PROTRAC INSTALLATION MANUAL

&

USERS GUIDE

REV. 05052002

 

Congratulations on the recent purchase of your new Protrac over-the-tire track system. This user guide covers the proper installation and maintenance of your Protrac Rubber shoe /Magnesium shoe/Diamond Series from Industrial Tire and Wheel Consultants, Company.

 

Step 1:  Read all instructions before attempting to install tracks.

Step 2:  Verify that you received all of the items shipped to you.

Step 3:  Take all necessary steps to protect yourself from harm during installation.

Step 4:  Insure proper tension and installation before operating machinery.

 

Though track installation is fairly simple and straight forward, first time track users may require the help of an experienced mechanic/technician. If at any time you feel as though you may need help, please contact us at 770-760-1227. You may also acquire the help of your local dealer.

 

Experienced users will find that track installation takes no longer than 15-20 minutes per side.  New users may find that initial setup may take a few hours as they become familiar with the operation of the tools that come with the installation kit and that of the track system.

 

 

v     Always raise and block boom according to manufacturer’s instructions when mounting or dismounting tracks.

 

v     Turn machines engine off when the machine is not required to move during mounting or dismounting of tracks.

 

v     Wear gloves at all times! Never place hand, fingers, or body parts between track shoes or track units!

 

v     Do not attach ratchet to shoes when tensioning, hook them to the side of the chain assembly as depicted in the instructions.

 

v     Do not over tighten C-clamps when mounting or dismounting tracks.

 

v     Do not over tighten tracks or damage may occur to the machine.

 

v     Track tension should be checked regularly.  Sag should be kept between 1-3 inches.

 

v     Tracks should only be used with pneumatic tires. Full rubber or foam filled tires is not recommended.

 

v     Track clearance on the machine is the owner’s responsibility.

 

v     Track to tire fit and track tension is the owner’s responsibility.

 

v     Do not run the machine if the tracks are not set to the recommended tension.

 

v     Good quality stiff sidewall tires are always recommended to ensure proper wear and operation of your New Protrac. Warranty/Guarantee does not cover the use of low grade/generic tires.

 

 

INSIDE: 2 -- C-Clamps 1 -- One-way ratchet 1 -- Extension 1 -- 19mm socket 1 -- Socket for allen wrench 1 -- Straight allen wrench Also incl.  spare bolts and lock washers

 

C-clamps hook on to side of track unit flange to compress track for ease if installation and removal of tracks.	One-way ratchet used to tighten/loosen shoes and/or pin bolts. 3-inch extension included.
Socket drive for straight allen wrench is included to remove shoes. Refer to FIGURE 1 to the right.	FIGURE 1 This item is to be used in combination with hand or air ratchet.
Example of how ratchet is attached to C-clamps.	Ratchet is unidirectional just flip the ratchet around to loosen or tighten.

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

1)     Install wheel spacers, boom stop, and make any other adjustments to the machine if required. Take all necessary precautions to protect yourself.

 

2) Disconnect one unit from the track assembly and use it to check for track clearance before you continue with installation.  If you are having a problem with clearance please call us at 770-760-1227 for help.

 

	3) To avoid death or injury raise and block boom of machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  OPTION: You may deflate tires 10%-50% from recommended air pressure to make track installation easier. ** After track is installed, re-inflate tires to recommended pressure. **
	4) Place track rolls next to each other in front of the machine.  After the rolls are aligned with the front tires of the machine, unroll the tracks parallel to each other.  To avoid injury do not place hands or fingers between track shoes at anytime and always wear gloves!
	5) Check to make sure that both tracks are parallel and of equal distance to the machine.  To straighten tracks pull on opposing track ends and remove as much slack as possible.
	6) Now slowly drive the machine over the tracks as straight as possible. You may also do one side at a time opposed to both until you familiarize yourself with the system.

 

	7) Remember both rubber and steel tracks are directional. The tip of the “V” should face the direction the machine would travel when moving forward.
	8)  Once you’ve lined the machine in the middle of the tracks fold the chains over the front tire.
	9) Now do the same and fold the other end of the chain over the rear tires.
	10) Now examine one of the track units and notice the location that the dog-bone links and pins connect.  The lip is the location you will fasten the C-clamp to. NOTE: V3 users will need to hook C-clamp from the inside.
	11) Now is the time to examine the MEASUREMENT GUIDE on the last page of this manual to help determine whether or not you need to remove any track units. Use both C-clamps and attach them to the sides of the track you want to connect together.  NOTE: V3 users will need to hook C-clamp from the inside.
	12) This image illustrates how one end of the C-clamp hooks onto the side of the track unit flange.  NOTE: V3 users will need to hook C-clamp from the inside.
	13) Now attach the ratchet to the extension and begin to tighten both ends into one another. NOTE: V3 users will need to hook C-clamp from the inside.
	14) Make sure you tighten both clamps evenly to ensure proper alignment.
	15) **IMPORTANT** In order to get all of the slack out of the track system as you tighten the clamps. You may want to slowly move the machine forward and back. Letting the clamps ride between and on top of both tires.  Then tighten the clamps through each progression. DO NOT LET THE CLAMPS ROTATE AROUND THE TIRE WHILE DOING THIS PROCEDURE OTHERWISE YOU MAY DAMAGE YOUR TRACKS!!!
	16. Once both ends are together. Align the dog-bone link with the bolt hole and insert the pin. Secure this in place with the lock washer and nut. Protrac V3 owners who have the forged steel link and pins set will use the cotter pin setup.
	17) After the tracks on the left and right side of the machine have been connected drive the machine forward 15-20ft. and backwards to its original position.  Complete this process twice.   DO NOT TURN MACHINE until the next step is completed otherwise damage may occur to the track chains and/or machine. ** Now check the track clearance and make sure the track is not touching the machine body or boom. **
	18) After returning to the machines original position lie a straight edge across the top of the track and measure the distance. The sag should be measured from the base of the shoe to the bottom of the straight edge.  The suggested sag on steel shoes is between 1-3 inches.

19) If the sag measured is more than 3 inches then repeat steps 16-22.

 

20) Once the track has been adjusted to the proper tension DO NOT FORGET to re-inflate your tires back to the recommended air pressure.

RUBBER SHOE OWNERS REMEMBER: Use discretion when operating your loader with RUBBER shoes. Though they are very strong, rubber can be damaged in some environments. Take care to inform your machines operator(s) of the proper use of your new Protrac.

 

If you have any questions about Protrac for skid steers please call 770-760-1227.

 

The break in period for your new set of ITWC Protrac is twenty hours. Check and readjust the tension of your track as needed.  Then do a follow up check on the tension regularly at 100 hour intervals as your tires wear. This will help insure its proper operation for years to come.

 

When troubleshooting your tracks, always take all necessary precautions to protect yourself from harm (wearing gloves, blocking boom, shutting machine down…etc.)

 

Feel free to contact our help line or your sales representative if you have any warranty related questions or if you need out-of-warranty replacement items.

 

Refer to our web site regularly for new information regarding addendums to this Users Guide and Installation Manual.

 

We would love to here from you! Have you done something amazing with your new set of ITWC Protrac? Do you have pictures or video of the amazing feat? Do you want a picture of your machine placed on our webs site? We want to hear about it! Please contact your sales representative or mail items to:

 

Industrial Tire and Wheel Consultants, Co.

1721 Old Covington Rd NE

Conyers, GA 30013

 

E-mail: larry@rubbertrax.com

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: This Measurement Guide is only to be used as a guide. Final determination of correct tension and operation is ultimately up to the operator. Please contact our Help Line 1-704-948-8109 or your sales representative for additional help.              

 

-- After pulling the excess sag out of the track by hand and the distance between the two ends is less than 3” you may now use the clamps and try to connect the track. 

 

-- If the track is too long please use the following instructions:

 

1)     Remove one-track unit at a time untill you create a gap between the two ends you are trying to connect.  (If the gap is larger than 7” you will need to replace a unit.)

 

2)     With as much sag taken out of the track by hand, measure the distance between the two ends.  

 

3)     Subtract this measurement from 7” and use CHART 1A to decide how many adjustments to make.

 

4)     Now attach one-track unit back to your track chain and make your short hole adjustments. Only adjust one pair (front/back holes) of adjustments per track unit.

 

 

Chart 1A

Adjustment holes	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Distance closed	¾”	1½”	2¼”	3”	3¾”	4½”	5¼”	6”	6¾”	7½”

One short hole adjustment is equal to ¾”

One complete track unit with its two links is 7”

 

*** BREAK IN PERIOD ***

Remember to re-adjust the tension of your New Protrac 1-3 times within the first 20 hours of use, as metal components will wear into one another and that of your tires.

CHECK YOUR TRACKS TENSION REGULARLY.