cleats to further enhance cable protection from corrosion and enhance the adhesive properties to meet and exceed the stringent OEM standards needed to produce top quality tracks demanded by OEM companies. This process is also missed out by most manufacturers.
First the steel cleats are individually cut from a single piece of steel bar, they are then press forged in to shape. Cheaper tracks cleats are made out of cast iron. The forged cleats are then heat treated through an OEM approved heating oven. It only takes 1 faulty cleat to ruin a track by being to soft and bending or too hard and cracking in half.
Cheaper tracks cleats are placed in a hot oil vat and heated to a specific temperature the problem with this type of manufacturing is the hardness is inconsistent from the oil being warmer at the base and being cooler towards the top giving a mixture of hardness types. The cleats are then individually checked electrically for any cracking and defects, they are then sand blasted and placed in a bath of rubber compounds and chemicals to coat them fully to aid in the vulcanizing process. Unfortunately this process is often missed out by the cheaper track manufacturers or the cleat simply is splashed with a rubber compound from a paint brush to keep the price down. About 70 percent of track failures I see are from cleats being pulled out of the track with no bonding of rubber present.
Be sure to measure and take note of the following:
Internal Running Roller Offset – the wrong offset results in a rough ride and ultimately cord damage due to oscillation
Rail Height – the wrong height can lead to the weight being carried at the outer flange directly onto the steel geaving (guide??) and eventually damage the cord cover
Rail Width – the wrong rail width will cause the track to float in excess side clearance to the roller, sprocket and idler centre guide and possibly lead to track dislodgement
Our specialists can be relied upon to give an honest assesement of any premature failure. Below are some examples are failed tracks and our explanation of what led to those failures.
Loose steel cleat no bonding of cleat to track rubbed through the steel bands
Loose steel cleat no bonding of cleat to track rubbed through the steel bands
Maintain correct tension at all times
Check undercarriage components for wear which may affect rubber track life
Avoid working in rock/ demolition sites which may cause track damage
Avoid working on oily surfaces, clean tracks immediately if unpreventable
Minimise sun exposure as much as possible
Avoid making sharp or fast turns, especially on uneven terrain
For more info - contact your local ITR Expert
The manufacturers’ names, numbers, symbols and descriptions are used for reference purposes only and it is in no way implied that any part listed is the product of the manufacturer.
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