Soucy PUMA 115, User Manual

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9
SECTION 9 OPERATION
9.1 BREAK-IN PERIOD, NEW TRACK
CAUTION
STAY AWAY FROM A RUNNING TRACTOR OR ANY AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT.
NOTICE
CLOSELY MONITOR THE TRACK CONDITIONING PROCESS FOR THE FIRST 150 HOURS OF
OPERATION.
• An adequate break-in period is required to condition a new track. Use talc to condition a new track. If you do not have
talc handy, water, mud, snow, soft ground, and dust are lubricating agents able to accomplish such conditioning.
• A new track generates more heat in the wheel path and tread profiles than a conditioned track.
This is one more reason to condition a new track, thus preventing track failure or overheat.
• An inadequate break-in period can generate smoke and the smell of burnt rubber and rubber deposits on the track
and the frame. It may also cause damage to the inner side of the lugs, such as scuffing.
• To prevent scuffing, a new rubber track must be preconditioned BEFORE using it in the fields or on the road. A new
track should be preconditioned with dirt or some other non-caustic material. This is done by scattering a thin layer of
the material over the surface of the track and driving the system slowly for a short period. The dirt acts as a lubricant
and enhances the track conditioning process. Conditioning may need to be done more than once if the system is
used on the road for long distance dispatch.
• After initial conditioning, the system should be operated in the field to further condition the track. The track conditioning
process should be checked often for the first 150 hours of operation. After using the system in field conditions for a
while, the drive lugs will harden and better resist heat and scuffing.
• If accelerated scuffing should occur with high heat on the drive lugs, see the adjustment and alignment procedures
or contact your Soucy Track dealer.
9.2 USE OF TALC
• During the break-in phase, coat the track with talc. Talc acts as a dry lubricant. It prevents overheating and reduces
friction between wheel and track. You can procure talc from your tractor dealer (typical use is for treated seed planting
with pneumatic planter). Apply talc as follows:
• Sprinkle one cup of talc per track (in order to lubricate the contact surface between the side of the wheel and the
drive lugs) and drive the tractor for 2.5 km (1.5 mile).
• When traveling long distance, apply talc every 30 minutes of travel.
• Use talc as necessary when traveling long distance.
SOUCY TRACK SYSTEMS USER GUIDE A-8C0214-3-EN 135