Adair confused

[Delduck]

I just read a post from 2012 that says these tracks (adairs) don't do well riding up wet ramps. I'm looking for tracks to drive up on and smash down reeds. When we use our old 1947 8n tractor in the dryer areas, the reeds will start to lift the front end then they collapse underneath. The Argo we used was 8 wheeled tracked 18 hp would ride most of the time with the nose on a slight upward angle. But I'll give it credit the tractor was stuck to the belly and the Argo walked around it with no problem. But I'm working with a 2000 max 4 and trying to build it to work as well if not better but need more advise on tracks. A couple hrs ago I was sold on adairs, now I'm back to square one. Please don't hesitate to voice your opinion. I'm CLUELESS I didn't buy a Argo like the one I was on because the max 4 was $1600 it ran and everything works fine. I had to put a shift rod on, that was all. So I thought it was too good of a deal to pass up.

[tbone9]

Check out the winter kit that goes on the Adairs. Should be no loss of traction with those on. It's on their website.

[Noel Woods]

The winter kit will do the trick. There is also the ability to fit larger tires (26") with the Adair tracks like KGHILLS did. I recommend that you PM him for details as he worked some time to perfect the system on his Max4, and he has several videos on this site that show how awesome that machine is.

[SHOTGUN]

If you do not want the extra width of the winter kit you may be able to add a steel cleat to the main uhmw crosser . I think Adair had played with this a bit, Buzz has lots of info on this (hybrid) style. One problem you could possibly run into is that the MAX IV is rear engine vs Argo front engine design and you might have trouble keeping the front end down. The winter kit will only add more flotation, exaggerating the issue. You may have to add some weight to the front of your Max and maybe some sort of rubber track(usually the heaviest per width). You might have to do some experimentation to get this to work or might be a non issue. Just a couple thoughts, hope it helps.

[Buzz]

your machine would benefit from a track that demands much less torque from the axles to actually drive it. The elevated-belt tracks do this and are beneficial to older or lower hp machines because of the fact that the track belting is driven slower than the tire treads, and the grousers adjust or "centipede" around the corner tires to remain compatible with the faster tread speeds. You'll get a reduced ground speed when your track crawls over the ground, a gear reduction. Some tracks have better traction than others, but almost all can have traction enhancers added. What I've discovered is that traction needs to work "with" you not "against" you, especially if your track ever gets loose (flat/leaky tires). Our machines navigate by scrubbing the ground, so how a track behaves over unfavorable terrain can be very important if you actually need the track. I have moved away from the steel/uhmw hybrid tracks because they don't work as well as all-steel in the traction department and do require more tub clearance than a channel grouser. The channel grouser is also just as light while still remaining all-steel and has the ability to more easily be modified for faster swimming. Several folks could make elevated belt tracks depending on where you are located. Then again, you can throw almost any track style on, and you'll see a big improvement in performance over tires. You just have to decide how many side-effects you are willing to live with depending on each track style.

[Delduck]

I'm in deleware on the east coast. I don't have enough experience with tracks on these types of machines. we have a LGP John Deer with metal tracks and a combine that has rubber tracks neither of which can go where these amphibious machines can, that's why we're scratching our heads trying to figure out what to buy before were just spending money. Please don't hesitate to tell us where or who to call.

[SHOTGUN]

My opinion if budget is not an issue would be the Escargo tracks, the steel crosser has by far the most aggressive design. Just google Escargo Tracks and give the guys a call in Ontario, Canada. They will know what you need for spacers and tire size to get them to work on your rig. Chanel Tracks are good, they have a less aggressive crosser and will have better tub clearance if that is an issue, their price for value is excellent . Check out the Chanel track thread for lots of info on them. The guy who makes Chanel track has youtube videos and is on this forum also. Adair Tracks with a steel traction addition would be okay too, you will have to call Adair Argo and they can tell you what you will need. I am not up with what rubber track are available for the MAX IV but Muddox will be able to help give them a call. My initial thoughts are you still may have a problem with weight distribution and shorter over all length with the MAX IV with the rear engine 6x6 design trying to push down the reeds and may have to compensate for that in some way: 1 add weight to front of rig, 2 get the narrowest heaviest track available(rubber), 3 backing over the reed using the engine weight as an adavantage. You may still need some trail and error to get what will work best. Hope that helps a bit, happy hunting!

[oldstreetracer]

Sell the max!

Buy a LTV KID which weighs 2000 pounds. Check the Lacrosse Wi. craigslist under amphibious....... unit has steel tracks and will knock down whatever you drive over. Mine has Adair Pro series tracks and I can drive over 6' foot tall marsh vegetation with ease. Remember that a Max is a toy..... a Kid is a military tractor.DSCN0233.jpgDSCN0208.jpg

[Delduck]

That quote is priceless. Once I figure out how to work the video part I would like to try showing everyone where we used a go pro on a 14 foot extension pole going threw the reeds we used the extension pole so the driver could look up at the camera while I had the laptop pointing towards a tree line 1,515 feet away. Is I moved the camera the driver pointed the machine. Real neat video. We used a 8 wheel Argo with a 18 hp motor and tracks. I had to use the laptop to make shure we were going to the correct point that was the only way to see.

[mikenalaska]

how do you order tracks from argo for a ltv kid? what size tires are you useing? do you have to have the spacers? do you know where i can find the left chain carrier assy.? do you have any photos of implements actually attached. thanks

[allwheeldrive]

Double post

[allwheeldrive]

That quote is priceless. Once I figure out how to work the video part I would like to try showing everyone where we used a go pro on a 14 foot extension pole going threw the reeds we used the extension pole so the driver could look up at the camera while I had the laptop pointing towards a tree line 1,515 feet away. Is I moved the camera the driver pointed the machine. Real neat video. We used a 8 wheel Argo with a 18 hp motor and tracks. I had to use the laptop to make shure we were going to the correct point that was the only way to see.

Oh I want to see that sounds awesome!

[MyNewKID]

I took my tracks off so I could use the KID to plow the driveway without destroying the blacktop. I have about 300+ feet of 17% grade driveway here in NH. I've thought about adding rubber blocks to the tracks so I can put them back on, but haven't decided to do so yet. Has anyone tried this?

[allwheeldrive]

Probably wouldn't have to be very thick rubber. It be like a Sherman tank. Have you tried running the steel tracks on the driveway? Steel tracks produce less than 1/10th of the pressure as tire chains and the roadways seem to do just fine when the school buses and snow plows run snow chains almost year round here in VT. I wouldn’t think they would not do any structural damage, unless you’re concerned with maintaining a black seal top or just don't want surface scratches.

[MyNewKID]

I had the tracks on it when I brought it home. The problem is since it turns by running each side at different speed or by counter rotation, the is a lot of horizontal sliding. It tended to gouge the blacktop a bit, and imagine it would be hard on it over time.