​With summer crop harvest and winter crop sowing upon us, many farmers will be thinking about equipment upgrades. Technology developments in tractors mean there’s a wide range to choose from. One important decision for farmers to make is whether to include tyres or tracks.

Some farming operations are better suited to tracks, while others are better suited to tyres. The decision is based on soil, crop type and the planting and harvesting timeframe.

Pete McCann, Product Manager for Case IH High Horsepower, says tracks are becoming more popular as farmers realise their benefits. 

“Today’s designs have come a long way since the steam tractor with ‘dreadnaught wheels’, or tracks, in the mid 1800s. These days, tractors with tracks are highly manoeuvrable, offer excellent traction and are very effective at protecting the soil.”

Because tracks have a greater contact area with the ground, they place even pressure on the soil, conform to contours and minimise compaction. They are also better suited to changing windows for planting, seeding and harvesting, because they can help farmers get on the paddock earlier.

“When choosing your tracked machine, it’s ideal to have four points of contact on the ground — whether that’s by a four-track system or a rear twin-track with tyres—it significantly reduces the berming effect produced by a stand-alone twin track system. Berms are good for landscaping your garden, but not in a paddock.”

Case IH’s new Steiger Quadtrac and Rowtrac have a four-track system, which ensures maximum manoeuvrability while increasing traction and reducing compaction and soil disturbance.

“There’s also a track-wheels combination in the Magnum Rowtrac. This gives farmers row-crop flexibility; it has the flotation benefits of tracks, with the manoeuvrability of a mechanical front drive. It also reduces berms and soil disturbance when turning.”

​Pete says bespoke wheel-tracks tractors give the best of both worlds, as well as special features such as customisable row spacings for speciality crops, like many vegetable varieties. 

Pete says a four-track system gives much better traction and optimum manoeuvrability.