Half-track’s speed, ability close match with wheels

“We have given it a good test on dairy farms in Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia,” Kubota product manager Lars Pasedag says.

Based on the M126X four-wheel tractor, the Power Krawler has 400mm wide rubber tracks on the rear axle for a light footprint and big ground contact area. 

“Feeding out round bales during wet winter months and spreading fertiliser in hilly terrain, our customers have confirmed the handling [advantage] of the half-track over a conventional wheeled tractor,” Pasedag says.

Unlike full crawler vehicles, the M126X Power Krawler’s basic manoeuvrability and speed is nearly identical to that of standard four-wheel tractors, so there is no need for special operator training. 

The longer wheelbase, lower centre of gravity, and independently oscillating rear tracks improves stability and keep operators from bouncing on uneven terrain. 

“The M126X Power Krawler steers and drives just like a wheel tractor,” Pasedag says. “The front axle is identical to the wheel tractor and the rear rubber tracks do not leave scuffing marks on the ground when turning, which protects the soil.” 

The larger track footprint offers better traction, especially in wet and hilly conditions, which makes this tractor safe on hills, Pasedag says.

The Power Krawler’s rear weight is distributed over the larger surface area of the rear tracks, decreasing soil compaction by about 60% to that of a standard wheel tractor of comparable size; this results in better floatation and less damage to soil.  Stability and straight-line performance are also impressive, the company says. 

The synthetic rubber track has hard rubber lugs providing a smoother, quieter ride at higher speeds than typical steel lugs.  Both sides of the tractor are kept in contact with the ground via independently oscillating crawlers. 

Maintenance and changing the crawler tracks are simple because of the machine’s split-type drive sprocket design with rotating pins. “Experience from overseas suggests the tracks should last for between 2000 and 3500 hours depending on work load,” Pasedag says.  “A set of replacement rubber tracks is priced at about A$6000, versus a set of rear wheels that cost the end user about A$5000 per set.”

www.kubota.com.au