Dan, I just enjoy playing around and "projecting" (I know some of you can relate). Alaskan conditions are different, and like you said, different tracks can work in different areas. Track-talk has been a little slow latel, so we'll light a fire. Maybe I'll help prospective buyers line up all the dots. What's needed, what's not. Price and performance comparisons are very useful things. I have some recent experience I'd like to add.
Full disclosure. I actually thought the pro-series was going to be an acceptable solution for my long axle machine. I had been running an escargo all-steel track and simply wanted to experiment with the diesel and "extra power/efficiency) by disconnecting the center axles. I had already done this on my gas machine, and it seemed like it would be great to run a kutboa-diesel with this set-up as well. I was watching engine temps under constant load....knowing that my tires were "slipping". Everything was good, but I could only wonder how much better it could be. The kubota is amazing in power and efficiency. This particular machine was built with strength in mind. All long axles and long bearing cages every axle for heavy-duty track use. I had not been using track tuners (track tuners were not an option on this machine over the bolt-on mudd-ox hub....a wider tuner is required to clear the nut....and the hub is already 5" farther out to begin with).
I saw the pro-series track as an easy solution vs. swapping to standard-length center axles (buying new parts and labor + removing perfectly good parts). I posed a question...and Tim was willing to investigate...the possibility of an off-set rim + track tuner to match the tire centerline of the other axles. This was another option. Ultimately, I decided not to do this either. I'd have to buy more tuners, special rims...etc. Why not just throw on an open crosser track...that is reported to be very durable and bouyant (another excuse to try yet another set of tracks
)...that would keep all tire speeds constant with the belting. For summer/fall conditions a 14.5" track like this would work...and I was curious....amazing reports. Seemed like a fun experiment. Adair was very helpful in getting a clearance track set...actually ended up being new parts headed my way. I had heard rave reviews from all angles on the internet. I won't repeat all the adjectives that have and continue to be used.
The bummer part is that in my conditions (Alaska), I had serious problems keeping the tracks on. There was also a huge difference in turning effort under certain conditions. I really don't care about much other than the tracks staying on. My set was build with a closer 4.5" pitch instead of the normal (I think) 5" pitch as well for better tire coverage and track-retainment.
I would like to figure out myself what the solution is for that design. On certain machines/loads/conditions...I think it can be problematic. For you guys down there, it seems to be working great in the mud and swamp and terrain parks. My conditions are different. So we'll have some fun and get some good video...hopefully not the same ole same ole. If you put out a design, it's only natural for others to give you feedback.
On another note, I will be swapping out my machine to centaur-style square-profile turf tires and running a twin-track Escargo on the mudd-ox 81" wheelbase (hopefully I got that spec right). I am particularly interested in the redundancy of twin-tracks that would be even more difficult to throw (if that's even possible). Also, it doesn't require track tuners (which I can't run anyway)...and keeps all (8) axles driven. I'll index the tires similar to argo and "pro-series" installation recommendations (every track should do that to keep the load on the proper side of the chains...in the forward direction...at least if #2 is the driver). The open-crosser design allows for negligible slip if needed as the tire breaks contact with individual crossers, unlike a solid rubber end-wrap tire. A Pro-Series track requires this to happen on its end-wrap tires as well. I especially like the idea of keeping all 8 tires driven in the event of any problems in the field. Currently, on track-tuners, if you have to remove a track in the field, you aren't going anywhere with them installed. I cannot even make my garage transition if track tuners are installed (running on tires). At the very least it could make for some frustrating removal of tuners/tires (in bad conditions) if you had to get your axle driving again. We live in a world of what-ifs. There have been some track tuners breaking up here, I'm fairly certain they've been replaced. I understand there have been some improvements made there.