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Ram D. Mahajan
New member
Username: Pharkas
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2006
Posted From: 129.44.218.108
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - 08:34 pm: | 
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I have a 2002 Max IV that I want to put tracks on to make my machine better in the snow. I am trying to decide whether to get plastic tracks like Richard Clark sells or the Max factory tracks that are made of rubber. The Max tracks are over twice the price. Does anyone have experience with both types of tracks that can give me the pros and cons of each. I'd like to go the cheap route but I don't want to loose too much performance. If anyone has had bad experiences with either please let me know as well. Thanks
Ram |
Kyle Barnett
New member
Username: 6x6beast
Post Number: 3
Registered: 06-2006
Posted From: 152.163.100.65
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 08:28 am: |
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I don't see any problem with the plastic tracks. If you were spinning in gravel all day, I would say the rubber would be better. Not only are the plastic tracks about half the price, they're segmented so if one gets damaged, $15 to $20 buys you a new one. Rubber tracks tend to be heavier, partly because they're a little more durable, but sometimes tend to stretch. For snow I run plastics. |
Missouri's Max and Argo Dealer
Advanced Member
Username: Brandon_price
Post Number: 170
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 69.27.205.43
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 12:44 pm: |
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The plastic tracks are just an option because of the clear price advantage. If you want performance and can afford the rubber tracks, they are the only way to go. Remember the factory rubber track kit also includes bearing cages, frame rail, and wheel extensions for the 15" wide tracks. The factory also just began offering the new more aggressive track for the Max IV with deeper lugs. |
Dennis F. Saskowski
Intermediate Member
Username: Sasko
Post Number: 98
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 68.64.195.56
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 11:20 am: |
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I run rubber tracks on my max 4 for use in wide open snow and snowmobile trails ,however this past week end went on a trail ride thru tight trails normally traveled with wheels.Rubber tracks seem to give a little bit when wedged betwwen trees and force my way thru.Could plastic tracks squash as much? |
Dave Keeso
Intermediate Member
Username: Argomag
Post Number: 80
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 74.100.0.11
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 11:10 pm: |
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They have a bit of play in them but not much. They will bend a bit but you are risking bending a track pin doing that if your not careful |
TriCountytrail
Junior Member
Username: Tricountytrail
Post Number: 19
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 71.251.172.101
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 10:58 am: |
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I have a Max IV with rubber trax, had it in Allegany State park last weekend excellent in the snow and on hills. 15" wide gives a lot of floatation I also looked at the plastic track, the tracks are cupped not flat In deep snow I thought they would dig in instead of stayin on top of the snow. |
Rob Sandera
Member
Username: Rob_sandera
Post Number: 21
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 4.91.133.223
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 11:44 am: |
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Any plastic track will perform different from a rubber track. They may accelerate faster as they are generally lighter but the shape you see may be to try to give them the same traction as a Rubber track.. The specific manufactures width and design has probably been tested for the pounds per square inch on the ground specific to the machine it fits. I’ve had plastic tracks on a scorpion snowmobile not go at all in slushy snow. Climb on an old Rupp with all rubber track in the same snow and away it goes. However in deep powdery snow I’ve seen scorpions walk away from everybody. So every app has its tradeoffs and for most of us its what we can afford at the time. Everything I’ve heard about tracks is any tracked machine is unstoppable and will go anywhere you want. The only way to fairly compare a advantage to one over another would be at a jamboree competition event |
Len Cater
Member
Username: Lcater
Post Number: 22
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 72.138.89.77
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 11, 2007 - 10:11 am: |
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Bad experience with plastic, but a lot depends on snow type and weight distribution. For all around performance, and go anywhere, it has to be rubber. I found with plastic they can slip a lot more especially in deep powdery snow. I ran a bigfoot with plastic and never ran into any troubles. But a Conquest with plastic sucked as they are front heavy and the tracks would slip. Perhaps with th rear engine on a max, you'd have a different experience. If you are planning on hauling stuff, then rubber is the best. |
Ram D. Mahajan
New member
Username: Pharkas
Post Number: 4
Registered: 12-2006
Posted From: 129.44.218.108
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 12:05 pm: |
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Thanks for all the replies. Based on your recomendations I purchased a lightly used set of original rubber Max tracks. After 17 hours of hard labor I was able to install the factory bearing cages, rails, extensions and tracks. I haven't had time to try them out yet in our 30 plus inches of snow. I'll let everyone know when I do. |
philip w.cox
Advanced Member
Username: Philipatmaxfour
Post Number: 281
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 206.191.22.165
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 25, 2007 - 03:01 pm: |
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Ram, I have always heard that it was a big job to retrofit the factory rails and bearing cages. Congratulations on getting that job done! On the north side of the big lake,we only got half of the snow that I hear you guys got on the south side. What a great time to have tracks. Do you have the 25 h.p. Kohler in your Max IV |
Ram D. Mahajan
New member
Username: Pharkas
Post Number: 7
Registered: 12-2006
Posted From: 129.44.218.108
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 03:42 pm: |
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Philip,
I have the Kohler 20 in my Max IV. I have an old Techumsea 16 hp in my 86 max II. The threads that attach the exhaust manifold to the head of my Techumsea are all striped so I don't have a real great way of attaching my exhaust system. I'm thinking of putting my Kohler 20hp from my Max IV into my Max II and then upgrading the Max IV to the 25hp kohler. That way each machine will get an upgrade instead of just replacing the motor on the Max II. |
philip w.cox
Advanced Member
Username: Philipatmaxfour
Post Number: 290
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 199.246.2.9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 12:55 am: |
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Sounds like a plan. When R.I. put the 25 (or the new 27 liquid) in the Max 4 I'm pretty sure they used a different CVT. than did did with the other angines. Good Luck |
klaus jager
New member
Username: Rabenfels
Post Number: 1
Registered: 02-2007
Posted From: 72.174.139.162
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 06:16 pm: |
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Bought the plastic tracks - less expensive - but maybe not as useful as rubber? CO powder last winter and I got stuck each time I was out. had to dig out and push my way home! No foatation - bottomed out - tracks spinning. Major probem might be the overall weight of machine, supplies and driver with about 350 - 360 lbs? Would rubber help or is it just too much weight to keep floating? |
Skip Saul
Junior Member
Username: Giantdog
Post Number: 19
Registered: 10-2006
Posted From: 67.142.130.41
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - 01:20 am: |
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super tracks are plastic but work real well in snow with ice gripers on it is all most unstopable my super tracks are 18 inch wide they seem to work to good all most i have a snow plow and inorder for it to work right i have to put a few sand bags in for some waight they are more expensive then the regelur tracks but thay do work |
Len Cater
Member
Username: Lcater
Post Number: 46
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 99.244.219.215
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - 01:39 am: |
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Klaus, rubber will help as you'll get less slipping and they will grab the snow better. The rubber tracks are 18-20" so you will get improved floatation. You will only have trouble is the snow has not developed a base. If you are in 4' of powder and there is no snow layers in it, then chances are your progress will still suck on uphills. Flats will be no problem. |
klaus jager
New member
Username: Rabenfels
Post Number: 3
Registered: 02-2007
Posted From: 72.174.139.162
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - 05:13 pm: |
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Thanks Len. This was pure powder, no base. Could not even make a snow ball so fluffy the stuff was. 8-12" and down she went on the flats - forget climbing! Got a boat anchor now to winch out when no trees, fences are around. PulPal would be better but the $$$$. |
Len Cater
Member
Username: Lcater
Post Number: 47
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 99.244.219.215
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - 06:54 pm: |
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Well at 8-12 inches the rubber tracks would have pulled you through as the snow would compress enough to let the tracks grab. The rubber does not slip like the plastic. I am a huge fan of rubber tracks after running plastic on a Bigfoot and a Conquest. |
Terry Cilley
New member
Username: Mrtlc
Post Number: 3
Registered: 07-2007
Posted From: 69.179.37.32
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 15, 2007 - 04:59 pm: |
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If you want real tracks go to http://www.escargotracks.com/ |
Shop Talk: Tech Tips and Q&A section