track holes

[sxviper32]

hey, i know there has been a lot of talk about cutting holes in tracks over on snowest and i just wondered if anyone has done it to their sleds on here? they claim it spits out the snow a lot better and thats what i want especially with having the expert x holding so much snow in. i don't want to do a lot of holes, maybe two per lug because i want to run studs as well. but what i can't seem to get out of the guys who tried this is, is it a mountain mod or is it an all around mod? trails and hardpack are a lot harder on tracks than the powder and i don't want to rip apart my new ripsaw next year when i take it out. any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!!!

link to the convo (one of many)
http://www.snowest.com/fusetalk/messageview.cfm?catid=3&threadid=191165

 

[yamaholic22]

i dont think that would be durable at ALL, that will basically cut all the cords, and what is left for support? I would think you would lose floatation with it as well, the snow would be allowed to pass right through the holes.

 

[Mysledblows]

I don't think you could drill one and stud it too. I'm running a drilled track on my sled(actually just swapped it to the wife's sled) and I've had no problems with it here in Mn. I rolls so much easier than before. I didn't notice much difference in snow in the skid, but didn't really look. Doesn't appear to make any difference in the floatation either. I'll drill the 151 when it gets here and put it under mine.

The only negative that I found was it is really easy for others to know where I rode as the holes make a different pattern on the snow. Can't drive over stuff and say it wasn't me anymore.

 

[srxxx86]

I say go for it.

 

[snoden700viper]

I just asked the same question on a thread I started on track clipping. If one buy's a pre-drilled track and only used the center belt for studding and left the outer belt's empty how would the track hold up over time?

 

[ak ryda]

Holey tracks are the future of tracks, fact. Ski-doo is offering holey tracks as standard issue on their summit models and I believe you will quickly see the other 3 follow suit. I will be drilling my track this offseason and will only drill inside the windows to keep the durability of my track. However, there are many people on snowest who have drilled their tracks on the outside of their windows and after several seasons of riding have not had any failure.

There is no decrease in flotation, the small holes in tracks compared to the wide footprint of the track is not enough to overcome the shear strength of snow. Especially when the track is spinning.

Pros: less weight (typically 2 pounds), far less snow build up in rear suspension and skid, and far less rolling/bending resistance in the track. Simple fact is the track turns much easier which means your motor doesnt have to work as hard which means more horse power to the ground. Oh yah, i almost forgot, it is also FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!