New member from Iowa needs some track education, please. - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Evansmatt · 11-30-2012, 10:52 PM

I am fairly new to snowmobiling, and have been using this site regularly in an attempt to educate myself on the various aspects of the sport. All I can say is...Wow! I am blown away by the polite, knowledgeable, and dedicated community that you people have created.
That being said, I know that this will be an easy one for you guys. Two years ago I purchased a wrecked 1992 Polaris Indy Trail. Found the parts that I needed to fix it, and got it up and running that winter. That was the winter that I got hooked. So last year (late January), I bought a 2004 Polaris Switchback 800. Really didn't get to ride it other than one weekend due to lack of snow. What I noticed, and what I have been reading indicates that my 2" paddles may be a little too aggressive for the trail riding we have around here. It sounds like it is more of a mountain track. I have found a Camoplast Ripsaw Track on Craigslist that is 144", 2.52 pitch and 1 1/4" paddles. However it is off of a Yamaha Nitro and the ad says something about "all windows open" and "clipped every 3rd." So what does that mean, and will it work on my sled? Any help would be appreciated.

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**BC_Dan** · 12-01-2012, 12:46 AM

If you look at the row of track clips, the rubber from clip to clip is removed in an "all windows open" track. Some manufacturers feel that having some of the windows closed keeps the snow up in the suspension so it can help lubricate the hyfax. Also, if the track has closed windows, that window can't have a clip. Clips add weight and rotating mass, as well as cost. Some think more is better, but most manufacturers use a third window closed design as OEM with a similar reduction in clips. Clipped every third will have a track clip every three windows. All windows open means even more weight savings. For your sled, that track should work fine.

If a sled has a driveline with extrovert drivers, the extrovert part of the driver engages the track in the window. so those sleds will have fully clipped tracks. Some guys with very high HP sleds also feel the fully clipped track offers better support for the torque that is being transferred.

Welcome to the forum!

Evansmatt · 12-01-2012, 03:07 AM

Thanks BC_Dan, you're an asset to this forum. Keep up the good work.

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**smallengineguy** · 12-01-2012, 04:55 AM

Welcome! As long as the length and pitch is correct between the two sleds, the track will fit

**RJ Gleason** · 12-01-2012, 07:19 AM

Welcome and Happy Trails

Evansmatt · 12-03-2012, 07:26 AM

Thanks for the quick replies guys. Picking up the new track on Wednesday. Hopefully isn't too bad to install. Now we just need some snow here. Rode the motorcycle to work last night (3rd shifter), and home this morning. It was 50F both ways. Enough is enough, snow already!

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Brummo · 12-05-2012, 09:00 PM

Sounds like snow is headed our way!

Evansmatt · 12-09-2012, 07:37 AM

Picked up the new-to-me track on Wednesday and I was surprised to see that it looked like new.

New member from Iowa needs some track education, please.-imageuploadedbysm-free1355060209.438426.jpg

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Evansmatt · 12-09-2012, 07:47 AM

Install wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be either. It looks way more appropriate for the type of riding around here. Thanks again for the help. Also, I have heard the "brains" on this site tell people over and over to clean and check out their VES/power/guillotine valves. Thanks for the heads up. I pulled mine apart and they were covered in crud. Plus the spring in one of them was completely rusted through and broken in half. So that side probably hasn't worked right since I've owned it. Can't wait to see if there is a difference. It is snowing right now for the first time this year. Probably not enough to ride, but it is supposed to stay cold all week and they are calling for more next Friday. Might have to finally put the VFR away.

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Evansmatt · 12-12-2012, 03:10 AM

The previous owner of this sled said that he went to the 2" track so that the paddles would help the coolers to keep it cool. But he always took it to Wisconsin where there is more snow. Now that I have gone back to a trail track, what kinds of things can I do to help keep it cool? I'm pretty sure the wife already has some Ice Scratchers under the tree for me. But I also kind of heard something about putting in a higher temp. thermostat to hold the coolant in the coolers a little longer. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

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**BC_Dan** · 12-12-2012, 10:28 AM

It's been my experience that the longer lugs keep the skid off the surface of the trails and cause overheating of the hyfax, which can melt and stick a track clip to the hyfax. That's a bugger if you don't know what's going on. Use the scratchers, if it still overheats, you can pack snow on the running boards. The coolant circulates from the front heat exchanger to the back heat exchanger via tubes in the the edge of the running boards. Piling some snow on the edges will aid in cooling. Stacking snow on the tunnel at the rear of the sled above the rear exchanger can help, too.

The scratchers will drop your engine temps 20 degrees, they are very effective. Just remember to not back up if they are the hard wire ones!

Evansmatt · 12-13-2012, 06:16 PM

The only ones that I told her about we're the Duraflex (new and improved Slidekicks). Hope those are a decent set. I probably should have asked you guys what was working for you. Thanks again for the help.

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**BC_Dan** · 12-13-2012, 06:46 PM

I have Slidekicks and they are ok. The stiff wire ones toss more snow, but i have broken a few. I had one Slidekick fall out of the bracket, it was replaced for free. If the new ones are better, they should be good to go!

Evansmatt · 01-01-2013, 08:37 PM

Installed the ice scratchers and have put on several miles since. They are great! The cooling issues seem to be completely resolved. I can ride on the hard packed trails now without any problems. I would recommend them to anyone trying to run a longer track for trail riding. Thanks guys.

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Brummo · 01-01-2013, 08:49 PM

Do they make any that are good for sleds with reverse?

Evansmatt · 01-02-2013, 04:54 AM

I have the new Duraflex ones and I haven't had a single problem when I use reverse and I use it a lot. And the carbide tips barely seem scuffed and I have ridden over several miles of pavement with them. I don't even bother to put them up anymore when I get back into town, I pretty much just forget about them.

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