Traction Just wondering about Mattracks.

[check]

About 15 years ago when I was up in Canada there was a tractor grooming the snow machine trails. It had tracks on the rear tires only. The tracks went around the rear tires, not the type that have their own separate hub. It was night and on the trail so I couldn't stop and get a good look. I'm not sure how the tire drove the track but it must of worked pretty well as the tractor had no problem pulling the drag.

Yup. The local snowmobile club up in Haliburton near Algonquin Park has a tractor with those tracks, which they use to groom the snowmobile trails. Very effective, and looks great! (Even if it is blue!�&#56860

 

[dickfoster]

Yup. The local snowmobile club up in Haliburton near Algonquin Park has a tractor with those tracks, which they use to groom the snowmobile trails. Very effective, and looks great! (Even if it is blue!��)

I have no doubt that it's effective it's the price I have trouble with. I was interested because it would seem to add a lot of side hill stability since it widens out the track width and no doubt puts more weight on the ground down low so the CG would tend to be much lower with this kinda rig bolted up.
Then there is the winter time snow use. I don't see how you could stop it for almost any kind of snow no matter how deep it was. Imagine putting studs in those tracks. But like I said that that price I could probably find a used track steer. Maybe the guy was pulling my leg or something because it doesn't make any sense.

 

[RaydaKub]

Very similar to the old model T conversions, an idler wheel is added just ahead of the rear tires. I believe you have to use the left and right brake along with the steering to turn, A unit close to me has a similar set up but the track goes around the front wheels as well and steered by independent braking like a bulldozer.

I would think going around the front wheels could give you all kinds of chances that the track could run off like an idler pulley with the bearing gone out. Turn the steering wheel just a touch and the track rides up off the tire and slips off the side in just a second. :confused3:

 

[1965]

Not sure if the wheels actually steer on this unit.

 

[pat32rf]

A lot of the four wheel tread systems such as Mattracks are priced for the public utilities to buy with tax dollars....One year someone at Ontario hydro decreed that all their ATVs would have treads as a safety factor as they are less tippy and would give fewer injury claims. The next year they decided that Argos were needed instead.