By Mark Simms ( - 216.43.127.151) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Ive heard that if you take the chains between the middle and front wheels off, leaving only the rear wheels connected, that you can gain more power when using tracks? Has anyone else heard of anything like this? Will removing some of the chains cause premature wear or problems with the drive system? Or will it help me out with traction and power distribution? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark Simms

By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Mark, yes, you can do that. RI sold a trackmax for a couple of years that was set up with just the primary drive chains (they have discontinued that model - can't really tell you why). I don't think the power difference would be noticable though. My main concern would be if you ever lost a track (for whatever reason) that you would probably be disabled (a two wheel drive skid steer just doesn't cut it). With all the chains on, you can get home in most situations. When the tracks are mounted, if the chains are at correct tension, the chains are just along for the ride (the track is doing what the chains do if no track). Don't think the final drive chains add enough weight to worry about and they won't stretch much because the track is tieing each side of tires together.

Don't really think it would create any problems in the drive systen because the two primary chains are all that power a max IV. As long as the engine is 18 HP or greater, my advise would be to keep the machine completely together. Your 25 Hp Kohler powered machine has plenty of power.