RTV500 with Camoplast 4S UTV tracks Install and Trials

[beretta96man]

Hi guys. I just wanted to share my experience with tracks on a small UTV. I have a 2007 Kawasaki Mule 610 (400cc) with TJD (Les Fabrications TJD inc.) tracks. I haven't had the tracks very long... and the snow I have been riding on is very compacted.

What I can say is this; it goes places where my 1989 Bombardier Tundra LT would not be able to go and with ease. I go up steep inclines with no problem. Undoubtedly the Mule looses losts of speed with tracks however this is not an issue for me. The Mule's top speed with wheels is about 20 mile per hour. With tracks it's about half for sure. Most of my time driving with tracks is on low range.

Marcel

Nice rig:thumbsup:

that machine was my second choice over the kubota

 

[beretta96man]

It's much appreciated, I've been on the fence about tracks for my 500 since I bought it. I just struggle parting with that much $$ not knowing how I'll like them. I'm probably going to order a set up for next winter.

A couple more questions for you

How many hours do you have on your tracks?
Do they show any signs of damage or wear yet?

12 machine hours

no wear yet but they need adjustment. If I let that go I believe they will start rubbing but they haven't yet. I have read a lot on a atv track thread site and a lot of guys complain about wear on them but it seems like speed, abuse, and loose tracks attribute to most wear problems. I know speed won't kill mine:laughing:

 

[beretta96man]

Well it's late but I finally go around to doing more videos. Took these before I switch back to tires for the summer. It's the only water/mud I could find right now but as deep and slick as some of it was these tracks will go through it all. My final opinion on tracks for the rtv 500 with utility use in mind is 2 thumbs up:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Here is about the top speed with tracks in 2wd, H
YouTube - ‪RTV 500 tracks top speed‬‏

Here is the front tire in water/mud
YouTube - ‪beretta96man's Channel‬‏

Here it is in the mud
YouTube - ‪beretta96man's Channel‬‏

and here in a water hole
YouTube - ‪beretta96man's Channel‬‏

 

[DIXIEDOG]

That's an awesome upgrade...I'm not sure I'll have a set for next winter but I can see a set in my future for sure.:thumbsup: It's nice that it can go through mud so effortlessly without tearing anything up.



Have you managed to get it stuck yet? How was it to get unstuck after they finally lost traction?

 

[trailbuilder]

As far as adjustments on the tracks, there is a pretty neat inexpensive tool from Camoplast that makes track adjustments easy.
I am quite surprised you are happy with the power and speed. I had tracks on a RTV 900 and was very unhappy. We used our on packed ski trails for grooming.

 

[beretta96man]

As far as adjustments on the tracks, there is a pretty neat inexpensive tool from Camoplast that makes track adjustments easy.
I am quite surprised you are happy with the power and speed. I had tracks on a RTV 900 and was very unhappy. We used our on packed ski trails for grooming.

I'll have to look into the tool, sounds interesting. Does it measure track deflection?

Not excited about the speed. I knew it would be slow and that is why I'm putting the tires on for the summer. I'm happy that nothing seems to stop it. I was worried that the 500 wouldn't have enough power to keep it going or that it would sink out of sight as it weighs almost a ton with the tracks and two people. That said, as any 500 owner knows it's like trying to climb a hill in H, you can't, it needs to be in low but when it is it never bogs down.

I've been in 2-3' of powder snow, 2' water/mud and it just keeps going. I'm not into trail riding, if I was I would have bought a razor. This works great for getting firewood in the winter and spring, running around in the spring for maple syrup and pulling my ice house on the lake. From what I've read about trail grooming the cat is the only way to go unless like me you just groom a few acres of trails. I could see why you would not have liked the 900 if you put on some miles.

 

[beretta96man]

That's an awesome upgrade...I'm not sure I'll have a set for next winter but I can see a set in my future for sure.:thumbsup: It's nice that it can go through mud so effortlessly without tearing anything up.



Have you managed to get it stuck yet? How was it to get unstuck after they finally lost traction?

Didn't get it stuck yet. We did go back and forth about 6 times on the same trail. 4 wheelers rut it up in that low land area and the tracks did add to the ruts but mostly they pushed the water out and made it drier

One could probably get this stuck if the ruts were so bad that the underside would get hung up in the center but I couldn't find anything that deep, maybe a jeep or logging trail. I know that for sure the 4 wheelers will not have the clearance to make this trail now that I've been through:laughing:

For fun, check this out. Here is a great example of the torque and traction of a rtv 900 with tracks. Notice that the guy is in reverse as he is getting pulled from a way worse situation then I could find. Even the 500 with tires got put through the ringer by these guys. Fun to watch but I don't want to beat on my stuff. I've grown out of that after wasting lots of $$ on broken stuff
YouTube - ‪kubota rtv mud run.wmv‬‏

 

[trailbuilder]

The tool measures deflection at a given force. There are 2 different measurements for summer and winter.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Didn't get it stuck yet. We did go back and forth about 6 times on the same trail. 4 wheelers rut it up in that low land area and the tracks did add to the ruts but mostly they pushed the water out and made it drier

Sounds like what I NEED:laughing: I managed to get stuck twice today with the atv tires....soft clay and a lot of water = Kubota not making it. The good part is it gave me an opportunity to give my winch a workout again to make sure it still works.:thumbsup: