Tracked ATV w/ Aluminum Skidhouse

I am in the market for a new ATV as we will be moving to the Walker area full time in just under a month. I am beyond excited after full time living in my Ice Castle the last 2 summers in the area! 240 square feet wasn’t cutting it for us!

Anyways, I’ve been doing a lot of research on ATV’s, but I cant seem to find the pro’s/con’s of various machines on tracks.
Does anyone have experience with Polaris, CanAm, Suzuki, or Yamaha on tracks? I’m not opposed to other brands either. I want to dial in the machine first then the tracks secondary.

It’ll be used it for around-the-house chores, plowing the driveway, and (of course) mainly fishing. Possibly a weekend or two in ND duck hunting. Limited trail riding. My main intention is to have this rig pull a 6×6 or 6×8 aluminum skid house around Leech and other lakes. I know the ideal is a side-by-side but I cant justify the prices that are as high as a slightly used pickup!

I don’t want this to be a Ford/Chevy debate as it’s specific to a use (tracked ATV pulling a skid house). Suzuki 750 seems to be the best bang for the buck, but I’d appreciate IDO member’s real life experience before pulling the trigger!

I’m also about to pull the trigger on the Suzuki. I also want full tracks and am curious how hard tracks are on the power steering. My buddy bought the Suzuki a few weeks ago and they are a very nice ride.

I have a buddy that owns a newer Suzuki 750 with Camso tracks. Awesome machine. He went with the Suzuki because they are shaft driven over belt. He plows his driveway with the tracks on and loves it.

I have been looking around too and thinking about getting rid of my sled for a tracked wheeler. I’ve had my eye on the CanAm two up’s just due to the amount of storage rack space behind the two up seat. I believe the “north” edition also features a low, low gear for plowing.

We have an 04 Polaris Sportsman 700 on tracks. Love it, was able to pull the castle out on lakes where wheeled vehicles couldn’t go this winter. About the only thing that will stop it is if you get high centered in slush. Also if you do go through slush just make sure to drive around a bit to clean out tracks before parking it so tracks don’t freeze. I think they are a game changer no matter what brand of wheeler.

marbleeyes24 (Larry) wrote:

I am in the market for a new ATV as we will be moving to the Walker area full time in just under a month. I am beyond excited after full time living in my Ice Castle the last 2 summers in the area! 240 square feet wasn’t cutting it for us!

Anyways, I’ve been doing a lot of research on ATV’s, but I cant seem to find the pro’s/con’s of various machines on tracks.
Does anyone have experience with Polaris, CanAm, Suzuki, or Yamaha on tracks? I’m not opposed to other brands either. I want to dial in the machine first then the tracks secondary.

It’ll be used it for around-the-house chores, plowing the driveway, and (of course) mainly fishing. Possibly a weekend or two in ND duck hunting. Limited trail riding. My main intention is to have this rig pull a 6×6 or 6×8 aluminum skid house around Leech and other lakes. I know the ideal is a side-by-side but I cant justify the prices that are as high as a slightly used pickup!

I don’t want this to be a Ford/Chevy debate as it’s specific to a use (tracked ATV pulling a skid house). Suzuki 750 seems to be the best bang for the buck, but I’d appreciate IDO member’s real life experience before pulling the trigger!

My brother has a 2020 king quad 750PS with Camso ats4 tracks. They work pretty dang well.

Cons:
They throw quite a bit of snow on you.
Easy to get stuck in slush.
your speed is reduced by roughly 50 percent.
Need to make sure slush doesn’t freeze in tracks.

Pros:
They can go through almost anything.
one machine can be used for winter and summer.

For what you’re looking for a tracked ATV would work well.

The new can-am 850’s would be awesome with tracks but they are expensive compared to a Suzuki.

A buddy mentioned going Honda as they are non-belt driven. Could a guy get away with a 500cc Foreman or do you truly need the extra power for 95% of off-road use on the lakes?

marbleeyes24 (Larry) wrote:

A buddy mentioned going Honda as they are non-belt driven. Could a guy get away with a 500cc Foreman or do you truly need the extra power for 95% of off-road use on the lakes?

I just totaled my 21 Honda foreman 520. That machine had plenty of power to pull with and has the solid rear axle. It’s built for what you want to do.

marbleeyes24 (Larry) wrote:

It’ll be used it for around-the-house chores, plowing the driveway, and (of course) mainly fishing. Possibly a weekend or two in ND duck hunting. Limited trail riding. My main intention is to have this rig pull a 6×6 or 6×8 aluminum skid house around Leech and other lakes. I know the ideal is a side-by-side but I cant justify the prices that are as high as a slightly used pickup!

I know you stated a SxS was not in the cards but…
I have 2 of them, Polaris and a Honda. I use each of them for different things.

Not sure if you have a family or even just friends who like to ride but not drive. A SxS can do everything you listed and more. Trail rides with Family or friends. You can have them heated. You can drive in the rain or snow, no getting wet. You get the idea.
I don’t own regular wheeler because I would always have to leave somebody behind.
I’ve always heard how tracks are really hard a machine. I can put chains on my SxS and would be really tough to get stuck.
That being said, either model with chains or tracks on ice slush can really suck!

Just something to think about. Good luck whatever you buy!!

Bearcat89 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>marbleeyes24 wrote:</div>
A buddy mentioned going Honda as they are non-belt driven. Could a guy get away with a 500cc Foreman or do you truly need the extra power for 95% of off-road use on the lakes?

I just totaled my 21 Honda foreman 520. That machine had plenty of power to pull with and has the solid rear axle. It’s built for what you want to do.

Great advice and much easier on the wallet. My wife thanks you HA

I loved my foreman 520, there wasn’t anything to not like about it. It was a work horse and still would be if I didn’t have my accident with it. I would buy another one in a heart beat, and still will, but I want the Suzuki first for trail riding and then I’ll buy another Honda for the wife and kids and plowing

i have a 06 Rincon and its a smooth unit no complaints except the Hondas are very cold blooded, you have to to really let them warm up a very long time approx 10 min + every time its cold to give the trany time to warm up or you can ruin them!

i have owned Hondas and can am and i really like the outlander atv’s efi power steering i really loved that unit hands down the can am outlander was the best atv i have ever used also id get something with some snort if your putting tracks on it
personally id go with a sled and an atv and skip the tracks

Any one have experience on if tracks are harder on power steering atvs ?

Bearcat89 wrote:

Any one have experience on if tracks are harder on power steering atvs ?

From what I’ve heard from everyone I know that owns either an ATV or SxS with tracks, they plan on replacing at least something every year. Tracks are just tough on things.

Then again, snowmobiles are money pits also..

From what I’ve heard from everyone I know that owns either an ATV or SxS with tracks, they plan on replacing at least something every year. Tracks are just tough on things.

Then again, snowmobiles are money pits also..
[/quote]

I’m debating on looking for tracks for the Honda w no power steering over the Suzuki w power steering

Bearcat89 wrote:

I’m debating on looking for tracks for the Honda w no power steering over the Suzuki w power steering
[/quote]

I have driven my buddy’s king quad with tracks a few times and the power steering is very helpful. It handles better than my sportsman with no power steering.

The 750 axi will also due about 30 mph with the tracks on at wot. And it’s a powerhouse. We used it to tug out a stuck half ton on the ice

Bearcat89 wrote:

Any one have experience on if tracks are harder on power steering atvs ?

No experience with an atv with power steering. My dad has ran tracks on his Polaris ranger with power steering for years, not a single issue. He does take it easy on his stuff though, usually traveling at around 25 mph with the tracks.

I have tracks on Polaris Sportsman 570. They are lots of fun in the winter, I have yet to find anything that would get it stuck. I have got it high centered on logs in swamps, time for a winch. They do take a fair amount of power to turn. My top speed with tracks is maybe 25 mph. I have had them on since 2015 and have yet to break anything on my machine. The idler wheels take some yearly maintenance, follow the oem directions. I would recomend checking with https://www.atvtracks.net/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA95aRBhCsARIsAC2xvfxcYM0YqqP2-HlXMu-PALSQUiNrDXbHlLpmIpqFvlMs_oOzS78VCNcaAv_LEALw_wcB
They seem to be the authority on track systems. I have the Polaris Prospector Pro tracks, the Camso brand have stronger frame.

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One more thing, use low range if you have decent load on the machine. Less strain on the drive train. I have blown a drive belt pulling a fishing house in high range at WOT. I did put a clutch kit, its what they recommend when you install larger tires which also puts more load on the drive train. The clutch kit which decreased belt slippage. My 570 has power steering and it helps. They also increase your turning radius lots.

Does adding tracks to a new machine void factory warranty?I watched a video where someone had tracks on a Kodiak 450,and it was doing pretty good through fairly deep snow.

milemark_714 wrote:

Does adding tracks to a new machine void factory warranty?I watched a video where someone had tracks on a Kodiak 450,and it was doing pretty good through fairly deep snow.

Take them off before bringing in for service.

Bearcat the Suzuki is a tough wheeler, I’ve plowed with my second one for over 8 years. First one for 9 and it was still kicking. I use the living heck out of them, not just for trail riding. Skid trees with it every winter. They will handle anything you throw at em.

John Timm wrote:

Bearcat the Suzuki is a tough wheeler, I’ve plowed with my second one for over 8 years. First one for 9 and it was still kicking. I use the living heck out of them, not just for trail riding. Skid trees with it every winter. They will handle anything you throw at em.

Thanks for the review. I’m going to go browse tomorrow after work.

Thanks for the review. I’m going to go browse tomorrow after work

Be interesting to see and hear your findings.

I’ve never rode a wheeler with tracks but I would think one without power steering would be a bear to steer without power steering

Coletrain27 wrote:

I’ve never rode a wheeler with tracks but I would think one without power steering would be a bear to steer without power steering

I drove a non power steering rhino with tracks. Surprisingly it wasn’t bad at all .