OTT tracks

[shewelt]

I have a 6635 with the rubber-pad OTT tracks, although this could be any skid. Adding these OTT tracks raise the tires about 1.5"-2" in height off the ground, because of the thickness of the track, pad etc. With the machine sitting higher, it raises the bucket lower edge the same height when level, which now is sitting about 1.5" above the ground. It's fine for general use of moving piles, reverse bucket dragging etc, but forces the bucket front edge now to pitch down at an angle for grading. This causes the bucket to catch and dig chunks out of the ground if you are not constantly careful and adjusting the angle as you attempt to grade Just curious on how others are dealing with this, as there is little info about it on the internet and the OTT track people make no mention of it (I'm sure they assume ignorance is bliss!). I'm planning to remove them just so I can use the machine as it's intended, since I'm sick of it catching & removing chunks of earth!

 

[Tazza]

I'm not a commercial operator, so my cutting with a bucket is never super smooth anyway, but i have found i need to adjust my bucket angle to cut anyway. As tyres wear, it will sit lower so i have found that it's just something i have had to live with.
With a bucket half full, it helps cut as well, as you have the weight to hold the cutting edge down and not bounce over the top till it bites and digs in.
One of those things you just need to fiddle with to find what works for you really.

 

[shewelt]

I'm not a commercial operator, so my cutting with a bucket is never super smooth anyway, but i have found i need to adjust my bucket angle to cut anyway. As tyres wear, it will sit lower so i have found that it's just something i have had to live with.
With a bucket half full, it helps cut as well, as you have the weight to hold the cutting edge down and not bounce over the top till it bites and digs in.
One of those things you just need to fiddle with to find what works for you really.

I removed the tracks and grading is so much better. The tracks raised the height, so bucket was always tilted down at slight angle. Tracks are off, bucket rides flat. Actually less damage to the ground without the tracks. Thought I'd update with the progress.