The following chart shows the effect of
track link assembly bending stresses as
shoe width increases.
Sealed and Lubricated
Track Joint Life
The most costly effect of too wide shoes in
high impact conditions and/or steep terrain
is the loss of lubricant and seal life result-
ing in premature dry joints. The wider the
shoe, plus the higher the impact, the
greater the chance of a pressed track joint
“opening up,” allowing loss of lubricant.
The loss of lubricant occurs when the
bushing slides back and forth along the pin.
The clearance between the links created by
this “opening up” is called end play. End
play is permanent and can only be elimi-
nated by pressing the components tight as
at initial assembly or when track press
work is performed. For maximum lubricant
and seal life the machine should be
equipped with the narrowest possible shoes
which will provide adequate flotation.
In addition, shoes may have grouser cor-
ners cut off to reduce turning resistance and
bonding forces without loss of flotation and
with little loss of overall wear life.
Conclusion
Users should be aware of all the advan-
tages and effects in productivity and
wear/structural life factors when choosing
shoe width. If all the symptoms of wide
shoes are considered on the user’s machine
and the causes are explained then he will
be able to choose the shoe width based on
a better compromise between productivity
and wear life.
13
General Information
SHOE WIDTH