Tracks iceing up?

[paulp1]

I was out on the lake Sat ice fishing and had a hell of a time getting of the ice with the Argo. The tracks kept filling up with slush and icing up. Is this a common problem? It was slushy out there, maybe conditions were just to tuff for a conquest? any one experiance this themselves? Also I've had both back tires flat on me twice now, when running the tracks....? I'm running 5psi. anyone dealt with this issue?

Thanks for any input.

[Rock Doctor]

I was out on the lake Sat ice fishing and had a hell of a time getting of the ice with the Argo. The tracks kept filling up with slush and icing up. Is this a common problem? It was slushy out there, maybe conditions were just to tuff for a conquest? any one experiance this themselves? Also I've had both back tires flat on me twice now, when running the tracks....? I'm running 5psi. anyone dealt with this issue?

Thanks for any input.

Hi, could we get a little more info
I get ice buildup on the outside of my tracks quite a bit, but don't normally have a problem with it inside the tracks.
New tracks, or like new condition?
Is the slush "freezing" into the tracks, or is it more like "packing" in.
Do the tires have tubes in them (the ones that go flat)?
Do the tires go flat slowly like a "bead leak", or fast like a valve stem ripped off?
Supertracks or standard tracks?
Once a back tire goes flat, does the ice inside the track start to break up?
Are you running over anything (Ice Chunks) with the edges of the tracks, that could cause the tracks to twist? (This can cause the track guides to push into the tire sidewalls, cutting sidewalls or pushing tire off bead.)

Have you tried spraying the inside of your tracks with "Pam" (no stick cooking spray)?........................ Just kidding, just kidding.

Depending on the condition of your tracks, 5psi is on the high side IMHO. Your tracks are probably pretty tight, add the ice buildup and they are probably really tight. This could turn into an issue for you.

RD

[philipatmaxfour]

PAM Cooking Spray

Hi, could we get a little more info
I get ice buildup on the outside of my tracks quite a bit, but don't normally have a problem with it inside the tracks..........................

Have you tried spraying the inside of your tracks with "Pam" (no stick cooking spray)?........................ Just kidding, just kidding.



RD

Doctor,That is hilarious, but ....

[akpride]

I had the same problem but it isn't a problem with the tracks it is a problem with the ice. My buddies sled was having the same problem. Overflow gets covered up by snow and insulated and the temp is below frezzing you break through and bam instant track iceing. nothing you can do

[paulp1]

Thanks for the reply
some answers here;
-Ice builds up on the outside like packing into the voids and rubs on the body underside
-They are 1 year old standard tracks
-The tires in the back were tubeless and were pushed off the bead 2 weeks ago so I put tubes in the back and as mentioned they went flat also.
-since 1st post I noticed the sidewalls were damaged. This is probaly why the tubes flatted.
-When the tires were pushed off the bead I thought this was from to low of a tire presure 2.5 - 3 at the time? At 5psi it looks like they'll never come off. What issues will 5 psi cause?

Cokking spray.......I'll try anything once.

[turvuren]

tracks

i think snug tracks take a lot more horsepower to turn. I'm don't have any lake time but ran Argo supertracks loose enough to occasionaly clunk against the body and had no problems. Still have machine-for sale if interested.

[Rock Doctor]

Hey,
I get ice buildup on the outside of the tracks too (I think it gets worse as the tracks get older, more scrapes/cuts/gouges for the ice to stick to). A couple times I have had to stop and beat it off the tracks. Supertracks might be at a bit of an advantage here, keep you up out of the overflow a little better
As for the back tires. I think it's more common with Supertracks, but it's still easy to run over something with the edge of the track and twist the track into the tire...........Block of fire wood, steel fire pit, tree stump,........Daughters "Mini-Quad".....don't ask.
Front and rear tires are most susceptible to this. IME.
It is NOT recommended to have tires with tubes when running tracks. It is possible to slip a tire on the rim a bit (especially the outside corner tires) this can in turn cause the tube to slip in the rim, damaging the valve stem. (I try to keep tires with tubes on the center axles)
Lots of different opinions on tire pressures for tracks. What works for some, does not work for others. There are variables to consider: Track Condition, Tire type/condition, Track pins, Half link. Your tracks are a yr old, probably don't have many hrs on them, probably in excellent condition.......5psi is probably pushing the upper limit IMHO. You don't want your tracks TOO tight, it puts a tremendous amount of strain on the outer axles/bearings. Couple that with extra tension from snow buildup inside the tracks, and add in the possibility of "Chain Windup". Outer rear Axle Bearings take a beating under such conditions, and when they fail, they can take out the axle as well as the bearing housing too.
Someone will correct me I'm sure, but I think the spec is: Jack up Argo with tracks on and tires aired up... track should hang a min of 2.5" from center tires.
Tire press is probably the single most important factor when running tracks. When you get it right, Your Golden. When you get it wrong, Oooooooh Mama

As for the PAM thing, I heard that if you spray your quad with it, the mud just falls off LOL

RD

[Beardefence]

Ice-up of supertracks

Hi I had the same problem a couple of weeks ago. Me and a budy went ice fishing in at a little trout lake and on the second day the temperture went up to plus 6 celcious (40 F) . The surrounding geography of the lake caused melt water to flow on to the lake, There was about 10 inches of snow on top of the ice and the super tracks were getting plugged with slush and ice and the ride was really rough. I finally drove my conquest up a small hill beside the lake and took a small hammer and busted up the ice in each of the squares on the super tracks. It took a little bit of time but sure was worth the work. In this type of conditions I dont no what else you could do. The track was getting over weighted with the build up of ice. I must admit i was a little suprized but when i cleared the tracks and stayed out of the ice snow mix on the lake we had no problems. The weight from the melt water on the ice was actually causing water to come up our fishing holes. I dont know what you could do to prevent this type of build up in these conditions. I did however note that when the sun was out and shining on the side of the black tracks, ice was coming off on its own. I just used the hammer and moved the tracks slowly ahead stopping and starting and busted the ice at the front of each track. One thing i sure notice is how much power the tracks suck out of my machine. I was loaded pretty heavy, me and my buddy and a trailboggan behind with small wall tent, packing wood stove, sleeping gear ice fishing tent food couple of pops food etc. I wish the conquest had 5 or ten more horse power. not that it ever runs out of power it just slows way down. when going up some hills.

[Beardefence]

Oh yah i run 4psi in the two front tires on each side and 3 psi in the other four tires. I found this worked great for plowing since there is increased weight on the front of the machine with the plow.

[swampdonkey]

the pam thing should work well.. a few guys from work will do that with the front of the trucks when hauling in the summer.. the bugs dont bake on. they come off quite easy when cleaning time comes around

[Rock Doctor]

the pam thing should work well.. a few guys from work will do that with the front of the trucks when hauling in the summer.. the bugs dont bake on. they come off quite easy when cleaning time comes around

I think you might be on to something there, might have to try that one.

LOL,
OK, who is going to start a new thread

1001 uses for Pam..........Not your Girlfriend, the stuff in the can



Might have to move to the Chitchat forum for this one



RD