What to do to minimize/eliminate track howl?

[Sasquatch]

Sasquatch, that's a pretty good idea, remove all idler wheels (why are they called that?) !

Idlers don't drive and are not mounted on axles. They also do not generally support anything. They can apply tension and still be called an idler. Engineering way of differentiating between pieces of similar kind.

I would doubt its the rear axle wheels as they do not fall inbetween the lugs on the track. Its why Cat came up with the quiet track to stop the wheels from dropping into the gaps between the lugs.

 

[cannondale27]

Have you tried different gearing? It would get the engine RPM up or down at same speed. Go higher.

 

[MikeWalters]

The OP already tried removing wheels with zero improvement.

 

[BryKlu]

Did anyone succeed at making the resonance better? My 10 LTX has this even after new pre-studded track, DuPont slides, new wheels, new bearings.

 

[STAIN]

Dont think its the track. I think it is intake/exhaust resonance at certain rpms/speeds.

 

[Sasquatch]

Everyone has a theory, all different all have an exception to the rule. My 2011 has the small wheels when the track is on the concrete floor with new sliders I can turn the wheels. So very little if any weight on the sliders. I have almost no drone, I say almost because at certain speeds around 20mph I can hear a bit of one but its hardly there. My Helmet is very quiet. Now one winter it rained melted froze and the trail was rock hard and I had mega drone. Sliders had some miles on them and where worn down a bit. Got a few inches of snow that night, next day no drone at all. So for me the drone seems to come at around 20 to 30mph on rock hard trails where the idlers are running over the lugs, Engine rpm and harmonics combined make drone. My answer is if its droning go faster if not possible slow down!

 

[BryKlu]

So you added the small wheels in place of the normal-sized ones? My resonation sounds cyclical if that makes sense. It has a rotational variance which makes me think it's track related and not exhaust/engine. Oh well...

 

[yank]

The howl was bad on my 05 Venture. I did remove all 6 idlers for a few hundred miles and that definitely eliminated the drone, but not a practical solution for most. I eventually installed an AC Quiet Track which reduced the drone by about 50%. The quiet track also increased the drone frequency slightly which helps ear plugs attenuate it better. Keep in mind, some quiet tracks only have 2 rows of wedges for the inner idlers and some have 4 rows. The new vipers and Sidewinders come with the 4 row quiet track and the howl is much reduced, though the belly exhaust is louder.

 

[BryKlu]

I just put on a pre-studded Ice Attak XT which I love so changing the track definitely isn't an option. I wish the track would slide a bit more for a better turning angle. May have to tighten the limiter strap a hole.

 

[Sasquatch]

So you added the small wheels in place of the normal-sized ones? My resonation sounds cyclical if that makes sense. It has a rotational variance which makes me think it's track related and not exhaust/engine. Oh well...

No the 2011 wheels are not down as far on the skid as they should be, 2012 the lowered the wheels on the XTX to help with slid wear. People where puting the larger by 5mm wheels on the 2011, I did not just put on duponts.

I'll add I'm a extra large person and am hard on sliders at the best of times so it was a no brainer to go to duponts

 

[shed]

mine has always done it
my second sled does it also
new track on the 07 still does it
cyclicle for sure, speeds up as i approach 55 to a constant hum
then cycles above that also

i did notice that when i stand the sound is almost gone
i was thinking of trying it without the windshield

it is for sure a resonance with the combination of track, frame, sitting, and windshield

even does it when i have 100 pounds of slush built up inside track and under seat

just turned 21500 miles and i gonna keepa riding woohoo