In my experience with the Challenger tracked tractors, we were advised that running them on hard surfaces such as pavement or concrete was extremely hard on the track system all together, not just the track itself. Having to find all gravel routes can be hard at times. I would have to believe that these would not be any different.

What ultimately decides if tracks are worth the extra everything, is your ground type and your budget. Tracks will however always hold sidehills better, pull better, and create less compaction (if thats a problem in your soil type). Here in Canada (southwest Manitoba and most of saskatchewan) tracks pretty much took over. Very few new tractors are being ordered on tires anymore.

The tracked tractor was lifting the subsoiler out more often to reduce draft...

Thank you for the hard work and coordinating this field test video. As we all see the results on this video, it enlightened us on this subject. This is one test, one particular soil, two different tractors, possible excessive tire pressures and etc. Thank you for your effort and comments about this test. More tests under different variables would be helpful for some to allow the findings to be more conclusive. The bottom line is what an individual needs for their application. keep up the good work.

I like the 9 Series with the triple layout. It looked liked it had better traction in the field.

9rx the best for field works! Nice video and great work! Thanks for sharing Have a good one! Have a wonderful weekend!

I'd like to know cost of operation and maintenance. Maintaining all those boggy wheels cant be cheap . But the RXs are cool

I think the air pressure was too high in the wheeled tractor. Proper ballast helps and inflation.

Hard to beat tracks. When you look at the surface area of ground engagement with tracks versus the smaller area of where tires engage there is no comparison. Maintenance and replacement cost of 8-12 tires isn’t cheap either. My two cents.

I just want to say thanks, my dad died when I was 5 years old and he was a farmer, I worked with my grandpa when I was a kid and miss farm life greatly. Thank you so much for doin this page it helps fill the void in my life a lot

the guy in the track always raises the tiller up....I would take the wheel over track

First, Love the channel! Second, Love my John Deere! I did see tire slip, the tracks didnt seam to slip. Either way 2 awesome tractors!!

FarmSim 2022 brought me here, thanks for the info.

The real question is reliability and maintenance cost.

Tracks did seem to slip alot less. You could see the tires digging as he went by. And thanks for showing the tracks on the road. I was curious about that on the grain carts.

Thank you for the video

great video. Certainly more slippage with the wheels/tires!

The tracks for sure put the power to the ground more efficiently. I wonder how the fuel use compared at the end of the day. I don't know the numbers, but seems like even though the tracks are pricey, when you start getting up to triples with 12 radials the cost I would think starts to even out a bit, and I would think the fuel savings and compaction difference would be worth it then. Truly these units are designed for tillage use. I can't imagine another application where so much power and traction would be needed, or cost effective/efficient even. I also wonder about the ride quality between the two in the field and on the road.

The tracks does make less ground pressure per sq inch. I think the largest practical downside with the tracks is that if you hit a soft spot you have less chance of "diggin´and wigglin´your way out of it again. Also, the newer Metric large foot print tyres like the Trelleborg Pneu Trac and Michelin XEOBIB can deliver phenominal traction and power transfer . I´m not sure if that is the type of tyres that are on the 8 wheeler though

I bet it's fun digging out those tracks

Seeing a CaseIH 620 & a 620 quadtrac would be interesting to.

Big and badass that's for sure from the videos I have seen with a tracks most are really good reviews I heard Minnesota Millennium farmer talking about how they can get stuck if you try to steer one way or another and really bad mud but I am a fan of both from watching I've never drove anything with tracks and I probably never will but always great content thank you so much brother for an awesome 2018 2019 we're ready to see what you got always a big thumbs up and you have a good one buddy always👊👊👍👍👍❤🤙🤙🤙🤙

The John Deere"RX"series has slight advantages in muddy conditions,the"RX"series tends to be somewhat narrower too,making on road driving easier to deal with on coming traffic,the biggest advantage of the"RX"series is no flat tires to ever deal with B.T.P.. Now,on the down side,the biggest issue with the"RX"is safety,if you check these tractors when negotiating muddy ground with alot of trash in it,the trash tends to build up near the engine compartment,possibly causing a engine🔥🚜fire.

If the drive sprockets, rims, and tracks where twice as wide would be even better on the John Deer 9RX tractor. If they bolted a coupler to the inside drive sprocket and to a secondary drive sprocket and a whole track assembly on the outside of the inside tracked assembly it would be a huge amount of traction in the mud, making it the ultimate tracked tractors.

Why did the tracked machine lift the ripper on the soupy spots. Isn't that the whole point of sub soiling?

Love john deere 💓💞💕💗💓

Better footprint with tracks, however, the RX did lift much more than the wheeled machine. Road work can cut the tracks faster than the tyre equivalent, so what’s gained in the field, can be lost on paved surfaces over the same period of time. Great video thanks.

That’s unreal the traction difference!

Do more from different parts of the country with different soil. Love Big Tractor videos. Thanks.

The tracks threw less mud when it hit the pavement than the tires. Keeping neighbors and local officials happy.

I like your video cover. I drove both of these tractors Sunday October 7th for Brian. I liked the track tractor more than the 9460. I really appreciate your videos, you are spot on what you bring to the viewer.

That 9R sure didn’t like that shank in some spots

There’s a soy bean plantation property not far from where my father in-law lives and they have the 570horse 9rx with all the goodies... what a machine! it’s a father and son operation and both the guys reckon as it is the 570 is more than what you need. The 620hp model is just gluttony and at nearly 100k more expensive!! For the sake of 50 more hp and a Cummins badge (This is here in Australia mind you).

Wow! Another great vid! Comparisons nicely done for us... :-)

I can see the WHEELED TRACTOR, SPINNING IT'S WHEELS.

Great video...I know the tracks are much more expensive than tires, but by the time you buy 12 tires for the triple set up is the price getting close to what tracks would cost. Also how often would a set of 12 tires need to be replaced compared to tracks in the same situations. Anyway, I like the way you do your videos, keep them going. Thanks.

Either my eyes are deceiving me or it looks like the wheeled tractor is having to pull with the subsoiler deeper in the ground.

Out west here in Montana where is dry, the tired tractors are lot more common. It is apparent in wet conditions tracks do better

I didn't hear you mention that the track tractor had to raise the Implement to get through a couple places

A comparative analysis would likely show that the tracked tractor is more efficient, easier too maneuver and has less compaction overall vs the metric dual or the triple tire set up. Of course, there are variables one must consider. Type soil and condition of. Type implement etc. Just watching the video, one observed the awesome power of both tractors, but the wheeled tractor in triple configuration just looks far more aggressive. Which may be necessary in certain fields. However, in my opinion, the tracked tractor has more finesse and just looks more smoother overall. Operationally speaking, both tractors are likely pretty neck in neck, but again there are variables. Driving wise, I would say the tracked tractor is smoother and easier on those turn around's. As for cost of tires vs tracks. This can vary. Allot from what I understand. However, in reality, the decision to go with tracks vs tires depends on cost or bottom line. Both versions are capable and technologically advanced. Personally, I'll go with the tracked version.🚜

I know the cost per tire probably sucks but you can’t beat the look of those metric duals.

At 7:05 big billed up of bean stubble and trash between track and engine motor.. could this be a fire hazard ?

It's a great video however you never showed the track machine in a soupy area which was the only place that I noticed the 9620R having any issues. It's not really a fair comparison between the 9460R and the 9620RX has the track machine has extra weight and power on the 9460. The Nebraska tests show the tire machines generally pulling more weight than the track machines however not always and both machines have a decent percent slip.

Thanks again BTP! Wouldn't it behoove the 8-12 tire machine to lower the tire pressure a bit to get just a bit more contact patch? I agree that they dig and wiggle a bit more than the track, but maybe food for thought? I don't know, I'm just a silly city boy.

Tripples any day of the week...

Nothing runs like a Deere! Awesome Video! 👍😍

For field efficiency, the tracked machine wins hands down, way less slippage. For cost efficiency, the tires are the winner they are way cheaper than the tracks. He better clean off that debris off the engine. Several of them 9RXs have gone up in flames due to buildup coming off the front tracks. I think the newer ones have a shield or something now.

5:15 sounds like someone has a giggle switch in the background

Yep my brother n law has had a time getting beans in in western Kentucky ,didn’t get finished hay or planting small grain in southern hillbilly

Dont know the cost difference of tracks verses tires but tracks definitely make a difference

Fuel consumption upfront investment and how much road travel you do all play into if the tracks are worth it. My limited experience with tracks is the more road travel you have the quicker you wear out the cleats and tracks are even more expensive to replace than tires. They do really have better traction and in years like this last one probably paid for themselves a few days that tires struggled or couldn't go. Worth it? That depends on each individual operation and their numbers. Nice video ready for the next thing you find.

Yes, that's a common situation with canola. The benefits are many for the complex of the soil; especially in a no-TILL dynamic. THANK YOU BRUCE

when we got a 9rx we were surprised by the increased traction and efficiency

Dont forget the ride quality!

The tracked deere will do better in muddy and loose conditions due to having a bigger imprint on the ground. I believe if the air pressure on the tires was lowered it may pull better. Regardless both machines are awesome. This is probably one of those do i need tracks over my tires deal and is it worth the extra cost to the farmer.

Did he have to keep switching tractors with the same implement

Each have their advantages and disadvantages, the track version wont always be the better choice just as with the wheel setup.

Очень крутое видео 👍👍👍

Thanks. Answered all my questions.

Beautiful work and video. The only tires that ive seen that can hang with tracks are lsw floaters tires. Thanks BTP!!!

This comparison is with equal width tiller and equal speed. How about running the wheeled tractor with a narrower tiller, but higher speed? You need less traction with the narrower tiller, but the speed increase compensates the amount of acres done.

I would have to agree with you about the tracked tractor very good demo 👍

Literally a waste of time, fuel and money. The ground has to be dry in order to shatter the hard pan. All they're doing is cutting a slit in the soil, which is then filling back in because it's wet.

Tracks hands down with low pressure n narrow foot print is first choice, second would be narrow width you can fit track tractor in shed easy n transport width, you need escort for triple tyres here in Australia. Great vid👍

I wonder how the ride in the cab compares on these two machines, both in field and on the road? Is there a noticeable difference?

I've owned and run both quad tracks and 2 track designs, the 4 track design is better, but where I pull scraper pans as well as heavy field work the wheels are better. If you have ever replaced a set of tracks from torn up drive lugs, you would understand why I say wheels are better. As far as field performance, you do have a little better flotation, but I've also seen conditions such as dry hard pan where the 4 track design simply seemed to glide on the ground and wouldn't hook up like a good set of metric 800's, and a 2 track system, forget about it.

I'd be happy to operate either one

Tracked driver was a lot more timid of an operator, thats for sure

I agree with you and if you compare prices 3 sets of tires are not very cheap either plus all the wheel weight that is added

The tracks are way better then tire tractors The tire tractor was slipping all the time. Look at the ground right behind the tractors almost no spin for the tracks. Tire tractors will power hop at times too. Tire tractors have the advantage of better ride on the road, tracks can be bone jarring on the road. Tracks ride better in the field most of the time. I worked in the farm implement business when Case IH came out with 9300 series Quads and into the STX series tractors. The Tracks had such little slip that they actually destroyed their axles from so much draw bar pull when using earth mover scraper pans. As for the track machine lifting the implement out of the ground more it was hitting bed rock with the points of the ripper.

Tires looked like they have a lot of time in the field already. Tracks are getting more common out here in the west now.

Don't think the wheeled version would be too good around me in Suffolk, too much down time removing wheels just to get to the next field, with a small army of support.

What a rookie he’s got his flashers on in the feild

Why don't you look at the price between 12 wheels and 4 tracks?

What is the main advantage of tracks over tyres?

I like both but I would probably go with the tracks. Great video!

Tracks or wheels doesn't matter I enjoy all your videos.Especially the ones with green iron.Is this the same farm that was wanting to buy more V-rippers.Saw some on the TractorHouse website.

I don't know a lot about tractors (I am not a farmer), but I know quite some stuff about tanks. So, it really doesn't surprise me that the tracked one does better. The tracked one looks like it has a lot more area where it touches the ground and with (probably) pretty much the same weight less ground pressure. And well, the results of this video fall in line with that. Btw, while I am at the topic, a small fun fact: the King Tiger had with 0.76kg/cm² (10.8psi) less ground pressure than the M4 Sherman with 0.9843kg/cm² (14psi). Staff Sergeant and tank platoon sergeant Charles A. Carden once said in a report: "The Mark V [Panther] and VI [Tiger] in my opinion have more maneuverability and certainly more flotation. I have seen in many cases where the Mark V and VI tanks could maneuver nicely over ground where the M4 would bog down. On one occasion I saw at least 10 Royal Tigers [Tiger II] make a counterattack against us over ground that for us was nearly impassable." And well, physics are the same no matter which kind of vehicle you have. PS: The tracks have another advantage: You are narrower which is an advantage especially on roads (and hey, I am from Europe, we have streets here where these tractors wouldn't even remotely fit from even a height pov).

It would be nice to see a JD track tractor and a Case IH Quad Track with the same HP face off pulling the same rippers.

Why do the farmer sub soil the ground , is it wet in the winter and sub soiling lets the water down

Now try one with LSW tires. They are the best imo.

Lsw is the answer for that plus you get rid of 12 tire's save gallon's per hour and don't have the money lost in track wear which is quit a lot. Nice channel!

To being honest tyres tractor 🚜 is much more gigantic than track wheel

How about the RT and have all the tractors with full ballast

I wonder which one is more expensive and last longer?

Both are total great machines 👍

I want one of each nothing like a john deere tractor

Doesn’t the slip factor favor the tracks by about 7%. I think the 9RX costs about $100,000 more than the 9R and doesn’t road as well. But, the 9RX can on average till at 8 mph where the 9R will probably run the same conditions about 5 to 6 mph. I’m glad I don’t have to make that call and weight all the factors involved as to whether or not the extra cost would be justified.

Tracks and dual metric tires seemed fairly evenly matced but the tractor on the triples seemed to have far less traction. Don't know whether it was down to the type of tires or maybe the tractor didn't have enough weight to give all 12 tires enough bite the dig through the greasy layer on top.

I Want A HoverTractor

what depth is the track tractor running at 3:00 looks like maybe 6" deep then see him stick it in deep but raises it right back up, you would need to set the depth and remove the hydraulic hoses to have any kind of meningful comparison, all tractors were raising the rippers but it appears the track maching never put the ripper to full depth

Thanks for doing this video as this is something I have been curious about for some time.

I notice one thing is that pulling out of the field wheeled tractors leave mud clumps in the road for a longer distance while tracs clean out quick.

Nice video! I love the look of the track units but once you take in the high cost of track maintenance compared to tires, I would stay with tires. You should compare the track unit to a set of LSW tires. You would be surprised! As we all know roading is killer for tracks and components!

Great video I can see the difference now

My opinion from running both (case ih versions tho) there is no similarity between tracked and tired machines less compaction and less slippage with the tracks just as a start

How DOES THE NEWER GOODYEAR tire with better performance in wet soil rate with track setup?

Looks like tracks perform a little bit better in traction and much better in soil compaction. But why to operate in so wet condition?

I see in the soupy spots that the track tractor pulled the implement completely out of the ground till he was past it where the tired one didn't except at the very end. Still less slippage though it appears. I can see adding extra weight to the tired version, the track system by itself would be a lot heavier than the tires alone. I still wonder in very wet conditions if the extra weight on the track tractor would make it more likely to get stuck than the tired version. I don't know. I guess the best way to find out is to operate them yourself so you can make sure the challenges were the same on both tractors. I've read that road travel is a lot harder on tracks than tires and tracks are much more expensive to repair and or replace. jmo. Love the video's, a lot of nestalgia when I watch. I haven't driven a tractor since I was 18 and my life took a different direction. I'm 2 months away from 58 and a retired FF/PM. I still miss driving tractors though. Thanks for sharing.

If you had the weights of the wheeled tractor placed on the front axle , and also weights placed on the front weight support, you would have found that the tractor on triples would have been far superior, as well as more comfortable, let alone the $100 thousand saving. There is a weight shift from front to rear when under high load , and with the increase in speed. Anything over 5 mph , the greater the shift in weight. Take a look at the bulge in the tyres when under full load.