Tracks on a UTV

[RoyJackson]

Nice pictures!

 

[ArlyA]

Thanks, I do have a long history of operating machines with pods, while in snow.

 

[ArlyA]

While snowshoeing to check a trail out today, we spied ATV tracks with pods. Could have been a UTV but i'd guess to narrow for that.

 

[ArlyA]

Any more questions about putting pods on some machine??

 

[RoyJackson]

Not yet on my part...maybe one, thinking about it...
Which manufacturer is the best, in your opinion?

 

[ArlyA]

Soucy built pods are the only ones I'd buy. Kimplex is there name brand. The pod you see below was sold by Polaris and made by Soucy.

 

[East30]

Roy, I cannot tell you which are best. I have had Camso track systems on my Kubota RTV-x1100 for the last three winters. Definitely a bit of a chore to put on and off each fall/spring by myself, they are heavy. But, I absolutely love them. For me, it's all about traction, whether it be plowing snow or the real reason I got them, to pull fish houses on the lake. With the Kubota, it's all low and slow anyway. Slower with the tracks, but I don't mind. The traction with the weight of the Kubota is incredible. Have had instances where my full size pickup couldn't pull another out of deep snow due to traction. Hooked the Kubota with tracks to them, put it in low, and walked them right out. Amazes me how the tracks grab snow across the wide footprint. I've also run through powder as deep as 15" and floated right through it.

 

[check]

Not yet on my part...maybe one, thinking about it...
Which manufacturer is the best, in your opinion?

I tried them out years ago on the “back 40“ of the dealers property, on a Can-Am 800. It was just amazing how much fun they were, and how well they performed in deep snow. I don’t know how deep it got, but I was too afraid to ever get off of the machine to find out!

 

[ArlyA]

It is easier to have someone help you put pods on and off, nonetheless I put these on by myself. You don't pick them up and move them, you roll them into position then raise and lower the machine you're putting them onto. Our rears weight over 100lbs each.

I found a few more photo of pods being switched out and just ask if you'd like me to post them.

 

[Rustyiron]

Mine are coming off today if I get around to it. The traction is pretty amazing along with the added ground clearance and "bridging" of the holes and ruts under the snow all contribute to this almost go anywhere bolt on attachment.
We just took an hour or so last run around our land and down to the camp. Looking forward to spring + summer. It's about 50/50 bare ground and ice-snow that is very compacted.

 

[ArlyA]

We are at 95% snow coverage here so our pods are staying on! It actually snowed a bit here today.

 

[deezler]

We are at 95% snow coverage here so our pods are staying on! It actually snowed a bit here today.

This time of year makes it seem crazy that we technically live in the same state; such different climates. Our ground down in the southeast corner is thawed and DRY, grass is trying to turn green but struggling - tomorrow's rains should help. Should get some flowers poking up any day now.

I do still have a small pile of snow in the yard left from the 10' tall igloo I built for my kiddos, haha. But it feels like straight up spring time here.

 

[ArlyA]

Here is a shot taken over the weekend, a bit south of us and out of the lake zone. More can be found on the dogs blog. We also have a thread here of snow photos taken in the Keweenaw.

 

[Rustyiron]

I did get around to pulling the tracks and back to tires, then promptly failed to get up a very mild slope in 4" of "mealey" snow . How quickly one forgets the nature of old snow.
All of my "main" roads are bare here on the property, and it's melting every day in the woods on the lesser trails.

 

[ArlyA]

Leaving the pods until they are not needed! In this photo, we drove in snow to get to this point.

 

[ArlyA]

Here is a few more photos for you guys.

 

[Rustyiron]

Arly looking at the drag in your middle picture, out of curiosity has anyone figured out the amount of pull required per foot of width to successfully pull it?
That looks really, REALLY heavy to the point that it's got to be very hard on a UTV.

 

[ArlyA]

Arly looking at the drag in your middle picture, out of curiosity has anyone figured out the amount of pull required per foot of width to successfully pull it?
That looks really, REALLY heavy to the point that it's got to be very hard on a UTV.

Drags are indeed HP consumers. The trail Bully 400 I operated and towed 9ft wide drag had nearly 400hp. Funny that some guys here said "it can't need that much!" The drag seen behind the UTV's are about the same width as the pods and that was all they can tow. The Defender has around 80+-hp from its 1000cc power plant..

 

[Rustyiron]

So when you guys are done with a utv, it's probably like an old workhorse sent to the glue factory.

 

[ArlyA]

So when you guys are done with a utv, it's probably like an old workhorse sent to the glue factory.

Yes, we wear all those tow machines out in about 5+- years. This is why we've looked for more HP machines. Grooming snow or running in snow, takes HP.