AN interchangeable track system from Canadian manufacturer Elmer is now available in Australia.
Designed to be transferred between machinery, Transfer Tracks can reduce costs and lighten the compaction load.
Importer, John Warr of Waringa Farming, said the system eliminates the need to invest in a set of tracks for every machine – which compounds the initial investment value.
Bolted onto the existing hub with a standard 10 stud agricultural pattern, they can fit air carts, trailed fertiliser spreaders and chaser bins and will be tested on a trailed sprayer.
Mr Warr said the system shown fitted to the 34 tonne Elmer chaser bin could be removed and fitted to a trailed spreader in about 30 minutes.
He said farmers could then reduce new machinery costs by specifying machines without wheels.
“The idea is that I will be using the tracks all year round on different equipment.
“We are spreading in February, March, April and and then seeding in April, May and June and then spreading fertiliser in-crop and then moving into harvest.
“I met Elmer’s in North America at a farm show and liked the concept and thought that’s just what we need over here and it has evolved since January this year.”
Mr Warr, who also distributes the Irish made Agri-Spread spreaders in Australia and North America, said the Transfer Track system would fit most implements and offered better flotation and less ground pressure.
“Tracks offer 53 per cent less ground pressure and 20pc less soil compaction compared with a tyre and they are 50pc easier to pull.”
Elmer’s says the system offers three times more flotation than 900/60R32 hi-flotation tyres and reduces drag – claiming a fuel consumption reduction of up to 15pc by reducing pulling resistance.
“The better the air seeder, grain cart or fertilizer caddy floats, the less work the tractor has to do to pull,” the company says.
The system is fitted with hydraulic accumulator belt tensioning to maintain track alignment and pivoting mid rollers for weight distribution on uneven surfaces.
The heavy duty oil bath hubs feature a large site glass for daily checks, and the low profile track lug is designed to reduce berming.
“You’re going to get some berming but not too much,” Mr Warr said.
Fitted to an Elmer 34 tonne chaser bin on display Mr Warr said they looked “deceptively simple” – which is the appeal.
Tracks are currently 91 centimetres (36 inches) but 76cm versions are on the agenda.
Mr Warr said he was going to run the 76cm tracks on his chaser bins for this harvest and “once they are right they’ll be available next year.”