Construction and other equipment - street pads vs. grousers

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street pads vs. grousers

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Construction and other equipment
Forum Description: everything else with orange (or yellow) paint
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4472
Printed Date: 31 Oct 2025 at 12:14am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: street pads vs. grousers

Posted By: Osage_Orange
Subject: street pads vs. grousers
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2009 at 10:22pm

When I make sharp turns with my HD5G it pops rocks out of the ground and leaves a significant pile of dirt where the locked track pivoted. I'm wondering if changing to "street pads" would help, but:

1) would they slip when pushing trees and large brush piles?

2) would a set be expensive (if they can even be found)?

I'd appreciate hearing comments and experiences!...........O_O

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Why is there never time to do it right the first time, but always time to go back and fix it?

Replies:

Posted By: Coke-in-MN
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2009 at 10:42pm

Street pads or 3 grouser tracks are used mainly on loaders where turning with loaded bucket would cause excessive load on track and undercarrage . I have rebuilt the pads on my HD5G into 2 bar leaving the center pad 3/4" lower than other two.

On HD5B I welded on 1" stock onto grouser to build up and get more traction. You want a bite into soil to transfer power to ground.

On dozer you would loose ground engagement and would slip the track in heavy push .

Best to anticipate your turns and feather the clutch and apply short jabs to brakes to complete turn .

On dozer the blade load should just be enough to create good fill but not enough to slip track or lug engine down. Pushing in 2nd gear rather than low and using less dig when moving across area.

To high of gear will will waste energy , to low a gear will slow job.

Unsure of you have 2 speed reverse but if you do only use high reverse sparingly as track wear is like 4 to 8 times higher in reverse as fwd.

The 5G I have did a lot of dozer work with the bucket using it to load , level , back drag as well as dig. If i was to go back to one machine I know i would keep the loader over dozer. Then with the FD5, 6 way blade i would never be happy with a 5B again.

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Life lesson: If you’re being chased by a lion, you’re on a horse, to the left of you is a giraffe and on the right is a unicorn, what do you do? You stop drinking and get off the carousel.

Posted By: Osage_Orange
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2009 at 10:53am

Thanks for the feedback Coke. I pretty much do as you say about feathering the turns, but sometimes when working a brush pile, I have to lock one track and turn sharp. I've actually "slipped" the tracks when pushing (usually in wet or loose soil). I always push in 1st gear. Only have a single speed reverse tranny. Always thought a 2 speed would be nice for back dragging. I don't know how many grousers my pads have, either 2 or 3, but just never paid attention.........will look next time I am near it. Have a good day....O_O

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Why is there never time to do it right the first time, but always time to go back and fix it?