A strong side by side can carry equipment, haul items and handle difficult trails. A single stretch of waterlogged or deep snow could stop everything.
The problem isn’t always with horsepower. Sometimes the tires simply cannot evenly distribute the weight of the machine or have enough traction to progress forward.
UTV tracks are also worthwhile to consider. UTV tracks change how your vehicle interacts with the environment making it possible to get into areas otherwise inaccessible due to winter weather or mud.
Traction and Flotation Are Not the Same Thing
Aggressive tires can increase grip, but they put the weight of the vehicle into the four areas of contact that are very small.
UTV track systems spread that weight across a much larger footprint. This decreases ground pressure and enables the machine to go over the soft and deep snow without sinking.
Practical work requires a shift. The owner of a property might have to get close to a fence that is distant after snow. A farmer may need to traverse a muddy pasture without making deep ruts. Anyone who is responsible for maintaining trails on rural land might require reliable access during spring thaw. Tracks make the job easier to handle while minimizing the risk of damage to ground.
What Machine Do You Own? Find the Right System
Not all tracks for UTVs are created for the same cars or different workloads. ATVtracks.net provides four tracks from Camso and Kimpex. The Camso UTV ENDUR is designed to be used with larger side-by-sides that are 1000cc or more, while the Camso 4S1 covers many full-size machines that fall within the 400-1000cc range.
The Kimpex HD4 supports machines within its published capacity of up to 4,000 pounds, while the Kimpex WSS4 follows its own manufacturer-specific compatibility list.
These categories don’t guarantee that the tracks will meet your needs. Confirm the make, model and year of your vehicle before you purchase side-by-side tracks. The mounting kit needs to exactly match the machine. Even cars that look identical may require different hardware.
Accessibility is a trade-off
Tracks make it easier to access the terrain, but they do not make a UTV more efficient or less expensive to operate. According to the manufacturer’s plans, some systems can reduce the speed of travel by approximately 30-35% in comparison to tires. Additional weights that rotate and resistance are also a major contributor to the fuel consumption of vehicles and put additional pressure on their drivetrain.
Utilizing low range in extreme or extreme conditions, limiting sustained speed and adhering to the guidelines of the vehicle manufacturer can aid in managing these demands.
Rubber tracks wear down faster if they are used continuously on gravel or pavement which is abrasive. They are more effective on right terrain, even though they’re intended to be used during multiple seasons.
Budget Units Beyond the Track
Side by side track systems can be a substantial investment. The track systems provided by ATVtracks.net are priced approximately between $6,000 and $13,000, depending on the model and use.
But these track units aren’t always the entire system. Additional components like mounting hardware for your vehicle, anti-rotation hardware and hub or spacer components could be required. The entire list of components must be verified prior to the order is placed.
Purchase under the conditions that You Actually Are Experiencing
It makes sense to use a tracker system when you want to solve the issue over and over again.
If your side-by-side regularly encounters deep snow and muddy pastures, or marshy ground, or difficult winter conditions, tracks could increase the amount of work they can complete. For those who only enjoy occasional use on trails that are firm the cost of additional maintenance could be more difficult to justify.
ATVtracks.net has spent more than 20 years helping people choose, install, and maintain track systems. The team can confirm compatibility, and identify components needed for a specific vehicle.
Take note of the frequency at which your machine is stuck, the terrain that is creating it, and whether an improved flotation system could make a difference.
The right tracks won’t eliminate any terrain obstacle, but they can turn the side-by-side which is idle in difficult terrain into equipment that you can use whenever accessibility is the most important factor.
