All UHMW Escargo-style track available soon

[Rock Doctor]

in looking at these I would be very concerned about driving out of these as they have very little to hold them onto the tires!

Rock

I would really like to try a set of these style of tracks. I have the same concerns as Rockrewls. All the tracks I have right now are designed with Tire Guides, 6 sets of tracks, Super and Standard, Rubber, as well as Chained and Belted Adair's. I've walked out of every one of these at one time or another, for one reason or another. It would be interesting to find a design that I can't get out of.

RD

[foxvalley]

I'm going to be testing these tracks in a couple days,I don't think a few min.is going to tell me much,I don't know anything about how they are put together,but i'm sure they are not buildt like the reg track with 2 hardened chains going right thru the grossers. I don't feel this type of track has been thru the ringer enough yet,but on the flip side,it will preform the same for much less $, and will get a lot of guys into that can't afford the high $ ones. You get what you pay for.

[akranger72]

I'm new to AATV scene just a couple years experience with a Max IV no tracks and now my 750 HDi with rubber tracks. I have done alot of research online and by telephone and come to a conclusion that this style track (escargo with no tire guides) is best. Just my opion of course and that why I'm buying a set of these escargo style poly crosser tracks. Talking with close to a dozen different guys that have used the adair tracks and argo rubber tracks with tire guides etc, I have learned that these tracks with tire guides do get driven out of amongst other issues. Now talking with 4 different guys that run or have run these escargo style tracks mainly the steel crosser version, none have ever driven out of thier tracks or had them come off? So thats why I'm going to try these escargo poly tracks out. Of course knowing my luck I will end up driving out of one now? Terrain dictates alot when using tracks so I think these newer Poly escargo version tracks will do good up here in Alaska at least summer/fall use across swamp/muskeg and tundra. Only time will tell?

[rockrewls]

Keep us informed akranger72 I am curious to know how they work out.

rock

[Buzz]

when you look at the distance from where the tread rides to the top of the belt mounting surface, then add the thickness of the belt....the overall "guide" height as very close other tracks including the Adair. The big difference is that an elevated-belt track like the escargo does not fall off because of how the track is assembled. The guide-portion of the grouser is affixed to the elevated belt (up on the sidewall) where it cannot move. The track also turns easily with the machine because the belting does not have to "plow" into the ground, especially in soft conditions.

Other tracks that have to "plow" their belts at ground-level AND have grousers whose "tips" or "guide-portions" up on the sidewall can move, tilt, and twist......are going to be driven out of in certain situations. This is probably the most important factor driving the use of tracks. They simply need to stay on, as this can be a huge problem (even a safety issue) if the tracks come off in unsafe conditions.

Floatation - Belt width is important
paddle size is important- anchoring in mud. Escargo has the largest clean-out area between the tires as well
decreased power requirement to operate is important. Escargo style tracks require the least amount of hp to run.
Traction - you gotta have it. You will be stopped dead in certain situations w/o it. Vertical steel is best in the forward/backward direction while not working "against" you while skid-turning laterally. Perfect for our 6x6 and 8x8 vehicles. All-UHMW does not cut it.
Staying on the vehicle (not falling off) is paramount

We use these tracks on mudd-ox's, avengers, frontiers, conquests, responses, polaris rangers, hunting buggies. Basically everything. They are like running a cleated-tire in most situations and are very easy on your machine. When you need the belt floatation or mud/snow/water paddle, it's there for you as soon as you sink.

[Buzz]

I have had 2 sets of Escargo tracks , argo plastic tracks , argo rubber tracks and a friend who owns R.S. Bolduc 20" rubbers. imo for snow the rubber tracks flat footprint cant be beat plastic is way too slippery, swamp tracks no matter how wide you make them or add to the width of them will never offer floatation on snow like rubber.With swamp tracks the bellypan drags on the deep snow and yes the tracks drag it through slowly but turning becomes a chore, making deep snow travel no fun; where a nice flat footprint of rubber will keep the belly off the ground the wider the better pending on weight.In the mud and swamp the open design swamp tracks are king . As for who made who . who copied who ;An Argo dealer in Timmons Ontario that also sold Bombardier swamp machines had a friend 'Marc L.' that decided to make the same track design for an argo though his grouser was modified called them-(Escargo).Now the (Channel) track design uses almost the same shape and design as the bombardier steel grouser.All different track designs were already tested by ARGO over the years as well as adapters to free wheel tires with tracks , That said; no matter what material they are made of ,the real inventors of all these track designs can be flattered
-Bombardier!

For what it's worth, the Mark L and Alain Boudreau (son of Andre Boudreau-ex argo dealer in Timmins) work together on the Escargo track. The cleat was designed as a high-school project in the early 80's. A new and improved cleat made of steel designed to fit an argo.... not a copy of bombardier. Also, keep an eye out for a more agressive, lighter escargo track (reportedly $500 less as well) that will be available. They offer only all-steel tracks at this time for the most strength and traction. Just wanted to pass on information...

[rodp]

I think you'll find belted tracks were in use by Germany and possibly UK before Bombardier even existed. Germany certainly used them pre 1st world war and I'm sure in the UK they were used with canvas belting before that.

Research needed but I really can't be bothered as it's not that important, they're here now and that's what matters.

[Buzz]

you're exactly right my friend, steel tracks are not new. I'm just giving a little history on the steel-paddle cleat version that these guys made for the argo. It like anything, has improved over time. People always wonder...

[rodp]

I think you'll find that at least Germany had belted (canvas) steel paddled tracks a very long time ago. They certainly wouldn't have been so reliable as the one's produced now but never the less they were there.
It's unlikely nowadays that anything mechanical can be considered "new" but we shouldn't let that detract from the few ingenious one's that go on to develop them to a suitable standard for the modern world (in a hundred years I wonder how they will view our modern world)

[rockrewls]

Interesting!!

[mudbug3]

Adair Classic tracks

Economical 17" Adair Classic Tracks from the leaders in amphibious track design.

Lightweight and Highest performance (classic track) design at an exceptional value.

Works well with most common atv tires - provides improved performance in mud, swamp, snow, and sand over just tires alone.

Unique precision manufactured backer plates provide a more stable grouser platform giving greater lug traction and less track fold over than other "classic" track designs - fasteners won't pull thru or tear the track belting like other common designs that simply rely on small individual flat washers.

Premium high quality custom 4 ply belting with a full 1/4" thick EDPM (scuff guard) - safely protects the belt from unforeseen hazards and UV damage

Superior grouser performance with Adair slip grip technology from a proven world leader in amphibious track performance.

Unique design features are much easier on your machine than other "classic" style tracks and do not require huge 3" wheel spacers that will break axles, bearings , and flanges

The safest and most reliable classic track you can buy! Your satisfaction is not only very important to us, it's guaranteed! And all individual components are warrantied for 3 full years from mfg defect or breakage for non commercial applications. We are confident in our products and their ability to take you farther!

http://www.adairargosales.com/index.php/tracks/classic

[Buzz]

In coming back to visit this thread, this is my take on this track style so far:

This "classic" is a 17" version and will still work satisfactorily. But, it is a budget version with some shortcomings. Kudos to Adair though for trying to make certain tracks cost-effective.

The most benefit in Escargo's design comes from the larger paddle and wider belts of the escargo style tracks. And, of course there's the traction aspect. You gotta have that. I see adair's "classic" working in a lot of situations, but it is still going to require track-tuners and should therefore take advantage of wider paddles and belt-mounting areas, as well as wider belts. It costs more to make wider-bodied "crossers" for the track because you cannot get as many of them on a 4x10 sheet of plastic. But with increased width and wider belts comes much better performance.

There are some situations where the "classic" is going to need some traction enhancers. The best option is vertical steel as it "cooperates" with how we drive our machines and works everywhere. Inserts made of other materials like rubber or urethane will help the UHMW, but they will never work anywhere close to the effectiveness of vertical steel. Vertical steel works everywhere, and it works far more effective than any bolt-on spike, screw, or u-channel that can pack with snow. The classic also uses lag style fasteners that screw into the plastic instead of Escargo's grade-8 bolts with a positive thread-locked nut that never loosens. Adair's lag style fasteners are good quality (for what they are) but are a little bit of a compromise (in my mind). A lot of us are moving to the Escargo traction style track here in Alaska as it's the only one that works reliably and works absolutely everywhere. Adair's "classic" is part way to providing some of these benefits. But, it does so on a low-budget for those can afford to spend less money and only need "some" of the benefits of the escargo style track. It's another option out there which is always good!

[plott hound]

hey buzz,i called alain boudreu a few weeks ago about the new plastic grousers.he said that he is not making them.they are made by beaverdam argo.

[Obsessed]

Another track option....all right! I also think the price is very fair too...nicely done Adair. But, why the big difference in price between this track and the standard adair rubber-belted tracks?

Happy Easter to everyone and their families!

Hi Buzz....thank you for the kind words...the "classic" track design was one of the first of about 32 generations of tracks we have built since 2007...we first built and tested this track about 5-6 years ago, and quickly obsoleted the design in favor of narrower, more high performance variations that just work better. The recent interest in this old design caused us to bring it back as a very affordable general purpose track option. Without wheel guides, and with the shorter overall track length, the simplicity of this design makes it the second least expensive track design we have ever developed and it is much less expensive to produce than our common "pro-series" 14.5 belted track. One of the biggest drawbacks to this design is the severe chain windup issues...this is the one of the reasons we invented and patented the "track tuners" and like you have mentioned before ..they should almost be considered mandatory for this style of track..I agree....among other drawbacks to this simple design was a lack of floatation, traction, swim speed, and final drive speed, as well as minimum necessary width...this design gives up a lot to our current track designs, but has some of the same early design characteristics and benefits and is a very affordable track option for some applications. I am happy to see the renewed interest in the old design.

tim

[plott hound]

gotta see these bad boys in action.definitely interested in a set of these.dont care if they swim and i already got the track tuners.