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Salamander
New member
Username: Salamander
Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 07, 2008 - 05:57 pm: | 
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Lots of people say the rubber tracks are better than the plastic tracks; I would like to know WHY people think they are better? What conditions highlight the strengths and weaknesses of various track systems? |
Len Cater
Intermediate Member
Username: Lcater
Post Number: 56
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 07, 2008 - 09:29 pm: |
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All conditions are better for rubber.
Grip better in all types of snow.
Climbs over wet logs, wet rocks and wet ground.
Smoother ride than multiple sectioned plastic.
Quieter than plastic tracks.
Only downsides I know of
- more costlier than plastic
- won't turn on pavement easy |
Salamander
New member
Username: Salamander
Post Number: 4
Registered: 12-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 07, 2008 - 11:01 pm: |
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Is the slip issue between the tires and track; or between the track and said slippery surface like the rock or log? If the latter, then could some sort of rubber cleats be added to the plastic track to give it more traction in those conditions? |
Len Cater
Intermediate Member
Username: Lcater
Post Number: 57
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 09:00 am: |
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Between the track and the slippery surface. |
Brad Morcom
Member
Username: Evil1
Post Number: 34
Registered: 02-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 11:12 pm: |
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Rubber tracks bend and form around objects and terrain increasing traction. A stiff segment made of plastic cannot, it scratches its way along at best. The segmented plastic tracks were even tried on snowmachines. My bestfriend had a 1969 Arctic Cat Panther with one and it sucked in the snow. If you are ever near my place I would gladly take you for a ride to checkout the rubber tracks. |
Brad Morcom
Member
Username: Evil1
Post Number: 35
Registered: 02-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 11:21 pm: |
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I forgot to say A guy who lived 1/4 mile from me had a Argo Vanguard with the plastic tracks. I built aluminum ramps for him to load the argo onto the trailer because the Argo with the plastic tracks wouldnt climb onto the trailer, it would spin out. |
Chris Chwaz
Member
Username: Buffalomax
Post Number: 27
Registered: 03-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 06:04 pm: |
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So it gets better traction,then the plastic,do you guys sink in the same ,or am I sinking in till my belly is in the snow because I dig my way in?I have the worst possible combination,a 97 buffalo,with 12 inch wide plastic tracks,the 15inch rubber were too much money for me.But these only work in certian snow.Is the weight on the ground from the front two wheels on a argo frontier less than my buffalo?I am looking at the frontier because of two big things the more ground clearence Of nine inches,while the buffalo has six inches with the tracks,and you just drive on to the tracks ,dont have to do the tire change game like you have to do with so many of the machines.Has any one takin the frontier in really deep snow how does it go does it belly drag too?I would like to see pictures. |
Chris Chwaz
Member
Username: Buffalomax
Post Number: 28
Registered: 03-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 06:07 pm: |
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So it gets better traction,then the plastic,do you guys sink in the same ,or am I sinking in till my belly is in the snow because I dig my way in?I have the worst possible combination,a 97 buffalo,with 12 inch wide plastic tracks,the 15inch rubber were too much money for me.But these only work in certian snow.Is the weight on the ground from the front two wheels on a argo frontier less than my buffalo?I am looking at the frontier because of two big things the more ground clearence Of nine inches,while the buffalo has six inches with the tracks,and you just drive on to the tracks ,dont have to do the tire change game like you have to do with so many of the machines.Has any one takin the frontier in really deep snow how does it go does it belly drag too?I would like to see pictures. |
Chris Chwaz
Member
Username: Buffalomax
Post Number: 29
Registered: 03-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 07:33 pm: |
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So rubber gets better traction,then the plastic,do you guys sink in the same ,or am I sinking in till my belly is in the snow because I dig my way in?I have the worst possible combination,a 97 buffalo,with 12 inch wide plastic tracks,the 15inch rubber were too much money for me.But these only work in certian snow.Is the weight on the ground from the front two wheels on a argo frontier less than my buffalo?I am looking at the frontier because of two big things the more ground clearence Of nine inches,while the buffalo has six inches with the tracks,and you just drive on to the tracks ,dont have to do the tire change game like you have to do with so many of the machines.Has any one takin the frontier in really deep snow how does it go does it belly drag too?I would like to see pictures. |
philip w.cox
Advanced Member
Username: Philipatmaxfour
Post Number: 432
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 08:56 pm: |
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Hi Chris- you might want to take a deep breath for a minute. You are sinking in on most (some?) types of snow. ok. but you are driving a heavy Buffalo model ATV with 12" wide plastic tracks. Have I got that right? If so-- You don't need me to tell you that the lack of width of your tracks is the problem. You need wider tracks--much wider tracks. If you can't afford wider tracks why are you talking about a new Frontier? If you get a new Frontier and a new set of rubber Frontier tracks you still have to follow a very specific routine of removing the tires ,measuring the circumferences carefully after setting a certain air pressure and mounting them in a specific order. Then they work great. I worry when someone says--"just drive on to the tracks" that you are headed for more disappointment. I would hesitate to say that a front engine Frontier puts less weight on the ground from the front two tires than your Buffalo but I do not hesitate to assure you that your problem is lack of track width. Even the much touted Escargo tracks offer an additional 5" extension you can add to their already full sized tracks for some snow conditions. See escargo tracks Timmins Ont. |
Skip Saul
Member
Username: Giantdog
Post Number: 23
Registered: 10-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 09:20 pm: |
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snow condition plays big part of driving in the snow also I have a argo conquest 8X8 I have the super tracks for it if the snow is dry and powder it can and will drag its belly at that point it is hard to make a turn and stay on top but the super tracks do help i would hate to try it with reguler tracks some times speed helps all so i tend to run a little more air in the tires when I run the tracks to keep them on and less slipping in the tracks wider is better but depending on other facters |
Salamander
New member
Username: Salamander
Post Number: 7
Registered: 12-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 11:41 am: |
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What air pressure do y'all fill the tires to run with your tracks? Sounds like specific air pressure is more of an issue with the rubber tracks than the plastic ones? How tight/loose do you suggest running the tracks? How many segments of supertrack is the average 6 wheeler running? |
Brian in FABULOUS Utah
Intermediate Member
Username: Brianprovo
Post Number: 51
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 06:15 pm: |
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I run 4 1/2 pounds and I don't get any tire spin within the tracks. If you get spin increase 1/2 a pound. |
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