Tracks vs 26" Tires

[jcarr343]

How well does a Max IV perform through different conditions with OEM 26" tires vs the OEM track kit. I am trying to decide if tracks are worth the huge price increase?

We live in Minnesota so I need the Max to perform in mud, snow, and normal trail riding.

[Noel Woods]

Any amphib with good tires will go about 80% of the places you need to go, however tracks will take you anywhere else. I would not go with either a camoplast or rubber track however. They do have some advantage over tires, but I think a set of Adair tracks will open up many possibilities you never even considered going through.

[jcarr343]

Would I need bearing extensions when running the Adair tracks on a Max IV?

[Noel Woods]

None needed.

[jcarr343]

Are they that much better than the OEM tracks? Even in deep snow?

[thebuggyman1]

Bearing extensions may not be needed, but are always a good idea......with tracks or without. The closer to the wheel that you can put that bearing, the less stress there will be on it and your axle.
Here are some I made, and Adair sells similar they just need to be stacked. http://www.6x6world.com/forums/gener...xtensions.html

You will also need to get smaller tires for your MaxIV. Tracks will not fir over the 26" tires. R.I. sells 21" for tracks, but 22" should work fine also. Are you looking at buying new, or do you have the MaxIV already?

[jcarr343]

I'm looking at a used Max IV that has 26" tires already. I also have an option to purchase a new Max IV with the tracks already at a very good price.

[thebuggyman1]

I think you would find the New MaxIV w/factory tracks excellent in the snow, but perhaps not as great when the snow is gone. For the summer, the 26" tirees will get you to most places just fine. The Adair tracks however, seem to do well both ways. Go to YouTube and watch some videos......call that fun research

[jcarr343]

Any other feedback on the Adair tracks vs OEM Max IV?

[tbone9]

I run factory max tracks and can go through any amount of snow with them. There's 3 feet of powder right now and no problem. As the buggyman said I don't run them in the summer unless on real soft surfaces. I think the gravel would be hard on them. I read a lot of good things about Adairs on here although I'm not familiar with them but worth looking into. I strongly recommend bearing extentions also.

[Noel Woods]

I've got a set of R.I. factory rubber tracks, they came with my Max2 that has the factory set up. They work ok on snow and ice only. In the mud they are a dog and mud packs the inside of the tracks to the point that the tires can no longer turn in them. They do not swim at all. That set of rubber tracks has been removed and I have them stored away. Now I run a set of Adair tracks on this Max2. They are awesome in mud, and they swim. The Adair tracks are lighter, and self-clean.

[tbone9]

Hey Noel , how do the adairs in deep snow compare to the R I tracks? It seems to me the solid rubber R I might stay on top the snow better?

[Noel Woods]

The solid rubber will ride the snow better than the grouser equipped tracks, however Adair has a kit to add floatation to their tracks.

[tbone9]

Thanks for the info. I tried runnin my tracks in the summer and what a rough ride. I'll stick to tires in the summer.

[msafi65]

I run both types of tracks on max 4 and buffalo truck. The factory tracks are superior to the standard Adairs in snow no question about that. The Adairs with snow kit are great and don't require as much power to drive as the solid rubber ones. I don't find any chain wind up to speak of with Adairs, if you go with stock tracks pull the front axle chains, always notice better performance with the front chains out. Ran 26 inch tires for years and then tracks. I would say the change is most noticable in a smother ride,especially in tussocks the size of Volkswagens. My overall thoughts on tracks is driving one of these vehicles with 21" tires and switching to the 26" ones is a big change. Going from 26" to tracks is almost the same amount of improvement. Adair tracks will be easier to remove and reinstall. Hope this helps out, enjoy whatever you pick out.