GROOMING
One of Lulich Implement’s New Holland tractors demonstrates the Zuidberg NA
track system
Saunders notes that most well-known
tractor brands have an extensive
dealer network to ensure quick supply
of replacement parts or service when
needed. “If you’ve got problems with
the tractor itself, it’s easy to get parts,”
he said.
Some users may want to switch back
and forth from tracks to wheels on their
tractors, and Saunders says a system
like the Zuidberg track conversion kit
makes that easy to do.
The kit is comprised of four pre-assembled
tracks along with a
sub-frame that is affixed to the trac-tor.
Saunders says this unique track
undercarriage design enables quick
and simple changeover between tracks
and tires.
“The only thing you’re doing is put-ting
a sub-frame on the tractor and
then putting the track right on that
sub-frame,” he said. “If you want to go
back to your wheels, that sub-frame
stays on there.”
Zuidberg tracks are available in a
variety of widths ranging from 11.8
to 36.2 inches (30 to 92 centimeters),
can be adapted for use on many types
of tractors, including John Deere,
New Holland and Case IH. According
to Saunders, the purchase price of a
tractor equipped with Zuidberg tracks can
range from between $60,000 and $80,000.
New rubber tracks
Zuidberg track systems are made by
the Zuidberg Group, which specializes
in high-tech manufacturing. It recently
invested $11 million into developing
its own rubber-making facility in the
Netherlands to consolidate the track
production process.
“We’re getting ready to release our
own rubber on the track systems,”
said Saunders. “Everything on that
track system is going to come from
us. Right now, we’re purchasing the
rubber from different rubber manu-facturers,
but it will soon be our own
rubber on everything. It will be a full
Zuidberg product.”
Saunders says this provides the
company with more control over the
final product and will also mean any
issues with the rubber belts on
Zuidberg tracks can be resolved more
quickly, which benefits customers.
The rubber belts are in the final stages
of validation to ensure they conform to
safety standards and they should be
ready to release on new Zuidberg track
conversion kits coming out this year.
late three-dimensionally on top of a
vibration-dampening piece of rubber
and bear the weight of the tractor.
“You’ve got a nice ride with the track
system on there,” said Saunders. “You’re
not going to get the bouncing effect that
you’re going to get from the wheels.”
Resale value
Saunders says another consideration
for snowmobile clubs or others looking
to buy equipment for snow grooming is
the resale value of their investment.
“There’s a larger market for a used
ag tractor than there is for a unit that’s
only designed for snowmobile trail
grooming. That means it’ll be worth
more money when you go to sell it
because of everyone out there looking
to purchase that type of equipment,”
he said.
“You’re going to get a lot better traction with the track system. That
makes it easier to maneuver, and you’re going to get more power
to the ground with the tracks than you are with wheels.”
–Chris Saunders, Zuidberg NA
PHOTO COURTESY OF ZUIDBERG NA 38 April/May 2019 | snowopsmag.com
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