New Type of Tracks - Chanel Tracks

[Buzz]

Every time I look at the videos the tracks remind me of the ones used on the old Nodwell 110 machines. Crested metal grousers with rubber belting. Just looks to use a wider tire and narrower belting.

Keith.

uh, I wouldn't call this video a comparison in what to expect from a shaped metal track....not that the intention was to let on that a track "similar" in shape to a nodwell track might fall off. Who knows what the track tension was in those rutty conditions. Not to mention the much shallow radius in the crosser being used by a super super heavy machine. Two entirely different tires (in size, tread, and ply) will not perform the same and are not equally-reliable. Even though they're all made out of rubber.... I personally think it would be very difficult to walk out of patenteaux's or escargos tracks if the tension was right. The radiused "guide" if you will, does not flex in relation to the riding surface which only helps as compared to some other tracks. It is fun to see pics of tracks falling off though....if anyone has any. Here's a pic of some poly escargo shaped crossers....

[Bazooo guy]

Another advantage of this type of track is less clearance is required from the top of the tire to the tub.
And I dont think axle extensions are required.
Great design.

I just read his add...heres the translation.
"New rubber tracks brand-Channel Metal Track width of 18 to 22 inches, can track 18 inches wide without Axle Extension, available for all kinds of tire"

[kghills]

uh, I wouldn't call this video a comparison in what to expect from a shaped metal track....not that the intention was to let on that a track "similar" in shape to a nodwell track might fall off. Who knows what the track tension was in those rutty conditions. Not to mention the much shallow radius in the crosser being used by a super super heavy machine. Two entirely different tires (in size, tread, and ply) will not perform the same and are not equally-reliable. Even though they're all made out of rubber.... I personally think it would be very difficult to walk out of patenteaux's or escargos tracks if the tension was right. The radiused "guide" if you will, does not flex in relation to the riding surface which only helps as compared to some other tracks. It is fun to see pics of tracks falling off though...

The video of the thrown Nodwell track shows how the tires ride inside the crested grouser. I don't think they had floatation tires in the 50s but it is cool when people rediscover designes that are 60 years old and apply them to applications today. Maybe next suspesion?

Keith.

[North Country Tough]

I don't think it was ever Keith,s intention to dis the design after all Nod,s used it forever,I have seen vids of Argo rubber tracks derail,heck excavators,tanks you name it,everything that moves by mechanical means on this planet is susceptible to a issue if not properly maintained to a spec,Iam very careful with my tracks at 18 inches wide you get in a rut look over the side and the plastic track guides are mashing the sidewall bad,I try my best to keep things as flat as possible by trying to cross super uneven sections at ninety degrees or move over to flatter ground,Iam actually quite surprised at the amount of abuse my sidewalls take but I do use a set of dedicated tires to the tracks.All this said its snow that Iam into and the greater the amount the easier on the tracks,and as seen with the Adair system the all purpose track they use are not super wide,but their new snow track is its all about leverage on the wide track that can cause derail issues,snow is forgiving tough ruts are not,the narrow Chaneltrack will do snow but not as well as a wider set so I guess what Iam saying buy tracks for your condition you intend to use them in the most,the super wide Adair is built for snow to use them in mud would be overkill and not what the track was designed for with the way their standard track works in swamps you need nothing more.I see advantages to the no guide design of the Chaneltrack for my application.Cheers NCT

[North Country Tough]

Sure looks like he is running a lot of tire pressure in the video. The tires don't seem to give at all on any of the trees or ruts. Maybe they need to be over inflated with the tracks having no real track guides.

Keith.

Keith to answer this that Avenger is using the factory tires same set as was on mine they were hard as rocks even with 3 PSI in them,they had a wide tread design and worked well but on my machine were the first thing to go,I went with a much better riding 24 inch Frontier tire they are much more flexible.NCT

[mudbug3]

The Adair system the all purpose track they use are not super wide,but their new snow track is its all about leverage on the wide track that can cause derail issues,snow is forgiving tough ruts are not,the narrow Chaneltrack will do snow but not as well as a wider set so I guess what Iam saying buy tracks for your condition you intend to use them in the most,the super wide Adair is built for snow to use them in mud would be overkill and not what the track was designed for with the way their standard track works in swamps you need nothing more.I see advantages to the no guide design of the Chaneltrack for my application.Cheers NCT

The Adair tracks that fit over dual tires has a grouser that extends in between the two tires to help prevent track derailment. This track was originally designed for search and rescue missions on the ice. The wider Adair tracks ,fitting over dual tires ,would serve as a stable platform to pull people up out of the water.The Adair ' Fat tracks ' could be used for different conditions though.

[North Country Tough]

Thanks for the info MB them Fat Cats are wild looking tracks and would never be stopped in snow.Cheers NCT

[kghills]

Keith to answer this that Avenger is using the factory tires same set as was on mine they were hard as rocks even with 3 PSI in them,they had a wide tread design and worked well but on my machine were the first thing to go,I went with a much better riding 24 inch Frontier tire they are much more flexible.NCT

That makes perfect sense and explains why the ride looked a little rough. Best to keep the tire pressure up to hold any tracks.

Keith.

[Tune]

Well guys I'm in New Brunswick, Canada and I just made an agreement with Marcel and should have these installed in about two weeks. I will post my first hand experience as soon as possible. FYI 2004 conquest 8x8, 17 inchers, no spacers

[plott hound]

cant wait for your review.

[Tune]

Patenteux assembled my tracks and they are shipping on Monday, i've planned to install them next Thursday, but most all the snow melted here yesterday (+8 celcius and rain) but i will still give you some feedback when i get these on the old Conquest. Cant wait!

[AlbertaRider]

The steel grouser has me curious. My pal has the rubber tracks and when he went ice fishing he encountered some flood water on the lake. The ambient temperature was -23C and the only issue he had that day was the metal joining hinge kept icing up enough to cause a huge thump on the tub of the Argo each rotation. Once he heard this ( every 10 minutes or so) he would jump out and bust the ice off. So this go me thinking about the whole steel grouser thing....anyone ever experience this with the Escargo or Channel tracks?

[brebett]

I didn't have the chance to try any of them but the video we see with the escargo in slush, ice and snow doesn't seem to have any issues with there grousers. The chanel track are made the same way. The ice doesn't pill up like the rubber tracks that doesn't clean themself. The adair track also cleans very good and I don't think they have issues with ice build up.
I've talked to patenteux with his chanel track and he never mentioned any issues with ice build up and stick on the grousers.

[Tune]

Hi all!!! Got the tracks on today. Everything as promised by Mr. Marcel (Patenteux), not much snow here but had 25-30 minutes to try them out in light snow covered steep ditches and they climbed these in a heartbeat! And they turn on a dime! Not sure how to post a pic yet... will have a video in a couple of weeks, leaving shortly for a business trip so not much time on my hands. BTW Patenteux was kicked out of the french (sentier6x6) site , for not wanting to spend money because he is just starting out so if i shouldn't be showing any pics or giving out any info here can i have an admin chime in please??? I think Marcel could have a track system that many of us can appreciate, i took a chance and bought them now, but i also think before asking this person to be a site sponsor we need to give him a chance. Dont you?? So if someone can confirm my thoughts and tell me how to post some pics, I WILL!!! lol Thanks guys

[Buzz]

-load pics onto your computer, downsize them to 700x700 (I'm guessing could be 600x800 or 500x700)...somewhere in that range
-reply to this thread
-when your quick reply box opens, select "go advanced" in bottom right corner
-scroll down and select "manage attachments" in middle of screen, this will open a new smaller window
-select "add files" in upper right corner
-hit the "browse" button to pull the picture from where you placed in on your computer
-hit "upload", picture will eventually display itself in the upper row of window
-drag picture to the lower row of window where it says "attachments"
-hit "done" in the bottom right corner of window. This window should now go away, leaving the original window open.
-hit "submit" on your original window. The entire reply including your text and your added pictures should post to the thread.

If I missed anything, someone please let me know...or if their is a better way.

Thanks for any info you can provide Tune.