2000 Bigfoot 6x6 going half-track

[JoeB]

A couple months in, half tracks and chains working great!

1. easier on drivetrain. You can tell right away the machine runs easier.
2. good traction in ice and sloppy mud. Even at weird obstacles with a spinning track, it’s pretty easy to rock around and hook up good traction.
3. pulls good. Icy hills no problem. Plastic tracks alone don't have the traction to pull a sled reliably. Tongue weight helps keep tire chains especially engaged. No slippage.

Still untested in deep snow. So far great Goldilocks solution.

Kids love riding the kat kutter.

“It’s about an 8 or 9 of 10. It’s really fun, except the middle. The middle gets spayed from both sides.”

[mightymaxIV]

If you use six chains you won't have flotation for really soft snow but man you would have enough bite to take you anywhere but powder (P.S the half track with a bush track and optional metal cleats for bite on ice will take you ANYWHERE including powder! But it is going to cost you).

[john swenson]

also it would be a interesting test to see if there is much difference in performance and ride smoothness with tracks on back wheels and chains on front jb

[john swenson]

looks like a really good setup ! i think adding some stall mat rubber '' pads '' on the track would give some extra '' grip '' and smooth out the ride . nice job . jboy

[JoeB]

Thanks. Didn’t consider rubber grousers. Have some horse stall mats if we want to go that route.

Split the super tracks and chained the rear tires with 2-link ladder chains. Ran it a couple times though woods and swamp any really happy. Not a smooth ride, but pretty happy so far. You can tell the machine runs easier with half tracks versus full track and has good ability to shift weight to rear chains when needed.

It’s hard to judge performance without side by side comparisons: but so far prefer half track and chains over full track plastic super tracks. Crossing a log used to be a slippery, iffy, challenge. Now it’s easy to rock back and hookup some additional traction. We’ll see how winter goes.



[/IMG]

[john swenson]

i believe you can get 4'' wide conveyor belting that is ribbed , which would help with traction some in snow and mud . noels idea is good . check online mcmaster carr co. they have different belting , etc. you can also look up online '' johnboys half tracked max '' just for fun and some ideas on my homemade tracks . jboy

[Noel Woods]

Regarding adding steel to regular plastic tracks, yes. I actually did a set many years back and know that others have as well. The only criticism I had was when riding on trails to get to the next mud hole the metal grousers sure rode roughly and kicked up a ton of dust. I set them up similar to skid steer over the tires track, but I think you should pass on them unless you are always in the mud. If you are the metal grousers work well.

I think you would be better off adding rubber to the plastic tracks every second or third link. You can bolt them thru and that should keep the plastic from sliding so badly as well as give you additional traction. I would cut them in small sections as wide as the plastic track but only four inches long. That way you get a hybrid track without a bunch of weight.

[JoeB]

Ouch. Two different recommendations. Thank you Noel. I did some searching and had read about MightyMax4’s 6x6, but his Alaska Bush Tracks are worlds different than Plastic Super Tracks. Hard to say you can’t compare, but it is almost like apples and oranges. Those plastic tracks get slick. I’ve spent some time thinking about adding steel to the regular plastic super tracks, but haven’t found, or come up with, a good solution. Do you remember seeing anyone who’d successfully added steel to the regular super tracks?

Thanks John. I agree about turning easier. Our 6x6 came with 25’s and a set of 22’s for the tracks. If you run 25’s with 22’s on the back it turns so much easier and smoother, less front to back bumps and rocking too. It’s a better ride. With half track and chains up front do think it’s does a better job climbing? Thanks!

[john swenson]

halftracks work great in most terrain ... mud 'snow, etc. i've run them for years on my max 2 . you loose a bit of footprint and traction , but gain some power and they turn easier . i have always run mine on the back 2 tires . looks more like a '' half track ''' for me. johnboy va

[Noel Woods]

You should speak with Mightymax4. He just went to half tracks on his Argo 6x6 and went thru that thought process. He went with tracks on the front two tires.

https://youtu.be/2jWbZcpzUrg?si=x7JDcIAWwdAcWHTc

[JoeB]

Hello. Winter is coming. Have owned a 2000 Bigfoot with plastic super tracks for about 5 yrs. We use it mostly for trail making and crossing swamps. Winter use is more limited, because the plastic super tracks are too slippery. Good flotation, poor traction. Unable to climb a moderate sledding hill.

Taking kids up our sledding hill is the current goal. Going to try half tracks and tire chains. Half-track 6x6 climbing a sledding hill: chains on front tires or rear? Any experience? Thanks!