9 t wide tracks

[doobin]

I'm sure I've asked before, but what's the consensus on wide tracks on a 9 tonner? I could use more flotation for sure, it's front heavy with the angle blade and the triple boom. I've decided to keep the angle blade working and make up some extensions for it. It's very handy when road building.

So basically we either start 800 or 600 pads, and cut one side down to allow for the blade rams. Ending up with either 525mm or 625mm per side. Will it make turning much harder? Or easier as it's not digging in on the tracks so much? Anyhting else to consider? I think it will still be fine for tranport but will check with the firm who move it on their lorry.

I'm thinking to start with 800mm pads and it it's 'too much' then I can unbolt the pads and trim them down on a wet winter day.

 

[V8Druid]

that is tight!! ... which is less effort, cut down or re-drill?

 

[doobin]

that is tight!! ... which is less effort, cut down or re-drill?

Evidently cut down. Bloke seems to know his stuff.

 

[V8Druid]

Evidently cut down. Bloke seems to know his stuff.

?????? bloke??

 

[doobin]

?????? bloke??

Guy who is supplying and fitting.

 

[craig]

As long is its under 2.9m or less than 305mm overhang, it will be ok without a notification.

 

[Storrsy]

Just to be devil's advocate here. Steels yes but wide tracks. Suppose it depends where your working but sometimes can be a hinderance in stumpy or rocky ground. Will you widen the blade to match?

 

[doobin]

Just to be devil's advocate here. Steels yes but wide tracks. Suppose it depends where you’re working but sometimes can be a hinderance in stumpy or rocky ground. Will you widen the blade to match?

Yes, will widen blade. I feel I need at least some more flotation than the 450 rubbers currently offer. Won’t generally be around stumps (unless pulling them out!) or rocks- the most we have here is soft chalk and sandstone.

 

[Gunners]

You know, the person to talk to about this is Shovelhands. He's done it very nicely on his 86c, but didn't go for the angled blade for exactly this reason.

 

[Canal Navvy]

Wet week in the workshop and re-engineer the frame for the blade
Be nice to keep the pads a bit more equal and not go too wide for transport

 

[Storrsy]

Do you actually use the angled blade much? All looks terribly vulnerable with the ram positioned there on the side

 

[Furniss]

Yeah +1 i think id loose the angled blade - weight, compromises the wide tracks and also vulnerability

 

[JD450A]

Wide tracks are overrated in my opinion. But that's just me.

 

[doobin]

Wide tracks are overrated in my opinion. But that's just me.

I'm sinking too much on the 450s. Often working on very soft sand on healthland etc.

Not looking to be the next LGP E****** here... just a bit more flotation than the 450s.

 

[Lancs Lad]

Wide tracks are overrated in my opinion. But that's just me.

Isn't there an LGP specialist we could ask....

 

[doobin]

Do you actually use the angled blade much? All looks terribly vulnerable with the ram positioned there on the side

How? The ram is hidden between the track frame and the blade. That's like saying your tracks look terribly vulnerable?

Yeah +1 i think id loose the angled blade - weight, compromises the wide tracks and also vulnerability

I've decided to keep it for now! It's surprisingly useful- even just when stabilising the machine on unven ground.

 

[doobin]

Isn't there an LGP specialist we could ask....

Good job I got my post in first!

 

[doobin]

You know, the person to talk to about this is Shovelhands. He's done it very nicely on his 86c, but didn't go for the angled blade for exactly this reason.

He's not logged in for nearly a year, I hope he's OK.

 

[doobin]

Wet week in the workshop and re-engineer the frame for the blade
Be nice to keep the pads a bit more equal and not go too wide for transport

I don't see how I can engineer the blade and rams any better than JCB have from the factory sadly. I appreciate it's a compromise.

 

[doobin]

525mm is a 16% increase in footprint from 450mm.

625mm is a 33% increase.