Combines tracks

I haven't actually driven a lexion with tracks but one of the big farms in our area has two 460's both on tracks. They seem to be quite good in staying up in wetter conditions and I haven't heard of them sticking one yet!! The main problem with them is that they are very slow at turning. As I understand, the set up is not like that of a tank where when turning one track goes forward and the other in reverse, but with this system one of the tracks is restricted but still goes forward. The machines therefore need a large headland to turn on, and it seems a lot slower than a wheeled combine. The other problem is when transporting the machines on the road. With the tracks they are a lot slower than wheeled combines, so if you have a lot of roading to do between farms or fields then this will restrict capacity again. I think the tracks can only be used on the lexions but am not sure, they can relatively easily be swapped from lexion to lexion. Hope this is of some use.

We have a 465 (tracks)and have not been able to get it stuck yet. We ran 30 acres of soybeans planted on muck for a neighbor. It was a couple of days after it rained and if you walked across the field you sank in to your ankles. All we left were a few track marks. I was very Impressed. As for headlands we were planting 24 30" rows. Due to the tracks we went to 36 rows. The combine will trun in 24 rows if you use the brakes. However it will scuff alittle in the process. This is not a big deal unless you no-till. As for road speed ours does a wild 17 miles per hour. Also the tracks ride is rather rough. Also you might look around at your local bridges. We have one we can not cross. The combine is about 11 feet wide with the ladder up. As for changing tracks from one thing to another... don't. Those suckers are real heavy and hard to move. We changed a set of tracks on our auger cart. They weighed 1300 pounds each and it took all day for 5 people and a lift truck.

I have an F3_M3_l3 brochure from 1983, and it showed one of em slogging through a rice field in tracks.(factory option). I dont recall ever seeing the factory(key word) option for tracks in any N Series or later brochure. I'm sure you could have them installed by someone in some way,shape, or form. My dad has 18.4 38 duals on his R-62, and it handles really well in mud. Much better than the 30.5's did. When it did rut, it generally left two mild cuts on each side of the machine, whereas with the singles, there was one huge gorge on each side afterwards. He also has rear wheel assist. I'm gonna hope that my 23.4 singles get my l3 by if it gets muddy this year. (no RWA) let's both hope that neither you or I need to even THINK about tracks when harvest gets here

I've got a R-62 with 20.5_42's and no RWA. I had a helluva time last fall getting my corn out, but never had to hook on to it to pull it out of the mud! I was very suprised, she gets around very well with out RWA. What I have come to realize about RWA is if you can't make it through, you'll go get the big Iron out to get her out. Without RWA she'll nearly always back out, so you can go round and get it from the other direction. I've run this combine since "96 and I've only had to lead her once, and that's not bragging, just a little luck, and knowing when to backup Good luck this year, guys, looks like we may need it!!lOl Dale Walker SC MI.

I agree that if you get big enough tires or duals on the front of the machine, 4WD doesn't bring much more to the party. Do you have large tires on the rearIJ If not, I would look at 28lR26 radials. They will let you always back out (I thinkIJ).

I'm also looking for a used set of John Deere rubber tracks for a 9600. The GripTrac set is about $30,000 new. Kip

In Reply to: tracks posted by nod on October 17, 2003 at 16:34:31: We have used some custom fabrications from Gilbert and Riplo (www.griptrac.com),but they have a variety of bolt on options. Fred Riplo is good to work with and their custom work has always been excellent.

JD no longer offers factory tracks due to low demand, but we have a couple of people in our area that are running them for the 3rd year now. They bought them a couple of years ago when the weather got really wet and have kept running them. They say they ride really smooth in the field.

Where are you at IJ

west central illinois. macomb area