studding question, ramps on inside of ripsaw II track...

[Roman Rider]

Getting ready to stud the wife's LTX SE, it's the 2 ply ripsaw II track 137, going with 144 gold diggers and planning on alternating rows of double and single backers: 2-4-2-4 in as much of a v pattern as I can. Not using a template, I normally just freehand the pattern to get more scratch lines due to human error laying them out. However after laying out the first 4 rows of backer plates before marking, I noticed the little ramps on the inside of the track where the idler wheels ride between the inside lugs.

Is it a problem if the head of the studs are over/on these ramps? I figure it might tilt the studs to the side a little but for any of you that may have done this has it caused any trouble yet. I realize that ideally it's best to avoid the stud head running over the wheels but with those ramps in there it might be unavoidable if I want much variation of stud locations.

 

[almond1000]

I used all double angle backers in mine when I did it, I went with a pattern of 4-2-4 on my 129, I used a small grinder with a 1-1/2" pad and ground the ramps flush with the track since the head of a stud with angle backer sits higher on one side. now all the heads are flush, 700 miles and no issues

 

[Ikenheimer]

I installed 144 with double backers every other row and singles inside the quiet ramps on the other rows 4-2-4-2 pattern. You can go right over the ramps without having to grind them down. I used plastic backers and have 800 miles so far and totally fine. If you use metal backers you can suck them all the way in so they are flush, plastics just torque to spec (20 lbs or so). Some of them sit a little crooked due to the quiet ramps but works fine-you can do a search on Cat site about studding quiet tracks.

 

[Roman Rider]

Thanks for the replies! I have the Woody's aluminum backers, maybe I'll try a couple without grinding the ramps and see how they sit.

 

[skidooslayer687]

Have around 800 miles with 144 woodys in the 4-2-4-2 pattern with metal backers and never have had an issue, just went and re-torqued all of them the other day, heads are now all sitting flush without putting the stud at any angle at all

 

[Rye_Guy78]

I started studding mine today and I have the same concern with the quiet ramps interfering with the studs. Has anyone had issues with this? I have studded lots of tracks but this is the first single ply track.

 

[cannondale27]

Use aluminum backers with nuts and tighten till head is below the bump. If you use plastic backers you will strip them doing this.

 

[bleedyamaha]

Stud away like they are not there. Like cannondale said with aluminum backers tighten them down till the head sucks in flesh with the bumps.

 

[Rye_Guy78]

Thanks, I'll try the aluminum backers and see how they look. I bought the stud boy plastic backers since I have always had good luck with them.