Mattracks, the world\u2019s original inventor and manufacturer of rubber track conversion systems, has introduced a breakthrough solution that redefines what road graders can accomplish: the TD300 (Tandem Drive) heavy-duty rubber track conversion system engineered specifically for road graders operating where tires fail, and steel tracks fall short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Designed for soft, sandy, and unstable terrain, the TD300 Tandem Drive grader track system enables full grading capability in environments where wheeled machines typically stall. With a current gross vehicle weight rating of 30,000 lbs., and engineering capability extending beyond 40,000 lbs. for larger platforms, the system opens new operational territory for construction, infrastructure, energy, mining, and military support operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The TD300 system was developed in response to a real-world challenge. A customer approached Mattracks needing to grade sandy desert terrain where pneumatic tires repeatedly sank, stalled production, and compromised surface quality. No viable off-the-shelf solution existed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rather than avoid the application, Mattracks engineered one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The result is the TD300 Tandem Drive rubber track conversion, purpose-built for road graders, adapting proven industrial track technology to a machine category few manufacturers have attempted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike conventional track designs, the TD300 Tandem Drive system utilizes a floating bearing, hub-mounted drive architecture, a configuration rarely used in track systems and not previously applied at this scale for graders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This design:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor grading, flotation and consistency matter more than obstacle clearance,\u201d said Jon Vacura, Engineer at Mattracks. \u201cThe goal isn\u2019t climbing, it\u2019s staying level, maintaining traction, and producing a uniform surface. Increasing the footprint directly supports that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond flotation and traction, the TD300 addresses another long-standing challenge in grading operations: surface inconsistency caused by pneumatic tire bounce that results in a washboard road\u2014the very condition a grader is designed to eliminate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pneumatic tires react to surface depressions by compressing and rebounding. This repeated compression introduces oscillation into the machine, which transfers directly to the blade. The result is uneven grading, reduced surface quality, and operators being forced to slow down to maintain acceptable results\u2014ultimately impacting productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rubber tracks, by contrast, span surface depressions rather than dropping into them. This allows the grader to maintain a more consistent ride height, delivering smoother blade control and a more uniform finished surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cIn grading, the machine is actively flattening the surface,\u201d Vacura explained. \u201cTracks span depressions instead of reacting to them, which helps maintain a consistent grade and reduces the need to slow down to control bounce.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Operators using the TD300 Tandem Drive system can expect immediate advantages, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rubber tracks also offer environmental benefits over steel alternatives, delivering controlled compaction and significantly lower ground pressure\u2014critical for solar installations, infrastructure corridors, and protected areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with all Mattracks systems, durability is engineered into the TD300 design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These industrial track systems are designed for long-term service when properly maintained, with preventive maintenance focused on track tension and storage practices. Safety and reliability are incorporated at every stage of design and production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur focus is on solving the mechanical problem correctly,\u201d said Vacura. \u201cThat means designing for the loads involved, choosing materials that hold up in real conditions, and making sure the system performs the way operators expect it to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the TD300 was developed for a midsize grader platform, Mattracks has already quoted solutions for larger graders, including machines exceeding 40,000 lbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Customization remains a core capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If a configuration is feasible, Mattracks will engineer it. If it\u2019s not, the company will say so\u2014clearly and directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Installation is straightforward thanks to the hub-mounted Tandem Drive design, and Mattracks\u2019 in-house service team is available by phone to support customers during installation and operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter more than three decades in business, we still believe support matters,\u201d Vacura added. \u201cWhen someone calls, they\u2019re talking to people who understand the product and the application.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n