From Winter Access to Mud Season: Getting More Work From Your UTV

A powerful side-byside can move equipment, transport supplies and tackle difficult trails. But one swath of snow or waterlogged ground can slow everything down.

Not all problems are caused by power. Sometimes, the tires can’t distribute the machine’s weight or gain enough traction advance.

This is the time that UTV tracks are considered. Tracks alter the way that the vehicle is interacting with the ground. This lets owners get to places that otherwise would be difficult to access, particularly during the winter and mud season.

Traction is not the same as Flotation

While aggressive tires can improve grip, they do not eliminate the weight of a vehicle in four tiny areas.

UTV track systems spread the weight over a larger footprint. This lowers the pressure on the ground and allows the machine to move over hard snow and soft soil without sinking.

Practical work requires a shift. Following a snowfall property owner might have to access a fence. Farmers may need to traverse through a muddy pasture and not leave deep ruts. It may be necessary for those who manage the rural trails to have dependable access to the area when spring begins. Tracks can help handle these tasks and protect sensitive ground.

The Right System Depends on Your Machine

Not all tracks for UTVs are built for identical cars or different workloads. ATVtracks.net offers four different tracks by Camso as well as Kimpex. The Camso 4S1 is specifically designed for full-size side-by-sides that are 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 are merely the starting point and does not guarantee the fit. Check the make, model and year of your vehicle before you purchase side-by-side tracks. The installation kit should match the exact machine. Even vehicles that look similar can need different hardware.

There are trade-offs in favor of better access

Tracks are a great way to improve accessibility, but don’t make UTVs faster or less costly. Manufacturer planning figures indicate that certain systems decrease the speed of travel by 30 to 35% when over tires. Additionally, the weights and resistance that are rotated will also boost the fuel consumption of vehicles. They also put more pressure on their drivetrain.

The demands of these vehicles can be regulated by utilizing the low range, which limits sustained speeds, and observing vehicle manufacturer recommendations.

Rubber tracks also wear quicker when used continuously on abrasive gravel or pavement. Although the current tracks were developed to be used throughout the year however, they perform best when they are placed on a suitable surface.

Budget that is beyond the Track Units

Quality side by side track systems represent a substantial investment. ATVtracks.net has systems available with prices that start at $6,000 and go up to $13,000 depending on the layout and intended usage.

The track unit isn’t always the entire installation. Additional components like the mounting hardware to your vehicle or anti-rotation hardware as well as hub or spacers could be required. The entire list of components must be verified prior to the order is placed.

Purchase to cover the conditions You Actually Face

A track system makes most sense when improved access solves a recurring problem.

If your side-by-side regularly encounters deep snow swamps, muddy pastures or marshy ground, or difficult seasonal conditions, tracks may enhance the work it can accomplish. If you are only using your side-byside for recreation purposes in a few instances the additional expense and maintenance may not be worth it.

ATVtracks.net, a leading provider of track systems, has been helping owners decide on, install and maintain track systems for over two decades. Its team is able to verify compatibility and pinpoint the components required for a particular vehicle.

Think about how often you are stuck with your machine, and the conditions that cause it, and if better flotation can be a big difference.

The right tracks won’t eliminate all terrain limitations, but they can turn an idle side-byside in difficult terrain into equipment you can keep using in the times when accessibility is crucial.