UV's on ski hills?

[Dutch445]

I had an inquiry about an HPX gator for use at a ski area, and they
would be looking to replace some 4 wheelers to run up and down a ski
hill. Has anybody used or seen them used in this application? I would
imagine the way a ski hill is hard packed, that the 4X4 HPX would handle
it as well if not better than a quad,,, but it would be good to hear it
first hand from somebody that has done it.
Also, has anybody used tracks on their HPX yet?
thanks for any thoughts,
Dutch

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

i think a ranger would be better for that job !!but an hpx would work on hard packed snow with 589's don't know about the tracks though.but the ranger has the efi and the 700 under the seat. but the new hpx's will have a bigger engin too so you might wanna wait and test one out.i never had any problems in the mud holes with my old one and the big tires so i know it has the power and if they are putting a bigger engine in the newer ones thats even better.you say they will be replacing 4 wheelers so they won't be hauling much probably dragging a sled at the most so any of the two would be great.

 

[Dutch445]

they liked the thought of having a box to bring stuff up and
down the hill, like race gates, hay bales, etc.... i'm sure nothing
too heavy.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I'm a member of some snowcat and snowgrooming websites. They actually use UVs for trail grooming when they replace the wheels and are equipped with Mattracks or similar track conversion kits.

 

[Deerlope]

Someone on this site a few year back posted a pic of an RTV with cat tracks on it. He was using it to groom cross country ski trails. I will be ordering a set of cat track for mine around Jan. I need them for maple sugaring.

 

[darkday]

I don't think anyone here has done it but I have seen pictures of a HPX with snow tracks on it. Google should find you some results. A clutch enclosure would be a pretty good thing to have for the snow (standard on trail gator, optional on gas).

 

[Bob_Skurka]

There are several brands of tracks, each has its own advantages. Camoplast makes some very good ones.

Camoplast-TRACK SYSTEM SOLUTIONS - ATV TRACK SYSTEMS

Also, here are pictures of a Polaris Ranger outfitted with tracks, this was at the northeast grooming show in Waterloo.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

i like my hpx's but on this one i think i would go with a ranger 700xp or just hold out for the new hpx. the hpx is a workhorse and i would like to see one with the tracks mounted on it first . plus the ranger has efi that would be a plus on hill climbs .i have climbed some step hills where the gas was just pouring out my carb over flow line but the hpx never puttered out but i would like to have efi . but i sure would like to see a hpx with tracks.

 

[Dargo]

There are several brands of tracks, each has its own advantages. Camoplast makes some very good ones.

Camoplast-TRACK SYSTEM SOLUTIONS - ATV TRACK SYSTEMS

Also, here are pictures of a Polaris Ranger outfitted with tracks, this was at the northeast grooming show in Waterloo.

Bob, I don't know what brand tracks they were, but I test drove a Ranger XP700 with tracks and one without. On dry ground, snow less than 4", and light mud only, the tracks would be a minus rather than a plus. I also drove a RTV900 with "Mattracks" (sp?) on it. I'd say the same about it. However, in the case mentioned, snow trails, the tracks would be a huge plus. As you know, I just bought a rather large JD tractor and I checked out the HPX's they had in stock. I'm not sure, but I think the salesman told me that JD was going with FI on their new gas model. If so, that would be a really nice plus. Since Yamaha is not going to come out with their 700 FI Griz engine in their Rhino until at least '08, I sold my Rhino. I intend on giving all a thorough test then to see what my 2nd UTV will be. Of course, I'll likely trade my RTV900 for a new RTV1100 next spring so I can have the nice factory cab with A/C and heat.

With all the tractors, ATV's, UTV's collector cars etc. filling up 2 barns, sooner or later my wife is going to put her foot down and say enough! Buy, hey, I still don't have a Snow Cat! They come with tracks. I just need to add on to one of my barns again...

 

[Skipholiday]

Tracks look coolio.
I'm not convinced that being mounted in place of tires would be a big advantage.
If the track ran the length of the utv and drove like a dozer, then you would have a climbing machine~!