Argo Plastic Track Sag

[Buddee]

I have a 1992 6x6 Vanguard with 21-11-8 Carlise AT101's. Have just put on a new to me set of older style supertracks. With 28 links I have about 6.5" of sag with tire pressure at 4-5-4. With 27 links I have 3" of sag with tire pressure at 3-4-3. Am I better with the 27 - tight or 28 - loose. I am concerned about the 28 because I think I will get a lot of slap on the underside.... but I don't want the chain's to wind up either? I am also thinking about adding a half link?

Thanks for any help!

[AlaskaGrizzly]

I have never measured sag so I can't help with what to expect or sag measurements. I have a 8x8, 22" runamuks and plastic supertracks. To adjust the track tension I run my machine and go up on the air pressure evenely in all tires until I don't get underside slap. If I remember right its around 4 1/4 psi in each tire. I assume that you have run the 28 link combo and have slap. Maybe try 5 psi in all tires and see how it does. I'd say max tire pressure I'd run would be around 6 psi and min would be 3 psi.

If you don't have half links they'd probably be handy in helping you adjust things to where you want them.

[Rock Doctor]

If you can get to about 2" sag with 27 Links (Little more air pressure), you should be good. I agree with AG, I don't like to go over 6psi either.

I would suggest that you pull a few random pins out of those tracks, just to see how worn they are. Worn out pins can and will break at the worst time. Also, the difference in track length with new pins, compared to worn pins can be huge.

RD

[reichstall]

yes i am in the middle of doing pins and keepers.You will not belive how wore out or broken they may be.

[jimsummit]

After I replaced my pins, Had to add a half link.
I run my tracks with more sag than alotta guys but it helps with controlling track windup.
Not had a problem tracks slapping the tub.

[Buddee]

Thanks for the reponses. The pins are a bit worn but not that bad actually. I'm gonna give it try the weekend on 27 links and 3lbs in the tires. If it is too tight will I get chain wind up right away?

[JohnF]

... If it is too tight will I get chain wind up right away?

The theoretical answer is not necessarily. Chain windup is caused by the difference in ratios between the chain/sprocket system and track/tire system. Assuming all sprockets are perfect 1:1 then any deviation in tire diameter creates chain (actually axle) windup. The stress of this goes somewhere, it has to. You want the machine to relieve the stress of this by spinning a tire in the tracks as anything else is something broken.

Sooo, it could be that your tires and sprockets end up perfectly in sync.

Well then, the practical answer is that you'll know in 30 feet or 10 meters (take your pick). [Edit] I guess I should have said how you will know because is is pretty likely you'll have some. Open it up so you can see the chains. Your chains are right when they are tight all on the top or all on the bottom (depending on direction of travel). Now, does it feel like the machine wants to relieve this by breaking an axle/chain/sprocket/hub or spin the tire on the wheel?

You might be able to adjust tire pressures to make all the diameters the same but ambient conditions change and would affect this every time you ride. You could also check into a product called Track Tuners that in effect remove the middle tire(s) from the equation.

For sure if the tracks are too tight you will be stressing axles and axle bearings.