Bought a set of half tracks, need more pads

Zachary Hoyt · Nov 19, 2011

I bought a set of ARPS blackhawk half tracks today at an auction,
the set came to about $202 with tax and everything. The tracks
and idler arms are in great shape, but the brackets and U bolts
are pretty rough. The set was meant for a Ford, I was told. I was
originally thinking of putting them on our Massey 35 but the
loader is in the way, so now I am looking at putting them on the
Farmall H. I will need to find about 10-12 (5-6 per side) more
pads or whatever term is right. The pads are 18" wide. Does
anyone know where I could get some? I think I can modify the
existing brackets to work on the Farmall axle or else copy
Wardner's design from the archives. Thanks for any advice.
Zach

Wardner · Nov 19, 2011

I have six pads that I don't think I will use. Don't know where you can find the other six. They are surplus to me because my set came off a 400 and they are currently on a H. Bought my set at an auction too. I had to remove them from the tractor on site.

I made special brackets because the H has a three point hitch. Think my original 400 brackets might work on a H. I'd have to see if they fit on my SH.

I think I would try to swap your set to a Ford guy who may just have a Farmall set.

It is curious that your Ford set and my International set both carry the same Arps model designation of "BM"

mike1972chev · Nov 19, 2011

Move them on!

Zachary Hoyt · Nov 20, 2011

Thanks for the response, it is interesting that they both have the same model number. Possibly the man who said they were for a Ford was mistaken, as I don't think he had ever actually used them himself. They are a bit big for our Massey's axle, but I don't have a Ford to compare to. I appreciate your mentioning the six pads you have, I may want to buy them from you if you're willing to sell. I need to figure out exactly how many pads I need, so today I'll try the brackets and see if I can get the idler mounted on one side. Thanks very much.
Zach

IAtractorKid · Nov 20, 2011

If you decide to give up on them, let me know! Dad has been looking for a set for his Ferguson TO-30 and would be more then happy to give you $200 for them I would imagine. Where are you located?

JoeVT · Nov 20, 2011

Do an internet search for arps half tracks. A fellow from a ford forum scanned a copy of the owners manual he had. There is a chart that lists the number of shoes needed per tire size. Comparing the ford manual to the arps i have for my SC, the idler arms are the same, the only thing that appears different are the axle adapters.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 20, 2011

Z,

I currently run a set of half tracks, like yours and do not use the idlers. I am using them on a 2N Ford and they work fine. We ran a set on a WD45 Allis for many years in NE Minnesota without idlers and they were much more maneuverable and easy to work with. This should make it possible to use less cleats and be better all around. I had one or two cleats that were cracked and repaired them with quarter by two inch strap steel. The cleats were mild steel and easy to drill to bolt straps to the cleat. Simply wrap the tracks to rear tire and tighten. Good luck!

Zachary Hoyt · Nov 20, 2011

Update: the brackets I have fit perfectly on the Farmall H axle housing, so I guess the guy was wrong about what they were supposed to fit. My U bolts are in very rough shape, one is broken, one is welded back together, one is bent and one is missing a lot of threads. I'm sure I can figure something out if I can't find some better U bolts to buy.
Zach

cbice · Nov 20, 2011

Hello Zack, I bought the brackets off your h,I put them on my super h they are arps, I have 13-6-38 tires and have 39 cleats per side shortened the dolly as short as i could. Give me a call new # is 713-4115. I would buy your set if they were for sale . I don't have any extra cleats
Thanks Clif

cbice · Nov 20, 2011

For got the cleats I have are 20 1/4 " long from end to end.
Thanks Clif

Zachary Hoyt · Nov 20, 2011

Yes, I remember selling them to you. Do you like how your half tracks work? I think you maybe ended up with the set that first sparked my interest in half tracks. I saw a listing on Craigslist for an M with half tracks in Carthage in early 2009 but I had never bought a tractor before so I didn't call right away. When I did call we had a few days of snow and it was a 50 mile trip so I figured I'd wait till the snow stopped and by the time I was ready to go he had already sold the tractor to someone else, and then I guess he sold the half tracks to you. I have the next size down of cleats, officially 17" wide but a little bigger by my tape.
Zach

cbice · Nov 21, 2011

Hello Zack
I bought my tracks hear in Ogdensburg and needed the brackets I got from you.I put them on my Super H just for show,I drove it around a little bit. Have not had much experence with the tracks.
Clif

pat in wis · Nov 21, 2011

try Lakeside farms in Harrisville Wis.608-296-2045
ask for Brian. they had several sets a couple of years ago

Zachary Hoyt · Nov 22, 2011

Thanks, I called them but they only have complete sets, they said.
Zach

pat in wis · Nov 22, 2011

I'll keep an eye out for others, wouldn't mind having extra cleats myself too. Pat

Bought a set of half tracks, need more pads

Zachary Hoyt

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Wardner

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mike1972chev

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Zachary Hoyt

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IAtractorKid

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JoeVT

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Anonymous-0

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Zachary Hoyt

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cbice

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cbice

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Zachary Hoyt

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cbice

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pat in wis

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Zachary Hoyt

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pat in wis

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