Tweet
Well, I could not take it any longer. With all the discussion about the wonders of steel as a traction aid and different track designs incorporating steel grousers of some sort I decided to throw caution to the wind. Never mind anything like hoses, extension cords, small children or nude sun bathers who might be lying around in the yard, I'll give this steel idea a chance. Having had good results with my Adair 18.5" Mud and Snow tracks on my Max IV decided to try Adair's Pro Series tracks with their most aggressive Snow and Ice kit. Here is a picture of the Mud and Snow tracks compared to the Pro Series with the Ice and Snow cleat kit.
The Pro Series tracks use rubber belting and a thicker UHMW grouser than my Mud and Snow tracks did. The Ice and Snow cleats are added to the outer belt along with another belt for support and more floatation.
The Ice and Snow kit is designed for ice and snow (imagine that) but also has advantages in root laden swamps and over wet and slippery downed timber. In other words, "Extreme Conditions".
Well now a bit about how I am finding they work. The first thing I discovered is they take more power to run. I think the reason is they do not slip. The traction the Ice and Snow kit offers is extreme. If there is such a thing as too much traction I have discovered it. I have a 13 tooth gear on the T20 and my Kohler 25hp engine worked pretty good with the Mud and Snow tracks but sort of laid down when the tracks would grab and try to pull the machine vertical. Fortunately for me the new Kohler 29hp EFI engine bolts right in, connects with three wires and has tons more power and torque and there is a supply of them not too far from where I live.
Here is a video of climbing a pretty steep dirt pile to test the power.
(even I'm not crazy enough to go over this one)
Next stop was the Mudd-Ox proving grounds pond. I hit the shallow end and tried to climb the under cut banks. Matt got out an 8x8 so you could get an idea of why the 6x6 Max needs more power for a given obstacle. My Max literally grabs the bank and pulls itself out. The traction and power is amazing. You will see how the 8x8 is able push and pull which takes far less power and traction. Try to keep this fact in mind as you watch my tests.
Wet logs are often something that is cited as something a UHMW track cannot tackle. Well its not snow or ice but this little mud hole is typical of what I drive in and the conditions I enjoy. note how much spinning you see my tracks do, or not do I should say.
Now how about some big logs. Again Matt used the 8x8 to show how it uses it's longer wheelbase to it's advantage. The camera angle does not really show it but the last log I go over is bigger around than the height of my tires.
And yes they they swim with the Ice and Snow kit installed, not fast, but OK. Here I am in the deeper test pond.
Now before anyone thinks these things are the next best thing to sliced bread you need to BE AWARE these are a destructive traction aid. Here are pictures of the cement and trailer bed after moving around very little.
This kit is for extreme conditions in my opinion. For the person who rarely transports their machine, keeps it in a shed with a dirt floor does not care about what is destroyed by the steel cleat. I am guessing Ice and snow performance will be great for the person who only uses it when the ground is covered with ice and snow. It is NOT for everybody, I'm not even super sure I will leave it on year round like I did my Mud and Snow tracks.
The cool part about this design is it is OUTSIDE the body. If you need the traction of the steel, It is nice that it is not near your tub to do damage. Also this is a kit that can be removed leaving you with a very compact all UHMW track.
I'm off to the Tamarack swamp in a few weeks with a number of other forum members for Doug's first annual Swamp Run. look for more videos here and on it's event thread.
Keith.
The Pro Series tracks use rubber belting and a thicker UHMW grouser than my Mud and Snow tracks did. The Ice and Snow cleats are added to the outer belt along with another belt for support and more floatation.
The Ice and Snow kit is designed for ice and snow (imagine that) but also has advantages in root laden swamps and over wet and slippery downed timber. In other words, "Extreme Conditions".
Well now a bit about how I am finding they work. The first thing I discovered is they take more power to run. I think the reason is they do not slip. The traction the Ice and Snow kit offers is extreme. If there is such a thing as too much traction I have discovered it. I have a 13 tooth gear on the T20 and my Kohler 25hp engine worked pretty good with the Mud and Snow tracks but sort of laid down when the tracks would grab and try to pull the machine vertical. Fortunately for me the new Kohler 29hp EFI engine bolts right in, connects with three wires and has tons more power and torque and there is a supply of them not too far from where I live.
Here is a video of climbing a pretty steep dirt pile to test the power.
(even I'm not crazy enough to go over this one)
Next stop was the Mudd-Ox proving grounds pond. I hit the shallow end and tried to climb the under cut banks. Matt got out an 8x8 so you could get an idea of why the 6x6 Max needs more power for a given obstacle. My Max literally grabs the bank and pulls itself out. The traction and power is amazing. You will see how the 8x8 is able push and pull which takes far less power and traction. Try to keep this fact in mind as you watch my tests.
Wet logs are often something that is cited as something a UHMW track cannot tackle. Well its not snow or ice but this little mud hole is typical of what I drive in and the conditions I enjoy. note how much spinning you see my tracks do, or not do I should say.
Now how about some big logs. Again Matt used the 8x8 to show how it uses it's longer wheelbase to it's advantage. The camera angle does not really show it but the last log I go over is bigger around than the height of my tires.
And yes they they swim with the Ice and Snow kit installed, not fast, but OK. Here I am in the deeper test pond.
Now before anyone thinks these things are the next best thing to sliced bread you need to BE AWARE these are a destructive traction aid. Here are pictures of the cement and trailer bed after moving around very little.
This kit is for extreme conditions in my opinion. For the person who rarely transports their machine, keeps it in a shed with a dirt floor does not care about what is destroyed by the steel cleat. I am guessing Ice and snow performance will be great for the person who only uses it when the ground is covered with ice and snow. It is NOT for everybody, I'm not even super sure I will leave it on year round like I did my Mud and Snow tracks.
The cool part about this design is it is OUTSIDE the body. If you need the traction of the steel, It is nice that it is not near your tub to do damage. Also this is a kit that can be removed leaving you with a very compact all UHMW track.
I'm off to the Tamarack swamp in a few weeks with a number of other forum members for Doug's first annual Swamp Run. look for more videos here and on it's event thread.
Keith.
Comment