FMC Skidgen Specifications

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′