Correct track direction

[John Morkovsky]

I have a 420C with full grouser tracks.. Which contact the ground first, the "blade" or the flat part of the pad ? In looking at the various pictures of crawlers on this site it seems that tracks are installed both ways. Which way is correct and what damage is done by running tracks backward ?

John M.
420C , 70LP ,530LP (Conver ), 730DE

[JD440ICD2006]

In forward motion, the blade should strike first. I asked why this is important as most crawlers and dozers go about as much in reverse as they do forward.
I cannot recall why it makes a difference.

[Ray III]

It matters because the real force is being exerted in the forward direction. Reverse is just for backing up. The only time I put a lot of strain on it in reverse is while backing up very steep hillsides and I try to avoid that.

[wwattson]

There's been a few posts on the topic. Here's one that might help you.

http://www.jdcrawlers.com/messageboard/ ... php?t=1981

Bill

[The Fireman]

If you look at the pads from the side you'll see that on the grouser end the pad curves down. this meshes under the up curved part on the back when thet pads are flat on the ground. If the pads are on the other way up curve on the back will pull dirt into the track as they hit the ground and iff you spin the track it will really pull the dirt in.

The only exception to this is the early crawlers, the curved end still needs to hit the ground so that it dosnt pull the dirt in but on those (MC for instance) the pads are a stamped design and the grouser is on the back.