Tigercat
Focus on Forest Engineering 2011
Traction Aids – Tracks, tyres, band
tracks and wheel chains: What should we
use where, for which machines are they
suitable and what other factors need to
be considered?
Gary Olsen
International Sales Manager
November 2011
Tigercat Table of Content
A brief history of traction aids and devices
Tyre selections for traction devices
The use of chains
The use of bogie and individual tyre tracks
The drawbacks of traction devices
Tigercat
First forged chain production was in Sweden in 1912
Chain was largely used for the lashing of logs when
being floated on the rivers
With the improving standards of road more wood was
being transported by truck and in the forest by
agricultural tractors
To increase the flotation of forest tractors, they were
often equipped with an extra pair of wheels and a
caterpillar track
A brief history of traction aids and devices
Tigercat
First full production facility for tracks was established in
the late 1950’s
They were designed with two objectives:
1. For flotation in the wet thawing out period during
spring and early summer
2. For traction during the frozen winter
There are numerous brand names available today like
Olofsfors, Pedno and Clark Tracks.
A brief history of traction aids and devices
Tigercat
Multiple tyre sizes and appropriately
designed bogie tracks for traditional
forwarder tyre tread patterns
Tyre selections for traction devices
ELS Pattern TRS Pattern
Tigercat
Traditionally on forwarders and bogie skidders with
non-aggressive style tread pattern meant for
flotation
Tyre selections for traction devices
Tigercat Tyre selections for traction devices
Typical aggressive skidder tyre
tread pattern
Suitable for chains
Suitable for individual tyre
tracks
Susceptible to damage if
there is slippage inside the
traction device
Tigercat The use of chains
SUPER GRIP RING CHAIN
Tigercat The use of chains
DOUBLE MULTI-RING CHAIN
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DOUBLE-DIAMOND SPECIAL CHAIN
Tigercat The use of chains
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Tigercat The use of bogie tracks
The physical effect of bogie tracks:
Tigercat The use of bogie tracks
Gives the soil added protection
Reduces ground pressure and increases flotation – less
ground compaction
Increases traction – reduced slippage
Can reduce wear to the drive train
Improves stability when loading and unloading
The advantages of using the right tracks:
Tigercat The use of bogie tracks
Can improve the life of your tyres considerably
Reduced damage to superficial root systems
compaction
Reduces the amount of rutting that can occur just with
bare tyres
Gives improved stability when driving
The advantages of using the right tracks:
Tigercat The use of bogie tracks
Tigercat The use of bogie tracks
Tigercat The use of bogie tracks
Tigercat The use of bogie tracks
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Tigercat The use of individual tyre tracks
Gives the soil added protection
Reduces ground pressure and increases flotation – less
ground compaction
Increases traction – reduced slippage
Can reduce wear to the drive train
Adds ballast in a front tyre only application
Improves machine slope climbing ability
The advantages of using the right tyre tracks:
Tigercat The use of chains
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Can cause damage to road surface
Additional weight means increased “payload” with greater
fuel consumption - trade off
In some cases where they are used together with constant
and excessive use of differential locks they can cause drive
line and axle damage
If used incorrectly or not maintained they can cause instant
and severe tyre damage
The drawbacks of traction devices
Tigercat The drawbacks of traction devices
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There are always limits to machine capabilities and operators
will find them
Questions or comments