Teach me track is off

[Delduck]

Here we go, max4 rubber tracks when I put them on I was in a shop with a lift and lots of help because it was a new toy. Couple weeks ago in the field, right track started to come off and wouldn't walk back on so WE took the air out of the tires, used a pry bar and on they went, 1/2 hr job that wasn't to bad. Now today, track completely off. The machine is on the edge of the field everyone leaves. I start trying to get it back on about 2:00 pm, it's now dark and it still sits on the field edge all alone. I jacked up the front and tried, then the back, and tried, then removed as much air as possible and tried. Then took off rear wheel and tried, none of which worked. I do think now that the wheel removal was a bad idea, but I'll listen to whatever anyone has to say. I plan on buying a vacuum pump tomorrow and trying to suck more air out of the tires. As the heading says TEACH ME!!! To my northern freinds there's NO WAY I would want to do this in your freezing temps.

[tbone9]

Sounds like you're on the right track (pun intended). The best way I've found was take the valve cores out, suck all the air out of the tires then just put the valve caps on. Put track on either the front or back tire then walk track on the rest of the way by pulling it around from the top. If you can run it back with just one track then I'd do that. Once you're home use a shop vac to suck all the air out. I draw them down so far they will actually form a triangle. Hope this helps.

[Delduck]

By this time tomorrow I will know. thanks for the advise. I can't believe it came off based on all the trouble it is to get on.

[tbone9]

Air pressure is crucial with these tracks.

[philipatmaxfour]

teach me track is off

Hi Delduck, just so that you know what all of your options are, especially if you are going to buy another set of tracks for your Max ii. The fact is that when Argo first offered rubber tracks for the Avenger in about 2004 they came in an endless loop like the Max tracks apparently still do? Argo soon started putting a splice into the track that allowed you to pull out the pin in the splice or hinge. That sure makes putting the track back on in the field easier. Argo also offer a short plate that can be put into the hinge to make the track a bit longer or shorter if need be. My tracks are actually made by the same supplier that makes the tracks for Argo but are 2 inches wider and came in the endless loop. I used them that way for a couple of years until an Argo dealer took mercy on me and cut and installed an argo hinge splice, what an improvement! This year for some reason the new tires on my new machine required the use of the extension so I was rewarded again. In my opinion, which is only that, you would be much better off with a hinge in both sets of your rubber tracks. Good luck

[Delduck]

Are these something I can contact a Argo dealer about? This absolutely sounds like what I could use.

[philipatmaxfour]

Are these something I can contact a Argo dealer about? This absolutely sounds like what I could use.

Yes you can get argo track hinges or splice plates, not sure of terminology, from any Argo dealer,some on this site may want to add info. I don't know if you wouldn't be doing the same thing with the track splice that Zuk is offering for sale?

[JoeMeg]

Just curious,how does one draw the tracks (rubber type) together at the hinge to be able to install the pin?

[flippy]

ratchet straps

[philipatmaxfour]

teach me track is off

ratchet straps

[Madtrapper]

I have had to take my tracks off in the bush 3 times to switch tires around. Its not easy but do-able, I had lots of trouble ripping of valve stems of my front tires as all tires were tubed, have since gone to tubeless tires and fixed that problem I have a 1050T with a full roll bar, what we did twice was hook on to the top of the roll bar with my buddies argo winch and tipped it to about 30 degrees , let the air out of the tires and then rolled the track off, swapped the center tire to the front, rolled the track back on reinflated tires and got out that way. The last time i did it myself using a come-a-long to a tree.I did roll a track off in the swamp due to under inflated tires the first time I used it, but all I did was throw the track up on my back carrier and came out trackless on one side, had to winch a couple of times but made it out. BTW love the tracks, spent couple of days last week at our moose camp cutting firewood and cleaning up some trails in knee deep snow at -20C with no issues. Good luck with your tracks I may put hinges in mine when I get around to it.

[Delduck]

Well the track is back on and 3 hrs later I believe I have broke the axle or ripped out the pillow bearing. I need to get it in the shop to see better it's the left rear which is the side that's giving me my run for my money. Anyone buying a machine don't look at this thread it will scare you. New motor, new trans, new comet clutch, new chains, 2 new belts, track partially off once, track completely off once, and a grand total off 14.5 hrs on the new hour meter. You guys know the meter that you look at for your 50 hr oil change. Boy I can't imagine what's going to break before that. Not giving up yet, it's back to the shop we'll know more tomorrow.

[flippy]

sorry to hear about your problems.Maybe the terrain is just to much for your machine.It should not be falling apart on you.What year is your max?

[ARGOJIM]

Much like Zuk found out and many Argo rubber track owner have found, the cleated rubber track has a tremendous amount of grip along with force applied to the axles and bearings from said grip and turning drag. Bearing extensions are a must.
Hopefully in your case some one forgot to tighten the bearing set screws/locking collar &/or bearing block bolts or to put the inner retainer bolt (if so equipped) in the axle.

[ARGOJIM]

I'm curious, are you running front chains on this machine?