Best fix for '07 M8 Trenching????

[slojoe13]

i'm trying to fix/ understand this trenching problem. i've been reading alot of threads the last two days. what really works? my background first, i'm about 250 or so plus gear, this is my 3rd year riding, but have only ridin about 15 days total (4 days so far this year) and usually ride in the trees/ meadow and some hill climbing and sidehilling. this is my first year with '07 M8 153. i had a '05 M7 153 the last 2yrs(that didn't seem to trench anywhere near as bad as the '07 M8). i was up at RE and Buff pass this weekend and it was trenching bad. the rest of the group rides XP's or Dragons and a few of them rode it and agreed about the trenching. i also hear alot about the HOLZ setups, but the only website i found only has a few parts and 1 dual stage shock that was $1300, everyone keeps saying $175 for this setup. so the question is should i make some adjustments to the shocks and limiter strap, buy a power claw track 153 or 162, look into this Holz setup or Geo Mod, get a new/ different sled , or all the above????? any real advice would be greatly appreciated or point me to a good thread or shop. i live near Denver. thanks ahead of time!!!

 

[onesnowdawg]

What track you riding with? I ran my 06 M7 for two seasons with the attack 20 before buying the new power claw and can tell you it made a huge difference in performance. I believe your stock rails already have the raised torque arm so the Holz bracket won't help your ride. My next upgrade will be the fox float setup that AC offers along with the new 09 rails.

 

[hatchers]

im 250 naked, and every sled i have ever owner was a trencher.....its just a part of being so sexy

stuff that can help:
- suck up the limiter strap, this will keep more front end track on the snow and allow a bigger foot print to dig
- drop down brackets, this will get more room inbetween the tunnel and track for snow to fly out and set the tunnel higher so its not draging in the deep

 

[Vern]

i dont know how your rear setup is, but on my m7 i found the best setup for powder is let the limiters out all the way, loosen the spring pressure up on the front shock on the rear skid basically as far as you can go without the spring falling off. then stiffen up the very rear springs all the way. i know there is a slight diff. in the 06 and 07 susp. but i dont think its much. im in about the same body weight class as you and this is the best setup ive found for deep snow on my m7 153 challenger.

 

[slojoe13]

i'm running a camoplast 153 track now, but i think i'm gonna order the powerclaw. where can i check out/buy the drop down brackets? thanks again for the advice!

 

[slojoe13]

does anyone else have any good advice? i'm gonna try moving the limiter strap up and order a powerclaw. might try drop brackets. thanks

 

[iluv2fly]

Install a powerclaw on it!!

 

[Squeal]

does anyone else have any good advice? i'm gonna try moving the limiter strap up and order a powerclaw. might try drop brackets. thanks

Skip the drop brackets, they will make the front end submarine. I would go with what Vern says. Always worked good for me.

On my 07 M1000, I went with a Timbersled Mt. Tamer rear suspension. It works great.

 

[JHG]

I've voting for the Timbersled Mt. Tamer as well. I don't own one but my riding partner does. He has it on an M7 and it's awesome. We've switched sleds a couple times and I'm sold on that skid. Before spending tons of money on tracks and brackets and stuff, save your pennies and talk to timbersled, it will fix your issues. I think the second best would be to got to the 09 fox float setup, its about the price of a powerclaw and will probably do more for your trenching problems. Replacing the track is going to be a bandaid to your problem, suspension geometry is the issue and until you correct it you'll continue to have problems.

 

[sledchickie]

i'm trying to fix/ understand this trenching problem. i've been reading alot of threads the last two days. what really works? my background first, i'm about 250 or so plus gear, this is my 3rd year riding, but have only ridin about 15 days total (4 days so far this year) and usually ride in the trees/ meadow and some hill climbing and sidehilling. this is my first year with '07 M8 153. i had a '05 M7 153 the last 2yrs(that didn't seem to trench anywhere near as bad as the '07 M8). i was up at RE and Buff pass this weekend and it was trenching bad. the rest of the group rides XP's or Dragons and a few of them rode it and agreed about the trenching. i also hear alot about the HOLZ setups, but the only website i found only has a few parts and 1 dual stage shock that was $1300, everyone keeps saying $175 for this setup. so the question is should i make some adjustments to the shocks and limiter strap, buy a power claw track 153 or 162, look into this Holz setup or Geo Mod, get a new/ different sled , or all the above????? any real advice would be greatly appreciated or point me to a good thread or shop. i live near Denver. thanks ahead of time!!!

HEY- I just got the new power claw track for Xmas....(and a can) for my m7 but I swear that was hte best thing, no more tranching, its so sweet in pow and climbing is awesome, ITS AWESOME......EXPENSIVE BUT THE BEST FIX! HAPPY SLEDDING!

 

[GlennRMK]

I would switch to a 162 powerclaw with a tunnel extension/bumper kit.

The Mtn Tamer is a nice skid, I would do that if funds allow.

I would do the track first IMO.

 

[Cosarguy]

im 250 naked, and every sled i have ever owner was a trencher.....its just a part of being so sexy


That's too much information But you're right. Weight is the single biggest killer...all else being equal. That being said, I found the single biggest improvement, for the money, to my M-1000 was adding the Power Claw track. This showed large gains in deep powder performance. Most anything else, short of adding lots of HP, is subjective at best.

GET THE TRACK!!!!!!!!

 

[Weekday Warrior]

I have the 07 M8 153 with camo track also,

things that helped

loosen the ski shocks way up

let the limiter strap all the way out

tighten the front shock way up

loosen the rear springs as much as you can, I even thought about taking of the adjuster blocks off. Some have drilled a new hole an inch back in the rails to loosen up the springs...I might try that.


this will lighten up the front and get the weight on the track, it'll go in the deep fluff like a dream this way and you'll use less throttle to keep it on top. It'll also sidehill like crazy, but the front will be a bit soft in the moguls on the trail up. (but who gives a chit eh?)

 

[Squeal]

Try moving the rear arm were it mounts to the rails an inch forward. you may have to move or throw away a cross member.

Converting to the float skid is a good option too.

I have a PowerClaw, the Mt tamer was a better improvement than the track especially on a 07, it saved like 20lbs and works a crap load better that stock.

 

[mrquick68]

oh boy is there a ton of info on this page. Some TOTAL the opposite of the other.

The 07 is probably one of the worst skids for trenching in Cat for a long time. Sorry!

You've got a number of issues:

1. The front skid shock is too short - so you get excessive ski pressure and its hard to sidehill because of this - it also doesn't transfer enough either partially because of this. Drill out the other mounting hole in the tunnel and move the skid DOWN in the front.

2. keep the limiters all the way loose. and the front skid shock all the way loose.

3. Set the rear suspenion so that it sags about 3.5" with you sitting on it - measure at the rear skid bolt.

4. BIGGEST issue with this skid - the rear shock valving is WAY too stiff. Get it revalved by Holz. While you are at it, get the fron skid shock revalved and add Holz's multi-spring stack instead of the stock spring.

5. keep the back skid bolt in the upper mounting hole.

This entire cost will be less than $175 - you skid should ROCK with this setup, but you won't be saving any weight. You could also just buy the entire 09 skid, though that will cost a lot more.

Stock camo is suspect too. The track is not my fav.

 

[MUZBOMB]

I've voting for the Timbersled Mt. Tamer as well. I don't own one but my riding partner does. He has it on an M7 and it's awesome. We've switched sleds a couple times and I'm sold on that skid. Before spending tons of money on tracks and brackets and stuff, save your pennies and talk to timbersled, it will fix your issues. I think the second best would be to got to the 09 fox float setup, its about the price of a powerclaw and will probably do more for your trenching problems. Replacing the track is going to be a bandaid to your problem, suspension geometry is the issue and until you correct it you'll continue to have problems.

I am with BigHoe x2. I have a 07 M8 153 and i put the timbersled Mt. tamer on mine this fall and WOW what a different sled!!! I love the way it rides now timbersled Mt tamer got my vote all the way!!!!

 

[slojoe13]

where can i find out more info about the Holz revalving? i went to the Holz racing website and didn't find much. i'm gonna try what you said before i have to spend a bunch of money, but it seems like i should just buy an '09.

 

[anziconda]

Bingo...I just rode a 09 HCR and am looking forward to owning one next year!!! They just seem to jump up on top of the snow and feel feather light. My vote is definately to sell the 07 and get a 09!!

 

[MUZBOMB]

Bingo...I just rode a 09 HCR and am looking forward to owning one next year!!! They just seem to jump up on top of the snow and feel feather light. My vote is definately to sell the 07 and get a 09!!

Are they making the HCR in the regular line up for 2010? Or do you have to spring order only?

 

[hard2handle]

trenching

Buy an xp,and all problems solved,just kiddin Joe.Lose about 60 pds and there you go.