A powerful side-by vehicle can tow equipment, transport supplies, or navigate difficult trails. But one swath of snow or waterlogged ground can cause everything to stop.
Not all problems are caused by the horsepower. Tires might not be able to distribute weight evenly, or provide sufficient traction to enable the machine advance.
That’s when UTV tracks are worth looking into. UTV tracks alter how your vehicle interacts with its surroundings and allow you to get into areas otherwise inaccessible due to winter or mud.
Traction and Flotation Do Not Mean the Same Thing
Although aggressive tires could improve grip, they also place vehicle weight in four small regions.
UTV track systems distribute that weight across a much larger footprint. This reduces ground-pressure and allows the vehicle to travel over thick snow and soft soil without sinking.
The distinction can be crucial to practical tasks. The property owner may need to reach a distant fence following snowfall. A farmer may have to travel through a pasture that is muddy without causing deep ruts. It could be essential to someone who has a trails in rural areas to have reliable access when spring thaw occurs. Tracks are a great way to control these jobs and also protect vulnerable ground.
The Best System is based on Your Machine
Not all tracks designed for UTVs are created for the same vehicle or load. ATVtracks.net has four systems that are made by Camso and Kimpex. The Camso UTV ENDUR is intended to be used with larger side-by-sides that are 1000cc and more, whereas the Camso 4S1 has a wide range of full-size machines within the 400-1000cc range.
The Kimpex HD4 supports machines within its published capacity of up to 4,000 pounds, while the Kimpex WSS4 follows its own manufacturer-specific compatibility list.
These categories do not guarantee that the tracks will work. Confirm the make, model and year of your vehicle before purchasing side-by-side tracks. Even similar machines can need different hardware for mounting.
Accessibility is the result of a trade-off
Tracks improve access, but they don’t make a UTV more efficient or less expensive to operate. The manufacturer’s planning data indicate that certain systems slow down travel speeds by 30 to 35% when over tires. Additional weight and resistance from rotating will also consume more fuel and place additional demands on the drivetrain.
Utilizing low range in extreme or severe conditions, restricting the speed of sustained use, and following the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations can assist in managing these requirements.
Rubber tracks also wear faster when they are continuously used on abrasive gravel or pavement. Although the current systems are designed for all seasons, they’re most effective when they are used on the right terrain.
Budget Beyond the Track Units
Quality side by side track systems represent a substantial investment. The systems offered by ATVtracks.net start at between $6,000 and $13,000, depending on the design and use.
But, the track units aren’t always the entire system. Vehicle-specific mounting components such as anti-rotation hardware, perhaps additional spacers and hub parts might be required. Before placing an order, customers should verify the entire parts list and do not believe that the starting price includes everything.
Pay according to the Conditions You Are Subject to
Track systems make the most sense when access is improved to solve an issue that has been recurring.
Tracks are a great option for those who live on the same side of the road and are regularly faced with deep snow, muddy fields areas of marshy terrain, or any other conditions that are difficult. For recreational use that is only occasionally on firm trails the extra cost and maintenance might be difficult to justify.
ATVtracks.net has spent over two decades helping car owners choose to install, maintain, and even repair track systems. Their team can verify compatibility and pinpoint parts required to fit a specific vehicle.
Consider the frequency with which your machine gets stuck, the terrain that is causing it, and whether an improved flotation system can be beneficial.
Tracks aren’t able to remove all limitations of terrain however they can turn a side by side which is in a stalemate in challenging conditions into a machine you are able to use when it is most.