Studded track question

[Jackone]

Just picked up a 06 Apex with only 1300 miles. Track is decent shape however studs are horrible. Many have come out others ready to come out everything is down the middle. Question Best to take them all out? Seems like they have come out in patches. Crazy pattern as well. Very small backers with short nuts. Bad combo LOL No pics yet sled up at camp. Let me know your thoughts, Thanks

 

[CaptCaper]

Take them all and and replace them. Or you may throw one into the front cooler. If it's a 1.25 lug track like our Attak and Ltx you need 1.325 Woodys Gold Diggers. With their big aluminum nut. The kit's come with the nuts. I just did my 4th Attak with these. I sold the 07 with 10000 miles OEM track and studded from the beginning with them No issues. Once in a while I'd replace one that started to bend some.

 

[Jackone]

Thanks Captain I wish I had a pic of the pattern. Looks like a v pattern but the v pointing backward. I want to run it this year and maybe stretch it to 136 next year with a new track. Those Attack xt pre studded look nice.

 

[CaptCaper]

Just replace what's there using the same holes and run it for now.

 

[yamadoo]

My biggest fear was and is always stud through cooler -so if they are not great remove and replace with decent studs/backers, I had 144 extreme max on an o6 apex for 10k befor the track was done. Then it was torn outside belt no pull throughs.

 

[YAttak07]

Glad to hear that some guys are having luck with studded tracks!!! Original oem ripsaw and I threw a stud through front heat exchanger in year 2. Then went with a ice attack prestudded and really liked it but lost many guides last year and also have a torn lug and several ready to tear. (got about 7000 miles out of prestudded) So I'm in the process of changing out to another studded track........I'm a little nervous going studded again but it was such a good deal I couldn't pass it up. Got a brand new 1" hacksaw fully studded with 1.075" woody's down the middle all double backers. I have checked and all are tightened to 15 ft/lbs. Pattern seems strange to me but it should work?? Only area I am concerned with is where he put two sets of double backers close together and it looks like the track is "pinched" between them creating a bump on the inside of the track. Will this be OK or should I take these out and replace with only two singles?? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[BigDogrx1]

?

Thanks Captain I wish I had a pic of the pattern. Looks like a v pattern but the v pointing backward. I want to run it this year and maybe stretch it to 136 next year with a new track. Those Attack xt pre studded look nice.

YES INDEED for the ice attack xt prestudded, just put new one on for this year, great hookup and no worry about pullouts (ruined 2 tracks) or damage to cooling system, really handles well.

 

[gytrapex]

I have a 06 apex it came with like new studs I took the all out bc I was scared to threw one in the the front heat exchanger or up one threw the rear exchanger or pay all the money to much in a new one or blow the motor from over heating it

 

[BigDogrx1]

I have a 06 apex it came with like new studs I took the all out bc I was scared to threw one in the the front heat exchanger or up one threw the rear exchanger or pay all the money to much in a new one or blow the motor from over heating it

Ya, exchangers are huge concern, but buying 5/6 hundred dollar tracks because of pullouts gets old, I talked to a Guy at U.S.A. for a long talk about them and he sold me $575. Delivered to door with no studs to buy, Thursday I had 1" hard pack snow on my gravel road and wow what. Great hookup it has, they say on hole shot its about the same as regular track with studs up the middle, I think its better.
and for the speed nuts there way lighter, and have had no problems with them, way of the FUTURE.

 

[CaptCaper]

Glad to hear that some guys are having luck with studded tracks!!! Original oem ripsaw and I threw a stud through front heat exchanger in year 2. Then went with a ice attack prestudded and really liked it but lost many guides last year and also have a torn lug and several ready to tear. (got about 7000 miles out of prestudded) So I'm in the process of changing out to another studded track........I'm a little nervous going studded again but it was such a good deal I couldn't pass it up. Got a brand new 1" hacksaw fully studded with 1.075" woody's down the middle all double backers. I have checked and all are tightened to 15 ft/lbs. Pattern seems strange to me but it should work?? Only area I am concerned with is where he put two sets of double backers close together and it looks like the track is "pinched" between them creating a bump on the inside of the track. Will this be OK or should I take these out and replace with only two singles?? Any advice would be appreciated.

I would think about trying two singles. Round ones maybe. But if that doesn't look good install just one single. Leave the hole next to it open. When I got my used 07 Attak the owner had put them outside the wheels as well. I took they out and left the holes. They won't tear or open more. I also replaced his lesser quality studs with Woody's Gold Diggers. The no name brands were bending and the holes in the backers were wearing oval shaped pretty bad.
I think using off brands and or lesser quality studs and not using Woody's patterns on their web site open the door to issues. Another big one is not checking them often for bending. I'm lucky were I can bring my sled inside and thaw it out often and check for any bending. Also I can't ride hard being an 'old fart' so I don't beat on the track or run at very high speeds. I'm lucky to ride to 60 mph which is rare and just for a few seconds. Ha.

 

[YAttak07]

Yes I loved the performance and hook up of my Ice Attak. Maybe I should just remove all the studs on my new hacksaw and sell them! Are there any concerns with having open holes from the studs?

 

[YAttak07]

Thanks CaptCaper. Appreciate the response. Believe I may remove the studs entirely and or resell this track and go back to an Ice Attack..my good deal on this track isn't turning in such a good deal!!!! thx again

 

[Rich Kay]

I might as well throw in my two cents..... I have always studded my sleds and and think it's only really needed if you ride in a area that has low snow and run areas that just tend to have icy conditions often. If I have to ever replace my studded track I now have I think I would go with something like the Ice attack type track vs going with hand studding again . I have never had any problems with studs (10's of thousands of miles) but my riding has changed to where I only really ride in pretty nice snow conditions so studs are not really effective. The problem with most every studded track that fails is cheap studs, poor install, and too much throttle in poor conditions that lead to short stud life and mostly bent studs , track tear-outs , poor mantain and thus holes in heat exchangers ! I guess I have just gotten a little older , slowed down some and pay attention to conditions while out riding more. Trust me .. where I used to ride and the way I used to ride I really needed them! It really comes down to the conditions you are most riding in and type of riding ya do...Again just my two cents.

 

[YAttak07]

Good points Rich.....While I agree that cheap studs, poor conditions and bad install are a huge concern I can tell you that I drive in good to excellent conditions. Albeit, moderate to aggressive driving but 90%+ in northern ontario and quebec. I too have put 10's of thousands of miles with studs on all of my previous sleds. Is it possible that today's big HP/torque machines and lighter thinner tracks are just a bad combination?

 

[CaptCaper]

I might as well throw in my two cents..... I have always studded my sleds and and think it's only really needed if you ride in a area that has low snow and run areas that just tend to have icy conditions often. If I have to ever replace my studded track I now have I think I would go with something like the Ice attack type track vs going with hand studding again . I have never had any problems with studs (10's of thousands of miles) but my riding has changed to where I only really ride in pretty nice snow conditions so studs are not really effective. The problem with most every studded track that fails is cheap studs, poor install, and too much throttle in poor conditions that lead to short stud life and mostly bent studs , track tear-outs , poor mantain and thus holes in heat exchangers ! I guess I have just gotten a little older , slowed down some and pay attention to conditions while out riding more. Trust me .. where I used to ride and the way I used to ride I really needed them! It really comes down to the conditions you are most riding in and type of riding ya do...Again just my two cents.

I find I need them to get in and out of my shop. The front carbides play into holding the machine onto the floor,patio blocks, or ramps. Also more control into the trailer better and other situations. I was coming down a hill into an icy spot on a hard turn. I let off the throttle just in time to allow the engine braking of the Attak along with the studs (162 of them) saved my butt. Took the corner fine. The others behind me went off into the woods. One rolled it bad. So I'll never run without them.
I've seen the difference on both Attaks I owned until I got them studded. I agree it's one's riding style but they do work. But I would follow Woody's guide lines. Who else would know if that would work on your machine by now. Especially a machine that's been out there for years.