What is a SoftTrack Skidgine?
A SoftTrack Skidgine is all about the suspension system. Most track vehicles like a bull dozer have no or very little in the way of suspension. This therefore means the tracks do not move up and down over rough terrain. When this type of vehicle maneuvers it has a tendency to push whatever is in the way out of the way, thus it plows up the terrain it is operating on. On a construction site this doesn’t matter because the damage caused is later repaired in the landscaping phase. Environmentally in a wildfire the vegetation is burned away leaving exposed soil. In hilly or rugged country, the later erosion can cause lots of problems. Creeks and streams can be infiltrated with silt from the runoff normally protected by the vegetation as it runs downstream into lakes, rivers, and ponds. The aquatic life can be devastated from such run off. SoftTrack Skidgine tracks float over the terrain with very little ground compaction, they do not tear up the terrain like dozers do. This factor reduces the chances of mudslides later on. The environment is far less impacted using SoftTrack Skidgines. SoftTrack Skidgines also have better traction than rubber tired Skidgines. When operating in rugged and steep terrain rubber tired Skidgines have a tendency to spin their tires while climbing. The spinning tires dig ruts, later on when it rains these ruts can turn into gullies as the water naturally seeks the path of the least resistance as it runs downhill. These gullies can become larger with time further under ming the hillside thus drastically increasing the potential for devastating mudslides. Sometimes these mudslides can cause more damage than the wildfire its self. California suffered loss of lives from the mudslides that resulted in the after math of the 03′ fires. There were similar issues in the Durango Colorado after the Missionary Ridge fire in 02′. All these factors are just another reason to consider using SoftTrack Skidgines in steep rugged terrain, they in many cases cause less environmental damage than a Type 6. Yet some SoftTrack Skidgines carry 4-8 times as much water!
Specifications on the FMC Skidgen
General
| Model Description | 220 |
| Shipping Weight | 23,250 lbs. |
Dimensional
| Overall Length | 195″ |
| Overall Height | 111″ |
| Overall Width | 103″ |
| Ground Clearance | 19″ |
Suspension and Track
| Type of Suspension | Roadwheels, torsion bar sprung |
| Type of Track | Forged steel grousers, rubber bushed hinge pins |
| Track Shoe Width | 22″ |
| Gauge | A 1″ |
| Type of Roadwheels | Steel |
| Number of Roadwheels | 5 dual per side |
| Diameter of Roadwheels | 24″ |
| Length of Track on ground | 113″ |
| Area of Track on Ground | 4972 in2 |
| Ground Pressure at Shipping Weight | 4.68 psi |
Loading Capacity
| Maximum Weight on Rear Deck | 23,000 lbs. |
Engine
| Make | GM Detroit Diesel |
| Model | 6V53N |
| Type of Fuel | Diesel |
| Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Bore | 3 7/8″ |
| Stroke | 4 1/2″ |
| Displacement | 318 in3 |
| Horsepower, break | 200 |
| Governed RPM (full load) | 2600 |
| Torque (max at 1500 RPM) | 445 lb-ft |
Electrical
| Starting | 12 volt |
| Battery | 205 amp hours |
| Alternator | 65 amp |
Powertrain
| Transmission | Clark HR28420-3 power shift, four speeds forward, four speeds reverse |
| Torque Converter | Integral with transmission |
| Differential | Controlled steering type |
| Final Drive | Planetary |
| Brakes, service | Hydraulic, transmission mounted |
| Brakes, parking | Manual, transmission mounted |
| Brakes, steering | Differential connected laterals |
Capacity
| Cooling System | 13 gal. |
| Fuel Tank | 50 gal. |
| Engine Lubricating Oil | 4 gal. |
| Transmission/winch | 9.25 gal. |
| Differential | 5.5 gal. |
| Final Drive | 1.12 gal. |
Steering
| Vehicle | Differential connected laterals |
| Turning Circle Clearance | 48′ |