Advice tracks on my Max II

[humanshield]

OK, so I have a 2003 Max II with an 18 HP Briggs. I have purchased some wheel spacers, and a used set of the RI tracks. I have a homemade snow plow setup on my MAX and got some real use out of it this week in northeastern Ohio. I also have an old set of tires on rims in the garage (forget the size exactly but there the proper size for putting tracks on this machine.)

Now, what are the thought's of pushing snow and generally getting around with the tracks (and no bearing cages). I have ready opinions both ways on the bearing cages for this machine using these tracks. I know there is a loss of power with the tracks and I have the 18hp Vanguard. Will it be useless with tracks? I push snow "ok" now but usually the issue is slippage with a pile in front of me.

[stickalose]

I'm guessing the slippage between tires/tracks will do damage to both. Wouldn't try plowing with tracks.

[humanshield]

I guess I should clarify with "slippage" I actually mean loss of traction. As in I just spin on the ice/snow

[jpswift1]

I just plowed with MaxIVMark's Max IV on tracks and it didn't slip at all. Try getting a red driven clutch spring from RI and put the tracks on and you should be able to plow snow quite well. There's nothing wrong with plowing with tracks on the machine, it'll work fine.

Midwest ATV Midwest ATV

[humanshield]

JP, so in your opinion. I would be OK without the bearing cages?

[humanshield]

OK, so I was just out in the Garage, the gentleman before me had these tracks on another machine so I needed to remove some links. Working on that I was envisioning putting these on. So what do you do? Lay them out and drive onto them, then wrap them around, place pins and inflate tires?

[jpswift1]

JP, so in your opinion. I would be OK without the bearing cages?

I don't have bearing cages on my Attex Lil Truck with plastic tracks and 1" stock axles and it's fine. I don't beat on it, just drive it in the snow. If that's what you're going to do, you should be OK. If you're going to be mudding and trail riding, I'd recommend bearing cages. If you need bearing cages, you can get them directly from Recreatives. Amphibious Six-Wheel Drive All-Terrain Vehicles: MaxATVs - Call 1-800-255-2511 They can also help you with the track installation.

When I put the factory tracks on my Max II and when I helped MaxIVMark put his factory tracks on his Max IV we used a shop vac to suck the air out of the tires to collapse them. Then blocks go under the machine so the wheels are in the air. Leave the tracks all assembled and begin to roll them on over the tires by hand. Make sure the machine is in nuetral obviously. Then inflate the tires and you're set.

[Eldon]

The shop vac takes the job from impossible/near impossible to not really too bad. I remove the middle wheel as well. Bearing cages would make a really nice rugged job and an excuse to check or update the bearings while the axles are pulled. The cages also lets you take advantage of the rails (with the factory setup) for yet more strength. I'll go out on a limb here by saying that while all the different track systems have their advantages I think for snow traction and flotation the factory tracks are hard to beat.