First REAL weekend with Adair Tracks

[Obsessed]

So, like I mentioned earlier, Tracks are not always the answer. This little incident took me a little off guard, the vid does no justice to how it really felt. Wet, muddy Tracks are VERY slippery on a wooden Bridge Deck. Especially when the bridge has a mean lean to the downstream side. I could literally have pushed the Argo off the bridge with one hand, had I wanted to. Add to it that I am now almost too wide to cross the bridge, and we have a disaster waiting to happen. On my way back out I spiked in some 2x4's to the downstream side to make a kickplate. I could easily still drive over it, but it will keep me (or anyone) on the bridge for now.

I took all my "winter" hardware off the tracks earlier, and now I am considering putting some Ice Picks back in just to give me a little Bite on the wooden deck, it would probably work. I'm just not sure if it's THE answer I'm looking for.


More to come
RD

That looks a little scary!

Was just thinking about a possible solution ....two weeks ago we ripped out about 150' of chain link fence and hauled it to the scrap yard...I wonder if it was rolled out and nailed down if it would add much more grip??? Might even give the tire machines a bit more grip also...

Just throwing out some ideas

Tim

[Rock Doctor]

Something different,
We went on a couple Sunset Kayak Rides

RD

[foxvalley]

The guy who first thought of putting a camera on a pole in front of an argo must be a genius or something..........................
Needed to get that in before I compliment you on the pic in pic thing, I think that the cam on the pole watching the argo/tracks work, the driver, and the other riders behind,and now you have a view of where the argo is going,in my opinion,you can't do a better job of covering the fun action. Great stuff Doc! How does it feel to be a unicorn? Sucks in the heavy timber doesn't it. If there is heaven on earth, it's right where you are.
I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days in Iowa with Tim,and after the cobwebs clear from the ride home, I'm going to post a couple pics.

[russriders]

I am thinking about sell my 2002 conquest and after watch all ur video RD I just want to keep it , but she have to go . Nice video by the way thanks for post it

[Roadtorque]

I was thinking you could nail a couple of roofing shingles to the bridge to give it some texture. Could be a cheap option. Anyway. Great videos.

[thebuggyman1]

I was thinking you could nail a couple of roofing shingles to the bridge to give it some texture. Could be a cheap option. Anyway. Great videos.

Roc Doc just needs buggyman's "bridge building 101" class. IMG_0071.jpg
This one is my small bridge. The big bridge sits on 30' long 16" tall I-beams

[Rock Doctor]

The guy who first thought of putting a camera on a pole in front of an argo must be a genius or something..........................
Needed to get that in before I compliment you on the pic in pic thing. How does it feel to be a unicorn? Sucks in the heavy timber doesn't it. If there is heaven on earth, it's right where you are.

YOU are the Man
Driving the Unicorn is what I like to call a........ PITA. I actually left the pole out at the lake, but now I want to try to rig it so it's behind me, maybe looking down at the machine from behind the driver. I should be headed out again next weekend, so I will work on something out there.
Tks again for the idea

I am thinking about sell my 2002 conquest and after watch all ur video RD I just want to keep it , but she have to go . Nice video by the way thanks for post it

I was thinking you could nail a couple of roofing shingles to the bridge to give it some texture. Could be a cheap option. Anyway. Great videos.

Glad you liked them, maybe someday we can go for a ride

Roc Doc just needs buggyman's "bridge building 101" class. [ATTACH=CONFIG]8736[/ATTACH]
This one is my small bridge. The big bridge sits on 30' long 16" tall I-beams

Nice, I think that a better idea is for thebuggyman to go on a ride with me and show me how it's done. I'll supply the food, lodging, gas, fishing rods and boat......... I'll even get the materials, all you have to do is show up We'll have a great time

On another note, I think I have ordered another set of tracks. Have not heard back yet, but my idea is to put a set of Adairs together 16.5" wide. Narrow spacers on the inside of the tracks and 4" spacers on the outside. This way, I will not need Axle extensions, it will reduce my overall width by 5" and I will still have the structural strength of the bolted extensions on the outside of the track (the part that takes the most abuse )
I'm looking for thoughts on this idea. I've posted the question to Tim, but don't expect to hear back right away, as we are headed into the weekend
Ideas welcome.

Oh, ya. Thanks for the ideas on how to add traction to the bridge. I like the ideas, but don't think I will be comfortable with any less than a full blown guard rail down the side.

Have a good one

RD

[coosaridgerider]

Nice video.Looks like everyone had a blast.

[plott hound]

actually it was the girls idea to mount the pole on front of the argo.initially there was a beer hanging on the end of it.this was done in hopes that dad could keep up with those speedsters.

[Dan67]

See if you can pick up some used mining conveyer belting. Cut it down to small strips and nail to the bridge with roofing nails. The rubber on those belts should give your tracks plenty of traction. I have some old belting from work that was used to move hot scrap HDPE to grinders for reprocessing. It would be perfect. I could ship it but the cost would be "stupidly high" from South Carolina to Canada. I'm sure I could get it moved to the guys up north to NY during the Oct Busco.

[Rock Doctor]

Hey Dan67
I should be able to round up some Belting around here, I will look into that too.

[ how in the heck did Plott Hound know about the Beer]

RD

[foxvalley]

On another note, I think I have ordered another set of tracks. Have not heard back yet, but my idea is to put a set of Adairs together 16.5" wide. Narrow spacers on the inside of the tracks and 4" spacers on the outside. This way, I will not need Axle extensions, it will reduce my overall width by 5" and I will still have the structural strength of the bolted extensions on the outside of the track (the part that takes the most abuse )
I'm looking for thoughts on this idea. I've posted the question to Tim, but don't expect to hear back right away, as we are headed into the weekend




Hey Doc, I think that going to 161/2" tracks is a great idea,where you are, and the tight situations 5" less width is huge.Do you have the new generation tracks now? I don't think that the narrower track or overall width will make a big difference in performance, but I have no time with the 16",Tim is the man, but I would be very suprised if he poo poo's the 16" track. Also, for compressing the track to bolt back together, you can use a hose grip pliers, or 2 large ratchet straps, or maybe a large "C" clamp vise grips.(havn't tried the vise grips)

RD[/QUOTE]

[plott hound]

wish the heck you never posted those vids RD.i want a set real bad now.what did shipping cost?its gotta be a bit nasty.

Hey Dan67
I should be able to round up some Belting around here, I will look into that too.

[ how in the heck did Plott Hound know about the Beer]

RD

[Rock Doctor]

I use ratchet straps to pull the track ends together, works awesome ......... Unless you don't have any with you, lol.

Plott, I will get back to you this afternoon.

RD

[Rock Doctor]

wish the heck you never posted those vids RD.i want a set real bad now.what did shipping cost?its gotta be a bit nasty.

Don't quote me here, but I think Shipping as about $300 to have the tracks sent to me. I believe they came in 5 boxes (Disassembled). There was a Duty charge as well, I think it was about the same as the shipping cost.
You will have to forgive my uncertanty, I'm about 160km out in the bush right now and my wife is not answering the phone when I call (Damn Caller ID)

RD