ATV Tracks

[Dozer]

I run aggressive 27" tires[Gorilla Silverbacks] on my Sportsman 800. I will go anywhere a tracked ATV will go in the snow with a little more work. In the summer an aggressive mud tire will way outperform tracks.

If you truly belive this you must have never ridden with a set of tracks! There is no way your silverbacks are going to hang with a set of tracks.

[arctic_scrap1]

It's slow going, but I can get through nearly rack deep snow with the Silverbacks. Tracks would definitely be more efficient but you have to look at the cost vs. performance and the extra trailer space needed. Eventually you hit a limit with what the tires can do but for the amount of snow we get in MN a tire does fine. I've only ever ridden with 1 other person that has had tracks, last year late in the season on Winnie. There was a decent amount of snow but I was able to keep up just fine in high range. But again, I had to work for it.

And yes, I had quite a few beers last night when I posted that. haha

[PurpleFloyd]

If you truly belive this you must have never ridden with a set of tracks! There is no way your silverbacks are going to hang with a set of tracks.

+1

The tracks give you floatation to go over the snow. With tires, no matter how aggressive, once they dig in and you get hung up you are done. I ran swampers myself when I had a Sportsman and it went through a lot of snow but in no way was it in the league of a tracked quad.

[Riich]

I've been riding the fence for two years wanting to buy tracks for my 700 Grizzly. I was having a hard time parting with over $3K to buy them, but yet thinking it would make much more sense than owning a sled.

So the other day my employer purchased tracks for a Polaris Ranger we keep around to do line inspections with. I thought to myself, alrighty, I get to see how these puppies work.

My first thought was wow, they don't rob any power to get rolling at all, which really surprised me. And then we took it up a ditch that was 3 feet deep full of fluffy snow. Very impressive, although in deep snow they really took the power to keep rolling. But stopping and starting again in the deep snow was impressive. I'm sure these things will really suck up the gas. But they sure do handle the deep stuff well. And we also put them to the test when we climbed a huge pile of snow, I think they will go about anywhere you want to go with them.

But, and then this is a huge but! After running at a pretty good clip down a stubble field full of snow, I was literally covered in snow from about the chest down. The Ranger had an open cab, and I have to say, I was very disappointed to see that much snow getting thrown onto us. It is a deal breaker for me. I was seriously considering buying them up to this point, but after my experience with them, I am passing. I'm just glad I got to see them for myself before putting out the cash. I guess the older I get, the less I like getting cold or wet.

But hey, if you want to make sure you can get through the heavy stuff without any issues, these things do work for that. Just my .02...

[panolo]

Do quite a few sets. On the Grizz it is a must to put on some type of over fenders. Helps immensely on the snow throwing. I have had the best luck with Camoplast tracks. To go back to tires takes minutes.

[DangrsDaveO]

I bought a set of J-Wheelz. Love them. The only time I got stuck is when my hand slipped off the throttle. The cost of the them was a tick over $600.00. Besides the cost difference another advantage is no loss of horse power. Don't get me wrong I like tracks and think they are great but for a practical use the J-Wheelz have been a rock solid investment.

At least I had a shovel to help dig myself out. This is the one time when traveling at a fast speed helps. Good luck!

[MuleShack]

Just curious how wide those Jwheelz are.

Thinking that if I put them on my Mule, that it would be too wide for the trailer.

[DangrsDaveO]

Without measuring them they add about 10 inches of width. I had to re-think my trailer loading options with them on. However it only takes me 10-20 minutes to put them on. Usually depends on if my cordless drill battery is charged or not. The attachment makes the transfer easy. Typically about December I put them on and leave them on until March.

[LakeDocktor]

Dave,

I was offered a promoter/pro staff position with J-Wheelz. I haven't taken the opportunity due to lack of snow, but I am wishing I had them right now. I also would need to rethink my trailer options and that is the only thing holding me back right now! I have a 5x8 trailer. I was thinking about just riding them up on the rails that are about 8" off the trailer deck, but I think I might just be asking for trouble with all of the weight resting on the J-Wheelz. I was also considering just taking them on and off each time, but when I do a lot of lake hopping, this really isn't an option. I could just get a new trailer, but then I'm digging even deeper in the pocketbook. I just wish this was a little bit more simple....

[DRH1175]

I have a honda 400 foreman and if I bought tracks for it and then upgraded to a new atv would the tracks work on both wheelers? I just don't have the room for a sled and want to be able to get places icefishing when there is deep snow. Thanks

[aczr2k]

It depends on what you buy for another atv. I would not recommend tracks on a 400. Way too small. I would save the money upgrade the atv then think about tracks for that one.