Guma Tech: Durable Rubber Tracks for Heavy-Duty Construction Equipment
Rubber tracks for excavators - what else can be developed? With this question in mind, we went to the GUMA-TECH company at bauma in Munich. As one of the three major suppliers, we are sure to see some new products here. In conversation, we also find out what idea the company would like to implement for the disposal of rubber tracks.
Rubber tracks for excavators with anti-vibration track
Felix Rother: Mr. Stadtler, what makes Guma-Tech so special? Michael Stadtler: We have been one of the third largest innovative rubber track manufacturers in Europe for more than 20 years, since 1993. Felix Rother: You mentioned innovation as a keyword. What kind of innovation is there? Michael Stadtler: Let's go over there - I'd be happy to show you on the screen! Felix Rother: We'd be happy to. Can we already see the innovation here? Michael Stadtler: You can already see the innovation here. Here we have our AVT chain anti-vibration track. This means that we have gone and installed a special guide from the standard tracks, which enables the excavator operator to drive very quietly and very gently. Felix Rother: As we can already see here? Michael Stadtler: As we can already see here, we achieve up to 75 percent less vibration, depending on the machine size and machine chain size, which also reaches the driver at the top.
Felix Rother: Who benefits from it - less vibration? Does it benefit the machine or the driver? Michael Stadtler: Both. Both have a very big win-win effect, the machine runs very smoothly, ultimately the rider protects his back even more when these people sit on this machine for 7-8 hours a day - they have a lot of vibrations in the machine - with our chains this is almost eliminated. Felix Rother: What else is new at Guma-Tech? Michael Stadtler: Let's go over to the table, I'll be happy to show you there. We have our KS chain here. Felix Rother: This looks quite dangerous. Michael Stadtler: It looks dangerous, but it's not quite as dangerous as it looks. Felix Rother: What can the whole thing do? What can this chain do? Michael Stadtler: Yes, these are spikes. With this chain, we have machines in use that can easily bridge gradients of up to 100% with this chain. Felix Rother: 100% incline? Michael Stadtler: 100% incline is used a lot on flail mowers. On the highway, when they have an extreme slope, so that they can't slide off to the side. In principle, we have combined the good features of the rubber track here. In principle, it's no different to putting snow chains on the winter tires in winter, and we've basically copied that over there. Felix Rother: How long does it take to develop something like this? Michael Stadtler: We had a development time of around one and a half years on this chain. This includes the pre-development of the chain itself and finally tests with original equipment partners, who are now using these chains very successfully on the market. Felix Rother: That means there are extra quiet chains, there are extra stable chains, what's next and where do we go from here?
Recycling system for rubber tracks from GUMA-TECH
Michael Stadtler: Nowadays, if I go to my tire dealer and buy 4 new tires, he will take them back. This is now also regulated by law. There is still nothing in the area of rubber tracks, but Brussels is currently considering introducing something there. We are already innovating here. Together with a cooperation partner, we have found a solution for our dealers that we are currently presenting here at bauma. Felix Rother: How does it work? Can you briefly explain it to me? Michael Stadtler: It's relatively simple. We will place appropriate disposal racks at the dealers, where the rubber tracks will be collected via a special transport logistics system, collected again and then dismantled by our cooperation partner and separated into their individual components. This means that the rubber is separated from the metal and then fed back into the recycling material. This then becomes this granulate, iron still comes out with it.
Michael Stadtler: Nowadays, if I go to my tire dealer and buy 4 new tires, he will take them back. This is now also regulated by law. There is still nothing in the area of rubber tracks, but Brussels is currently considering introducing something there. We are already innovating here. Together with a cooperation partner, we have found a solution for our dealers that we are currently presenting here at bauma. Felix Rother: How does it work? Can you briefly explain it to me? Michael Stadtler: It's relatively simple. We will place appropriate disposal racks at the dealers, where the rubber tracks will be collected via a special transport logistics system, collected again and then dismantled by our cooperation partner and separated into their individual components. This means that the rubber is separated from the metal and then fed back into the recycling material. This then becomes this granulate, iron still comes out with it.
