Contractors Hot Line February 7, 2025 | Page 29

rubber track may be your best option.
The metal track is made up of a continuous band of links called a crawler track or track chain( think bicycle chain) to which individual shoes are attached. This has an advantage in that a few shoes, or even just one, can be replaced when needed instead of having to replace the entire track. Metal tracks are quite a bit more expensive, but because of being able to replace individual shoes, they
last a lot longer than single-piece rubber tracks. Metal track shoes, also known as grousers, are long and narrow metal plates onto which one to three metal ridges are shaped, perpendicular to the plate. They are attached to the crawler with four square heavy-gauge bolts and nuts. The different number of ridges are for accomplishing different types of work.
Triple-ridge grousers are the most commonly used because they are the most versatile in terms of work applications.
The three ridges give them a higher level of flotation. They offer a balance between traction and smooth movement. They operate well on soft to medium-hard ground and provide stability without disturbing the ground excessively. Double ridge grousers provide a balance between the single and triple-ridge models. They allow for smoother turns and better handling while still providing good traction. They are typically used on excavators that do work on a variety of terrains. Single ridge grousers offer strong traction because of having less surface area for floatation and are able to dig deeper into the soil. They are commonly used when operating on hard or compact surfaces. Because of their strong traction, they are good for pushing or pulling heavy loads.
There are also specialized shoes that are designed for specific types of work. With heavy-duty shoes, the plates and ridges are thicker and stronger, providing higher bending and wear resistance. They are suitable for high impact and highly abrasive applications. With its low noise and vibration characteristics, the roadliner shoe, also known as the city shoe, is designed to operate easily and smoothly on asphalt, concrete and other paved surfaces.
Pros and Cons of Using Track Shoes
The benefits of using track shoes include improved tracwww. contractorshotline. com February 7, 2025 29