I need information about how to put wood blocks on the tracks. I drive my OC-3 where there's only tarmac and concrete.
Which type of wood and bolts shall I use?
Thanks/Erik
Eric, this is just my opinion since I have not done this, but have seen it done--some with less than good results.
I have seen many with oak and the results are not good since oak splits very easily.
Use a wood with "interlaced grain". I suspect your pine may be a good candidate.
As for the bolts if you can tolerate any exposed metal use a carriage bolt. I am not sure what you may call them but the head is smooth with a square underneath that will lock into the wood when pulled tight.
If you can't tolerate any metal exposed then countersink standard bolts with flat washers.
What about some of that composite that is now used for board walks and patio decks. Its a plastic resin mixture that looks like wood and is very tough and abrasion resistant
I knew a ski place that took an HG-68 and bolted 2x4s on the tracks - each side they were about 3 feet wide - and then pulled a roller behind with 2x4s bolted to it also. The whole thing rode up on the snow and packed it down good. Worked pretty well, but I doubt they would have stayed on there on dry ground.
My suggesting for pads to run on pavement: you can get blemished farm tractor tires (brand new) that have had the sidewalls cut out and the tread rolled up. You just buy the tread. People use these to bolt onto steel wheeled tractors for tread and to run on the road. You could cut these into lengths that you could then bolt onto your track pads with carriage bolts and big washers. They would give you traction and would not hurt pavement. You might tear them off if you turn real sharp while pulling hard - not sure about that and depends how well you have them attached.
Erik, Landis Zimmerman in Pennsylvania sells rubber pads for the HG. They aren't cheap here. I suspect with the freight to you they would really be expensive.
If you are interested let me know and I will call Landis for a price. I just don't remember how much they are.
The material you are talking about is mostly polypropylene with wood filler.
I don't think it would stand up very long. Polypropylene is fairly soft stuff.
It would be pretty simple to put it on a couple of pads and give it a try--you will know pretty quick if it will work.
Just another thought. I am not sure of the properties of European Sycamore but North American Sycamore would be an excellent wood to use. It has an extremely intertwined grain and was used extensively to make the center hub of wood spoke wagon wheels because it is so resistant to splitting.
Your fir has similar grain but is rather soft.
If you have a tire retreader near you the rubber treads cut from a tire like Blake said would work the best. Any tire would work if cut into the length you need. The composite wood would come apart on your first or second hard turn.
Thanks! IÃ,´ll talk to my local tire retreader and see what I can find out.
Found some info on wooden pads on an IH T5.
http://www.eagle.ca/~guard/T5/RestoPics/sect5.html (http://www.eagle.ca/~guard/T5/RestoPics/sect5.html)
Erik