Crawlers can be any type of heavy-duty, outdoor equipment fitted with tracks instead of wheels. The term is most often used to refer to a heavy-duty tractor fitted with tracks but is also used to refer to anything from skid loaders to massive excavators that use a track system instead of four wheels. It's rarely ever absolutely necessary to use a piece of equipment fitted with tracks over wheels. But it's very often preferable to do so for both safety and efficiency.
The main advantages of crawlers over vehicles with wheels stem from the way the tracks allow the vehicle to move. In a muddy situation or where there is any type of slick surface, a crawler is a much better choice. That's because the track makes contact with more of the ground at one time than four wheels would. That allows for maximum traction over any type of surface but is especially good at offering more traction on mud, ice or snow.
If you look at wheel design for rough-terrain use and the appearance of the track, you'll see similarities as far as the ridges and tread. But only the bottom of each wheel makes contact at one time which offers a very small number of treads. The track extends along each side of the tractor allowing several treads to make contact with the ground at one time.
This works very well in a soft ground or mud situation because instead of four wheels which can sink, the track is one long surface with the weight distributed evenly across it. That offers more support for the vehicle and helps it move along rather than go down into the ground on the four contact points of the tires.
Another benefit of crawlers is that because of the way the tracks are designed, they do less damage to the ground as they move than wheels could. They compact the ground less beneath them than wheels. Because it's simply a larger surface in touch with the ground at one time, there's less sinking and gouging of the ground which leaves it a smoother surface for the other equipment and makes it safer.
Crawlers can be very small pieces of equipment or very large ones. The larger the equipment is, the more likely a crawler and track function is going to be helpful. When you think of large earth moving equipment like excavators that are typically moving over nothing but dirt after construction has removed trees and other obstacles, the benefits of tracks become clear. Construction can continue more easily after rain with crawlers because they're not hampered by the mud. And the construction area itself will be less bumpy and ridged when using crawlers than it would be using wheeled vehicles when the ground is wet or soft.
If you're considering crawlers, you do have to take into account the higher cost of the equipment and the higher cost of maintenance and repair because the track system is a much more complicated set up than wheels.
 |
1986 CATERPILLAR 931B TRACK LOADER - CRAWLER TRACTOR - GOOD UC - WATCH VIDEO |  |
US $14,900.00 | 1h 15m |
 |
Mead Speedcat,mini dozer, crawler,loader |  |
4 Bids | US $1,525.00 | 7h 33m |
 |
John Deere 550 Crawler, Tractor, Dozer with 6 way blade | |
7 Bids | US $9,500.00 | 8h 39m |
 |
2002 CAT 953C CRAWLER/LOADER | |
US $32,900.00 | 10h 49m |
 |
DRESSER DIESEL CRAWLER TRACTOR BULLDOZER TD8E 6-WAY ROPS INTERNATIONAL,CASE, | |
0 Bid | US $10,500.00 | 1d 5h 47m |
Photo Credits: Timitrius
Originally posted 2010-04-13 03:51:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Backhoe, Mini-Excavator or Excavator A backhoe is a piece of earth moving equipment designed for digging. There is a common misconception that the entire vehicle is known as a backhoe when actually it refers only to the attachment with the digger on the end. This two-part arm with its bucket used for digging is...... -
Fork Loader or Forklift Truck A skidsteer loader that is fitted with fork attachments is known as a fork loader. There are a variety of reasons why using a Fork loader might be preferable at any given time than using a forklift truck. First of all, a skidsteer loader is a very adaptable piece of...... -
Using a Pipe Threader A pipe threader is a piece of equipment that allows you to cut threads in the end of a pipe. It's a piece of equipment that uses dies that you can change out for different sizes to grind threads in the ends of different sizes of pipes. If you use...... -
Which Floor Sander Do You Need A floor sander is a piece of electrical equipment used to refinish or repair a hardwood floor. From the huge, heavy drum sanders down to a handheld edge sander, these are pieces of equipment that are necessary to give your floor a professional and smooth finish. There can be problems...... -
Taking DIY Disasters into Your Own Hands Watching home improvement television may inspire you to tackle your own home renovation projects, but just as quickly as you found the inspiration to get started, you will find yourself getting over your head. Every year, millions of Americans are tackling their own home remodeling projects, both large and small.......
- Crimpers Hand Tools Tools & Light Equipment Green Construction Store
- Larger Weeping Ornamental Grasses Plants, Seeds & Bulbs Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
- X-Type Jaguar Hybrid Cars & Trucks
- Ground Chippers, Shredders & Mulchers Outdoor Power Equipment Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
- Used Nordic Track Ski Machines Cardiovascular Equipment Gym, Workout & Yoga Exercise & Fitness
It's important that when you use a stump grinder you make sure that it's not an old and obsolete model. For instance, if you're going to rent a stump grinder to remove a tree stump in your yard or garden, be sure you're renting it from someplace that has up-to-date equipment. Some very old models of stump grinders aren't even safe. They're easy to distinguish from safe, newer models because of the way the cutting wheel is positioned.
