HELP!!! Bigfoot Tracks Performing SLOW!!!

[miami123]

I have a 6x6 Bigfoot with the 18hp B&S engine. It was doing about 18mph with the 25" wheels. I've been wanting to purchase tracks for sometime, so I finally made the investment in the 13" plastic tracks and 22" wheels (22x11x9). I installed them and when test driving in the street, the Argo at high speed was running at about 7 mph and struggling. I removed half a link from the tracks and added more air on the tires. The performance increased slightly, but still running very slow. It seems that in the low gear, it definitely runs close to before after adding the extra air, but the high gear is not being able to obtain the proper RPM's. The tracks are now very tight and the wheels have 10lbs. Any advise? Do I need to add another link (I have 29 on each side)? Do I have to add more tire pressure? Do I have to use it until the tires are broken in (they seem to be gripping the tracks tightly)? Or is this how it is all supposed to perform? I need advise. After the large investment, great deal of work and excitement, I am very disappointed. Please advise. Thanks.

[miami123]

The tires are brand new and are similar to Chevron, but not quite. Just FYI

[Roger S]

If you're not using the tires and wheels the tracks were designed for, you 'll have to adjust the track length, assuming the tires aren't too wide already.

[AlaskaGrizzly]

Adding air to the tires does not seem like the right answer, running the tracks tight does not help. Adding a link probably won't do anything either.

This is a wild guess but based on my experience I'd suggest adjusting the driven clutch. Take it apart and add tension to the spring by moving the spring one or two holes in the cam (I'd start with two). I'm not familiar with the Bigfoots but I assume the clutch is the same as my Conquest. This will help keep the clutch "gearing" lower which will help your engine stay in the right power band. In my experience tracks slow the machine down but it sounds like your machine is really bogging. Adjusting the driven clutch should help keep it from opening up to easy, effectivly keeping you clutched lower, and keep you from bogging your engine so much. Also, if your belt is worn a lot I would suggest changing it. Narrow worn belts cause a "high gear" effect and having the extra drag of tracks could be just enough to be bogging your engine.

[miami123]

Thanks for the tips. When driving the Argo onto the tracks, I noted that the tires are a bit wide and would fit into the track very tightly. Since they are tight, the track link sticks to the wheel and I would have to step on the link to put it flat against the floor before the next tire reaches the link. Is this normal, or should the tires simply drive into the track without much effort? Anywho, I continue being concerned on the width of the tire, so I measured the track, which is exactly 11" wide. Therefore, the tire must be either 11.5" or greater. This is probably why it slightly improved when putting more air, since the width becomes a bit narrower with the extra air. The issue with the tire is probably that it is not desinged to be used at 3-4 psi. I'm going to see about switching the tire. I may be able to swap it for the Maxxis M910 snow tire, which is 22x10x9. Let me know what's your opinion about the width. Also, I think the clutch suggestion is also very good. I probably can do this by removing the belt and making the adjustment without much work, correct?
Thanks again.

[Roger S]

Argo tires are a loose fit side side in the tracks, thry are 10" wide, plus they are rounded at thge sides.

The clutch, I think there are 6 or 7 holes, numbered left to right. If you move the spring anchor to the left/counter clockwise/lower #, it will give the low geared effect.

[AlaskaGrizzly]

I second the loose fit of the tire to track, Argo brand tracks were designed to run on the goodyear runamuks, which are getting hard to find new since goodyear stopped making them. It didn't come to mind that that could be happening. Sounds like your tires are a major part of your issue.

If you have Argo brand tracks the guys at Argo Outdoor Sports in Grand Juntion CO (BuyArgo.com is America's Argo Super Store) can make a suggestion for a differt tire. They told me of a tire that they use now since the runamuks are no longer in production. I forget the brand & model and unfortenetly I am away from home so I can't go look up what I wrote down.

You will need to remove the clutch from your machine to adjust the spring if you choose to do so. At least on my Conquest it is required.