Max IV mod's required to mount tracks

[marlow]

I have a 97 Max IV which I would Like to Mount winter tracks on. I know that Bearing Cages and track rails are suggested but is there any further strengthening of the assembly which will help to give a more solid RELIABLE machine. Also I have the manual for the bearing cages but I am having a hard time fathoming their function do they allow the axles to stand off the tub more anyone got installed pictures

Dave M

[Eldon]

The factory track kit comes with two good ideas. One is the bearing cages which mount on top of the outer body bearing flanges and then an extra bearing is installed on the axle in bearing flanges on the outer part of the cage appx. out 4-5 inches from the side of the tub. You could install these but it means pulling all axles,installing the cage with the extra bearing. A big job but if you renew all bearings while you are at it,upgrade the body seals you would be good for years. The other track feature is a rail that bolts on to the outer part of the bearing cages on all three axles on each side. This means that the strain on lets say hitting an object with the front axle distributes the strain to all three axles. If you want to run tracks as reliably as possible this is the fix albeit a lot of work.

[PlumCrazy]

I have the manual for the bearing cages

Hey Dave;
Can you send me a copy of that bearing cage manual?
ed

[SlimChance]

The company who built my snow plow setup shot a video which shows the cage and spacer setup on a Max IV. They don't show the support rail in the video, but you can see the other parts. Max IV Snow Plow Mount Rails.wmv - YouTube
Hope that helps,
Slim

[mudbug3]

marlow

It would probably be cheaper to buy the new offset and wider aluminum rims in the 8" inch size from Adair Argo sales instead of the bearing cages and tracks rails.

[marlow]

PlumCrazy: The manual for the bearing cages is on this site under manuals- Max- Track Installation guide. Hope it helps

[marlow]

Dangerous I'm thinking again the Bearing cages and rail you mention Eldon I checked them and if you buy them without the tracks RI wants approx $750.00 I guess they really want to sell you the tracks any one out there know how far they stand off from the outer bearing. Also My Max IV is a 1997 are all the bearings 72 mm OD inside outside and brg cages
Haven't pulled anything off yet. And yet another question I live 1 hr north of Timmins, Ontario 100 kms south of James Bay as the Crow Flies anyone know of any good suppliers of used Skidoo tracks up here in Gods country they think they're made of gold up here. I guess the 10 month of cold and 2 months of bad skiing has them fooled LOL

[PlumCrazy]

I have read the RI track install manual in the How2 section and although it appears to be a good installation manual, it doesn't give any dimensional data of the cages.
The cage appears about 3inch long and houses a 2nd set of outer flanges/bearings/collars and a track rail, while attaching to the original flange/bearing at the tub.
Has anyone made their own axle bearing cages for tracks.
Does anyone have any prints and/or pictures they can share of either the OEM or their fabbed cages?

[marlow]

I am off on another tangent again anyone my reading indicates that some people are headed in the direction of using UHMW polyethylene for bearings anyone try it. Stories. My thought is it would be ideal to fabricate as an outboard bearing cage/bearing because of the torsion would it need mechanical support such as pipe and a flange. Thoughts, ideas

Thanks Dave

[PlumCrazy]

Still looking for any prints and/or pictures, anyone can share of either the OEM or their fabbed bearing cages?

[Eldon]

The bearing sizes on Max were 62 mm then they enlarged them to 72 mm. I am not sure what year they did it but if you phone RI with the serial number they can tell you. $750 is indeed an expense, but if you went with that upgrade you would be doing the right thing for tracks. Does that $750 include the wheel extensions? On the Max II they are 5 inches and I think on the Max IV they are 3 inches long.