Challenging harvest conditions are becoming a common occurrence in many cropping areas as growers seek to extend the growing season to its fullest by using full season varieties, double cropping, etc. All of this while having to always cover more ground with the same equipment.

Soucy S-TECH 1000X tracks on combine harvesters provide a flexible solution to harvest crops even in the most difficult conditions without rutting or soil damage. Not only can the combine go across wet fields where tires can’t, but it can do it with minimal field damage. Ground pressure can be maintained at under 12 psi even for front axle loads exceeding 80,000 lbs, allowing equipment to travel over saturated soils with ease. Tracks can provide three to four times as much contact surface as dual tires (depending on size). In addition to reducing ground pressure, tracks offer that much flotation while keeping a narrow width, reducing the amount of soil surface affected by traffic and soil compaction.

Undercarriage geometry and pivots locations are optimized on this new track system so that it will climb out of mud in soft soil conditions, without digging in. Walking tandems allow the undercarriage to closely follow ground contours and spread the load evenly on the rubber track. They also smooth out the ride, offering the operator improved comfort on the road and in the field compared to rigid undercarriages.

The long footprint of tracks also provides better header height control and stability, unlike tire sidewalls which will flex under load or when hitting a bump. It becomes possible to cut closer to the ground at higher speeds.

Rubber tracks on the Soucy S-TECH 1000X are designed specifically for harvest applications. The aggressive tread pattern offers an ideal combination of traction in wet soils and self-cleaning capabilities. The durable single piece compression-moulded track provides optimal field productivity without sacrificing road performance.

A bolt-on solution like the S-TECH 1000X provides the additional advantages of being easily installed and removed; just take the tires off and bolt the tracks on. They can be fitted on most popular combine models in North America; you can trade your combine and keep your tracks for use on the new machine. The large drive sprocket offers road
travel speeds reaching 17.5 mph (depending on combine model and specifications) to maximize productive harvest time. No special gearbox or final drive is required to achieve that maximum speed.

A major evolution of rubber track systems for combines has been improvements to the overall maintenance schedule improving uptime in the critical harvest window. The new S-TECH 1000X does not require any daily or weekly lubrication, making daily inspection and maintenance a breeze. Oil bath hubs with clear caps offer a quick and easy way to check oil levels, with oil changed annually. Mud and debris accumulation has been reduced significantly thanks to the central frame design and angled surfaces, minimizing the amount of cleaning required.
Tracks can provide great value during harvest, especially with uncertain weather and large acreage to harvest. They can become the insurance policy you need that will make the difference between getting the crop in or losing it in the field. Find more information about S-TECH 1000X and Soucy track systems on soucy-track.com.