Track Tearing Problem

LuckyJ · Apr 29, 2011

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has ever had problems tearing tracks on a track machine. We have a CAT 257B II and it doesn't seem to matter what type of tracks we have (CAT, after market, steel cores, kevlar), we keep tearing them. I know the undercarriage on the 257 has been known to be a bit light/underbuilt for the weight of the machine but is there something we are doing wrong? Are the tracks too tight? Is it operator abuse? How much "play" should there be in the track? We have replaced most of the idlers/rollers but that didnt help. The rips seem to mostly start on an outside edge and it doesnt take long before it's ripped to the middle. The last set of tracks did only a bit of snow removal and tore when working in sand. I would say they had under 1000 hours on them. Any ideas what might be going on?

Thanks in advance.

zfrepair · Apr 29, 2011

sad to say its just a bad design

LuckyJ · May 2, 2011

THe 257 is a bad design or the tracks I'm buying are a bad design?

zfrepair · May 2, 2011

no the 257 with the asv undercarrige is a bad design

lgammon · May 2, 2011

1000 hours ......this is about the life of these tracks. i get a bit more, an asphalt guy here can't get 600

heavylift · May 2, 2011

excessive spinning in place. turning in it own radius.. narrow bucket , get a bucket 6" wider than tracks. 1000 hours TOO many Operators. lifting front of machine off ground ( 2 wheel drive all the weight on the back wheel of the track)
I ran a 247, I was the only operator for most part 1900... then it was farmed out to everyone 1100 on the tracks. first set was cat original, don't know the brand of the second.. And I used it on every surface there is

zfrepair · May 3, 2011

well i guess we know why they quit using them

LuckyJ · May 3, 2011

What about having the tracks "too tight"? How much play should their be. I heard if I press down on the top of the track, it should move about 1/2" to 3/4". Any thoughts on this?

zfrepair · May 3, 2011

sounds about right sounds like your doing everything right

LuckyJ · May 3, 2011

I'm thinking it's the "turning on a dime" part as we constantly check the tightness and have also replaced other components of the undercarriage. Disappointing none the less. May have to look at a different size/brand next time.

WV earth mover · May 3, 2011

90 lb of force shouldnt cause more than 1 '' of sag halfway from the sprocket to the front idler . 1000 hrs from what ive seen is good for any type of rubber track design. The steel cable style found on others may not be as torn after 1000 hrs but they will most likely be completly bald like the T 300 i ran last week that had the sprocket teeth sticking through the track that how much rubber was gone, it had 1100 hrs.

zfrepair · May 3, 2011

if you like the cat machines the new ones have the good designed tracks

cat943 · May 4, 2011

By luckyJ first post his machine is a 257b series 2 and than along with the series 3 has the different sprocket drive that is found on the 257 and 257b machines.
So luckyJ’s machine is the current design so getting a newer machine may not solve the problem that the 257 seams to suffer from…

One thing luckyj forgot to mention is it both or only one track that is ripping?

As for the track design I think it would have been better if the 257 had the track system that the terex pt70 has as the weight of both machines is about the same and would suit the 257 better

Looking at both the 257 and 247 I would say (only because I own one) the 247 is a far better machine than the 257 and more suited to the track system the 257 is just over half a ton heaver than the pt 60 witch uses the same track system.

The only changes between asv/terex and cat in the series 2 n 3 is the sprocket drive set up as for the rest of it its all the same system.

heavylift · May 5, 2011

concrete work is a killer on tracks in your guys don't care..

247 is the best little ctl in my opinion.

fast but fuel hungry, fuel tank too small. I like the suspension smoother ride
we had a 247 and 257 and the weight plus same engine size really slows the 257 down, enough that it is lappable

, I used to make the 257 operator mad because I kept telling him he was slow..

zfrepair · May 5, 2011

that undercarriage was designed for snow and dont last in dirt thats why cat uses a complete differant system now

WV earth mover · May 5, 2011

Cat still uses the asv along with steel type

zfrepair · May 5, 2011

ok maybe i'm wrong thought they switched my bad

BZ1 · May 30, 2011

Sorry for off topic but am new to forum and have some questions and can't find answers. Does anyone know how long new members have to wait before I can start a new thread? I just bought a used ASV 4500 and have some questions for smart people out there, track and undercarriage related. Sure like to start a thread on several topics.

Bubba · Jun 7, 2011

In my opinion you got to think about a rubber band when considering rubber tracks. "The more you stretch the rubber band the MORE stress is on it" therefore keep the least amount of pressure off the tracks that you can allow for the type of work application. When clearing you may need it tighter to prevent throwing a track than on a hard surface su h as loading trucks or operating on asphalt /concrete. Watch your operators and don't let him be a hotdog or showoff. It only will cost you excessive wear and TEAR.

Haddy · Jun 8, 2011

Not Cat but VTS

We have had a set of VTS tracks fitted to a Mustang 2109 ( 100 hp ) . One of the tracks broke after 500 hours , from what I could see it broke from the middle out , the wire was as rusty as #$%k . The rubber hardly worn at all , and they told us we had been too hard on them and using it on too harsh material , then they said that the machine had too much HP but they were the ones who spec'ed it . at the end of the day I think they were just BullS***ing us . One operator on this machine who I would consider a good , smooth operator and works in what I would think is good material . I would consider that the tracks had the correct tension on them any time I seen it and I work along side of it most of the time . Has any one else had simliar problem ? Haddy

Track Tearing Problem

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