bolt on track cleats

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racingjoe66
40C crawler
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Location: NE Iowa

bolt on track cleats

Post by racingjoe66 » Fri Mar 26, 2021 8:23 am

Has anyone made bolt on cleats for there crawler? I just bought a 1974 JD 350B crawler loader with the 3 cleated pads. Me and my Dad were thinking of making bolt on cleats to go on top for more traction for in muddy conditions or places where needing more traction. I was thinking of C-Channel on each pad. Has anyone done something like this and have input or pictures to share or how they did it?

Thanks

B Town
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Re: bolt on track cleats

Post by B Town » Fri Mar 26, 2021 9:08 am

Hello Sir,

I have used bolts as ice chalks. Never used C channel or angle iron.

Here is a company that has a great idea. Not inexpensive.

https://montanatrackclaws.com/

Hope others weigh in

Best regards, Bruce

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Al Swearengen
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Re: bolt on track cleats

Post by Al Swearengen » Fri Mar 26, 2021 9:16 am

B Town wrote:
Fri Mar 26, 2021 9:08 am
Not inexpensive.

https://montanatrackclaws.com/

Boy, they are very 'proud' of those buggers, aren't they? :shock:
'99 450G 6-Way

racingjoe66
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Location: NE Iowa

Re: bolt on track cleats

Post by racingjoe66 » Fri Mar 26, 2021 9:46 am

I will have to check into them and price vs using c-channel. Thanks

JWB Contracting
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Re: bolt on track cleats

Post by JWB Contracting » Fri Mar 26, 2021 1:27 pm

I think you will be surprised how much traction street pads actually have. Why not try it out first before jumping to the conclusion it needs more traction.

We have 450C loaders with both street/loader and growser/dozer pads. It’s only in very muddy conditions there is much difference in traction.

On the loader hoe 450 we have ice lugs welded on every 4th or 5th pad. Not much height to the ice lugs (1/2 to 3/4 of an inch) but gives that machine enough traction in any condition.
Jason Benesch

John Deere 420, 430, 440 & 350C With 3 Point Hitch
John Deere 400G With Winch
John Deere 2010 Crawler Dozer
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77 Ford
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Re: bolt on track cleats

Post by 77 Ford » Fri Mar 26, 2021 2:00 pm

I have the street grousers and never been stuck and I was dragging the belly pan just 2 days ago. It was close but I made it out. The rut was taller than my knee lol.
JD- 450C track loader
Serial #208336T

racingjoe66
40C crawler
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Re: bolt on track cleats

Post by racingjoe66 » Fri Mar 26, 2021 7:01 pm

Thanks guys for the input. My dad wants to put the extra removable traction on them for when we are down in the river bottom pulling huge oak logs and other logs out of the river and such. And here at my place will be in a lot of solid wet blue clay as well. Right now its just seeing whats out there and getting ideas for down the road. Will deffinatly try them out and see how they are for traction.

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NWJD fan
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Re: bolt on track cleats

Post by NWJD fan » Wed Mar 31, 2021 4:52 pm

I have found the street pads to be poor in the snow particularly in mild conditions as the the snow packs flush with grouser tops. Some days the machine couldn't get out of its own way on pretty flat ground so I ended up caulking it with 3 inch wide by 1 inch tall grouser stock alternating 1 or 2 per pad and now it handles the snow much better. Scottybob has a post on here somewhere where he put tall bolts on his loader pads to increase traction for winter logging. My 350 straight parts manual actually shows some special bolts JD used to sell as traction aids.

B Town
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Re: bolt on track cleats

Post by B Town » Wed Mar 31, 2021 6:32 pm

NWJD fan wrote:
Wed Mar 31, 2021 4:52 pm
My 350 straight parts manual actually shows some special bolts JD used to sell as traction aids.
These chalk bolts are the same for 350 and 450. I priced a full set at Deere’s full price at ~$10 per bolt, 2 bolt per pad etc etc you get the point. This was app 10 years ago, thought I would save my money and circle back. Well, these special bolts are NLA from Deere, but the dealer did contact “Vintage Parts”. They have about 150 available at $125 per bolt. Quite a mark up, I am suspicious of creative accounting to make the business look better.

Best regards,

Bruce

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pop pop
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Re: bolt on track cleats

Post by pop pop » Fri Apr 16, 2021 10:30 am

i had figured on welding bars to the existing cleat, using 3/8 x 1" steel and just weld them on .
i didnt want to go too extreme but thats up to you,
i can picture a river bottom where 3" tall cleats would either get you thru it, or get you in so deep you need help.
BUT, try using a longer cable and stay on solid ground.
in my situation i was wanting more traction on very steep,loose embankment. :D
440icd/602/8a,,440icd/831/ripper,,440icd/831/3pt.,misc. 440 parts, i have 5 of these now, but i can stop anytime :cry:

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