The Avid drivers are NOT compatible with the Power Claw tracks... I've already tried... as has Jkinzer.
The only direct fit driver, right now, for the PC's on the Tubular Polaris shaft is the PPD driver from SLP/Carls/Wahl bros. It is an 8 tooth driver that gives less clearance, even with the shorter lug height, than the stock Dragon track.
This would be about 1/4" running the 8 tooth 3" pitch drivers on the powerclaw in the RAW Chassis
These are only available in 8 tooth drivers...This will give you LESS clearance than the stock 2.4" tall lugs, even though the PC track has shorter lugs.
The only 7 tooth drivers available are the Avid drivers.
If you want to run the Avids you will either need to cut all the involute driver teeth off the outside of both the Avid drivers or cut every other mini guide nub off the track. I would recommend neither. [See the photos below]
OR... machine off all of the "extro" teeth and run them as standard involute drivers.
The Power Claw track does not have involute driver nubs on the outside of the driver/clip windows... just 1/3-sized guide "nubs" that help keep the track in line.
The Avid drivers are designed to drive off of the involute nubs, just like stock, UNLESS the track starts to ratchet... then the teeth of the driver catch the track.
95% of the time... the teeth of an Avid driver are not designed to be in contact with the track.
The small "guide nubs" do not even touch the involute cogs of the driver... even after removing the ones inline with the driver window... This creates a situation where only 2 rows, compared to 4 stock or other tracks, are trying to drive the track most of the time.. this puts tremendous strain on the the 1 row of involute nubs on each side and creates strange side loading of the driver that can cause the drivers to "walk" on the shaft.
Dub on the forum here had this problem with the Avids and the PowerClaw that he ran all last season. He runs a machine shop and had to make a custom sleeve and weld tabs to the driveshaft to keep this "walking" from happening with the Avid drivers that he modded to run the Powerclaw. This "walking" will still occur even if you only trim the nubs
You will either need to modify the drivers or modify the track. The PC tracks are different than other tracks.
I have made a gauge to measure track clearace on the 2.4" stock tracks... just a hair over 1/4" at the roof of the tunnel.
You are absolutely correct about track tension. Loose tracks DO rub, all the agressive riders on Dragons (07-09) that I have looked into the tunnels on have rub marks... even with proper tension. Looser than stock settings also changes the way the track works... if it is not tight, the paddles lay down more as the track flexes and gives less than optimal performance.
Even with Combo drivers, if you want optimal performance from your track, use the stock tension recommendations.... Not just my opinion, but the engineers at Camoplast as well.. they make 95% of the tracks on our mountain sleds.... This is in addition to the clearance issues that are made worse with a loose track at speed.
Loose tracks may "pull" easier with the sled off the ground... but that is not the case with the sled in motion, with the weight of the sled on the track and drivers turning the track... rippling as it is pushed down the hyfax.
You can't compare the power required to turn track being pulled by hand on a stand and one that is in use, under power with traction... these are two completely different scenarios.
Power Claw Track
Dubs Driveshaft with the modified Avid drivers and spacer tube with welded tabs on the outside to keep the drivers from "walking" on the driveshaft.
The only direct fit driver, right now, for the PC's on the Tubular Polaris shaft is the PPD driver from SLP/Carls/Wahl bros. It is an 8 tooth driver that gives less clearance, even with the shorter lug height, than the stock Dragon track.
This would be about 1/4" running the 8 tooth 3" pitch drivers on the powerclaw in the RAW Chassis
These are only available in 8 tooth drivers...This will give you LESS clearance than the stock 2.4" tall lugs, even though the PC track has shorter lugs.
The only 7 tooth drivers available are the Avid drivers.
If you want to run the Avids you will either need to cut all the involute driver teeth off the outside of both the Avid drivers or cut every other mini guide nub off the track. I would recommend neither. [See the photos below]
OR... machine off all of the "extro" teeth and run them as standard involute drivers.
The Power Claw track does not have involute driver nubs on the outside of the driver/clip windows... just 1/3-sized guide "nubs" that help keep the track in line.
The Avid drivers are designed to drive off of the involute nubs, just like stock, UNLESS the track starts to ratchet... then the teeth of the driver catch the track.
95% of the time... the teeth of an Avid driver are not designed to be in contact with the track.
The small "guide nubs" do not even touch the involute cogs of the driver... even after removing the ones inline with the driver window... This creates a situation where only 2 rows, compared to 4 stock or other tracks, are trying to drive the track most of the time.. this puts tremendous strain on the the 1 row of involute nubs on each side and creates strange side loading of the driver that can cause the drivers to "walk" on the shaft.
Dub on the forum here had this problem with the Avids and the PowerClaw that he ran all last season. He runs a machine shop and had to make a custom sleeve and weld tabs to the driveshaft to keep this "walking" from happening with the Avid drivers that he modded to run the Powerclaw. This "walking" will still occur even if you only trim the nubs
You will either need to modify the drivers or modify the track. The PC tracks are different than other tracks.
I have made a gauge to measure track clearace on the 2.4" stock tracks... just a hair over 1/4" at the roof of the tunnel.
You are absolutely correct about track tension. Loose tracks DO rub, all the agressive riders on Dragons (07-09) that I have looked into the tunnels on have rub marks... even with proper tension. Looser than stock settings also changes the way the track works... if it is not tight, the paddles lay down more as the track flexes and gives less than optimal performance.
Even with Combo drivers, if you want optimal performance from your track, use the stock tension recommendations.... Not just my opinion, but the engineers at Camoplast as well.. they make 95% of the tracks on our mountain sleds.... This is in addition to the clearance issues that are made worse with a loose track at speed.
Loose tracks may "pull" easier with the sled off the ground... but that is not the case with the sled in motion, with the weight of the sled on the track and drivers turning the track... rippling as it is pushed down the hyfax.
You can't compare the power required to turn track being pulled by hand on a stand and one that is in use, under power with traction... these are two completely different scenarios.
Power Claw Track
Dubs Driveshaft with the modified Avid drivers and spacer tube with welded tabs on the outside to keep the drivers from "walking" on the driveshaft.
