New Generation Features Rubber Tracks for Excavators

A WORLD LEADER IN THE RUBBER INDUSTRY Bridgestone was founded in 1931 and has grown to become the world’s largest tire and rubber products company, with 179 production facilities in 25 countries and sales networks in over 150 countries. The company is renowned for its R&D and design capability, exemplified by the success of Bridgestone’s racing tires. This expertise extends to a wide range of products including automotive parts and industrial rubber products such as Rubber Tracks. “Bridgestone... Serving Society with Superior Quality” Bridgestone, Rubber Track Experts It was Bridgestone engineers...

Technology Bridgestone Proving Ground Laboratory Bench Testing Bridgestone’s state-of-the-art Rubber Track proving ground, located in Tochigi-Japan, ensures the highest integrity designs for Rubber Tracks and undercarriage systems. A variety of terrain conditions are maintained in order to establish consistency during the testing process. Laboratory bench testing is vital to accelerate evaluation under controlled conditions. All Bridgestone Rubber Tracks are tested, evaluated, and proved. Product and Technical Assistance Bridgestone’s scientifically proven non-linear, largedisplacement FEM analysis...

New Features Bridgestone continues to pioneer new technologies for Rubber Tracks. The following features are now available. Pro-Edge Anti-edge cut Tapered Core Metal Ride comfort Interlocking Reduces De-tracking Spiral Structure Anti-breakage steel cord Anti-Rust Steel Cord Anti-deterioration Anti-Cut Rubber Tread side durability New Generation Features - Rubber Tracks for Excavators

Pro-Edge Problem Edge-cut is a common type of damage for tracks used on construction sites. When a machine drives against a curb, stump or sharp/solid object, the edge of the track can bend over, shearing the rubber between the edge of the track and the tip of the embedded core metal. Common cause of edge-cut Solution Bridgestone developed innovative Pro-Edge technology to minimize edge-cut damage. Pro-Edge technology is based on the combination of a rounded shape core metal edge design to avoid the build-up of stress concentrations, and additional rubber volume on both the inner and tread sides...

Tapered Core Metal Issue Track roller vertical movement Good ride comfort is of vital importance to the health and safety of machine operators. Low vibration is a key factor considered when selecting a machine and a rubber track. Some vibration is caused by the vertical movement of track rollers when dropping into the gaps between each core metal protrusion. Reduced track roller vertical movement Bridgestone has reduced the vertical movement of the track rollers by adopting an advanced tapered protrusion technology. The tapered shape of the running surface of the protrusion optimizes the roller...

InterlockingProblem De-tracking is when a track partially removes itself from the undercarriage during operations by disengaging from one of the components such as the sprocket, idler or rollers. This causes down-time and can lead to failure by fatal breakage. Solution Bridgestone uses an interlocking design to reduce de-tracking. By interlocking adjacent core metals the track benefits from more lateral stiffness. Both single and double interlocking systems are available. Interlocking Tested and proven Interlocking technologies have become common features in Bridgestone short pitch tracks. Positive...

Spiral Structure Problem The majority of Rubber Tracks utilize a traditional overlap type structure of steel cord. When the track is under abnormal stress such as excessive tension, failure often occurs at the ends of the overlap area. This is expected due to the inferior uniformity in the circumferential steel cord structure. Steel cord overlap area Weak Points Steel cord breakage at end of overlap Solution Bridgestone has developed a spiral steel cord structure which is now a technology commonly used in Bridgestone tracks used on Compact Track Loaders. This technology is now being expanded...

Anti-Rust Steel Cord Problem Once deep external cuts, chunking and edge cut have occurred, the danger of water and mud penetrating the rubber track is greatly increased. Moisture attacks the embedded steel cord. Depending on the severity of the damage and working conditions, the tensile strength of rusted steel cords weakens and can lead to breakage. Steel cord deterioration caused by rust Solution Even when moisture/mud penetrates from external cuts, steel cord tensile strength is maintained for longer. Thanks to Bridgestone’s world leading tire technology, our engineers have developed an advanced...

Anti-Cut Rubber Problem Harsh working conditions are normal for excavator operations. Such conditions cause external cuts and chunking to the tread rubber. Moisture and mud can penetrate from external cuts, causing internal steel parts to progressively weaken. This can lead to fatal failure such as steel cord breakage. Rubber chunking Steel cord breakage caused by rust Solution The development of high quality rubber compounds is one of Bridgestone’s core competencies. Bridgestone has developed an Anti-Cut Rubber compound which significantly minimizes the cut damage and chunking caused by sharp...

Stay on the Right Track The long standing superior quality of Bridgestone tracks has been a well established fact in the OEM and replacement markets for many years. Track size indication Track size is indicated by a size numbering system consisting of 5 elements. This part number is normally vulcanized on the inner surface of the track. 300 Width Width (mm) Width (mm) (mm) Number Number Number of links of links of links 52.5 PitchPitch length Pitch length (mm) length (mm) (mm) Tread Pattern Code Type of Embedded Metal How to get the most out of your Rubber Tracks Bridgestone utilises its experience...

The information contained in this publication is for guidance purposes only. While every effort has been made in its production, no responsibility can be accepted for any loss or damage arising from any undetected error. Any data supplied is subject to possible revision following the date of publication. Produced March 2017. Sales Companies: Bridgestone Industrial Limited Berliner Ring 89 64625 Bensheim Germany Tel: +49 62 51 8664 0 Fax: +49 62 51 8664 100 www.bridgestoneindustrial.eu Bridgestone Industrial Limited Unit 5B Stour Valley Business Centre Brundon Lane, Sudbury Suffolk CO10 7GB, UK...