A sturdy side by side can haul equipment, pull materials and tackle difficult trails. But one swath of snow or waterlogged ground can cause everything to stop.
Sometimes it’s not the horsepower that can cause issues. Tires might not be able of distributing the weight evenly or provide enough traction for the machine to move forward.
This is the time that UTV tracks can be considered. They alter how the vehicle is able to interact with the ground, allowing drivers access to areas that may otherwise remain inaccessible during winter or mud season.
Traction isn’t the Same as Flotation
Aggressive tires can improve grip, but they still put the weight of the vehicle into four small contact areas.
UTV track systems spread that weight across a greater area. This helps reduce pressure on the ground and helps the machine travel over dense snow, soft dirt, and muddy terrain without sinking as easily.
Practical work requires a different approach. An owner of a property might need to be near a fence distant after snow. Farmers may have to cross wet pasture without causing deep ruts. It may be necessary for someone who is responsible for maintaining rural paths to have reliable access to the area when spring begins. Tracks make the job easier to manage while minimizing the risk of damage to ground.
Your machine will help you determine the appropriate system for you.
Not all tracks for UTVs are designed for identical cars or different workloads. ATVtracks.net offers four tracks of Camso, and Kimpex. The Camso UTV ENDUR is designed to be used with larger side-by-sides that are 1000cc or more, while the Camso 4S1 covers many 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 are only an idea of where to start, is not a guarantee of the quality. Before purchasing side by side tracks, confirm your vehicle’s make, model, and year. The mounting kit must match the exact vehicle or similar ones might require different equipment.
There are trade-offs that can be made for better access
Tracks make it easier to access the terrain, but they won’t make a UTV more efficient or less expensive to operate. The manufacturer’s planning data indicate that certain systems decrease the speed of travel by approximately 30-35% in comparison to tires. Additional weights that rotate and resistance also increase the fuel consumption of vehicles, and place additional pressure on their drivetrain.
The demand can be met by using the low range, which limits to sustained speeds and adhering to the recommendations of the manufacturer of your vehicle.
Rubber tracks also wear faster when they are continuously used on gravel or pavements that are abrasive. They work best on proper terrain, even though they’re designed to be used throughout the seasons.
Budget Units that go beyond the Track
Quality side by side track systems are a significant investment. ATVtracks.net’s systems begin at a price of $6,000 and increase to $13,000, based on their design.
But these track units aren’t necessarily the whole installation. Vehicle-specific mounting components such as anti-rotation hardware, perhaps additional spacers and hub parts may be required. Buyers must verify the complete list of parts prior to ordering instead of believing that the price advertised for starting will cover everything.
Purchase to cover the conditions You Actually Are Experiencing
When a tracker is the ideal solution to an issue that is running into the same spot, it makes sense.
Tracks can be useful If your side-by-side is often faced with thick snow, muddy fields, areas of marshy terrain, or any other difficult conditions. The cost and maintenance of tracks may not be worth it to use them for leisure purposes on occasion.
ATVtracks.net has spent over two decades helping car owners choose to install, maintain, and even repair track systems. The team of experts at the site can verify compatibility and identify the required components to be used on a vehicle.
Think about how often you are stuck with your machine, and the environment that causes it and if better flotation can be a big difference.
The proper tracks can’t eliminate every terrain limitation. But they can transform a side-byside that has been in storage during difficult conditions into a piece of equipment that you can continue to use for the most crucial access.