A powerful side-bys-side can transport equipment, carry supplies and navigate difficult trails. A section of icy or wet ground could put everything in the way.
It’s not always the horsepower that can cause problems. Sometimes the tires simply cannot evenly distribute the weight of the machine or have enough traction to make the machine move forward.
That’s when UTV tracks can be considered. UTV tracks alter how your vehicle interacts with its surroundings which allows it to travel into areas otherwise inaccessible because of winter or mud.
Traction and Flotation Aren’t the Same
Although aggressive tires can improve grip, the vehicle is still packed in four small areas.
UTV track systems distribute that weight across a wider footprint. This decreases the pressure in the ground which allows the machine to traverse the deep snow, soft terrain, and muddy terrains without sinking.
Practical work requires a difference. After a snowfall, a homeowner might need to cross a fence. A farmer may have to travel through a pasture that is muddy without making deep ruts. A person who maintains trails in rural areas might require reliable access during spring freeze. Tracks make it easier to take care of these tasks while also protecting sensitive ground.
Your machine will decide the best system for you
Not all tracks designed for UTVs are built for identical cars or different workloads. ATVtracks.net has four different systems that are made by Camso and Kimpex. The Camso 4S1 is designed to be full-size side-by-sides in the 400-1000cc size 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 do not provide any guarantee that the tracks will fit. Before purchasing side by side tracks, confirm your vehicle’s make, model, and year. The mounting kit needs to precisely match the vehicle. Even cars that look like they do may require a different set of hardware.
Better Access comes with trade-offs
Tracks might improve access, but they don’t make UTVs cheaper or faster to operate. Manufacturer planning figures indicate that some systems reduce travel speed by about 30 to 35 percent when in comparison to tires. A higher amount of resistance and weight to rotate will also consume more fuel and place additional demands on the drivetrain.
The demand can be met by using the lower range, restricting sustained speeds, and observing vehicle manufacturer recommendations.
Rubber tracks will also wear out faster If you keep them in use on an abrasive surface, such as asphalt or gravel. Although the current tracks were developed to be used throughout the year but they are most effective when they are placed on the right terrain.
Budgets Beyond the Track Units
Good quality side by side track systems are a significant investment. The track systems provided by ATVtracks.net are priced approximately between $6,000 and $13,000, depending on their design and use.
The track unit is not always the entire system. Additional components like the mounting hardware to your vehicle and anti-rotation equipment, as well hub or spacers could be needed. Before purchasing, purchasers should verify the entire parts list and don’t assume that the cost of purchase includes everything.
Purchase under the conditions that You Actually Are Experiencing
If a tracker system is the most effective solution to problems that keep coming back, it makes sense.
If your side by side is often confronted with deep snow or muddy pastures, wet ground, or challenging seasonal conditions, tracks may enhance the work it can complete. If you are only using your side-byside for recreation purposes on trails that are firm the cost of maintenance might not be justified.
ATVtracks.net has spent over 20 years helping people choose, install, and maintain track systems. Their team of experts are able to verify compatibility and identify the essential components for a particular vehicle.
Before investing, consider how often your machine gets stuck, what type of terrain is causing the issue, and if improved flotation would help in a meaningful way.
The right tracks will not eliminate every terrain limitation. But they can transform a side-byside that has been left in a stalemate during harsh conditions into a piece of equipment that you can continue to use whenever accessibility is essential.