Super Track couplings splitting.

[fornarog]

I've had some track segments split along the couplings allowing the track segments to come apart.

In 30 years around argos and tracks I've never seen this happen before. Now I am concerned that I may need all new tracks unless there is a reliable way to check the tracks and only replace specific segments.

Thoughts and comments welcome!

Thanks,

Greg

[ARGOJIM]

What you are seeing sounds like a track that has extensive wear either from time or excessive hard surface usage.
The easiest way to explain a wear check is simply look at the track pin hole, when the track is new the mass that surrounds the pin hole is circular having as much plastic on top, sides and bottom of pin hole. Using the inside of the track as reference gauge the amount of plastic over the pin hole and then look 180 degrees from there which would be the outside of the track or ground contact area of the pin hole, if tracks wear down to about 1/4 of the original thickness the stress can start to pull the pins through.

Have you been running these tracks for 30 years? If so I'd guess they are fairly flat and weakened.

If you have purchased these tracks used, I'd check every segment as some may have been replaced by previous owners. I'd also check your pin wear as the can become thin or hinge worn over time.

If the Supertracks work well in your environment it may be time for a new set, it sound like you have a solid older machine to drive them.

Good luck

Staying off the asphalt, gravel, hard clay will greatly help extend track life.