Combines on Tracks

Have messed with JD tracks on 9870 STS along Arkansas River bottom / sandy ground in central Kansas. They help with floatation, reduce rutting, but are a pain to remove and install.
It seems pretty evident that if you need tracks, the Claas Lexion is the more durable system. It also has the best suspension system which makes for a nicer / smooth ride.

Has anyone looked after aftermarlet tracks? Someone mention ATI and Tidue, what do people think about them, anyyone used them?

I have run Deere tracks on 9770 STS for 2 years, switched to Soucy tracks this fall on both machines. The Deere's took 4.5 hours to install but the Soucy's are as easy as bolting on a wheel. The Soucy's require alot less maintenance and ride better than the Deere's. I am able to run in 2wd where the Deere's wouldn't go with 4wd.

is the ground speed with the tracks less then with wheels? And if you don't mind me asking how much does a set of Soucy tracks cost for a combine?

With the big tires road speed was 23.5, 15.5 with the tracks. $60,000 for a set of Soucy's

Soucy, nicest tracks we've used.

What width are they? and whats the support & reliability like?

The Soucy's are 30 inches wide and 11 feet long. We have almost 600 hrs on a set with no noticable wear. Haven't needed any parts yet but the salesman claims that parts are available overnight.

We ran a set of griptracs all season. Road speed was about 11.5. other than that we loved running them. Pretty much maintance free.

Does anyone know if any of John Deere tracks would fit on the 1990 John Deere 1177 Hydro 4 combine? It is a 2WD, stock tires are 24.1x26"? What modifications would be needed?
Also, any links to a video or pictures of track installation/conversion?
Many thanks guys

ksbeanfarmer said:

I have run Deere tracks on 9770 STS for 2 years, switched to Soucy tracks this fall on both machines. The Deere's took 4.5 hours to install but the Soucy's are as easy as bolting on a wheel. The Soucy's require alot less maintenance and ride better than the Deere's. I am able to run in 2wd where the Deere's wouldn't go with 4wd.

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So you have had Harain ones on your John Deere? Can you tell me ore about those? I am looking to switch my 1177 H4 to those, used ones? Anything I should pay attention to when getting used ones? I've also heard that a final drive(s) must be a Heavy Duty ones?

farmbuddy said:

Have messed with JD tracks on 9870 STS along Arkansas River bottom / sandy ground in central Kansas. They help with floatation, reduce rutting, but are a pain to remove and install.
It seems pretty evident that if you need tracks, the Claas Lexion is the more durable system. It also has the best suspension system which makes for a nicer / smooth ride.

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So that was the first generation John Deere tracks? Harain ones? I'm looking to get those used. How slower was the combine on those?
I do not have that much trouble as far as the field conditions, I'm just tired of replacing flat tires ( when you have 5 flat front tires in one season, you get a bit aggravated, and price of the tires add up quickl that way and make tracks look inexpensive ).

we used griptracs for this rice harvest they were heavy duty and maintance free.
a friend had ATI'S on a s680 which seem to bulldozer mud in front of them leaving 2 foot lumps of mud all through the paddock . he's very unhappy with them. Soucy seem to have trouble with the small rollers which need to be greased. griptracs run a sealed oil bathed roller .

We have, and used Jd tracks they were produce until 2001 we have the last model. The walked circles around ATI and Griptracs. I ran them for 4 years then removed them as it got dry. We only lost 1 mph on road as well. I cant stress how well the work!!The fit on 9600-9750s. I now have a 9870 and they will not fit on it

Thanks guys, I'm trying to get used Harain made for John Deere. Supposedly great system but very expensive.

Bojand, Why wouldn't you just put that money towards a newer combine and put duals on it?

JDfame said:

Bojand, Why wouldn't you just put that money towards a newer combine and put duals on it?

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I am in Europe now, and as far as I could find out, duals are not an option here
I might get a second combine, maybe imported from US with duals. This one I shall keep as it has a certain sentimental value....so therefore I wanted tracks and spiff it up a bit
Also, after 5 flat tires last season, changing front tires on combine is not fun and tires that way are as expensive as tracks

bojanb said:

Also, after 5 flat tires last season, changing front tires on combine is not fun and tires that way are as expensive as tracks

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Expensive as tracks?
Why so many flats?

Don Boles said:

Expensive as tracks?
Why so many flats?

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Good question. I've bought it used ( the combine ) and looks like someone has been taking one of the tires off...repair or something, and damaged the beed. It isn't a tubeless, so has been chewing on inner tube. And the guy who's been repairing it again and over again, did some damage to it due to incompetence. Bottom line, I am in the area where good service is hard to find, and if can't do it myself, it won't be done right. And I don't have that kind of a tire machine, to do tire that size. I have had a spare wheel with tire, but that one has been going bad too, but that one is Russian, so,... )))...the tire is.
Honestly, i'm sure if i'd buy new tires that problems would go away, but just the aggravation and fact that if anything goes wrong with a new one, i have no repair man skilled to fix it, lead me to tracks. Truth being told, I'm sure they'd mess up the new ones during installation