18" super tracks rubbing

[Gras]

I have a 1987 argo 8x8 that I picked up this summer. I had to do a lot of work on it but it was cheap and now it runs great. One thing I had to do was replace all the tires. The originals were 20" and I had to move up to the 22x11x8's. This machine came with the 18" plastic super tracks. The local dealer I talked to said I could run these tracks with the 22" tires. So this weekend I put the tracks on. I had to add one section on each side. When I wrapped them around the tires I had about a 2 1/2" gap just like Argo said I would. I was able to stretch them together and get them installed with a little work. Now I only have about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch clearance from the top of the track to the tub. When I run it, the tracks are rubbing sometimes so there is some slack in the track. I don't think I can take out on full section of the track and replace it with a half section unless someone can tell me how to stretch the track that much (about 4"). Will this rubbing destroy my tub. I am running 2 1/2 lbs on the front three tires and 4 lbs on the back. Any ideas of how to solve this issue. Sorry this question is so long. Thanks in advance.

[guyfox]

I may be off base here but I do believe the plastic tracks were meant to be run on the 22"x10"x8" tires and not the 22"x11"x8" tires. The 1" difference may cause the tracks to ride a little higher. And yes it can damage the tub if there is to much rubbing.

[Old Tucker]

Just what tire did you go to on the 22x11x8. If it is a less rounded or you could say a flatter tread tire then the track will ride higher. My 18 Inch plastic supper track. was made to be run with the 22x10x8 rounded tire. Try to keep the PSI in the front and back tires the back the same. Less stress on the chains. The middle tires will slip in the plastic track. A lot easer then the front and back. It may be just that the track wants to sit higher with the 11Inch tire, and thats where you are running into problems. There are some tracks out there that can be used with the 22x11x8 tire. but I do not think the plastic is one of then.

[ARGOJIM]

Old Tucker is on to something there, if you went with a tire like the Rawhide they will not work, if you went with a 4 wheeler tire the 22's may be much taller or wider than needed, the Duro tire seems to run small and narrow. Also you need to be running 7 inch wide rims.

If your tracks are too loose they will buckle at the top and jump.

What do your wheel wells look like? are the sagging, or as rodp writes "got the droop" from the inner part of the body to the outer part of the body?

Does your machine have the later 87 lower with the round tube for the axle extensions?

[Gras]

Sorry about that but I miss typed. I actually have the 22x10x8 argo tires. So what I'm reading is that the tracks should work with these tires. Especially since they are the Argo tires. I will try adding some more air to the front tires. What psi would everyone recommend? The original invoice date is March 17, 1987 so I'm not sure about the tube. It does have the axle extensions on it. I'm fairly new to this so I'm still working on things. Thanks for getting back to me in advance.

[guyfox]

If memory serves me correct I do believe that I read somewhere on this forum that some people were running as much as 6-7psi in tires with tracks on. You can slowly add air to all tires until you get the tension that you need.

[Gras]

Thanks guyfox. I will try adding more air the next time I get to my cabin. Hopefully that will work. Trial and error I guess.

[thorn]

Thanks guyfox. I will try adding more air the next time I get to my cabin. Hopefully that will work. Trial and error I guess.

I just put my supertracks on my Conquest for the year. The dealer in Colorado where the machine came from wrote in the manual that the rear tires should have 7 psi, the next two sets should have 6 psi and the front should have 5 psi. That is with the runamuk 22x10x8 tires. I have run my machine hard in the snow and never have thrown a track or had rubbing issues. Good luck.

[Gras]

Thanks for the info Thorn. Seems I need to add more air in order for these to run successfully. Drive on.

[Old Tucker]

I think I was running 5 PSI in front and rear tires, And 6 in the mid tires And thats with my supper tracks and the runamuk 22x10x8 tires. I also pushed it hard with heavy loads of pellets for the cabin. I also never lost a track or tire. Only broke axles And my wallet after having to go all HD axles and bearings. Oh well it was for the better