End all thread for the very tired topic....TRACKS pros and cons

[hipowerone]

Just my two cents.

Until there is a Consumer Reports or Gun Tests for both AATV's and Tracks for AATV's, I think that the possibility for a unbiased comparison for either AATV's or Tracked AATV's or tracks for AATV's will never be found. However, CDOVER73 is on to something, SHOTGUN made a good point, and I think that the post by JOHNF pretty much hits the nail on the head. Describe your locale, the terrain that you normally encounter that works or does not work with tracks, the machine that you have, and the tracks that you use. Then list the pros, cons as you see them and add any changes you might or have made to overcome obstacles. All that combined per post would really hit home.

I also have been doing "legwork" regarding tracks. And like CDOVER73, I have read nearly every track post on this forum looking for answers. Like some others, I live in an area where there are not a lot of "visible" AATV's so I have no one that I can go to to either see or ask about tracks. There is not even a local dealer. While Canada is just to our North, driving up there to ask questions is just a bit out of the question. However, if some of our "Northern friends" and others around the world might like to chime in like JOHNF did, it might be the start of something good. I know that tracks are not cheap. I just do not want to invest money into a set of tracks only to find out that the make/style I purchase will not work on my machine for my intended purpose. And as has been pointed out, with all the other variables, "one size is not going to fit all". So maybe the posts/threads might at some point be broken out or moved to sub threads such as tracks on Argos, MAX, etc.

[SHOTGUN]

Thanks JohnF for the good post. I guess it is my turn seeing that it was my idea.

2012 Argo 8x8 Avenger with Chanel Tracks with Flexco hinges, 3" spacers and tuners, full cloth Cab, alternator kit, 4700lb Warn winch, 3.3 tranny, Heat tires. I use the Argo most in Snow past 1' for making firewood and clearing bush for fence lines, also ice fishing. In summer and fall a little bit of swamp and muskeq riding plus hunting.

Pros:
Gear Reduction for pulling, turning, and crawling in tricky situations
Easy turning
climbs timber well, will climb over logs as long as the grouser touches the log before the tub
good traction in all conditions used so far
tub clearance, my argo had a ROPS on previously and is sagged slightly, I have zero clearance issues
does not chew up the lawn unless you are aggressively driving
With heat tires I have never had a track slip yet ( the tread engages the open grouser like gears to chain, my track sag is set to 2-2.5")
Adaptable, I can add a winter kit, extra angle iron for traction, Buzz swim mod for swimming ect.

Cons:
Gear reduction, loss of top speed down a road or smooth trail
A little clunky on hard pack as each grouser comes in contact with the hard surface at slower speeds
Do not swim at all
Less initial flotation compared to a flat closed track for thin ice with no snow on it
Chanel grouser will fill void with snow/ice/dirt sometimes but not past the leading or following steel edge
Overall width increased for tight maneuvering

That is all I can think of for now and will add more later if I think of it. The Tuners work great, one note though, I had to reset the bearing clearance when they broke in as they had gained a lot of free play. The Flexco hinges made a huge difference in how the track turns at high speed and in cold weather, also ease of track removal.

[ARGOJIM]

hipowerone I believe member tattooman is to your left in NY.

[hipowerone]

ARGOJIM. thanks. He appears to be about 3+ hours away, but may try and contact him regarding his current tracks.

[ARGOJIM]

I believe he has experience with 2 types of tracks on a 2 and his friend has a iv with tracks.

[puzle]

I'm a new Argo owner (old machine) I was able to buy used and add rubber tracks (used also), plow (new) and canvas top (used also). I think it is a 2007 Avenger 8x8.

It is winter up here in Ontario CDN and I bought the Argo specifically to help move snow and move building material to our camp. We have a steep hill and I mean steep that walking up can be slippery. In this type of condition the Tracks have been AMAZING. The Argo just walks up the hill without issue and have been able to push a ton of snow plowing. The only time that I had an issue was after I plowed down the lower steepest hill and exposed ice. Coming up the tracks were slipping. I got out threw down some salt and sand and then it had no issues going up.

I just picked up Ice Cleats that I will be installing this weekend. I think that this will solve that one issue that was not a bog deal if you carry around some salt sand in the back.

As other have said it will depend on what you need to do but if you are planning to do any work in snow I would say that the track are a good value. Yes they cost a lot but up here winter last long enough that it makes sense.

[SHOTGUN]

Kinda funny how there is sooo much debate over tracks and only a few are the only ones posting a very full, specific review of the tracks we own!!! No one else willing to stick their neck out on this?

[dgeiman]

I do not have tracks on my machine. But I do think this thread is a good idea and would like to see some more input. I would like to get tracks for my machine and have looked at several different ones but I am still a little confused over which ones would suit me best. I have talked to several guys who have Argos and they swear by the rubber tracks for the marsh and swamp. I have a max IV and have talked to a couple max owners both the II and IV and get everything from the super tracks like RR sells to the Adair set up. Then I think do I really need them because they seem to add a lot of strain on the machine. I like seeing this kind of info its whats owning one of these machines is all about. Its great when when everyone throws out their 2 cents it keeps us thinking.
just my 2 cents

[beagle man]

I had Adair Pro series on a 6 wheeled conquest and they were great in muddy swamps but slick willows, rocks, and steep ground. I have a 8 wheel 750hdi and I'm thinking channel tracks for a little more all terrain bite for willows,roots,trees and such.

[Coast2Coast]

I like to go trackless. No worries about tire pressures, axle windup, wearing out chains and bearings and fatiguing axles, contacting/damaging the tub, getting flats, SWIMMING!

Not enough snow in my area to need tracks most of the time. With a little bravery and a sand anchor for the winch you can go through any muskeg the tracked machines go through. Just don't drive through the middle of the holes like they do.

Only thing I miss about tracks is its much smoother to go over logs and it gets painful when you have to drive over 20 or so of them in a day, and I have had passengers get hurt when they weren't ready for the rough ascent off the top of a big log.

[crossbowme]

There's a myriad of reasons for owning tracks both pro and con. In the three months since I have owned my tracked Argo here's what I have learned:
1. They're almost impossible to stop the damn things. We had over 2.5' of snow in one storm. I'm in the local snowmobile club and we found our groomers and their sleds couldn't easily get to or on the trails. They're Skandic machines and by themselves they could have made it (I think). However, with their grooming sleds they were stopped. I took the Argo and knocked down over 55 miles trails so the groomers could get on them. Some trails had 12' drifts and it just kept on going (though sometimes it was difficult to steer up the rises).
2. Excellent for mixed conditions on the trail - mud/snow/ice/swamp grass. The tracks treats them equally and just keeps on going.
3. I found the chain slap can be minimized by religiously following the tire inflation in the operators manual (p.57). I was amazed in the difference once I set it up properly.

Well, that's my two cents worth.

[Madtrapper]

I have factory camoplast tracks on Max iv 1050t have had no issues in knee deep snow or swamp and muskeg but in water it will not swim worth a hoot. I build a throwable land anchor and pull myself thru the deep water its way faster.