all this track and alignment information made me wonder does anyone loosen the track on their sled for the summer storage ?

YES YES YES *i do every summer *it can hurt the track

no but mabey i should http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

I'm with jwheeler on this one. I think after I pull my skid frame out I'll leave the track loose when I put it back together.

I used to for years but stopped doing it even more years than I can remember. I think maybe with the new compounds out the last several years might have a lot to do with it?
I have never ever had a problem with a major streched track or cracks or anything related with leaving the track tight all summer......IMO

I never have before either. *Probably never will unless I start experiencing probs. *I have never had track damage other than lugs ripping off. *After saying that I had better find some wood to knock on though.

http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif *I have that with the material used in the newer tracks if you leave tension on them they will not stretch, infact if you loosen them they can shrink. this is argueable my track was stored loose this year.

Thats a verry good question paul ! *i never even thought of that before! *Any dealers have any info on this ?

I always loosen mine. *Started years ago, and just keep doing it. *

FishHog

I read somewhere that once the new tracks set, they will not stretch any more. *Good question though. *I've always left mine tight.

An intelligent question. the only thing i do is make sure the weight is off the suspension. It very important to keep your track off the ground and away from moisture other then that i wouldnt know.

I already run mine so loose that it almost ratchets. Any loosening on my part wouldn't do any good. But for those that run theirs tighter, I don't see where it could hurt. You need to loosen the track some to check bearings, bogies, etc. anyway...so why not loosen the track and force yourself to check everything else?

Although I'm carefull to get the weight off the suspension, I've never loosened the track for storage. I have never blown a track....

AL

I already run mine so loose that it almost ratchets.
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that's the way i have to run mine or otherwise it seems a way too tight.

I always loosen mine. *Started years ago, and just keep doing it. *

FishHog
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fishy-you did mean your old girlfriend's bra strap??right?? :lmao: :inlove: :lmao:


Although I'm carefull to get the weight off the suspension, I've never loosened the track for storage. I have never blown a track....

AL
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yep-make em dangle in mid air-no stress-no mess.
milk crates work good for the front end-right under the belly pan.
also-put something under the back to keep the track OFF THE GROUND!!
2-2x4's will doo it.
i am the master of summerizing!
don't forget to drop 1/2 can of w-d 40 on the engine block and skid frame.
next fall-you'll be happy.

I don't know that it matters a whole lot. There are things that make a lot more difference than track tension I believe.

*spinning the track when climbing across hard objects: rocks, metal, maybe even wood or ice is probably the worst

*storing the machine where the track is exposed to sunlight (UV) or wet, or ozone from welders or motors will deteriorate the rubber

*time

*and if you think about it, even hard acceleration is a lot more stressful (stretchful) to a track in many more ways that is some tension.


It doesn't hurt to take the tension off, I don't think. Then again it probably does as much good as taking tension off the springs when it isn't being ridden - (ever think about how much less stressful it is just to sit there than it is to be pounded over miles of bumps all day?)

I'm with Idooski on this one.
I used to loosen them, but now I run the track fairly loose and it wouldn't reduce the tension on the track if I did back it down.

Jeff