Making tracks for our argo's.  That runny porridge constancy mud has had us winching and keeping us from getting to where we want to get to.  (where the moose are)  I just took a tire to the local machine shop, drew him some pics of what I was thinking and he built a jig to stamp out the crossmembers for me.  Ordered some 1/4" thick fibrous rubber belting, did some math in conjunction with holding parts up;  some eyeballing (and some guessing  ).   While I'll claim skill it was really luck that I got the spacing right;  just don't tell anyone I said that.   

One set done, took it for a rip today, tracks seem to track properly, no wavering or wanting to climb off, no binding or, "new sounds".  I think they actually turn better with them on ( 0 slippage).  Had a bugger of a time mounting the first one, figuring out how to get the proper tension and spacing without binding but perseverance and patience pay off I guess.  (that and 4 ratchet straps)


Now on to the second set, only about a thousand more bolts............boy are my hands tired.  The worst is actually driving the bolts through the belting.  Despite drilling the belting it's still an effort to get them through it.  Thank goodness for my electric impact!

No, I hear you and you're right;  I thought about that as well.  Quite frankly the biggest reason I've done it that way is it's the easy way as it's such a struggle to get the bolts through the darn belting and it's a quicker, "production line" that way.
I justified to myself doing it this way as only one and a half threads show through the nut, although now I feel kind of guilty with chinsing out on that.  Think I'll do the last one's the right way.  (plus with one done and I know they'll work I'm more confident)

Thanks for the incentive!   

Love this forum!

Thanks, found a video on youtube of a guy putting factory tracks on an argo and really just used it as a reference.

Pulled the valve from front and back tires to make it easier to get them on/tighten up.  Far as tension with the machine up on blocks there should be around 3-4" of "hanging down" space between the bottom of the center tire and the track.  Seems to work.  Not sure how much a guy could adjust although I'm sure one could take up a little slack with air pressure.  We normally run 5lbs in the tires.

That's actually one of my concerns is the belts will stretch somewhat with use, I actually figured we could probably bump up the air pressure to compensate if that happens.

You know really now that we're talking about it I see no reason whatsoever a guy couldn't make a tensioner of sorts with a couple of turnbuckles. 

Looks good Bruce,should get in and out of that muddy  back woods country.You will have to take the camera along and post some pictures of your trips with the new track systems.