BUZZ saw track review Steel inserted crosser with elevated belt (classic escargo)

[spookum]

For the complete saga, please see The design and build thread

For those with add (like me) this is what they look like:

crosser.jpg


And this is how they perform:

My thoughts thus far:

I am amazed at how well they perform in the snow. It is easily knee deep to hip deep. It is doing a stellar job of floating the argo.

The argo never seems to run out of power Probably due to the elevated track acting as a gear reduction.

The design itself, of 1/2" of steel sticking out of the 1" wide plastic is phenomenal. On hard pack snow aka snow machine trails, the plastic limits the amount of depth the steel will sink in. This enables the machine to work most efficiently due to not over gripping.

When the machine hits the powder that is knee to hip deep on top of tussocks, the tracks then use the full combined surface area of the plastic crosser and belt. This enables it to "float" on top of the snow. This is important to note because it is REALLY powdery snow. IF the Argo works in a substance that is 50 to 200 KG per cubic meter (density) it will work in mud which its density is in excess of 1000KG per meter cubed.

The track system will also drive up a snow berm that is nearly vertical at almost any angle. The machine DOES NOT slip sideways off of the snow berms.

One can theorize that this track system should pose equal to all terain in alsaka, except for super rocky terrain.... excluding gravel bars.

Now draw backs:

This system is labor intensive to assemble. I believe, that with a table saw, and a drill (but hopefully a drill press) it can be an economical track system for most people.

If your intersted in making your own, Contact Obsesed or Buzz through the messaging system. Questions?

[Buzz]

"Buzz saw tracks" are purely a "spookum-ism" that he coined, not me. He is a clever guy. I'm super glad spookum is happy, and he deserves it after all that labor.

the easiest solution for this kind of performance is to just call Escargo directly for their all-steel track.

Of all the plastic crossers and track styles I've tried, I would say that the jury is still out on the ultimate crosser shape/traction design utilizing UHMW.

I for one will keep giving my input though and plan to continue more long-term testing.
Now lets see some videos!

[spookum]

I kind of want someone with plain old Adair tracks to "add" a strip of steel to the middle of the crosser..... If they are in Fairbanks, i would help. I would love to see how the steel insert affects traction... none the less... as soon as i get a new throttle cable back in it, ill be sharing the video

[Buzz]

I think the key is to have the traction device have some significant height and a shape that doesn't allow snow/ice or shavings to build up/stick in it......or next to it (like a short insert that's scraping)...so that there is always enough traction remaining.

[2014SE]

"Buzz saw tracks" are purely a "spookum-ism" that he coined, not me. He is a clever guy. I'm super glad spookum is happy, and he deserves it after all that labor.

the easiest solution for this kind of performance is to just call Escargo directly for their all-steel track.

Of all the plastic crossers and track styles I've tried, I would say that the jury is still out on the ultimate crosser shape/traction design utilizing UHMW.!

I agree Buzz. For around $4500.00 (HDI with 25X12 9 tires) you can buy a fool proof track with all steel grousers that are ready to roll right on to your machine. Like buzz said earlier in a different post your loosing bouncy, about the same as one passenger but your gaining traction.

Don't get me wrong, making your own tracks is a good way to go and save some cash witch may be a deciding factor for meany, I been there myself and understand that. Not to mention running a product you built yourself is satisfying. If you want to do that awesome, get er don!!

[Buzz]

we all try to help each other and/or recommend what seems to work best for each other's particular conditions. Spookum was willing do his own inserts and was very open to feedback in how to set the rest of his track up. Lucky for him, he was able to obtain a taller steel blade and still have enough tub clearance. His steel will bite better around the top of the front tire when trying to get a purchase too because the narrower width of the crossers means that the corners of the uhmw will not hit first.....his steel blades will hit first.
BTW I had heard that the going all-steel promotional was $3900 and a bit less for a 6x6 (don't quote me on that...might be worth checking).