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"High Flotation" Center Pivot Tracks
You can reduce center pivot wheel ruts and keep your pivot from getting stuck by equipping it with new rubber tracks, says Don Starr of Summerville, Ore.
His "Starr Trak" system, developed for use on his own farm, was introduced at the recent Spokane Ag Expo. The tracks are available in either 24 or 30-in. width
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"High Flotation" Center Pivot Tracks IRRIGATION Acessories 26-2-11 You can reduce center pivot wheel ruts and keep your pivot from getting stuck by equipping it with new rubber tracks, says Don Starr of Summerville, Ore.
His "Starr Trak" system, developed for use on his own farm, was introduced at the recent Spokane Ag Expo. The tracks are available in either 24 or 30-in. widths and are designed to mount over dual wheels. Traction is provided by a series of 1 by 2-in. metal bars spaced about 10 in. apart.
To install the tracks, you bolt an extension hub onto the original wheel to add a dual, deflate the original tire, then slip the track over it and re-inflate the tire. Then deflate the outside (add-on) tire, put it on the extension hub, and inflate it. A divider guide on the inside center of the track keeps it from slipping off the two wheels.
"It increases flotation, allowing the machine to roll more freely. Track depth in our heavy clay soils is only 2 to 3 in. compared to 12 to 24 in. using a high-flotation tire," says Starr. "The tracks run smooth and quiet, with no extra wear or vibration.
"The dual tires allow for uneven air pressure between the inside and outside tires, which allows them to run on the factory-designed angle without adding undue torque and stress to axles or to the axle's horizontal support tube. Another advantage is that puncture and sunlight damage is minimized, allowing for much longer tire life. The tires virtually never touch the ground. The horizontal traction bars allow water to move to the outside edges of the track instead of toward the center as with conventional tires. As a result there's less soil erosion on uneven terrain, as well as reduced rutting. Vegetation will even grow under the wheel track.
"The tracks may be used on the entire system or only on problem towers."
Total cost per tower, including wheels, extension hubs, and tracks, is $1,160 to $1,695. "If a farmer already has extra tires, the cost for extension hub and track only is $775 to $900 per tower, depending on tire size," notes Starr.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Starr Trak, 68196 Myers Road, Summerville, Ore. 97876 (ph 541 534-6185; fax 541 534-4009; E-mail: starrtrak@eoni.com; Website: www.starrtrak.com).
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