Overview of the design and technology of manufacturing the rubber-reinforced track

The article provides an overview of the main types of movers for construction and agricultural machinery. The main advantages and disadvantages of rubber-reinforced tracks are analyzed. The world leaders in the production of rubber-reinforced tracks such as Bridgestone, Morooka, Yanmar (Japan), Skega (Sweden), Foremost (Canada), Valmet (Finland), Caterpillar (USA) have been established. The design and manufacturing process of a typical rubber-reinforced caterpillar are considered. It has been established that the most science-intensive and high-tech operation of the technological process of manufacturing rubber-reinforced tracks is vulcanization. Vulcanization is carried out at an upper temperature limit of 143 ºС. The optimum vulcanization time is 25 minutes. Optimum curing temperatures and times depend on many factors, such as track design and dimensions. The final operations are extraction, cooling and inspection of the finished product. Along its entire length, the track must have a thickness that does not exceed the permissible values. Defects on the tread and steel inserts are not allowed. The service life of rubber tracks is directly dependent on careful control of the track tension. If the tension is weak, the track can jump off and burn, and if it is too tight, it will wear out faster.