By Chris on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I'd like to get tracks for my Max, but they seem pretty expensive from Recreatives Industries. Anyone know of an alternative source? Other tracks that can be used? What do the tracks for all you Argo people cost, are they as expesive as the RI tracks?

By MaxRules (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Tru-Trax can be used and they will suit you fine in most situations. RI's tracks are expensive, but they are the best. Max tracks are rubber while all other tracks (Argo, Tru-Trax) are plastic. Rubber gives much better traction. If you got the money, you can't beat em.

MaxRules

By Jerry on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Chris:

This question also come up all the time, I am surprised
that Mr Max Rules does not bother to tell you....

Richard Clark usually has used tracks in stock, Used tracks
in good condition are better than any new track, Why????
Used tracks cost much less than new ones and remember
that as soon as you install new tracks, they become USED.

However you must get used tracks that are still in good shape

Jerry

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

Regardless of what brand/type of tracks you use; unless your machine has been set up for tracks by the factory, make sure you have the new splined axle/ sprocket set-up. All axles have to be pulled to install the bearing cages and the outer bearing rail must be in place during track useage. Make sure you do not run more than 5 PSI in your tires at any time (high altitude and/or warm temperatures increase tire pressure). If you use anything except RI tracks, I would get an agreement from the track fabricator that they will be responsible for damage their track does to your machine.

Buying the least expensive to start does not always end up being the least expensive.

By Chris on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Fred, I'm aware of the need for bearing cages, my Max would need them. What is the new splined axle setup you mention? I'm running a '99 Buffalo, does this already have it? If not, how can I check? Have you had any experience with other track vendors? (What are the bearing cage and outer bearing rail for?) Thanks!

By chris on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Jerry and others... if I could find used tracks, how long to they last? I imagine that running tracks can be pretty hard on them, do they wear a long time or do they wear quickly?

With a solid rubber track like RI's, if it gets a tear in it, does it spread ruining the track? I'd think the segmented track would have a benefit in this area, repairable. Anyone out there have TruTraks? Plastic sounds like it would spin and spin without any traction.

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

Chris, The Buffalo has not been upgraded with the splined axle and they are not available for it to my knowledge. More important than the new axles/ sprockets is keeping tabs on your tire air pressure. I had a fellow using the old style track on a Max IV that was breaking splined axles until we decided it was air pressure (he was starting at about 3500 feet with about 8 PSI and climbed to about 9000 feet on nice days - we figured he had about 15 PSI in his tires when the axles failed (he keeps his pressure below 5 PSI and has not had any trouble since.).

You are not going to like this, but with the extra weight of the Buffalo, you will not be happy with the width (flotation) of the tru-trax except on hard packed snow. My guess is you will need an 18" wide segmented track at a minimum. IMO, depending on snow conditions, you might not get adequate flotation with the RI track with a Buffalo with any kind of a load.

I've got a Buffalo and I have put it to the test against the Max II and the Max IV. IMO, The Buffalo and the Argo Bigfoot are about the same ability wise (actually they weigh about the same and have the same contact area on the ground). The Buffalo just can't go where the II and the IV can. When you factor in the reduced payload allowed on a track machine............... Personally, I would not put tracks on a Buffalo. The tracked Max II has the lowest PSI on the ground of any of the RI machines.

The bearing cages and bearing rail are to beef up the axles - a track has so much surface area that if they are turned on hard stuff (good traction), it puts tremendous pressure on the axles.

When trying to figure out contact area of tracks other than RI's, you have to subtract the area that has no support (the space between the segments and any holes).

By Chris on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Fred, thanks for the advice. I guess I'll count TruTraks off the list then. You mention, "You might not get adequate flotatoin with the RI track with a Buffalo with any kind of load." I don't plan on logging in winter with it, just going camping really, myself and one passenger, with camping gear (mostly hiking stuff, so it's light). Do you see this being too much of a load on top of the Buffalo's weight? I don't doubt that the Max II/IV's can go where I can't in my Buffalo, but I need the utility and carrying capacity of the Buffalo for my logging needs (Can't always fit a trailer through easily, so the bed is an asset... believe me, I've tried it). It's not as good as the other Max's for some stuff, but I need to make the best of what it can do. Are the RI tracks the best option in your opinion? How wide are they, you recommend 18 inches wide in your post. Thanks again.

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

Chris, The RI track is 15" wide solid rubber with a waffle like pattern (I said I guessed an 18" wide segmented track woould be required - meaning it would take that much more track to make the same amoount of contact area as one gets with the 15" wide solid RI track).

You would need to do the math to determine just how much carrying capacity you would have in the Buffalo with tracks (the track kit adds about 300 pounds). Yes, if you are going to put tracks on your Buffalo, I would advise going with the RI tracks. If you can find an old style Max IV track (with the belts and cross lugs), you could add pads and another belt on the outside to make it a solid track 16" wide and have pretty good results in most snow conditions.