UTV's on Tracks

[TWB]

I'm weighing my option for the future and right now I'm getting all my info together on tracks vs freight sled to help my decision. I've got a few buddies with Rhino's on Tracks but unfortunately I haven't been able to get with him and pick his brain.

I'm interested in hearing a few things those of you that already run tracks. I'm current on what the tracks can do as far as depth, but how about pulling load? Are any of you pulling a heavy sled or trailer? What are your observations? Have you broken anything in the drive train/steering?

If I do go with a set of tracks, I want them 4 season, so honestly for the money the Polaris Pro tracks or Tatou 4S in my line of sight..I wanna be able to access wet areas that would leave tires way behind. Clutch job would be in the works as well

How is the handling on packed trails? Any track separation/stretch issues pulling loads?

Or, I run tires in the summer and by a Skidoo SWT and pull alot less.

 

[tjm]

having owned tracks on a UTV, my vote would be for the snomachine and trailer for winter...

 

[TWB]

having owned tracks on a UTV, my vote would be for the snomachine and trailer for winter...

Yeah but there's only so much fun to be had on a widetrack, lol. If I buy a widetrack, I'll never get that long track Ive been wanting, lol. I also moose hunt in some pretty wet areas and tracks would really help me out. I think the Ranger will definitely out haul a long-track. Big consideration is the weight hauling ability as well. 4 trips on a sled or 1 with the Ranger.

TJM, what brand tracks were you running? Were you routinely wearing out track parts? Drivetrain parts? If so, what were they?

 

[polaristracker]

Tracks

Tracks

I have a set of mattraks on an 800 sportsman. First off I would highly recommend on any track system to upgrade your rig to Goralla front axles. Just the fronts because for the most part they will take most of the torque, tension. Other than that I have had no other issues. mattaks are heavier but what I like is they have suspension in the tracks which takes a lot of the torque/tension when hitting stuff, riding etc.
With a utv I am sure steering would be easier. That is the only compliant I have is with my atv steering is a b...ch But if I run in snow or even over open areas with med/light trees I run them over and have enough manuverability.

It doesn't matter what tracks you get they will take a beating somehow...think of it this way...when you have wheels the mechanics of the tire/wheel absorb a lot of the impact....with a track you don't have that "cushion" so it is kinetic energy and it has to go somewhere. I still don't like the new Polaris tracks because they still have most of the mount to the a arm....so look for tracks that have a way to disperse that energy while at the same time have sturdyness..that is why I like mattracks...yeah they are heavier....but heavier means they will take more abuse and absorb more of the energy without breaking. I have done some pretty dumb stuff with my tracks.....thrown tracks...but have had NOTHING break on my tracks and after upgrading to Gorilla axels nothing on the machine as well.
If you have a large bore machine....don't worry about tow capability. With tracks you gain a lot more lower end torque...meaning you won't go fast but you will have a lot more power...and with tracks you need a drive train so you can have awd or full 4 wheel drive....because that is a lot of work to turn 4 set of tracks with only one drive train (the rear)

I have a clutch kit but haven't put it on yet. It is not really that big of an issue....yeah your lower engagement will be higher...but not a big issue....for the most part you can crawl/go over most stuff...just not fast...but that is the point with tracks...and I can go in very very deep stuff too.

My next is I am considering getting a razr or an 850 pol with power steering....something easier to steer...thinking more towards the razr and my tracks will fit right on those
Anyways good luck and shoot me a pm if you want more first hand experience
M

 

[TWB]

Should have mentioned I run an 08 Ranger. The Tatou 4S tracks don't have the right weight rating for a ranger, so they are out. There new Tatou UTV tracks are out, there's snow only. Mattracks, well way too expensive, and then there's the Polaris Pro's..I have heard no bad reviews on them.

 

[tjm]

Or, I run tires in the summer and by a Skidoo SWT and pull alot less.

Sounds like you already have the answer to this question...

Yeah but there's only so much fun to be had on a widetrack, lol.

A ranger with tracks will not exactly be sporty either, it'll be a loud,slow, pig...the widetrack will haul a load better in winter

If I buy a widetrack, I'll never get that long track Ive been wanting, lol.

Depends on how much you spend on the wide track...you can buy a used widetrack for the price of a new set of tracks...you might have to look around a bit but they're out there...

I think the Ranger will definitely out haul a long-track. Big consideration is the weight hauling ability as well. 4 trips on a sled or 1 with the Ranger.

Really depends on where you haul. If you lined them up on a nice widely packed and flat trail (like the Big Su) you would be correct....now if you lined them up on your typical trail where you have one 'goat trail' through the woods the wide track will run circles around the Ranger...

TJM, what brand tracks were you running? Were you routinely wearing out track parts? Drivetrain parts? If so, what were they?

TJD's, main thing to break or wear out were the bearings. I always carried extras and the tools to change them...Keep them greased for track tension and go slow and you'll be fine, until you get stuck or something breaks, then you're really in it....

Basically, in my opinion, the tracks aren't worth the expense/trouble. They are useful for a very small percentage of my riding, and I too ride in some very wet/swampy stuff, really who doesn't?....

As I'm sure you know, you find a way through the nasty stuff some how. The tracks would certainly pull you through the junk easier but really how much of the nasty do you ride while hunting?

Is it worth all the extra trouble on the trail just to get through the swamp easier? You are going to be going much slower and the ride will be absolute [email protected] unless you're in the swamp. Just not worth it to me.

Dig up my old posts on the topic of swamp crossing with tracks. It is cake UNTILL you get stuck. Then you're going to be there a while, just wishing you had tires on.


But, this is just one goofballs opinion, take it for what it's worth (not much), Having been through the whole 'tracks' thing I'd certainly go with the used widetrack over the UTV tracks.....

and if you plan on hauling where I think you'll be hauling you'll be much better served with a snowmacnine, the tracks will give you fits out there and will destroy that winter trail, your neighbors will then have some issues hauling with their stuff from falling in your ruts...

 

[Akheloce]

Having spent the last four days running my rhino back and forth to my cabin hauling, I'd recommend a snowmachine. The rhino pulls fine on hardpack, like TJM said, but it doesnt like hills and goat trails. There was one section of a well used trail that I just couldn't make it up. Also, with my TJD cattracks (which are all season) I make about 10-15 miles per hour. Also, I have to run my heater (aftermarket) full bore to keep it from overheating too often (it still does about every 10 miles). Once I get my sled fixed, it'll be the sled with a trailer out to the cabin. I'll save the tracked rhino for the "in-between" times of the year (too much snow for wheels, not enough for a sled). Also, I will not use tracks in the summer. They have a piece of all-thread which adjusts the approach angle for the tracks, and keep the assembly from spinning all the way around. I've already broken one going over a minor berm, and think that the summer trail would be too hard on them (not to mention sticks, etc). Also, I will say that if you get stuck, you are STUCK. Winching will just break stuff.

 

[polaristracker]

Expensive

Expensive

You mentioned mattrax are too expensive. You do get what you pay for. Realize any track system will get abused. I have winched on my "stuck" one with tracks and after upgrading axles have not broken a thing on the tracks or machine, but have thrown tracks that way...but just like a wheel....you can always put the track back on. Good luck hunting/shopping
M

 

[ALASKAGUNHUNTER]

I have the Mattracks M3's on a 1000lb machine and climb over down logs and over things that will leave a snowmachine in the shop.

 

[TWB]

Think I'm gonna snow check a few new sleds. The Ranger will be seeing alot of abuse this summer, probly upgrade too a '10 next year.

 

[TWB]

Wierd. Lost a few posts but ohh well. Probly a Summit 800 and a Tundra sport. I'm not a name brand guy but I really do like the skidoo's. the rev platform rides very nice and would be an easy platform for the little lady to control.