A strong side by side can haul equipment, pull supplies, and navigate difficult trails. One stretch of deep snow or wet ground can bring everything to a stop.
It’s not always the horsepower that can cause issues. Tires might not be able distribute the weight evenly or provide enough traction to enable the machine advance.
UTV tracks are also worth taking into consideration. UTV tracks alter the way your vehicle interacts with the environment and allow you to travel into areas otherwise inaccessible due to winter or mud.
Traction and Flotation Do Not Mean the Same Thing
Although aggressive tires may improve grip, they still concentrate vehicle weight in four small zones.
UTV track systems spread this weight across a much larger footprint. This reduces ground-pressure and allows the machine to move over deep snow and soft soil without sinking.
The difference is important for practical purposes. After a snowfall, a property owner might have to access a fence. A farmer may have to cross a wet pasture and not leave deep ruts. Someone maintaining rural trails might require reliable access to the trail during the spring thaw. Tracks can help ease the burden while also reducing the impact on fragile terrain.
Your machine will decide the right system for you
Not all tracks for UTVs are designed for identical vehicle or load. ATVtracks.net includes four systems that come from Camso, and Kimpex. The Camso 4S1 system is suitable for many full-size vehicles in 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 provide any guarantee that the tracks will meet your needs. Before purchasing side by side tracks, confirm your vehicle’s make, model, and year. The mounting kit needs to precisely match the vehicle. Even cars that look identical may require different hardware.
Better Access comes with trade-offs
Tracks are a great way to improve accessibility, but aren’t able to make UTVs quicker or less costly. Plans from the manufacturers indicate that some systems reduce travel speed by about 30 to 35 percent when over tires. Additional weight and resistance from rotating also increase fuel consumption and increase the demands on the drivetrain.
Following the manufacturer’s advice, using low range when driving in high or deep conditions, and limiting your speed can assist you in managing these conditions.
Rubber tracks wear out faster when they are utilized continuously on pavement or gravel that is rough. They are more effective on appropriate terrain, despite the fact that they’re made to be used throughout the seasons.
Budget Units Above the Track
Top-quality side-by-side track systems make for a considerable investment. The track systems provided by ATVtracks.net are priced around $6,000 to $13,000 based on the design and use.
However, the track units aren’t necessarily the entire installation. There could be a need for specific vehicle mounting components and anti-rotational hardware. Additionally spacers or hubs could be required. Prior to ordering, the buyer must verify the complete parts list and do not believe that the cost of purchase includes everything.
Purchase for the Conditions That You Actually Face
A track system makes most sense when improved access solves a recurring problem.
If you often find yourself in deep snow, muddy meadows wet ground, or other difficult season conditions, tracks can assist your side-by-side accomplish more. For occasional recreational use on firm trails, the additional expense and maintenance might be difficult to justify.
ATVtracks.net is an organization that has been helping owners for over 20 years to install, select and maintain track systems. The team can confirm compatibility, and identify the components required for a particular vehicle.
Examine the frequency your machine can get stuck, the terrain that is the cause, and if an improved flotation system could have a positive impact.
Tracks won’t be able to remove all limitations of terrain, but they will transform an old side-by-side that’s in idle conditions into a machine that you can utilize when it is needed the most.