rubber tracks and chain tensioners

[Grandsteph]

I bought a 2004 avenger. Fully loaded and in showroom condition. The owner had the rubber tracks on it. While I was lubing the chains and greasing the bearings, I noticed all the chain tensioners were tied down to their lowest positions (using plastic ties) leaving lots of slack in the chains. Is there a reason why they would do this? Is it better if the chains have more slack when the tracks or on? I've just put the tracks back on for the winter and wonder if I should tie down the tensioners. Any opinions or advice?
Thanks

[Rock Doctor]

Bad idea
My guess is he was having chain windup issues, and did not understand what was happening. Chain windup can/will wear out tensioners very quickly. Not understanding the issue, he may have tied the tensioners down, believing that they were the cause of the problem. Depending on how long the machine was operated like that, you may see damage done to your sprockets.

RD

[Grandsteph]

After following rubber track installation procedures as per manual, I was not getting the 2 to 3 inch sag between bottom of track and second tire. I measured the track and it was 4 inches too short for what was suggested for my machine with the tires I had. The track already had a 2 inch spacer. I added another one and was able to get a 2 inch track sag. Should I be looking for a 3 inch sag? If so I'd have to install a third spacer. Not sure about have three spacers connected to each other since there might be too much space between track guides at that location. If a third spacer is recommended to get optimal track sag, should I be considering cutting the track in half and add a spacer at this new location?
Thanks

[thebuggyman1]

How many hours on the machine?
What kind and size are the tires? They should be RawhideIII's 25x11.5-9 for a 2004

[Grandsteph]

Machine has 132 hours. The tracks likely have a maximum of 40 hours. Yes all tires are RawhideIII's 25x11.5-9

[thebuggyman1]

The chain windup, if it did occur, will take a toll on the bearings and chains quite fast. I would check them out well if I were you.
My Avenger has 250 hours. I just replaced the chains and several bearings, and don't know if this was the first time.

[Obsessed]

After following rubber track installation procedures as per manual, I was not getting the 2 to 3 inch sag between bottom of track and second tire. I measured the track and it was 4 inches too short for what was suggested for my machine with the tires I had. The track already had a 2 inch spacer. I added another one and was able to get a 2 inch track sag. Should I be looking for a 3 inch sag? If so I'd have to install a third spacer. Not sure about have three spacers connected to each other since there might be too much space between track guides at that location. If a third spacer is recommended to get optimal track sag, should I be considering cutting the track in half and add a spacer at this new location?
Thanks

I'm not getting your thoughts very clear. You said that when installed as per Argo's directions you had 4" of sag under the two middle tires....argo recommends 2or3....you said it currently has the 2" long metal track spacer which changes the track length from 19'2" to 19'4" ...if you want the track to have less sag you will either have to remove the metal spacer and shorten the track length, or increase the air pressure in all four tires to tighten things up and reduce track sag.....unless I'm misunderstanding your comment I don't see where making the track longer with more spacers will tighten up the track tension and reduce the amount of sag under the center tires.

For what it's worth, I have always just install the argo rubber tracks without the metal spacer when matched with those tires. Usually the spacer is only need with the slightly larger new 25" Carlise tires on the new HDI's..

Several dealers have adopted to practice of tying down the chain tensions when running rubber tracks to avoid breaking them...there are better ways to actually reduce the normal drive train stress that will allow you to leave your chain tensioners functional.

Best of luck and please let me know if I missed your point.

Tim

[Grandsteph]

Thanks Tim. I don't I was very clear on my previous thoughts. I really want to get this right so let me try this again.
My 2004 avenger came with rubber tracks installed. I bought the machine last spring and took the tracks off it right away. Now that winter is here, I put the tracks on again. I followed all argo instruction (sizing, inflation, etc...). It was really tough joining the tracks but eventually got it. After the tracks were put on, I raised the machine to see how much track sag I had. I had 1/2 inch. Through this argo forum, I found out that tracks that are too tight can cause lots of damage to tensioners, bearings, etc... So I took the tracks and tires off and started over thinking I might have done something wrong. After I installed it all again, there was no difference. Still only 1/2 inch sag on bottom track. I then measured the track thinking it might too short. I discovered the track was 4 inches shorter then what is recommended for the size of tires I have. Note: the track already had a 2 inch spacer in it.

I bought another set of spacers and installed them. This helped a lot. I now have a 2 inch sag on bottom track. What I'm wondering now is should I be looking to get 3 inches of sag rather than 2? If so, I'd need to buy another set of spacers. This would mean a total of 3 spacers linked together on each track. I'm thinking 3 spacers connected together is not desirable because it would leave too long a gap between track guides. Any thoughts on any of this?

Thanks again,

[Rock Doctor]

Go with the 2 spacers and 2" sag. That's fine IMHO. If you want a little more sag, just lower your tire pressures a bit.
I would suggest that you look into getting a set of Track Tuners if you run the rubber tracks, they help a lot with chain windup issues and premature wear on chains, bearings, sprockets, and axles.

[Grandsteph]

I agree. Thanks so much. Track tuners? I'll look into it. I'm new to the AATV. Huge learning curve but loving it. This forum is great. Can't wait to be experienced enough to actually answer some questions instead of asking them.

[thebuggyman1]

track tuners: adairargosales - Track Tuners