FAIRLAWN, Ohio—Continental A.G.'s ContiTech business debuted a proprietary track-condition monitoring concept for the Trackman at Agritechnica 2017 trade show in Hanover, Germany.
The track-sensing technology incorporates a microchip molded into the tread of the track, and communicates directly with a monitor in the cab to provide operators with real-time data.
The interaction gives the tractor operator the information needed to predictively maintain its tracks, avoiding downtime altogether, according to Rob Schultz, Continental's product manager for rubber tracks.
"In the future, targeted monitoring will enable predictive maintenance, which means that operators can respond to components before downtime occurs and replace them accordingly," said Schultz.
The new track sensor was developed by the engineering team at the company's St. Mary's, Ohio, plant, he said.