Snow Machine vsTracked UTV's??

tt35

tt35

New member
I've been thinking about tracks for the Polaris Ranger at some point. We hunt in big country. Even if I was hoss enough to use snowshoes, we wouldn't be able to cover enough country to hunt efficiently. I'm not convinced that a snow machine will be that functional for calling because of 1) lack of a place to haul coyotes/gear, 2) no cab/heat, and 3) noise. Disadvantages of tracks seem to be 1) slow ground speed, 2) cost and 3) premature steering component wear. I know Skinney has used tracks on a Ranger. (Skinney has all the cool toys!) Where am I going wrong? Anyone have any experience with tracks vs snow machines? What tracks have you used? What would you do?
 
In the mtns we get alot of deep heavy snow. A tracked UTV would get stuck every few feet. If it is setup snow or not too deep the UTV would be great. With a snowmobile and some snow shoes I can go pretty much where ever I want. The downsides are like you stated. Can't carry much or get out of the weather.
 
Originally Posted By: tt35I've been thinking about tracks for the Polaris Ranger at some point. We hunt in big country. Even if I was hoss enough to use snowshoes, we wouldn't be able to cover enough country to hunt efficiently. I'm not convinced that a snow machine will be that functional for calling because of 1) lack of a place to haul coyotes/gear, 2) no cab/heat, and 3) noise. Disadvantages of tracks seem to be 1) slow ground speed, 2) cost and 3) premature steering component wear. I know Skinney has used tracks on a Ranger. (Skinney has all the cool toys!) Where am I going wrong? Anyone have any experience with tracks vs snow machines? What tracks have you used? What would you do?


If you can afford the tracks, get them, I've got the TATOU 4S, although they gear you down considerably from a max speed of about 60 down to about 25-30, the benefits are worth it, it is also a nice luxury to have EPS when running the tracks... I upgraded my older ranger to the new 900 so I actually need to get new adapter brackets before the winter hits... Trust me man, if you get stuck with these things, your gonna need a chopper to come air lift you out, I've treaded on some insane terrain with mine, places a snowmobile wouldn't have a chance.
 
I wish we had your kind of weather in KY. Love hunting yotes and the colder the better. From pictures I have seen that weather makes the fur really nice.
 
Hey skinney, how quiet is your UTV? Do you find that you can get any closer to your sets, or are you still working with a standoff distance of 1/4-1/2 a mile?
 
I have found that a snow machine is faster, however i am not so sure going 50 on snow is a good idea.
I plan to get a UTV and use the tracks since, it's more useful than a snow machine, and in other times of year, when it's soup and muddy, the tracks will shine.
I get the tracks are the same price as a used machine, but gear hauling and utilty has to go to the utv.

The only thing that makes me think twice is.. If tracks were a great thing, why don't you see them being used in Alaska? It's like pulling into the feed store and using the trucks in the parking lot to figure out what seems to work and last. (otherwise it's not going to be there)

I have seen where people are out on Youtube in deep powder and floating on top without an issue, and going up and down hills. One thing that makes me worried is being on a snow machine, you have to lean from side to side to keep it right side up.. Snow is soft.. How do you do that in a UTV? So i am worried about roll over.
 
Originally Posted By: skinneyOriginally Posted By: tt35I've been thinking about tracks for the Polaris Ranger at some point. We hunt in big country. Even if I was hoss enough to use snowshoes, we wouldn't be able to cover enough country to hunt efficiently. I'm not convinced that a snow machine will be that functional for calling because of 1) lack of a place to haul coyotes/gear, 2) no cab/heat, and 3) noise. Disadvantages of tracks seem to be 1) slow ground speed, 2) cost and 3) premature steering component wear. I know Skinney has used tracks on a Ranger. (Skinney has all the cool toys!) Where am I going wrong? Anyone have any experience with tracks vs snow machines? What tracks have you used? What would you do?


If you can afford the tracks, get them, I've got the TATOU 4S, although they gear you down considerably from a max speed of about 60 down to about 25-30, the benefits are worth it, it is also a nice luxury to have EPS when running the tracks... I upgraded my older ranger to the new 900 so I actually need to get new adapter brackets before the winter hits... Trust me man, if you get stuck with these things, your gonna need a chopper to come air lift you out, I've treaded on some insane terrain with mine, places a snowmobile wouldn't have a chance.


I'm not doubting your ability or that you have been in some nasty terrain. I'm just wondering if you have ever ridden a long track sled in deep snow? I would be real impressed if you could take your side by side where I go on my sled.
 
They do use them in Alaska I worked on the pipeline for several years and you see tracked rigs everywhere. The reason they are not for recreation as most think about it, they are for work. I would take a tracked rig over a snow machine any day of the week. I will almost guarantee that they can go almost anywhere a snow machine can go. You will be warm comfortable and have everything you need. You have to think about it this way you have four tracks instead of one. Like I said earlier they just aren't as fast as a snow machine.
 
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Originally Posted By: rynokron

I'm not doubting your ability or that you have been in some nasty terrain. I'm just wondering if you have ever ridden a long track sled in deep snow? I would be real impressed if you could take your side by side where I go on my sled.

worst terrain we've been in is the black hills on a longtrack, buddy has a ski-doo, we used to have a couple Polaris's but the past decade we've lost interest... those machines are insane, but engaging the 4 wheel drive on a utv with tracks is very VERY hard to beat, throw a 4500lb winch in the mix and your ready to rock... one of the downsides is the width of utv compared to the snowmobile, but if your looking to carry cargo, your not gonna beat a tracked UTV
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Originally Posted By: skinney It is also a nice luxury to have EPS when running the tracks...



Dang, there goes another $1300!
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Originally Posted By: tt35Originally Posted By: skinney It is also a nice luxury to have EPS when running the tracks...



Dang, there goes another $1300!
scared.gif


Trust me, it's well worth it!
 
I have tracks on a Ranger XP 900 (without EPS) and they are amazing. I was skeptical at first before buying them but they were worth every penny. I know I have been places that would have been very hairy with a snowmobile and I could just ease on through it with no problems at all. For hunting I would much rather ride in a ranger with tracks than a snowmobile, hands down. I have the camoplast tatou 4s tracks.



 
Originally Posted By: tt35Originally Posted By: skinney It is also a nice luxury to have EPS when running the tracks...



Dang, there goes another $1300!
scared.gif


Must be time for another group buy on something....
wink.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Tim NeitzkeOriginally Posted By: tt35Originally Posted By: skinney It is also a nice luxury to have EPS when running the tracks...



Dang, there goes another $1300!
scared.gif


Must be time for another group buy on something....
wink.gif


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Skinny and boandme, those are some nice setups! A UTV is in my near future for hunting. Not sure if I will pull the trigger for the tracks. For the other 9 months it's the way to go. I'm a hardcore mtn rider on a sled, so mabey I have the wrong idea how good they do in the snow. Still have my doubts that they would go where I go in the deep stuff. But I've been wrong before, just ask my wife. For hauling gear and staying warm they have my M8 beat by a mile!
 
Originally Posted By: rynokronI've been wrong before, just ask my wife.

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Thanks for all the input, guys! Love to hear some more experiences/comparisons if anyone has some. Even with pretty aggressive tires, six inches of sugary snow had me inching along in low range last year while looking for lion tracks. Has to be a better way.
 


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