1.5" thick repro UHMW crosser (elevated-belt) with 1/8" steel insert

[2014SE]

Well after reading all 9 pages of this thread and all 10 pages of the thread escargo v.s adair I have not come to a conclusion of which tracks I want. I called escargo in Wisconsin today and it would be $3700 for just the tracks. I called Adair tracks after that and it would be $3500 for tracks, wheels, and snow extensions. So price wise the Adair tracks are sounding really nice.

So what will I be doing with my Max IV 6X6? I'll be swimming about 3 hundred yards on my lake and driving up on a floating bog to go duck hunting. I'll be driving in snow that is usually no deeper then 3 ft. I'll be driving around in muddy/rocky terrain.

So honestly which tracks should I buy?

It's definitely a case of you get what you pay for. I understand that cost will be a concern but the quality of Escargo far exceed the other brands. Take into consideration how well raised belt (Escargo) tracks stay on and the life expectancy of the track it's money well spent. Also consider how much easier a raised belt track skids when turning than a flat track design what is so much easier on the machine. Oldtuker said it was like getting power steering when he went from flat tracks to raised tracks.

If you go with flat tracks you will be happy but if you go with Escargo tracks you will be allot happier!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Z6Ybu-LNE

[seanno2]

It's definitely a case of you get what you pay for. I understand that cost will be a concern but the quality of Escargo far exceed the other brands. Take into consideration how well raised belt (Escargo) tracks stay on and the life expectancy of the track it's money well spent. Also consider how much easier a raised belt track skids when turning than a flat track design what is so much easier on the machine. Oldtuker said it was like getting power steering when he went from flat tracks to raised tracks.

If you go with flat tracks you will be happy but if you go with Escargo tracks you will be allot happier!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Z6Ybu-LNE

Aren't Adair Argo Tracks a raised belt track? I thought Adair and Escargo were pretty similar. Once again I have no experience with either just wanting a track that'll help me do everything I mentioned earlier.

[2014SE]

Aren't Adair Argo Tracks a raised belt track? I thought Adair and Escargo were pretty similar. Once again I have no experience with either just wanting a track that'll help me do everything I mentioned earlier.

looking at their website, adair has some classic tracks that are elevated 17" wide. I think the elevated track is the style to choose escargo or adair or channel tracks. But from what I can gather and my experience so far you'll want some width and also traction so you can do anything you want. If price is a big factor, and I get that, a good option might be to go with channel tracks. They're wider and have traction, and I think it was member "Old Tucker" added some aluminum and rubber paddles to the outside belt? I bet if channel tracks or escargo tracks build it with wider belts, you might not even need a winter kit. Mine is 22" wide and works well enough in the type of snow you're talking about even before adding the winter kit. Of course the extra belt works even better.

[millerperf]

hi buzz
great thread I wanted to know? do you buy your belting precut, and what ply do you recommend. im just getting started on a set of channel tracks iv bent a few crossers pretty easy, I also purchase some 2" cleated snowmobile tracks! with you expertise which ones would you build first. thanks mark

[Old Tucker]

This is what I did to the Chanel track to give more traction in deep snow. I add a paddle to the outside and inside belts, I tell you what a big difference that made in deep soft snow.These tracks are 20 inchs wide [IMG][/IMG]

[tattooman]

Love the paddles. I bet they do work great!

[kghills]

Can anyone post pictures of a Max IV with escargo tracks? I tried Google images and came up with nothing. Has any member had them on a Max IV? I would be curious to know if Chris ever sold a set of Escargos for a Max IV. Any in AK? Given the number of Max IVs sold you would think somebody would have pictures and/or experience with the Escargo on a Max IV.

Keith.

[seanno2]

So I was reading another thread on 6x6 with tracks and not swimming well. Is this true? kghills you have adair tracks on your max right? Have you tried swimming? If so how fast?

[kghills]

So I was reading another thread on 6x6 with tracks and not swimming well. Is this true? kghills you have adair tracks on your max right? Have you tried swimming? If so how fast?

My Max IV does swim with tracks but slowly. Here is a video of it as soon as I put the tracks on it at Adair.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8B8tsXsDf8

Remember my Max IV has larger tires and a lifted body so may not be the best representation, however I believe the new kits from Adair also swim but again slowly.

Keith.

[mightymaxIV]

So I was reading another thread on 6x6 with tracks and not swimming well. Is this true? kghills you have adair tracks on your max right? Have you tried swimming? If so how fast?

My Argo Frontier with the 14 1/2 inch Adair tracks swam about 1 1/2 MPH-not great but it got yhe job done, here is a video of the machine swimming in east Texas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DQMbXD5IMU

[Buzz]

hi buzz
great thread I wanted to know? do you buy your belting precut, and what ply do you recommend. im just getting started on a set of channel tracks iv bent a few crossers pretty easy, I also purchase some 2" cleated snowmobile tracks! with you expertise which ones would you build first. thanks mark

My advice would be to build the channel tracks as you'll be able to use them in more conditions. Put your nose to the grindstone and start hammering them out. Just make sure that you get the crossers identical the best you can. If you have a problem doing this, just strike layout lines on your rubber belting ( like to use a white paint pen....every 4 or 5 inches perpendicular to the belt edge). Then when you get a crosser done and drilled.....lay it on the next white line and adjust the guide portions so they're symmetrical....and mark the white line (through the drilled holes in the crosser belt surface) with a sharpie so you can see it on the white line. It will be slower this way, but you won't battle inconsistencies in crosser dimensions and holes matching up with pre-drilled holes in the rubber. Sometimes I buy belting pre-cut if it's in 4, 5, o 6 inch widths. Other times I'll buy a wide roll...like 20 or 30 inches wide and cut it to desired widths. I would use whatever ply you can find the best deal on (in a remnant if possible). I shoot to find 20' sections, which leaves some leftover. If you're going with a hinge, you can get away with 18' at the absolute minimum for each inner and outer belt. For a given ply, adding width adds significant strength similar to adding additional thickness. You're only as strong as your hinge or overlap can hold though....which is still pretty freaking strong. Have fun!

[Buzz]

Can anyone post pictures of a Max IV with escargo tracks? I tried Google images and came up with nothing. Has any member had them on a Max IV? I would be curious to know if Chris ever sold a set of Escargos for a Max IV. Any in AK? Given the number of Max IVs sold you would think somebody would have pictures and/or experience with the Escargo on a Max IV.

Keith.

I have seen a 6x6 frontier on escargo tracks up here. Most of the others are 8x8's. To be honest, most everyone seems to have the argo factory tracks still, and lots of guys run mud-tires when winter is over. Some of the aftermarket tracks like adair and escargo are startiing to show up though.
I believe mine is the only mudd-ox that has them...so that just goes to show....aftermarket tracks are just starting to catch on in the northern areas, whereas they're probably more common down there. Especially tracks made close to home. My best guess anyway.

[millerperf]

thanks buzz im going to take your advice and keep making the channel track crossers .I did build a fixer to bend them that works pretty well, thanks again . mark

[seanno2]

My advice would be to build the channel tracks as you'll be able to use them in more conditions. Put your nose to the grindstone and start hammering them out. Just make sure that you get the crossers identical the best you can. If you have a problem doing this, just strike layout lines on your rubber belting ( like to use a white paint pen....every 4 or 5 inches perpendicular to the belt edge). Then when you get a crosser done and drilled.....lay it on the next white line and adjust the guide portions so they're symmetrical....and mark the white line (through the drilled holes in the crosser belt surface) with a sharpie so you can see it on the white line. It will be slower this way, but you won't battle inconsistencies in crosser dimensions and holes matching up with pre-drilled holes in the rubber. Sometimes I buy belting pre-cut if it's in 4, 5, o 6 inch widths. Other times I'll buy a wide roll...like 20 or 30 inches wide and cut it to desired widths. I would use whatever ply you can find the best deal on (in a remnant if possible). I shoot to find 20' sections, which leaves some leftover. If you're going with a hinge, you can get away with 18' at the absolute minimum for each inner and outer belt. For a given ply, adding width adds significant strength similar to adding additional thickness. You're only as strong as your hinge or overlap can hold though....which is still pretty freaking strong. Have fun!

20' sections are for an 8X8? How long for a 6X6?

How do you cut your UHMW? Pre-cut certain lengths and widths, draw lines, and cut with router?

[Buzz]

depends on the machines axle-to-axle and tire size. A 6x6 is one axle-to-axle distance shorter- multiply that x 2 (above and below the tire). 14 or 15' pieces would be long enough to build a 6x6 track. CNC router table is really the best way when you start talking about cutting shapes, minimizing waste, and ensuring each piece is identical.