CE 2.5 thoughts

[mountainhorse]

There are two different Challenger extreme tracks.

As a side note. An aftermarket cut or punched Camoplast track... one that did not leave the Camo factory with punching or same width... is a warranty-voided track...
If a vendor that punched or cut a Camoplast track is covered under warranty, THE VENDOR would be the one offering you the warranty, not Camoplast.

Also... when you are asking about the the CE 2.5" (Camoplast Challenger Extreme 2.5" lug height) ... make sure you are talking about the same track.

There are two different designs/construction of Challenger Extreme 2.5" .
(photos courtesy of Tracks USA)

​

"Old Style" CE 2.5"
This is available in different pitches
Center ported in 2.86" pitch only... Non Center ported in 2.86"/3.0" pitches

Part number examples
9102
9103
9104








AND

​

"New Style" CE 2.5 (the X3 paddle design was mimicked from this) CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS TRACK
This track design came out in 2011 season.
Lighter than the older version.
Available only in 3.0" pitch.
This performs, IMO, much better in powder than the older design... and gives up very little (if any) in the spring or hard-pack snow to the previous design
(This 9174 track, BTW, is my favorite track on a 155" PRO, running 7 tooth drivers and 43/20 gears for a final drive ratio, counting the smaller drivers, of 2.34:1)

examples of part numbers
9174
9175
9176


Another thing to ponder...

A 155" and 154" in a 2.86"-pitch are the SAME length... 154.44" Poo rounds up, Doo rounds down. These tracks have 54 rows of paddles

A 153" 3.0"-pitch (which is a true 153") will have about 0.75" less track length in the snow. These tracks have 51 rows of paddles.



A 163" 2.86"-pitch track is 163.02". These tracks have 57 rows of paddles.

A 162" 3.0"-pitch (which is a true 162") will have about 0.51" less track length in the snow. These tracks have 54 rows of paddles.


More paddles does not equal more traction necessarily.... though it could, depends on the snow, track speed, design etc etc.

Less paddles equals less weight for any given track construction.







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[mountainhorse]

As TRS has pointed out in other threads... running a 2.86" pitch 8 tooth driver with these 2.5"-lug tracks... that they run much better with more clearance.

My favorite is the 9174 as a replacement for the 155" and the 9175 in the 162"
You need to run these with the 7tooth 3.0"-pitch Avid PC drivers or the center tooth driver from Avid... you have adequate clearance with the 7 tooth... You can't run an 8 tooth 3.0"-pitch driver as there is not enough clearance.

OR.

Run the 2.86" pitch and trim like TRS did to maintain track speed.











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[geo]

MO. I like the 9174 better all round than the older version but it is not available in the pitch I want. So, I will install a hybrid (TRS outside paddles clipped) 2.3" version lol of the 910x version with some clips removed too.

MO. I think extros (as well as smaller divers) suck more HP and were introduced to compensate for poor design with homebuilt drop and rolls. I'd like to see a return to 9 tooth drivers which never had issues.

MO. Anytime you move the rails back from the drive axle center line you lose track support at the critical point of entry into the snow as well as a new loss in HP from an additional "wave" in the track. Even if your track is tight in the shop, in the field it is not (as the suspension cycles).

MO. The CE is better all round than the P Claw. What goes up must come down lol. I found after years on the shorter lug versions of the P Claw that I had sub-consciously started to take routes home that allowed some stopping distance before entering back into the trees.
After installing the trusty ol` CE I was able to look down towards the trucks and take the route " as the crow flies" again. I also felt the CE was more predictable in changing snow (like sun crusted spring snow then dropping into shady tree wells). The P Claw needed more "spin" to initiate momentum when in sugar or fluff.

 

[Laundryboy]

The difference in diameter from 2.86/8 tooth to 3.00/7 tooth is real close to .5" I believe. Anyone know what that would make the overall gear ratio?

 

[mountainhorse]

You betcha.

Have a look.

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=369638

 

[TRS]

MO. I like the 9174 better all round than the older version but it is not available in the pitch I want. So, I will install a hybrid (TRS outside paddles clipped) 2.3" version lol of the 910x version with some clips removed too.

MO. I think extros (as well as smaller divers) suck more HP and were introduced to compensate for poor design with homebuilt drop and rolls. I'd like to see a return to 9 tooth drivers which never had issues.

MO. Anytime you move the rails back from the drive axle center line you lose track support at the critical point of entry into the snow as well as a new loss in HP from an additional "wave" in the track. Even if your track is tight in the shop, in the field it is not (as the suspension cycles).

MO. The CE is better all round than the P Claw. What goes up must come down lol. I found after years on the shorter lug versions of the P Claw that I had sub-consciously started to take routes home that allowed some stopping distance before entering back into the trees.
After installing the trusty ol` CE I was able to look down towards the trucks and take the route " as the crow flies" again. I also felt the CE was more predictable in changing snow (like sun crusted spring snow then dropping into shady tree wells). The P Claw needed more "spin" to initiate momentum when in sugar or fluff.

Geo,
Had the turbo out again today with the clipped outer lugs. Another tank full of smiles. Worked well in the setup snow this morning to the mashed potatoes late this afternoon.
Wish Mike would have gotten lazy long ago. I'm thinking my 3" track will be for sale. But again, I may trim it.
My revalved and resprung stock skid works very, very well with the turbo.

 

[hanson summit]

Any changes I need to know to do for the 9174 CE 2.5? Since it's a 153 I wasn't sure if I need to do anything else like offset axle or something
Got the 7 tooth avids and anti stab

Maybe I'm an idiot but thanks guys in advance

 

[mountainhorse]

No offset axle needed.

Trim the rails back for the drivers... and ONLY use the Avid drivers like those shown in this photo... the original style AVID or Wahl anti-ratchet drivers will not work with the 917X tracks or the X3's.

Make sure that you run the same factory specified track tension as shown in your owners manual that came with the sled... do NOT run the track loose.

Trim the rails back like this
The Anti-Stab shaft REPLACES the stock lower limiter-strap shaft using the stock lower limiter-strap shaft holes.

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[hanson summit]

Thanks MountainHorse!
Definitely a helpful guy!