tracks on a conquest?

[capri302]

Hi guys, I have a 04 conquest with only 100hours on it, I was looking for tracks for the winter, we have a lot of snow here in Quebec.Do I have to upgrade bearing and axles ?
I want to keep this thing reliable, what happens if you break an axle? are you able to bring back the machine on its own power ?

[guyfox]

You can run tracks with standard bearings and axles. Some people have upgraded their bearings and axles but I do believe that that is a personel choice. There are several style of thatcks that you can choose from....regular argo standard plastic or rubber tracks (standard or supper tracks...13 inches or 18 inches wide....wider tracks may require spacers), adair tracks with snow kit, Escargo tracks or chanel tracks. All tracks have pros and cons. Comes to personel choice and what your intended use will be. There are a lot of vids on this site or youtube to search and watch to form your own opinion. As for getting out with a broken axle....this is one of rockdoctor07 vids.

ARGO Trip Broken Axle - YouTube

hope this helps...and nice looking machine there.

[Rock Doctor]

Kinda depends on what axle you break. A front makes it hard, but you can usually limp out if it's any other.

RD

[capri302]

Kinda depends on what axle you break. A front makes it hard, but you can usually limp out if it's any other.

RD

thanks, I guess middle axles failures are less common than front and rear?

[Old Tucker]

What happens with the axles, is the flanges breaks off the ends of the axles. And if you are going to run a wider track like the 18 Inch you will need to put spacers on the axles. In doing so it puts a lot more stress on the flange. You can run the hd axles with your stock bearings. If you do not beat the Argo you may get away with the stock axles for a while. But eventually the flanges will brake when you have the spacers on. I do not know how far you venture out into the back. Personally I do not like breakdowns when I am 15 miles in the back country, in the middle of winter so I replaced all axles and bearings to hd. Now thats one less thing I have to worry about.
Your argo looks to be in great shape. Heck you have snow to play in. I am thinking of firing up the lawnmower. Its so darn warm here.

[thorn]

Hi guys, I have a 04 conquest with only 100hours on it, I was looking for tracks for the winter, we have a lot of snow here in Quebec.Do I have to upgrade bearing and axles ?
I want to keep this thing reliable, what happens if you break an axle? are you able to bring back the machine on its own power ?

Great looking Conquest! The Conquests have bearing extensions on the front and rear axles that give them more strength when running tracks. Conquests are tough machines and unless you are hauling a lot of weight or are a very aggressive rider, your machine is good to go for tracks.

Another consideration when looking at tracks is the tires you are running may or may not work with the tracks you want to run. The Argo brand plastic tracks will only accept the old runamuk or equivalent tire. Adair brand or the metal (Escargo or Chanel) seem to work with a broader range of tires.

What tires are on your machine? they look great.

[capri302]

Great looking Conquest! The Conquests have bearing extensions on the front and rear axles that give them more strength when running tracks. Conquests are tough machines and unless you are hauling a lot of weight or are a very aggressive rider, your machine is good to go for tracks.

Another consideration when looking at tracks is the tires you are running may or may not work with the tracks you want to run. The Argo brand plastic tracks will only accept the old runamuk or equivalent tire. Adair brand or the metal (Escargo or Chanel) seem to work with a broader range of tires.

What tires are on your machine? they look great.

I have factory tires, rawhide III .
I guess small plastic tracks are not the best in the deep snow, Still looking to make the right choice first time, I am also considering having a spare axle at my cabin just in case.

[capri302]

The rawhide III tires does not work with plastic or supertracks according to the instructions.

[XVR]

I run a 2003 Conquest that spends most of its life in deep snow up in northern Ontario. My only choice for tracks are the 20 inch wide Bolduc rubber tracks. They are a one piece design ( no hinge ) very smooth ride. You also don't have to worry about the tracks chewing up the underbody like some tracks out there. These are serious tracks.....made for snow.

These tracks are also great for getting back onto the ice if you should happen to fall through.
Bolduc is a Canadian company located in Quebec.......great guys to deal with.

[XVR]

Tracks do put strain on the axles. I would run the HD axles on the front and rear with track tuners in the middle.



The stock Conquest axles are a little week for serious use. Tracks are a big investement....spend a little extra on the upgrade....you won't regret it.



I learned the hard way....lol

[thorn]

P1010072.jpg

I have factory tires, rawhide III .
I guess small plastic tracks are not the best in the deep snow, Still looking to make the right choice first time, I am also considering having a spare axle at my cabin just in case.

Well I have an 2004 Conquest with plastic Supertracks and it does very well in deep snow. I have 6" metal grousers on the outside edge that were installed by a dealer in Colorado. They make a BIG difference in it's climbing ability.

[capri302]

It looks like my rawhide tires have to be replaced for most tracks designs, more $$$ again.

[capri302]

With the channel tracks on snow groomed trails, Does it make ruts on the trail like the tires does?

[silver1108]

Hi The channel tracks barley leave a track mark .Only hard on trail if making sharp turns but if you take it easy hardly leaves a mark

[Fitz67]

XVR are those studs or picks I see on the tracks in the picture. I am currently researching tracks for my HDI primarily for ice fishing. The capability to climb back on ice if you fall through would be very useful. Have you had the pleasure of that happening?
Thanks