Tigercat

Focus on Forest Engineering 2011

Traction Aids – Tracks, tyres, band

tracks and wheel chains: What should we

use where, for which machines are they

suitable and what other factors need to

be considered?

Gary Olsen

International Sales Manager

November 2011

Tigercat Table of Content

A brief history of traction aids and devices

Tyre selections for traction devices

The use of chains

The use of bogie and individual tyre tracks

The drawbacks of traction devices

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First forged chain production was in Sweden in 1912

Chain was largely used for the lashing of logs when

being floated on the rivers

With the improving standards of road more wood was

being transported by truck and in the forest by

agricultural tractors

To increase the flotation of forest tractors, they were

often equipped with an extra pair of wheels and a

caterpillar track

A brief history of traction aids and devices

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First full production facility for tracks was established in

the late 1950’s

They were designed with two objectives:

1. For flotation in the wet thawing out period during

spring and early summer

2. For traction during the frozen winter

There are numerous brand names available today like

Olofsfors, Pedno and Clark Tracks.

A brief history of traction aids and devices

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Multiple tyre sizes and appropriately

designed bogie tracks for traditional

forwarder tyre tread patterns

Tyre selections for traction devices

ELS Pattern TRS Pattern

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Traditionally on forwarders and bogie skidders with

non-aggressive style tread pattern meant for

flotation

Tyre selections for traction devices

Tigercat Tyre selections for traction devices

Typical aggressive skidder tyre

tread pattern

Suitable for chains

Suitable for individual tyre

tracks

Susceptible to damage if

there is slippage inside the

traction device

Tigercat The use of chains

SUPER GRIP RING CHAIN

Tigercat The use of chains

DOUBLE MULTI-RING CHAIN

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DOUBLE-DIAMOND SPECIAL CHAIN

Tigercat The use of chains

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Tigercat The use of bogie tracks

The physical effect of bogie tracks:

Tigercat The use of bogie tracks

Gives the soil added protection

Reduces ground pressure and increases flotation – less

ground compaction

Increases traction – reduced slippage

Can reduce wear to the drive train

Improves stability when loading and unloading

The advantages of using the right tracks:

Tigercat The use of bogie tracks

Can improve the life of your tyres considerably

Reduced damage to superficial root systems

compaction

Reduces the amount of rutting that can occur just with

bare tyres

Gives improved stability when driving

The advantages of using the right tracks:

Tigercat The use of bogie tracks

Tigercat The use of bogie tracks

Tigercat The use of bogie tracks

Tigercat The use of bogie tracks

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Tigercat The use of individual tyre tracks

Gives the soil added protection

Reduces ground pressure and increases flotation – less

ground compaction

Increases traction – reduced slippage

Can reduce wear to the drive train

Adds ballast in a front tyre only application

Improves machine slope climbing ability

The advantages of using the right tyre tracks:

Tigercat The use of chains

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Can cause damage to road surface

Additional weight means increased “payload” with greater

fuel consumption - trade off

In some cases where they are used together with constant

and excessive use of differential locks they can cause drive

line and axle damage

If used incorrectly or not maintained they can cause instant

and severe tyre damage

The drawbacks of traction devices

Tigercat The drawbacks of traction devices

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There are always limits to machine capabilities and operators

will find them

Questions or comments