A powerful side-by-side can carry equipment, haul items and handle difficult trails. One stretch of waterlogged or deep snow can shut down all other equipment.
It’s not always the horsepower that creates problems. Sometimes, the tires are unable to disperse the machine’s weight, or find enough traction to progress forward.
That’s the time that UTV tracks can be considered. Tracks alter the way that the vehicle is interacting with the ground. The tracks allow owners to access places that would otherwise be inaccessible, especially during the winter or mud season.
Traction is not the exact same as Flotation
While aggressive tires can improve grip, they nevertheless concentrate the weight of a vehicle in four tiny areas.
UTV track systems spread that burden over a greater footprint. This reduces ground pressure and assists the machine to traverse deep snow, soft soil and muddy terrains without sinking as quickly.
The difference matters for the practical use. An owner of a property might need to be near a fence that is distant after snow. A farmer may need to cross a pasture that is wet without causing deep ruts. It might be necessary for someone who maintains routes for rural use to have reliable access in the event of a spring freeze. Tracks make it easier to control these jobs and also protect vulnerable ground.
What Machine Do You Have? Identify the right system
Some UTV tracks are not designed for the same type of vehicle or load. ATVtracks.net carries four systems that are made by Camso and Kimpex. The Camso 4S1 is specifically designed for full-size side-by-sides in the 400-1000cc size 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 are merely the starting point and they are not a guarantee that the track will be suitable. Before purchasing side by side tracks, make sure you know your vehicle’s model, make and year. The mounting kit must match the exact machine, and even similar vehicles will require different hardware.
There are trade-offs that can be made for greater accessibility
Tracks may improve access but they will not make UTVs less expensive or more efficient to run. Plans from the manufacturers indicate that certain systems slow down travel speeds by around 30-35% compared with tires. The increased resistance and weight increases fuel consumption, and places more demands on drivetrains.
The demands of these vehicles can be regulated with the help of the low range, which limits sustained speeds, and following vehicle manufacturer recommendations.
Rubber tracks also wear faster when used for long periods on abrasive pavement or gravel. They are more effective on right terrain, even though they’re designed to be used in multiple seasons.
Budget beyond the Track Units
Quality side by side track systems represent a substantial investment. The track systems provided by ATVtracks.net start at approximately between $6,000 and $13,000 based on their design and intended use.
The track units themselves aren’t the whole installation. There may be specific vehicle mounting hardware and anti-rotational components. Also additional hubs or spacers could be needed. Buyers should verify the complete parts list before ordering instead of thinking that the advertised price includes everything.
Purchase for the Conditions That You Actually Facing
If a tracker system is the ideal solution to an issue that is coming back, it makes sense.
If you are frequently stuck in deep snow, meadows that are muddy, grassy areas, or in difficult conditions in the winter, tracks could help your side by side accomplish more. If you use your side-by-side only for leisure purposes with firm trails only occasionally, the extra expense and maintenance could not be justified.
ATVtracks.net is an organization which has been assisting owners for over 20 years to choose, install and maintain track systems. Its team can help confirm compatibility and identify the components required for a particular vehicle.
Consider how often you get stuck with your machine, the terrain that causes it and if improved flotation will have a major impact.
Tracks will not be able to erase all obstacles to terrain however they can turn an old side-by-side that’s in idle circumstances into a machine you can utilize when it is needed the most.