Ice build up on tracks

[wed4life]

Does anyone have any experience with tracks going through slush/water at -10 to -30 below zero? Especially tracks with any metal or cleats to help on ice or getting out of open water back up on the ice. It would seem that ice would build up quickly on any metal part in extreme cold.

When drilling with an ice auger at -10 to -30, the flighting will gradually get a thick coating of ice on it. Then you have to chip or melt it off.
Thanks, David

[Buzz]

you're right...you have to have traction aides of some sort (in many conditions), and metal parts are vulnerable to ice build-up. Some shapes more-so than others. Smaller u-shaped cleats more-so than larger u-shaped cleats. Smaller, "boxed-in" or recessed depressions the most, even if made of plastic. A single piece of vertical steel still suffers from ice build-up, but it seems to be mostly at the base of the cleat....where the cleat meets the crosser body. All of the vehicle weight riding over a single piece of vertical steel seems to limit the ice build-up to the base of the cleat...I always seem to have plenty of steel cleat that remains clear....it keeps itself "chiped-away", I guess. I hope that makes sense. The bigger problem I have run into when going into and out of water in sub-zero conditions (with a rubber track) is the water forming a thin layer of ice inside the track. The tires really have a hard time gaining any "friction" to drive the rubber track. It's one area where a track that is less-smooth inside is able to more easily remain "driven" by the tires. Maybe "less-smooth" isn't the best description, but a track that cooperates with the tire lugs....I find it helpful that the front/rear tires (which have the most track-wrap and tension) are able to more effectively use the individual crossers to "side-load" the tread (lugs) and keep the track moving. This can be done with a track that has individual crossers. The front/rear take advantage while the centers (which have very little contact patch) can easily slip.
I haven't played around too much with screws or studs, though I do have every intention to try..I suppose.
There I go again.....blah.. blah... blah. Hope that helps.

[wed4life]

Buzz, Lots of good information there. I never thought of the tires slipping inside against the track.
I have a 2002 Max IV that I put a bunch of sheet metal screws in the tires for added traction on ice and it helps a lot.
I have not tried to climb out of open water unto ice with this although I have seen a video of a Max IV do it with just tires.

My Max will not go anywhere in the winter once the snow is too deep and it bottoms out on the belly.
I would like to build my own tracks and I am thinking of using a Chanel design and used flat snowmobile track (2" inside, 4" outside)
That is why I have the question of Ice build up.
David