Tracks

[Igotanotherone]

Really contemplating getting tracks on a atv. Anyone with experience with them want to share the pros and cons of them such as do you have problems with them, and how hard is it to transfer back and forth? Also looking at camso.

 

[Migrator Man]

Really contemplating getting tracks on a atv. Anyone with experience with them want to share the pros and cons of them such as do you have problems with them, and how hard is it to transfer back and forth? Also looking at camso.

Camso tracks are pretty bullet proof and provide great floatation over snow. They cost a ton but you really don’t have a choice when the snow gets deep. Initial installation is a pain if you don’t know what you are doing so I recommend a dealer does it. Taking them on and off is not too hard. Once you bite the bullet and get a set you will be happy down the road you bought them.

 

[Igotanotherone]

How is steering without power steering? Or is that just a nodont do it?

 

[Auggie]

Power steering is nice, but not needed. You'll notice it when turning in tight spots (loading/unloading a trailer), but is fine when your out. I've had Camoplast and Mattracks. Both are good, but finding Camoplast track parts are easier than the Mattracks. Also working on the Camoplast are easier.

 

[SDMF]

My tracks (Camoplast Pre-Camso) are on their 9th winter. I snugged up the track on the frame once with the threaded adjustment and other than that, just install/remove as needed. Takes about 45min to put them on and less than 30min to take them off.

Biggest pain in the rear is getting the hubs lined up on the 2nd rear you install. Front is easy, take the machine out of 4x4 and you can spin the hub on the machine to line up with the hub on the track. On the rear, once you have one installed, the 2nd won't spin unless you have the whole rear off the ground and even then it's a pain. Rolling the track around to try and line up to the hub is no picnic either.

None of it is "difficult" just mildly tedious.

I don't have power steering, no big deal IMO.

I've done 0 work to mine other than on/off and again, the tension adjustment. I don't use them as much as I should but I'm glad I've got them!

 

[tikkalover]

My question is, will tracks work on a 2009 Arctic Cat 550 or is it to small to put tracks on?

 

[dodgeguy]

I'm looking at getting a new to me side by side and wanting one with tracks on it or will purchase after. Good info to know. Thanks.

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Good question, what would the smallest unit a guy could go with. I've seen them on 660 rhinos but makes me wonder if they would have enough power or would you be over working it a lot.

 

[wslayer]

Run the Camo tatau S4 (all season) on Honda Rubicon 500. They turn hard without power steering until you get it rolling. They make all different applications all the way down to the 300. Just different size sprockets. As stated, about 1 hr to install. Don't recommend summer use. Rocks are very hard on the bogey wheels. Will tear up the lawn also.

 

[SDMF]

My question is, will tracks work on a 2009 Arctic Cat 550 or is it to small to put tracks on?

I have a 750 Suzuki King Quad and run it in low whenever I have the track on. With little exception once you “need” tracks the snow is rough enough that you’re not running more than 15mph or so anyway. ATV/tracks is NOTHING like running a snowmobile regarding suspension.

The the long-way around a 550 will turn tracks just fine as you’re likely to run it in low and you’re not going to be running 40+ MPH.

 

[Lungdeflator]

I have had the camso TS4? tracks for almost 3 years now. I run them on a honda foreman 500. I have power steering and it works great. I am able to pull my 8x12 skid house around and do anything else in the snow.

As mentioned, don't expect to be going very fast with them. I haven't had my spedometer adjusted, so I don't know what my top speed unloaded is with them, probably in between 20-25mph.

Like SDMF mentioned, after the initial install, it takes about 45 minutes to install them and 30 or less minutes to switch back to tires.

I've pulled the portable over 36+" of snow and haven't gotten stuck. There are 2 negatives to the tracks. 1- they throw up a lot of snow, the under carriage of your atv will get pack with snow and ice, it helps to clean it out or park it inside a heated building after use. 2- they will make your machine work harder. I think my MPG goes down 50% or more with the tracks.

 

[Bfishn]

Camso does have that newer track out as well the R4S, It is a little bit skinnier and lighter and made for the 500 and under machines. I think its around $2,700 vs $4,000 for the T4S, I'd be very tempted to try it on my Rubicon if i decided to get tracks. I think the weight difference would give you better gas milage, less stress on the machine and less snow flying around because the tracks are pretty much completely under the fenders rather than sticking out several inches. I have seen a couple videos and i cant imagine getting stuck in ND with the skinnier tracks, maybe in deep fresh powder in the Mountains but thats about it.

https://camso.co/en/atv-utv/products/atv-r4s

 

[shorthairsrus]

best set of tracks -- is one leading into the airport and into a plane going to south florida to go fishing!!!!

 

[HammsRMK]

best set of tracks -- is one leading into the airport and into a plane going to south florida to go fishing!!!!

Ha ha I am actually leaving next Friday to go to Florida. I hope to fish! As far as track, my will arrive tomorrow, and I hope I can use them this weekend.

 

[Migrator Man]

My question is, will tracks work on a 2009 Arctic Cat 550 or is it to small to put tracks on?

Yes you should be fine. I run mine on a Honda 500 and have no issues. Someone said they run their machine in low but I don’t think that is needed on all machines. Dealer said there is no issues running it in high.

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How is steering without power steering? Or is that just a nodont do it?

I don’t have power steering on mine and it does just fine. Pretty hard to steer without moving with or without power steering. I would say power steering reduces effort like 30% at slow speeds. Power steering on a wheeler is no where near as easy as car power steering.

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Camso does have that newer track out as well the R4S, It is a little bit skinnier and lighter and made for the 500 and under machines. I think its around $2,700 vs $4,000 for the T4S, I'd be very tempted to try it on my Rubicon if i decided to get tracks. I think the weight difference would give you better gas milage, less stress on the machine and less snow flying around because the tracks are pretty much completely under the fenders rather than sticking out several inches. I have seen a couple videos and i cant imagine getting stuck in ND with the skinnier tracks, maybe in deep fresh powder in the Mountains but thats about it.

https://camso.co/en/atv-utv/products/atv-r4s

If I was going to get tracks I rather get the full size ones. They have much better floatation on snow. You may see better gas mileage and les stress but I do think it is marginal. I know guys that run full size tracks on 420 s and they do just fine.

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I'm looking at getting a new to me side by side and wanting one with tracks on it or will purchase after. Good info to know. Thanks.

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Good question, what would the smallest unit a guy could go with. I've seen them on 660 rhinos but makes me wonder if they would have enough power or would you be over working it a lot.

Tracks on a 660 should be fine. I see a lot on all kinds of 700s and some on the 500s also. Not as much power and maybe can’t run as fast but the ice can be so rough that you can’t run that fast anyways

 

[HammsRMK]

Got my tracks on, just got them last Thursday. Man will it eat snow. I found them on bismanonline. $3500 super happy.

 

[SDMF]

Put a blade out front and move some snow with it. Truly amazing to me how much snow a tracked machine can move.

 

[all4eyes]

I would love to track my sxs, but I bought 2 sleds for half the price. If i had tracks I'd have to get a heated cab also, as they throw snow everywhere. I have seen tracks struggle in slush and heavy snow. Also make sure you know how to change a belt on your machines that's a whole different category. Sleds are cheap, can run faster and no worries most of the time.

 

[Migrator Man]

I would love to track my sxs, but I bought 2 sleds for half the price. If i had tracks I'd have to get a heated cab also, as they throw snow everywhere. I have seen tracks struggle in slush and heavy snow. Also make sure you know how to change a belt on your machines that's a whole different category. Sleds are cheap, can run faster and no worries most of the time.

Looked at side by sides the other day and man they get expensive. Some of them are just as much as my truck when it was new. I am contemplating moving up to a Honda Pioneer 500 and reusing my atv tracks. Two seats would be nice.

The only bad thing is sleds need snow on the ice to run them. My wheeler with tracks is almost impossible to get stuck

 

[guywhofishes]

sleds suck late season (muddy shoreline, leaving trailer off ice, etc.)

glare ice w sleds is no biggie with carbides, scratchers, and studded tracks

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no belts on Honda sxs

 

[all4eyes]

700 Honda sxs are known to not start in the cold. Agree sleds suck when there isn't much snow, that's why I have both. I said you can buy a nice used sled for alot less then tracks. Tracks work I wont argue that, but damn they cost half as much as the machine they go on. Just offering a cheaper alternative. Plus they take about the same amount of room in the shed.

Fan cooled sled with a set of scratchers and studs will do anything. Sleds can hydro plane on open water, and even though it's messy they will cross mud. I'll keep both as I have less then 2500 into both sleds and trailer.