Drilled Track

Viper Treats

Viper Treats

New member
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
431
Age
52
Location
Appleton, WI
Have any of you mountain guys drilled the track for weight and ridding snow? I know most of the new mountain tracks come this way. I am buying a 136 paddle for Utah in March and wondering if it is worth my time to do this and what methods/dimensions should be used to do it.

Thanks,

VT
 
did three last season. 121, 141 and 151, no negative factors to date. if you weigh the drilled rubber, the weight factor is insignificant. the beauty to this mod is the way the track "loses" the snow. runs cooler, doesnt pack the rear suspension full of snow. the only problem i encountered was some slight ballooning of the track that required a turn or two on the adjusters. i did three evenly spaced 1 1/8 holes on every pitch on the center section of the track. hope this helps. let me know if you need more help or info.
 
ya we have it done on all of ours (144,151,159).. i dont see any negative affects on it...on the plus side...when your goin down the trail it lubes the hifax also
 
is anybody drilling the outside bands for 5 holes?
I have a 144 x 16 x 2 coming and thought I would do 5 holes?
maybe go 3/4 or 1" on outside bands?

I think most are using a hole saw with the outside teeth ground down?
maybe all the teeth ground down like a drill for stud hole???
how about it guys? might be drilling this week-end
 
I have seen lots of outside holes torn out. Seems like 3 holes in the middle is the common mod. I used a 1-3/16 inch hole saw. Take the hole saw to the grinder and grind off the teeth and then sharpen the inside edge. I did mine on a lathe but you could use a dremel tool to sharpen the inside edge. I built a plywood template with three 1/4 inch holes. Used the track holes to position the template and ran a 1/4 inch drill bit through the track. Then I used the 1/4 inch holes to position the center drill of the hole saw. Some guys do them on the sled but I removed mine. I posted some pics last spring on a thread in the project section. If you can't find them I'll repost them here. Hope this helps you.
 
bits

These modified wood drill bits work awsome. Some say to use heat to seal the hole but we havn't had any issues. Sure beats cleaning out the hole saw or the smell
 

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I use a 1-1/4 hole saw. Ground off the teeth and then tapered the INSIDE to make a sharp edge. It cuts through easily and at the same time the heat cauterizes the hole leaving it very clean looking.
 
gild said:
These modified wood drill bits work awsome. Some say to use heat to seal the hole but we havn't had any issues. Sure beats cleaning out the hole saw or the smell
Click to expand...

Now THAT is a Great idea!!!!!!!
 
yeah i drilled three in the middle i just used a hole saw with the teeth on it and then when i was done i took my little propane torch and sealed them up. worked great, havent had any problems
 
Mine has two 1-1/4" holes. If you use the holesaw as mentioned above, there is no need to go back over the holes to fix any frays, etc. Use a good drill and turn at a medium speed. The bit gets super hot and will melt (cauterize) the hole.
Note......make sure the taper of the bit is on the inside.
 

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Is your time worth it?
Click to expand...

$180 + $30 freight = 210 USD = $245 canadian.

I wish my normal job paid that.........$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Took me about an hour.
I did mine when the suspension was out, but the track still on the drivers.
 
track drilling

FYI, I have noticed no track stretch but I do run extraverts and a fairly loose track. I have not experienced any change to hyfax heating. I have noticed a lighter feel to the sled in deep snow, probably all in my head but thats my story. Hope this helps you.
 

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flying dutchman said:
$180 + $30 freight = 210 USD = $245 canadian.

I wish my normal job paid that.........$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Took me about an hour.
I did mine when the suspension was out, but the track still on the drivers.
Click to expand...

Lets see
Hole saw 19.99
1/2" drill 179.00 cordless 289.00
(cause I burnt my ole one up half way thru)
1 hour to make tool = 25.00/hr
1 hour to make template=25.00/hr
1 hour to drill holes=25.00/hr
Total=273.99
 
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