Help fix trenching issues with "M" series

[MNsnwdrift]

Have 4 M8's in the family, all stock. Sometimes we ride with some Summit 800 guys, they too are all stock. Our M series sleds seem to trench so much easier and so consequently we get stuck much easier and more often than the Summits. Why is that ? Is it the Doos 1" wider track ? Do the Summits have a better track angle into the snow than the Ms ? When we try to take off from a standstill the Ms trench immediately, the Summits seem to float or walk right out of the snow. One of the Summit guys watching our Ms, felt that our tracks spin at take off more than the Summits do. We tried switching drivers to eliminate driver ability and found it to be related to the sled rather than the driver. So should I try a diferent clutching combo ?
Been noticing this over the course of a winter, so this issue has been brewing in our minds for a couple months now.
What is going on ? Don't really want to trade brands.
Thanks in advance !!

 

[Dam Dave]

get 4 new riders, that should fix it.................................

 

[AaronBND]

Stiffen up the rear shock and loosen up the front one in the skid.

Aaron

 

[Frostbite]

Are your clutches engaging with a bang?

I had to loosen up the bolts on my clutch weights a bit so my clutch weights would move freely. I also went to a lower engagment (120 Preload) primary spring so the clutches can be engaged much more smoothly.

 

[HiWaYman92]

Powerclaw, loosen front shock to 3/8'' preload, 140-150 lbs in rear shock, if needed pull your limiter straps up to the middle holes. This worked on my 1000, with was a trenchmaster to the nth degree until I made these adjustments.

 

[shredjim]

Powerclaw tracks?

What year are your M's? I would be surprised to hear you say what you have if your sleds are 09's or newer. M Sleds with powerclaw tracks rule on float. I just spent 3 weeks riding with an all Doo team, except me. My 09 M8 seemed to pop up on top of the powder as easy as the Doo's no problem! They got stuck as much or more than me for sure.

 

[MNsnwdrift]

We have 1 '08 SP, 1 '09 SP, 1 '09 HCR, and 1 '10 SP. All M8. All stock
Thanks for all your replys !!

 

[high time]

I can see two of them as possible trenchers.

The '08 didn't come with a Power Claw and the HCR has a stiffer lug, it's not made for powder.
Are your tracks on backwards?
Owen

 

[Dam Dave]

Stiffen up the rear shock and loosen up the front one in the skid.

Aaron

and make sure the limiter strap is still in the stock postion, all the way loose, do not tighten the limiter strap if you ride in powder, hero snow maybe

 

[Dam Dave]

We have 1 '08 SP, 1 '09 SP, 1 '09 HCR, and 1 '10 SP. All M8. All stock
Thanks for all your replys !!

the 2008 might trench in some snow conditions, but if you follow the above tips it will be fine, the HCR has a hard track so is not the best powder track, but the other 2 with the PC should not be trenching, are you sitting down?

does the 2010 still have the stock pri spring?, get rid of it and put in a softer spring like a yellow white. any notched weights? get rid of them

 

[mtnclimber]

I would recommend doing the geomod to all of the sleds. This is a matter of drilling a few holes, and it will greatly improve ride quality, weight transfer, and it will help with your trenching issue. Before doing this however, see what you are running for air in the rear shock, and remember to check it with it on a stand or you will get an incorrect reading. If you are running below 140-150 the factory float skid will trench terrible. The geomod allows you to drop the pressure back to 85-95 depending on rider weight etc.

 

[summit-x]

geomod, great mod for 20-30 minutes it takes,

 

[wart]

Did the geomod on my old '05 M7 but that had to do with the torsion spring... no torsion now. More info for the '10 float skid please.
Thanks!

 

[Vern]

agree with what was said about softening the front shock and firming up the rear shock and leaving the limiters loose. i know its not quite the same suspension but this is how all the m7s in my group are setup and they do very well in the powder and take off great with little trenching. oh i tried the first geo mod (m7 version) and although it made it ride a bit nicer it made my m7 trench like a sum beach. i dunno if it effects the newer skids the same but if it does i wouldn't do it.