I allways thought it looked silly this way but hey it gets the job done so can’t complain.....I would of just got a track machine is there a big difference in price ?
Brother best video I've seen showing how to install these tracks. I got the exact metal tracks on my 1990 Case 1845c skid steer, they are a beast. To load into a trailer ramp and not have issue slipping, just place two pieces of wood on each side.
Josh, I appreciate that you don't over edit and sugarcoat issues on projects. Farming isn't easy. There are always issues that are encountered, but, as long as you learn and adjust the next time, it makes you wiser and a better farmer. Mark R Jones Cedar Falls Farm
I had a set of Grouser tracks years ago. They are well built, but as you said, very heavy. As they start to wear out, you can replace the bolts and bushings, as needed. Just be careful on steep, super muddy ground because sometimes the tires will spin inside the tracks. I am surprised they didn't give you wheel spacers. Definitely a game changer in the mud!!
Ive got 15 skid loaders in our company We have 10 track machines and 5 wheeled machines. We have steel tracks for all 5 of the wheeled skids. One thing we found is that the steel tracks eat up tires so make sure you keep a used set about. We also found that if you lower the tire pressure in the tires before you put them on and run it up after it is easier to get them on. The tracks wear on the bars so after about 3 or 4 seasons we weld a bar on them. One thing we have also found is that if you don't need them don't run them, hard on hydro motors, and watch for rocks getting into them they will also cause serious damage to the machine. Keep digging dirt!!!!!!!!!
Playing in the mud. Great times. Bubble bee looks great with the new tracks on. What a difference it made. Now a more universal machine awesome job Josh 👍🏻
Those tracks are awesome I couldn’t wait to see them in action! Please try to save your back use the machine with a chain to do the heavy work ! I finally learned after three back operations, you only have one spine that god gave you.
I dont have time to play around in the mud but if I did it would be with a Track machine, tires aren't made for mud......long live Track machines, long neck bottles n wide open throttles......long live.......
If you had tires with a lot of tread on them an idea would be to let some air out then put the tracks on and fill the tires back up to max psi and might get a snug fit for the tracks.
Josh, I bought a 2000 JD250, just like yours and got a great deal too! Love it! I bet you figured it out by now but there is a boom lockout behind your seat on the right side.
I wouldn't have believed that those grouser tracks would make that much difference if I hadn't seen this video. My local tire guy swears by putting tubes in your tires if you are going to run that style tracks. They are hard on the sidewalks and promote a slow bead leakage. For sure keep an eye on that tire pressure without tubes in the tires.
In all the years I’ve been subbed to your channel one thing about you Josh is you’ve never been afraid of a difficult tedious process. Nicely done as always. I have no doubt if a product/tool gets your thumbs up you’ve tested it thoroughly after researching. Appreciate it! 🇺🇸
Thank You! I bought the same Grouser tracks, they are used tracks however the tires on the 87 John Deer skid loader are like new. I installed and uninstalled the tracks a couple times now, I don't have them installed all the time, I also used a strap but noticed on the first side you strapped the track as I did but the second side I see you placed the strap on top and bottom, that way the heavy tracks are supported and less muscle needed to lift them while connecting them, what a great idea! I like the tracks but I take them off for winter snow plowing and replace them with chains on all four wheels, in fact I like the chains so much I've been leaving them on all the time and not using the tracks so much but I won't be selling the tracks, I'll be using them again I'm sure. Another way I've installed the tracks is using a fence tightener to bring the tracks together, it works but I think the strap is a little easier and now I'll use the strap as you show.
Also, deflate the tires until they start to fold a little, you still need to be able to get the tracks on. Put your tracks on with a little sag and fill tires.
I didn’t check to see if anyone else a mentioned this but take it from an old retired Army tank commander. Go easy on the neutral steer in the mud. If you build up mud ect. Under your wheels you can easily throw track and getting it back on in a mud hole is a great time let me tell ya
I ran those tracks for about 6 years. I will say using them daily to keep them tight. Once the tire spins inside the track it is no fun. We also put them on with 10psi or so then aired the tires up later to get them tighter easier. First time doing it you did great. Oh isnt there a safety bar to hold the loader up?
Just before our son departed for USAF enlistment back in ‘01, he worked for Public Works. He was certified on skid steer, etc. He had endless stories. Beware cheap tire pressure gauges. Pay a little more for a good gauge. Dial face gauges are nice, but cannot be dropped or jarred. Impact affects their accuracy. A good quality stick gauge should last a lifetime.
Josh, that’s so cool putting tracks on tires! Never seen that before. Can’t wait to show my husband this video! I’ll ask you the same thing I asked Farmer Tyler Ranch UA-cam, “how’d you get sooo smart at such a young age?!” 👍🏽
I just spent a couple hours running a compact track loader. The tracks really do help... the only problem is they really tear up the grass. you may want to consider alternating between tracks and wheels depending on the conditions you are working in
It's actually a good idea to run the rear wheels is reverse. The way the tracks are designed it uses the direction of the tread so when in reverse you get the same traction on the inside of the track. This probably isn't true I just wanted to comment something and seem smart lol
Nice Josh lots of traction now, when operating if it don't feel right check your drive chains for being loose & worn, Chains will jump if loose. Nice tracks,great video.
@3:57 Scratching my head.....has 400 lb tracks sitting on a pallet that he has to straighten out and a machine to put them on???? Chooses to drag them off by hand and struggle instead of using the machine! Something is wrong with this picture but I just can't seem to figure it out!!!
lol...if I couldn't move them by hand I would have pulled them off...work smarter..not harder...I get it....by the time I used the skid loader to get them off I would have had them halfway installed brotha
I was thinking the same thing. However, I am almost a full foot shorter and probably 100 lbs. lighter than Josh. I always have to use leverage or a machine to do stuff.
Where i used to work on a farm they put bar tracks on one of their skid steers and it got the nick name tiger tank after that because it was impossible to get it stuck
Even new tires get stuck faster. You can get a tire cutter. And take some off old tires and get more tread on old tires for a bit. Tracks are great for soft areas specially sandy ground areas. Put safety bar on lift if worried lock from any thing happen. Look into some wheel spacers there great.
I have heard several people from the skid steer forums that the track over wheels, are really hard on the drive motors. They say that over time it wears out the drive motors faster.
We used to put the tracks on with the tires down around half pressure then air them up to tighten the fit. This was in the eighties, so it might be different now.
cant believe how big of difference it made tracks for the skid steer have come a long ways my neighbors is useless with his steel tracks on it but they are old tracks and probably wore out maybe great video thanks
Tracks are still too loose. On side hills they will try to come off and they will slip if really wet. I use them on a new Holland skid steer and grouser only recommends 1 to 3 inches of sag across the tracks. There is also a setting on the bolt holes that they don't recommend. Don't remember which way that is but it's on the website. I'm guessing it causes pre mature wear. Lots of guys use them around here that log with skid steers and they are very tough. Good luck and be safe!
The setting you are talking about is not to use the short holes on two adjoining track pads.. I have a set of Grouser tracks for 12X16.5 tires that I just rebuilt, and have no use for them now cuz I bought a larger machine.. I bought a set of McLaren tracks for it cuz Grouser tracks are so much mor money.. I am retired now and do not thing I will wear these tracks out.. These McLaren tracks are cheaper, but they have no bushings and so they will cost more to rebuild over the Grouser tracks where you will replace the bolts and bushings rather then the dog bones on the McLaren tracks.. Something to consider when buying tracks..
your going to like'em! ive had metal tracks (and hub extensions) on my bobcat 853 everyday since feb 2007 tires are 12.5/16 thick sidewall. rims/tires still look new skidloader drive train has never broke down i never get stuck never take them off work in the woods/underbrush all the time. tires do go flat ONLY if i lift over the lift capacity. 3 tires now have tubes and i keep close eye on air pressure. dont let them get low.
Stoney Ridge, I love your channel. Thank you for your videos. Can you do a follow up in a month or two about if you are still happy. I am really interested in finding out how much the unit will be tearing up your gravel driveway.
Just watch out for rocks if you do any real digging. I had to replace an axle when a rock rolled inside the track and snapped the axle clear off when it wedged between the tire and track.
To hold two ends of tracks up I put a chunk of 2X4 inbetween wheels. Acts like a bridge to hold both ends up. Then come along to pull them tighter to bolt up
Make sure you keep valve caps on your tires to keep the mud and dirt out of the cores. Metal ones are the best but loosen them every so offen so they don't corrode on.
Josh we have had alot of rain here lately. Our property in Walnut Cove is muddy and unmanageable without 4wd. Love the farm we raise chickens ducks geese and goats over here in Forsyth County
Be careful about flipping those wheels around like that. The ones on our 250 had little ribs on the wheel that would contact the hub before the main center of the wheel did and the lug nuts would basically be flexing the center of the wheel as you tightened it
Oh also when go move loader from rest position light on control sticks. Dealer see a lot where people not easy on loaders shear lock pins off or crack gear boxes.
I allways thought it looked silly this way but hey it gets the job done so can’t complain.....I would of just got a track machine is there a big difference in price ?
yessir and more expensive to maintain...we'll have a track skid loader before long I'm sure
Stoney Ridge Farmer I see we all have to many toys lol we grow up but remain a kid at heart
@@Chris-fl9hk always be a kid at heart and follow it as you fulfill your dream Josh
That's for you as well Chris...😊
Shania A yes thank you same to you ☺️
Lower the tire pressure to install the tracks then air up.
Exactly man!
Works great for tire chains also.
Thanks for making the video. Everyone assumes that tracks are better for mud and sand, but to see how different is rare.
That was amazing! I loved how you showed getting stuck with tires vs the tracks. Incredible video. Thanks
Kept getting flat tires with tracks on. Bought solid tires, one of the best decisions I've made.
Those work better than factory tracks machines
Brother best video I've seen showing how to install these tracks. I got the exact metal tracks on my 1990 Case 1845c skid steer, they are a beast. To load into a trailer ramp and not have issue slipping, just place two pieces of wood on each side.
Josh, I appreciate that you don't over edit and sugarcoat issues on projects. Farming isn't easy. There are always issues that are encountered, but, as long as you learn and adjust the next time, it makes you wiser and a better farmer.
Mark R Jones
Cedar Falls Farm
I had a set of Grouser tracks years ago. They are well built, but as you said, very heavy. As they start to wear out, you can replace the bolts and bushings, as needed. Just be careful on steep, super muddy ground because sometimes the tires will spin inside the tracks. I am surprised they didn't give you wheel spacers. Definitely a game changer in the mud!!
I think it's a minimum of 2.5" clearing between tires and frame. I think he has that much.
Happy for you Josh. Those tracks will make the skid steer the preferred tool around there.
Those tracks seem to be working just fine for you and that is great. I wish you the best as you go about your regular work on your farm.
Ive got 15 skid loaders in our company We have 10 track machines and 5 wheeled machines. We have steel tracks for all 5 of the wheeled skids. One thing we found is that the steel tracks eat up tires so make sure you keep a used set about. We also found that if you lower the tire pressure in the tires before you put them on and run it up after it is easier to get them on. The tracks wear on the bars so after about 3 or 4 seasons we weld a bar on them. One thing we have also found is that if you don't need them don't run them, hard on hydro motors, and watch for rocks getting into them they will also cause serious damage to the machine. Keep digging dirt!!!!!!!!!
Playing in the mud. Great times. Bubble bee looks great with the new tracks on. What a difference it made. Now a more universal machine awesome job Josh 👍🏻
Those tracks are awesome I couldn’t wait to see them in action! Please try to save your back use the machine with a chain to do the heavy work ! I finally learned after three back operations, you only have one spine that god gave you.
We put the tracks on and then we aired up the tires, really worked well for track adjustment.
Pretty amazing how well it done without the tracks also. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Behind the seat over your right shoulder there is a lever to lock the boom in the up position
I dont have time to play around in the mud but if I did it would be with a Track machine, tires aren't made for mud......long live Track machines, long neck bottles n wide open throttles......long live.......
If you had tires with a lot of tread on them an idea would be to let some air out then put the tracks on and fill the tires back up to max psi and might get a snug fit for the tracks.
Nice looking tracks
Josh, I bought a 2000 JD250, just like yours and got a great deal too! Love it! I bet you figured it out by now but there is a boom lockout behind your seat on the right side.
Definitely use the boom lock if you need to exit the skid steer with the boom in the up position. Safety first, live to tell about it later.
I wouldn't have believed that those grouser tracks would make that much difference if I hadn't seen this video. My local tire guy swears by putting tubes in your tires if you are going to run that style tracks. They are hard on the sidewalks and promote a slow bead leakage. For sure keep an eye on that tire pressure without tubes in the tires.
Hey Josh thank you for the video glad it worked out for you there with those tracks
In all the years I’ve been subbed to your channel one thing about you Josh is you’ve never been afraid of a difficult tedious process. Nicely done as always. I have no doubt if a product/tool gets your thumbs up you’ve tested it thoroughly after researching. Appreciate it! 🇺🇸
You really need to put Never-Seez on those lug bolts. It makes things much easier in the future.
Mark Radell aka anti-seez
This was the first video I've watched by Stoney Ridge Farmer. My first impression is DAMN he is a likeable guy. Thanks for the video!
Thank You! I bought the same Grouser tracks, they are used tracks however the tires on the 87 John Deer skid loader are like new. I installed and uninstalled the tracks a couple times now, I don't have them installed all the time, I also used a strap but noticed on the first side you strapped the track as I did but the second side I see you placed the strap on top and bottom, that way the heavy tracks are supported and less muscle needed to lift them while connecting them, what a great idea! I like the tracks but I take them off for winter snow plowing and replace them with chains on all four wheels, in fact I like the chains so much I've been leaving them on all the time and not using the tracks so much but I won't be selling the tracks, I'll be using them again I'm sure. Another way I've installed the tracks is using a fence tightener to bring the tracks together, it works but I think the strap is a little easier and now I'll use the strap as you show.
There is a boom lock if you look above the right rear tire with the boom up there's a handle in the cab to put it out over your right shoulder
Nice job Josh, them tracks make a big difference in the way that it handles. Keep up the good work and thanks for Sharing
Did you know on the back of the cab there is a safety bar you can push out when the arms are at full extension that will keep the arms from falling
If not there is a leaver that lock the hydraulic to keep if from falling
Getting under the boom is safe if you use the lock pin. Was a mechanic at John Deere, boom up is how you work on them most of the time.
Also, deflate the tires until they start to fold a little, you still need to be able to get the tracks on. Put your tracks on with a little sag and fill tires.
I didn’t check to see if anyone else a mentioned this but take it from an old retired Army tank commander. Go easy on the neutral steer in the mud. If you build up mud ect. Under your wheels you can easily throw track and getting it back on in a mud hole is a great time let me tell ya
Thanks Pete!
I ran those tracks for about 6 years. I will say using them daily to keep them tight. Once the tire spins inside the track it is no fun. We also put them on with 10psi or so then aired the tires up later to get them tighter easier. First time doing it you did great. Oh isnt there a safety bar to hold the loader up?
I thought the same thing, about the tire pressure... I only have tire chains experience... Haha
Just before our son departed for USAF enlistment back in ‘01, he worked for Public Works. He was certified on skid steer, etc. He had endless stories. Beware cheap tire pressure gauges. Pay a little more for a good gauge. Dial face gauges are nice, but cannot be dropped or jarred. Impact affects their accuracy. A good quality stick gauge should last a lifetime.
Great video - nice to see the difference in how they work. You explain things well also for us noobs trying to learn.
Kept thinking - "happier than a pig in slop". haha Good vid, Josh.
Wow what an improvement the tracks make. Great choice. Thanks for sharing.
Josh, that’s so cool putting tracks on tires! Never seen that before. Can’t wait to show my husband this video! I’ll ask you the same thing I asked Farmer Tyler Ranch UA-cam, “how’d you get sooo smart at such a young age?!” 👍🏽
lol.. I've never been afraid to learn or try new things
Prob not having bald tires works better haha
Hey josh. There should be a boom lock behind your right shoulder if you’re sitting in the machine. It should slide to the left or the right.
Awesome! What a hoot playing in the mud with the Trax-skidder!!
It makes an already great tool even more awesome!!
Very good video! God bless you all.
I just spent a couple hours running a compact track loader. The tracks really do help... the only problem is they really tear up the grass. you may want to consider alternating between tracks and wheels depending on the conditions you are working in
@@mdsuave13 yeah, I've gotten a lot better at that in the 2+ years since I posted the comment. Experience is important.
Love it, keep doing what your doing. You know, with all the crazy stuff going on this political world, pleasure to see something from 'the farm'.
Enjoyed this video Josh. What a difference the tracks made versus the plain tires in the mud.
Funny
It's actually a good idea to run the rear wheels is reverse. The way the tracks are designed it uses the direction of the tread so when in reverse you get the same traction on the inside of the track. This probably isn't true I just wanted to comment something and seem smart lol
I was kind of thinking the same thing.
Nice Josh lots of traction now, when operating if it don't feel right check your drive chains for being loose & worn, Chains will jump if loose. Nice tracks,great video.
Way to go Gen.Patton
Wow, thats a whole different machine now. Awesome Josh. Ain't no mud gonna stop you now👊👍👍👍...
Whoa! What a difference and your farm looks glorious. 👍🌟
Trax is definitely the way to go, great job!
@3:57 Scratching my head.....has 400 lb tracks sitting on a pallet that he has to straighten out and a machine to put them on???? Chooses to drag them off by hand and struggle instead of using the machine! Something is wrong with this picture but I just can't seem to figure it out!!!
lol...if I couldn't move them by hand I would have pulled them off...work smarter..not harder...I get it....by the time I used the skid loader to get them off I would have had them halfway installed brotha
I was thinking the same thing. However, I am almost a full foot shorter and probably 100 lbs. lighter than Josh. I always have to use leverage or a machine to do stuff.
Such a nice play toy to make farm work easier!
Where i used to work on a farm they put bar tracks on one of their skid steers and it got the nick name tiger tank after that because it was impossible to get it stuck
Even new tires get stuck faster. You can get a tire cutter. And take some off old tires and get more tread on old tires for a bit. Tracks are great for soft areas specially sandy ground areas. Put safety bar on lift if worried lock from any thing happen. Look into some wheel spacers there great.
I have heard several people from the skid steer forums that the track over wheels, are really hard on the drive motors. They say that over time it wears out the drive motors faster.
Awesome video and commentary
We used to put the tracks on with the tires down around half pressure then air them up to tighten the fit. This was in the eighties, so it might be different now.
Engaging the boom lock is what you should do before exiting the operator station with the boom in the raised position
Common sense ? 🤔
@@jerryglen986 not much of that floating around this channel if you have watched a few of them!
Get a safety bar to throw on there as a prop for when you gotta get out with the bucket in the air. Things like that exist for a reason.
Difference of night and day. Those are a sweet add on to the Skid steer.
What a game changer! I was expecting them to really tear up the driveway but they didn't. Great traction with low impact on the land win win!
Great information Josh 🇺🇸 WOOOOOO !!
cant believe how big of difference it made tracks for the skid steer have come a long ways my neighbors is useless with his steel tracks on it but they are old tracks and probably wore out maybe great video thanks
Tracks are still too loose. On side hills they will try to come off and they will slip if really wet. I use them on a new Holland skid steer and grouser only recommends 1 to 3 inches of sag across the tracks. There is also a setting on the bolt holes that they don't recommend. Don't remember which way that is but it's on the website. I'm guessing it causes pre mature wear. Lots of guys use them around here that log with skid steers and they are very tough. Good luck and be safe!
The setting you are talking about is not to use the short holes on two adjoining track pads.. I have a set of Grouser tracks for 12X16.5 tires that I just rebuilt, and have no use for them now cuz I bought a larger machine.. I bought a set of McLaren tracks for it cuz Grouser tracks are so much mor money.. I am retired now and do not thing I will wear these tracks out.. These McLaren tracks are cheaper, but they have no bushings and so they will cost more to rebuild over the Grouser tracks where you will replace the bolts and bushings rather then the dog bones on the McLaren tracks.. Something to consider when buying tracks..
That’s pretty awesome Josh. Sounds like you have a slow leak in that tire that had 30psi. Gonna be a chore removing the track again to fix it.
tire ject
Traction a winner on tracks
Cool video. It sure makes a difference with tracks. 👍👍👍❤️
Wow, what a surprise,,, the tracks were so much better ....
your going to like'em! ive had metal tracks (and hub extensions) on my bobcat 853 everyday since feb 2007 tires are 12.5/16 thick sidewall. rims/tires still look new skidloader drive train has never broke down i never get stuck never take them off work in the woods/underbrush all the time. tires do go flat ONLY if i lift over the lift capacity. 3 tires now have tubes and i keep close eye on air pressure. dont let them get low.
What a great investment you have the best of both world of running with track on or running with them off
.👍👍👍👍
Stoney Ridge, I love your channel. Thank you for your videos. Can you do a follow up in a month or two about if you are still happy. I am really interested in finding out how much the unit will be tearing up your gravel driveway.
Also- when you roatated that wheel did I see a valve stem located on both sides of the wheel?
Tubeless tyres so when you need to rotate the tyres, you can rotate them without taking the tire off of the rim.
😃
Just watch out for rocks if you do any real digging. I had to replace an axle when a rock rolled inside the track and snapped the axle clear off when it wedged between the tire and track.
,,,that should do the job and take you where you want to go, and places you shouldn't...lol..great vid...
To hold two ends of tracks up I put a chunk of 2X4 inbetween wheels. Acts like a bridge to hold both ends up. Then come along to pull them tighter to bolt up
If mudding with your John Deere skid loader is not the most American thing idk what is
bhahhaha true
Love the 2nd gen in the background!
2 of them
Hi...... Thank you 🎥👍👍👍
Man! what an improvement 👍 good video Josh.
Hey Stoneyridge. WOW what a diffrence with the tracks on. Great video . Keep em commin
Awesome 😎 tracks 🐾
thanks for Knipex hat tip
Hey there is a red lever behind the seat that push some pin out so the loader dont go down on you
Also found it helps to put a 2x4 or 2x6 between the 2 tires when installing to help put the tracks as tight as possible
Make sure you keep valve caps on your tires to keep the mud and dirt out of the cores. Metal ones are the best but loosen them every so offen so they don't corrode on.
Regardless of the equipment or the age, boys still like 2 play in the mud!!! Good investment 4 your operation. 👍👏😊
Boy plays is mud with new toy! :)
I live in Canada and on my dairy farm we have an old john deere 320 and a 2018 Kubota ssv 75
Did we ever get a video correcting the 200 hr skid steer to a 1200hr?
Josh we have had alot of rain here lately. Our property in Walnut Cove is muddy and unmanageable without 4wd. Love the farm we raise chickens ducks geese and goats over here in Forsyth County
Melanie Keen I live off cook school road in pilot Mountain
You had to much fun sir
They seem a little too loose to me but im only used to my dozer. And my excavator They look like they will help a ton!!!
Be careful about flipping those wheels around like that. The ones on our 250 had little ribs on the wheel that would contact the hub before the main center of the wheel did and the lug nuts would basically be flexing the center of the wheel as you tightened it
Far out & solid!
bhahhaha
Oh also when go move loader from rest position light on control sticks. Dealer see a lot where people not easy on loaders shear lock pins off or crack gear boxes.
Great stuff Josh. Very informative.👍😎🇺🇸
youtube knows ive been watching goonzquad
They put the tire on backwards so when you go back you have the same traction as when you go foward
great idea..but it was only one tire lol
there are boom safety stops to engage so the boom will not come down