It's video time

[Obsessed]

thanks for posting the short clip...i hadnt gotten to see it yet, but knew that Mike was taking it...while its not always impressive, i do love seeing real video of these machines in snow and mud...sorry if it was implied that this was a "test" for a mud track in the snow...it was really more just screwing around for a minute while loading in some of the first snow of the year, and it was only about 4-5 inches deep...what I was impressed by was the amount of traction on frozen ground with a light dusting of snow and without ice cleats. Unusual for a lightweight plastic track. Ready to get some more snow to go play in.

Keep it fun!

[Roger S]

I don't think Tim has any misconceptions or is trying to mislead anyone about the snow capabilities of what he just called mud tracks. I met him and he's a nice guy, has a decade or two with snowmobiles, etc. Dave and Dan have posted a lot of vids, Dan likes his new machine, and Dave likes to experiment with video editing. I'd like to see an 8x8 with the tracks, maybe driver in the back, see if it'll climb out of water onto the ice.

Let's not forget about Mr Bolduc, who had rubber tracks years before Argo did.

[Model Citizen]

[micmac]

I am very pleased with my Adair Tracks. I post video so that Forum members can see the capabilities, my tracks are awesome and I love them. If you chose not to like them or if you think something else is better I think that is great. That is what freedom is all about.


I am about improving the sport, heres the information, if you think something is better post it and brag about it, I certainly will not be offended.

Dan,

Those Adair tracks are very impressive and I enjoy the videos and the RD that has gone into them. I really do think they are furthering our hobby. With that said I think often your comments associated with the videos come across as "trying to prove something" to a group of people that require no proving to. I've watched almost all of your videos over the years and you defiantly challenge your machines. However they are often surrounded by comments with a "take that naysayer" theme that can be off-putting at times. We are not a group of 4 wheelers at an atv park that that you are trying to outdo. Instead why not try showing us the videos for us to enjoy with some background info and a friendly "Hey check this out Guys!" in contrast to as you say above "Bragging"

Mike

[smog]

so far I can only see the swimming point in the adair tracks; because any set of tracks will be better than tires in mud, no point there. BUT the reason why even people with plastic tracks leave them at home during summer is because ANY plastic tracks SUCKS everywhere else but mud and snow. it just won't climb on rocks, slide like crazy on pavement and ride like crap on hard pack.

[smog]

That hill on page 170 is one of those moments. (Thank you smog for posting that).

the only machines that were able to climb there were heavy 8x8 with 20" rubber tracks on low range just off-idle to let the tracks work and cling to the hard frozen dirt and snow. going down that hill on plastic tracks was like sitting in a sled down a ski slope; managing the laterals to keep the max pointing down the hill while sliding down.

with the bandolero max iv on 18" plastic tracks, I had to use brute force and speed (thanks for the ungoverned bandolero) to climb an easier side slope

[mightymaxIV]

Micmac, I so enjoyed watching the videos of your Blackbird sliding through the mud, no one else ever did that. When Roc Doc put the 24" tires on his Argo and showed us the improvement, I was happy that it made such an improvement and enhanced his ability in the bush so we could all enjoy his videos. When whipper built the springer I was excited beyond belief and posted pictures on the High Lifter Forum. Robbie when I saw you do things with your MaxIV I was proud that you could handle that machine and take it through mud holes no else could make. When I saw McCoy climb a slippery grade no else could make I was proud. When I saw Mikes MaxII climb the steep hills at Busco I was proud. Every time I saw lewis Take his Argo through a hole that everyone else had a problem with I was proud that he had such a fine machine and that he was there in case any of us needed help. When I saw JP Swifts Hustler with the ASX tires I was in love. I was excited when BW6 built the bushwhacker II and couldn't wait to see videos he posted showing off his new machine. When I saw his MaxII with tires in the snow i was excited that a machine with tires could do that. When I saw Jennifer's MaxIV with the mid engine and the big tires I was proud that someone took the time to improve a MaxIV and showed us what a well set up max could do. Argo has built a great transmission and for that I was excited. Forgive my excitement, and forgive my joy at seeing so many wonderful machines improved and made better. I thank everyone who ever posted a video that I enjoyed.

[Obsessed]

Sorry that I might have missed the info somewhere else on the this thread, but what kind of machine and what type of track were you using in the video of the machine trying to climb that super steep and snow covered hill?? Watching it was scary and looked like it was steep enough to roll a machine over backward. Was it running any sort of additional metal ice cleat for added traction?

Pretty impressed!

[Roger S]

I don't read French, but will take a guess it was plastic supertracks by the looks of the text details.

Anyway, let's re visit Haspin Acres, March '08 "Spring" ride, from the John Schwab video archives.

[Obsessed]

so far I can only see the swimming point in the adair tracks; because any set of tracks will be better than tires in mud, no point there. BUT the reason why even people with plastic tracks leave them at home during summer is because ANY plastic tracks SUCKS everywhere else but mud and snow. it just won't climb on rocks, slide like crazy on pavement and ride like crap on hard pack.

Hi Smog and thank you for contributing,
In general, I have to agree with what you are saying, but i think other considerations for some owners of newer 8x8's with factory 25" tires, is to find a functional track system that will keep a machine at almost the stock width and not require the use of all new wheels and tires to do it. Im not aware of many narrow track systems that will fit the larger stock tires on these bigger machines. As for older machines with lower power (except in Rogers case :-) and ground clearance, I wonder if the consideration is maybe for a slightly lighter and more aggressive track that does work a little better in muddy conditions and dosent have as much tire slippage issue when wrapped around a set of worn out runamuks?? These things might outweight the "swimming" benifit completely and help prolong the purchase of a newer machine to help match the capabilities of their riding or hunting buddies more expensive units?? Rubber tracks are absolutely awsome on newer 8x8's, but maybe are not always a good option on older machines based on size, weight, cost, and horsepower requirements?
Just a thought or two.
Keep it fun!

[Obsessed]

so far I can only see the swimming point in the adair tracks; because any set of tracks will be better than tires in mud, no point there. BUT the reason why even people with plastic tracks leave them at home during summer is because ANY plastic tracks SUCKS everywhere else but mud and snow. it just won't climb on rocks, slide like crazy on pavement and ride like crap on hard pack.

Hi Smog and thank you for contributing,
In general, I have to agree with what you are saying, but i think other considerations for some owners of newer 8x8's with factory 25" tires, is to find a functional track system that will keep a machine at almost the stock width and not require the use of all new wheels and tires to do it. Im not aware of many narrow track systems that will fit the larger stock tires on these bigger machines. As for older machines with lower power (except in Rogers case :-) and ground clearance, I wonder if the consideration is maybe for a slightly lighter and more aggressive track that does work a little better in muddy conditions and dosent have as much tire slippage issue when wrapped around a set of worn out runamuks?? These things might outweight the "swimming" benifit completely and help prolong the purchase of a newer machine to help match the capabilities of their riding or hunting buddies more expensive units?? Rubber tracks are absolutely awsome on newer 8x8's, but maybe are not always a good option on older machines based on size, weight, cost, and horsepower requirements?
Just a thought or two.
Keep it fun!

[Obsessed]

Sounds great...sign me up.
Super cool video. Looks like yet was a blast. John's green maxll is the machine I have right now for my play toy/project. What a neat 6x6 with some awsome mods. I love it. Thanks for sharing the video of you guys.
Keep haven fun

[smog]

Rubber tracks are absolutely awsome on newer 8x8's, but maybe are not always a good option on older machines based on size, weight, cost, and horsepower requirements?

Here in Canada I have seen rubber tracks on every type of Argo ever made. RSBolduc is almost local to me and has been selling his own rubber tracks system for a very long time. (Ski-doo/Bombardier/Camoplast are also local to me)

So far the 20" rubber tracks are used on 6x6 and 8x8 from the 1980s 18hp magnum/vanguard to the newer HDI without any trouble (and in DEEP snow). it is the most wanted accessory for our AATV. Part of the reason is how useless hard plastic tracks are if we have to go over bare rocks .

as for the added width of larger tracks, I have not seen a 13" tracked AATV in the last 10 years. I wonder if they are still offering it.

anyway, it's off topic in this video thread

[Bw6]

Hey Roger, thanks for posting that "Spring" ride! You guys did pretty good breaking trails in that snow and looked like you all had a good time. I always love an opportunity to hear your engine, the sound of horsepower is always intoxicating! I have a couple of John's videos, one that I always enjoy is Haspin #22 (Nov/05). Dan forgot to add you in his previous post of your achievements, your skill in the front seat, (as well as the back) to navigate through areas where I thought "you'll never make it". Your ability to climb hills was most impressive to me, thanks for those "smiling memories".

[Cougar]

I was going to post a video of my OX in the snow with 20" tracks, but wait we don't have any snow and it's going to rain tonite. Iam going to move to east coast so I can play in the snow. Cougar