Periodic Storage. BALZER FIELD FLOATER 6

MAINTENANCE

Track Maintenance (Continued)

Cleaning the Tracks

To clean the rubber tracks, use non-petrol based cleaning agents such as soap and water. Questions regarding the rubber track’s compatibility with specific chemical agents should be directed to Goodyear.

Rotate Tracks

If uneven lateral wear is noticed, rotate the tracks from side to side. This is particularly true in situations where the track exhibits accelerated wear on either the extreme inboard or extreme outboard edges .

Periodic Storage

When a rubber tracked machine is to be stored, the following recommendations should be considered. If storing for longer than

three (3) months, the guidelines presented in Long Term Track Storage (see Page 11) should also be considered.

Avoid Storing in Sunlight

Long-term exposure to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight can degrade rubber, causing it to become brittle and causing it to exhibit arrays of fine cracks (commonly perceived as the rubber “drying out” and sometimes called “weather checked”). It is best to store the tracked machine indoors whenever possible. If the tracked machine must be stored outdoors, the tracks should be covered. An opaque tarpaulin is usually satisfactory for this purpose.

Long Term Storage

When a tracked machine is to be stored for a prolonged period, three (3) months or more, the following guidelines should be observed.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

As mentioned in Periodic Storage, long-term exposure to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight can degrade rubber causing it to become brittle and causing it to exhibit arrays of fine cracks. It is best to store the tracked machine indoors whenever possible. If the tracked machine must be stored outdoors, the tracks should be covered. An opaque tarpaulin is usually satisfactory for this purpose .

Avoid High Temperatures

While rubber tracks can endure a significant range of temperatures (-50 ° F to 125 ° F [-45 ° C to 52 ° C]), prolonged storage at elevated temperatures can be damaging. Lower temperatures are not as objectionable for storage. In general, the tracked machine should not be stored at temperatures above 85 ° F (29 ° C) for extended periods of time. Ideally the machine should be stored in a cool environment with the temperature kept between 40 ° F and 60 ° F (4 ° C and 16 ° C).

Avoid Air in Motion

All rubber is susceptible to ozone (O

3

) which is a standard element of common air. Like ultraviolet light, ozone causes rubber to become brittle and exhibit arrays of fine cracks. If the tracked machine is stored in a drafty location, a greater amount of ozone will come into contact with the exposed rubber surfaces than would still air resulting in accelerated degradation . If the tracked machine must be stored outdoors, use an opaque tarpaulin to protect the tracks from the wind.

Avoid Electric Devices

Most electric devices, especially electric motors, generate ozone. Specifically, ozone is generated by the arcing of electricity through the air; therefore, any electrical device which uses spark-gaps or brushes generates high levels of ozone. As ozone degrades rubber, the tracked machine should not be stored in closed areas with motors or other electric devices.

Do No Paint Tracks

It was once a common belief that painting rubber tires and tracks would protect them from ozone and ultraviolet light. In fact, the painting of rubber can be detrimental for two reasons:

• The chemical agents contained in many paints are themselves caustic to rubber

• The skin formed by the paint prevents the various emollients and waxes in the rubber from migrating to the surface and sublimating. These agents become trapped between the surface of the track and the paint and, with high concentration at those locations, causes the physical properties of the rubber to be altered.

Tracks User Manual 11