TRACKING DOWN THE SOLUTION TO SOIL COMPACTION
by Lynn Van Maanen, University of Guelph and Greg Stewart, OMAF Com Specialist

The best solution for compaction is to prevent it from occurring. Reducing axle loads and tire inflation pressures, and increasing the tire footprint by using larger tires, duals or tracks are all good methods to reduce (but not eliminate) compaction.

Figure 1. Kevin and Duane Paton of Mount Elgin credit tracks for both traction improvement and compaction reduction.

Kevin and Duane Paton of Mount Elgin, Ontario first looked into using tracked tractors in 1988. They farm 1,800 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and vegetables such as peas, sweet corn and green and lima beans. Since their land covers approximately 7 square miles and soils can vary from black muck to clay, the Patons looked for a minimum 325-hp machine that would provide the needed traction. They found that the Caterpillar 75 C satisfied their standards and in 1995 bought their first one. Their second and third tracked tractors were purchased in 1997 and 2000, respectively. Then, in 2001, the Patons worked with RWF Bron in Woodstock to design and build a grain buggy with tracks.

Kevin and Duane are very satisfied with the improved traction and reduced compaction their tracked vehicles provide. Reduced slippage improves fuel efficiency and saves time. Duane estimates that they saved 50 hours of running time the first season they used tracks. Since their tracks only apply 5 psi to the soil, Kevin says "tracks allow us to cheat," i.e., they can travel across fields (without leaving ruts) that their wheeled-tractor

Figure 2. Putting tracks to work on both tractor and grain buggy.

neighbours perhaps could not. This allows a little more comfort when working in the small windows of operation for the vegetable crops, and also a greater opportunity to choose corn hybrids with maximum CHUs for their area. A tracked vehicle certainly handles differently from a wheeled tractor, but Kevin and Duane have no problems turning during planting. They can plant directly into the tracks and have seen no differences in corn emergence or growth.
The Patons manage their cropping system to reduce compaction where possible. They use a 90-foot boom to limit the number of footprints from spraying. The combine is outfitted with flotation tires inflated to 25 psi and is unloaded in the field into the tracked grain buggy. Kevin has used a hydraulic soil probe to measure compaction in the variable spots in his fields and notes that over time, those areas have become more even. They use a deep ripper after wheat and soybeans to further reduce compaction. The Patons know that their system cannot eliminate compaction, but they hope the compaction zone is shallower and more easily removed than with tires. Duane admits that it's tough to put a dollar figure on the value of different agricultural equipment. While research in Western Canada comparing tires vs. tracks has shown a 14 to 20% increase in yield for a track vs. tire system (Olds College 20021), the Patons have seen a 1-2% increase for their system. They admit that tracked vehicles are premium-priced, but note that it is probably fair, both in price and compaction or traction characteristics, to compare them to tractors equipped with triples. Part of the cost of building their tracked buggy was offset with the use of a used set of tracks. Kevin feels that they see less wear on cultivator teeth and seed disc openers due to reduced compaction. Also, the Patons find less maintenance is needed with tracks vs. tires. They need to check oil levels once a year and the track tension once every 4 or 5, but they do not need to check ballasting or inflation pressures every time they change equipment, like wheeled tractor operators should! Of course, narrow road widths are less of an obstacle for their tracked tractors, compared to tractors with duals or triples. Finally, as one landowner from their custom operation business told the Patons, "I like to watch you guys work my land. . . you're using the latest technology and not damaging the soil!" How do you put a dollar figure on a happy customer?

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