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Track recommendations for 287 Caterpillar

Gene LEEPER

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Nov 23, 2020
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8
Location
65018
What are some recommendations on where to get tracks? got 1300 plus hours and 10 years out of this set that was one it went i bought machine. Machine is not used everyday or as much anymore, so prefer a "cheap" track of the quality is half decent.
 

Mobiltech

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CM1995

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Running what I brung and taking what I win
Welcome to the Forums Gene!

From my experience running CTL's for almost 20 years now OEM Cat which is Bridgestone offers the best value for the price. They are not the cheapest by far but we've gotten 1500 hrs out of OEM on one of our 279's.

OEM tracks for a 279 run $1600 each plus tax which is $600 +/- more than the cheapest aftermarket. The best I have ever gotten out of aftermarket tracks is 500 hrs in the same working conditions - commercial site work including demolition. $600 for 1,000 more hours is a no brainer for our company. Just my $.02 your MPG may vary.
 

heymccall

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Feb 19, 2007
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White Oak, Pa
I'm the other extreme. On my 864H and TL150 machines (5 total), not a single OEM bridgestone made it past 800hours before breaking.

I've been running ITR tracks here. Some made 2500 hours. Not a single one went less than 1700hours.

Except, my OEM bridgestones on my SVL75 did go 2300 hours.
 

Gene LEEPER

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Nov 23, 2020
Messages
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Location
65018
Any track brands to run away from? Forgot to mention these will be going on a 287 cat with asv undercarriage
 

PeterG

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Apr 14, 2015
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Try Summit Supply. We have them on a few of our Takeuchi Machines and they seem to hold up fine. Might depend on what type of tread you are looking for. It's not like the OEM brand will never get cuts and tears or anything. It all depends on the operator and how you baby the machine.
 

Tags

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Feb 19, 2012
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1,610
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Connecticut
https://www.ontrac-parts.com/product/cat-287b-rubber-tracks/

The price on these caught my eye and they have a warehouse close to me.

Just remember, you get what you pay for. Those MTL machines do not like to be run in sharp rock or over cut stumps. If you buy cheap tracks and they only last 500 hours you're going to end up paying more in the end, plus, that thing is an absolute PIA to swap the tracks on. I had a 287B, was a fantastic machine until it would blow a hose or needed undercarriage work, I had to get rid of it before it caused me a nervous breakdown :eek:
 

PeterG

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Apr 14, 2015
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Seattle WA, United States
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Landscape Construction, General Contractor
One thing about the tracks for the 287 is that like the ASV they run smoother tracks which should be great on smooth soft ground for turns. The takeuchi tracks I have, have big c-lugs. I learned early on that it's best to operate back and forth. That's right forward and reverse! Those 180 degree turns WITH C-lugs eat up the ground and the tracks. Also not turning will stop rocks getting in the sprockets. I agree that you often get what you pay for. But aftermarket track companies wouldn't stay in business long with tracks breaking. Seems like anyone that wore out or broke a track with just 500 hours is doing something wrong. May be a negligent operator employee. Maybe bad sprockets, too much spinning circles on sharp objects, or not adjusting the tracks as they stretch. Also, anyone know if Bridgestone makes their own rubber tracks? They may sub that out to the same company making aftermarket tracks.
 

CM1995

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O Seems like anyone that wore out or broke a track with just 500 hours is doing something wrong. May be a negligent operator employee. Maybe bad sprockets, too much spinning circles on sharp objects, or not adjusting the tracks as they stretch.

Well the majority of those 500 hours I operated the machines specifically 2 Bobcat T250's. Maybe I'm negligent in my CTL operations or it could have been poor quality tracks...:rolleyes:

Amazing that we are getting 3 times the hours out of a better quality track in the exact same working conditions and operators.:cool:
 

PeterG

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Apr 14, 2015
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Seattle WA, United States
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So did the aftermarket tracks wear down, or just cut bad or both? Sounds like bad tracks. Might also depend on how hard the machine is used for such as digging demo etc. I mostly use CTL for moving material, very light digging, and loading. I did replace the tracks on my Toro Dingo, and decided due to the selection of aftermarket products out there, and for the fact I wanted to stick with the proven OEM tread pattern that it would be best to keep with the OEM tracks. So I replaced them with OEM Toro Dingo tracks. I'm sure Toro does not make them, but they seem to last long. They were also very expensive. For the best tread pattern and durability for the Cat 280, there may be be a minimal amount of aftermarket treads out there, so it may be best to stick with the OEM. In this case, Gene's has had his machine for ten years and doesn't use it that much. OEM tracks may not be needed or it may add no extra value to the machine if he goes to replace it.
 

CM1995

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Running what I brung and taking what I win
The problem we had was the cords breaking then the T-bones will soon rip the track into. We kept proper tension and changed the sprockets when the tracks were put on new.

The Bridgestone's on the 2 - 279's we have run in the same or worse conditions than the 500 hr tracks. Our 279's are production machines that run in commercial demo and site work jobs. Dif
 
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