A sturdy side by side can transport equipment, pull supplies and manage demanding trails. One stretch of wet or deep snow could stop everything.
It’s not always about horsepower. Sometimes, the tires just don’t evenly distribute the weight of the machine or find enough traction to advance.
That’s when UTV tracks become worth considering. UTV tracks alter how your car interacts with its surroundings, making it possible to access areas that would be otherwise impossible due to winter conditions or mud.
Traction is not the exact same as Flotation.
Although aggressive tires could improve grip, they still concentrate the vehicle’s weight in four distinct zones.
UTV track systems distribute that weight across a greater area. This reduces the ground pressure, which helps the machine to navigate through difficult terrain, deep snow and muddy terrains without sinking.
It is crucial to understand the difference to be able to use it for practical purposes. Property owners may have to reach a distant fence after snowfall. A farmer might have to walk across wet pastures without causing deep ruts. It may be necessary for someone who is responsible for maintaining trails in rural areas to have reliable access during the spring freeze. Tracks can ease the burden and lessen the risk of damage to vulnerable terrain.
Your machine will identify the appropriate system for you.
Certain tracks are not made for the same types of vehicles or the same loads. ATVtracks.net offers four tracks from Camso and Kimpex. The Camso 4S1 is designed for full-size side-by-sides that are 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 starting points, but they are not guaranteed to fit. Make sure you know the model, make and year of your vehicle prior to purchasing side-by-side tracks. The mounting kit needs to match the exact machine. Even vehicles that look similar can need different hardware.
The price of better access is an option to trade off
Tracks increase accessibility, but they don’t make a UTV faster or cheaper to operate. The manufacturer’s planning data indicate that some systems can reduce the speed of travel by 30 to 35% when over tires. A higher amount of resistance and weight to rotate can also impact fuel consumption and increase the demands on the drivetrain.
Use low range when in heavy or extreme conditions, limiting sustained speed, and following the recommendations of the manufacturer can assist in managing these requirements.
Rubber tracks will wear out more quickly if they are used continuously on gravel or pavements that is abrasive. Although the current systems are designed for a variety of seasons, they perform best when they are placed on suitable terrain.
Budget beyond the Track Units
A top-quality side-by-side track is an investment of a major amount. ATVtracks.net’s systems begin at $6,000 and can go up to $13,000, based on their designs.
The track unit is not always the entire installation. Additional components like mounting hardware for your vehicle, anti-rotation hardware and hub or spacers may be required. The entire list of components should be confirmed before the order is placed.
Buy for the Conditions You Actually Have to
A track system makes the most sense when access is improved to solve a recurring problem.
Tracks can be useful If your side-by-side is often faced with thick snow, muddy fields, marshy terrain, or other conditions that are difficult. The added cost and maintenance of tracks could not be worth it for occasional recreational use.
ATVtracks.net, a leading provider of track systems, has helped owners choose, install, and maintain track systems for over two decades. Its team of experts can confirm compatibility and determine the necessary components needed for a particular vehicle.
Before making a purchase, take note of the frequency at which your machine is stuck, the reason for the problem, and whether improvements in flotation could help in a meaningful way.
The best tracks will not eliminate any obstacle to travel however, they can transform an idle side-byside in difficult terrain into equipment that can be used for the time when accessibility is most important.
