RTV500 with Camoplast 4S UTV tracks Install and Trials

[jimgerken]

The roller groomer is homemade. It is not a first-pass groomer. For the first pass or two especially in deep snow like this year, I simply drag a 3 foot square pc of floor mat. The floor mat is the kind you'd put on the floor of your shop for comfort, full of holes, thick rubber. I lace a cable thru the mat diagonally so it pulls from on corner, and sometimes at some weight to it. After a couple passes in early winter with the drag mat, I start using the roller groomer after every snow. The idea is to keep packing the snow so it freezes together and supports the traffic better. A rough surface has shown to freeze better and offer some surface traction too.
I found a few more pics of the groomer build...
Ummm, sorry for high-jacking the thread, its just that there are so few guys with interest in tracks in snow.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

How are the tracks working out now? It's been awhile, have you found their limits?

 

[beretta96man]

How are the tracks working out now? It's been awhile, have you found their limits?

Not quite but close. I got it hung up on the peak of a snow bank but reverse and back over it was fine. Still haven't found a use for my new winch

Limits.....the tailgate hits the track when dumping and on a quick turn into a sharp climb the front tracks do start to rub the front bumper even after my cut-off

turning radius i paced around 11 ft (22 ft diam)

goes backwards in powder as well as going forward

The trail pic is from our woods after last weekends snow. I got out up to my knees to take the pic to show how it just floated over all of it:thumbsup:

 

[beretta96man]

Finally, I got a video of this but the snow isn't as soft as it was a couple months ago

Here are the links to my youtube videos of the rtv with track trials

YouTube - kubota rtv 500 with tracks
YouTube - kubota rtv 500 with camoplast tracks in the woods
YouTube - Kubota Rtv500 camoplast tracks uphill low gear
YouTube - DSCN0017

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Looks awesome. Are any of those videos with the unit in high range going close to top speed? I'm thinking those may be a must have but it looks like the buggy is barely moving in those videos....does it have any more speed available?

 

[beretta96man]

Looks awesome. Are any of those videos with the unit in high range going close to top speed? I'm thinking those may be a must have but it looks like the buggy is barely moving in those videos....does it have any more speed available?

The last video on the pipeline is in 2wd no diff-lock and high range. That was just about to the floor but as any rtv owner knows this unit doesn't do inclines in high range well so since I was on rolling terrain and with the speed reduction of the tracks it was bogging down approaching that small incline.

All other videos are in Low range 4wd and diff-locked. I did have more power but the woods here are tight and not too flat so I didn't floor it on those.......except on the video of it climbing the hill. At the base I did floor it to show that in low it would still power right up an incline.

I will do more videos some day when I go out to collect maple syrup soon and the mud season starts. After it dries up I plan to switch back to tires till snow flies next winter. The tracks are great, they go anywhere and will be perfect for that transition in the spring when wheelers tear up my trails but there is little to no snow to run a sled. :thumbsup:

Mostly, I just want others who are on the fence about "track'n" a 500 to see what it can/can't do since nobody else on the net seems to have reviewed it and it is a big cost to do. If you work your machine in the snow/mud it is worth it for sure.

 

[Deerlope]

Totally awesome, I wonder how they will be in 2 feet of mud.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Mostly, I just want others who are on the fence about "track'n" a 500 to see what it can/can't do since nobody else on the net seems to have reviewed it and it is a big cost to do. If you work your machine in the snow/mud it is worth it for sure.

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?

 

[MGB2720]

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

 

[MGB2720]

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

I forgot to mention, I paid $3400 (taxes included) Canadian for the tracks with 1 year warranty shipped directly to my door.