A powerful side-bys-side can transport equipment, carry supplies and navigate difficult trails. A single stretch of waterlogged or deep snow can halt all other equipment.
The problem isn’t always horsepower. Sometimes the tires simply cannot spread the load of the machine or gain enough traction make the machine move forward.
This is when UTV tracks can be considered. They change the way a vehicle interacts with the ground, allowing owners access to areas that may otherwise be difficult to access even during the winter season or mud time.
Traction is not the same as Flotation
While aggressive tires can improve grip, they still concentrate the weight of the vehicle in four smaller areas.
UTV track systems spread that weight across a much larger footprint. This helps reduce the pressure on the ground and allows the vehicle to navigate through difficult terrain, deep snow and muddy terrains, without sinking.
The difference is important for practical work. The property owner may need to access a distant fence after snowfall. A farmer might need to cross a muddy field without making deep ruts. Someone maintaining rural trails might require reliable access to the trail during the spring thaw. Tracks can in completing these tasks while also reducing the impact on the terrain.
Your machine will decide the right system for you
Some UTV tracks are not designed for the exact vehicle or load. ATVtracks.net has four different systems from Camso and Kimpex. The Camso UTV ENDUR is intended to accommodate larger side-by-sides with a capacity of 1000cc and more, whereas the Camso 4S1 has a wide range of full-size machines in approximately 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, check your car’s make, model and year. The installation kit should match the exact machine or similar ones may require different hardware.
Accessibility is an option to trade off
Tracks are an excellent way to make it easier for people to access, but they do not make UTVs more efficient or less expensive. Certain manufacturers’ plans reveal that certain systems reduce the speed of travel up to 30% or more in comparison to tires. A higher amount of resistance and weight to rotate will also consume more fuel and increase the demands on the drivetrain.
Utilizing low range in extreme or extreme conditions, limiting sustained speed and adhering to the guidelines of the vehicle manufacturer can help to manage the needs.
Rubber tracks wear more quickly when they are continuously used on abrasive pavement or gravel. Although current systems are designed for multiple seasons, they work best when they are used on the right terrain.
Budget beyond the Track Units
A good side-by-side track is an investment worth it. ATVtracks.net provides systems at costs starting at $6,000 and going up to $13,000 based upon the model and the intended usage.
The track unit isn’t always the entire system. Other components, such as the mounting hardware to your vehicle as well as anti-rotation hardware, hubs or spacer components could be required. Buyers should confirm the complete parts list before ordering instead of believing that the advertised starting price covers all of the components.
Purchase for the conditions you Actually Face
A track system makes most sense when access is improved to solve an issue that has been recurring.
If you are frequently stuck in deep snow, meadows that are muddy, marshy grounds, or difficult season conditions, tracks can help your side-by-side do more work. If you are only using your side-by-side to enjoy the outdoors on firm trails occasionally the cost of maintenance might not be justified.
ATVtracks.net one of the leading providers of track systems, has assisted owners to choose, install and maintain their track systems for over two decades. Its team of experts can confirm compatibility and identify the essential components to be used on a vehicle.
Think about how often you are stuck with your machine, the terrain that causes it, and if better flotation can make a significant difference.
The correct tracks can’t remove all terrain limitations, but they can turn a side-by-side that sits idle in difficult terrain into equipment that you can use in the times when accessibility is crucial.
