Track Tuners Conquest 8

[deermedo]

Does it make sense to install track tuners on the center 4 if you are on tracks all the time?? Why send power to those two sets of wheels if they are contributing nothing or very little as far as drive is concerned regardless of the type of tracks you are using.
Any thoughts??
Thanks
John

[Rock Doctor]

Hey John
You pretty much answered your own question here.
I agree with your answer

RD

[Bazooo guy]

Couldnt you just remove the chains from those axles?

[Rock Doctor]

Couldnt you just remove the chains from those axles?

2nd a axle drives the 3rd. 3rd a axle drives the 4th.

RD

[deermedo]

2nd a axle drives the 3rd. 3rd a axle drives the 4th.

RD

I am overhauling some wheel bearings this winter and I am going to unhook the second axle chain.
That will make my machine front wheel drive only for testing purposes to see what happens. The big tractors are usually front or rear drive with a bunch of bogies or idlers. I realize the big tractors are sprocket driven which makes for a pretty positive locked in drive but as it stands with the Argo I wonder how much work the rear wheels really do and if it will spin with only front wheel drive??
John

[Buzz]

you'll spin. As a minimum, you'll want at least the first and last axles driving if you plan on doing anything but driving across a parking lot with dry tracks and dry tires.

[deermedo]

Hey Buzz,
I take it you have tried this on tracks have you??
Thanks
John

[Buzz]

with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd axles driving (only the 4th disconnected). I would slip easily when trying to climb any significant hill. A dry or slightly wet (clean) rubber track might do okay, but it's a big "might" in my opinion. As soon as you get wet/slimy, muddy, or icy...you'll be limited mostly to the flats. If you're not too heavy or towing heavy, you might be able to build momentum prior to a hill and then feather the throttle...hopefully making it to the top. But if you have to apply a bigger load to the inside of the tracks, you'll probably slip. If you use track tuners, then you can keep the 1st and last axles driven (most important). I'll be testing mine out today for the 1st time.......

[deermedo]

Let us know how they work out.

[Buzz]

1st run out for me with the tuners installed.

1) tires have "not" slipped inside the track yet. More testing to come, but based on what I'm seeing, I don't really expect them to. If anything, I can still increase my track tension if needed.
2) machine cruised same speed with less throttle than before. At similar throttle/load as before, machine now picked up some speed.
3) overall felt like it had more power and was less "strained"...I am certain it will help gas consumption on tracks (unless you try to go fast all the time). Trying to make the garage transition with only the front/rear axles driving (they're elevated an inch I believe and were deflated) ...was comical. I should have known better.
4) see #1, this was hugely important.

A few more scenarios to test, but so far so good. I ran 7 psi front/rear for proper track tension, 3.5 in the middle to gain a little more clearance to the tub (I had the least amount here). Center tires were never remotely close to walking out of the track. I'll play with psi a bit, as well as into/out of water in freezing conditions.

Good experience so far...

[Rock Doctor]

What Tracks are you running Buzz?

RD

[Buzz]

What Tracks are you running Buzz?

RD

All steel escargo with winter kit. Tracks run much better/easier with the tuners than without.

[Buzz]

current escargo spacing is 4" centers. They used to be 3" until recently. I think chanel tracks are 4.5" centers?

[Buzz]

In fact, I now think the tuners should be mandatory with the escargos to take full advantage of the gear reduction. Takes away the slipping load of the middle tires. I didn't believe it at first....

[Rock Doctor]

Interesting
A friend of mine is trying to get me a set of Earlier Escargo Tracks (Maybe 5yrs old) from the company he works for. They bought them for a Conquest and then auctioned all the machines except Avengers. Never been used, not even mounted, just sitting on a pallet for a few yrs in their wherehouse. Time to remind him about those tracks

RD