M6 spinning track / no traction

[97exc]

Took sleds out for first ride of season on Saturday, my wife's 2005 M6 was slipping everywhere and not hooking up well, seemed like it was spinning the track everywhere it went. Initially got stuck just spinning the track in the parking lot (hard snow). Then going on trail (soft snow over hard), it was really loose and would spin the track and kick out under throttle/acceleration. Off trail it went ok but still felt like it was spinning harder than normal to maintain forward moton. There was a bit of a burning smell but the sled (engine) didn't seem to be running hot.

I'm pretty sure this sled has the A20 track, and it looks backward from my power claw (I believe this is considered the powder position not hill climb). However, it was not this slippery last year, it actually got around pretty good in all conditions, even towing my dead sled on icy trail uphill (which was surprising).

All it did was sit on a trailer all summer, with the track propped up most of the time. The last 2 months it was at a different place and the track was not off the ground. Would this have caused the paddles to lay down too much and cause this lack of traction? Seems weird because 2 years ago this sled spent a whole off season in my garage on the ground and didn't get like this. She's actually doesnt want to ride it due to how skittish it is right now, something definitely has changed since the last ride.

Any ideas? Prefer not to flip the track, as it used to work fine. It feels like the brake sticks a bit, not sure if that has any effect on this. What else could be making it so loose?

 

[sledtahoe]

a20

a 20 is a POS track on hard pack, down right scary. In deep pow awesome. buy her a new track

 

[IdahoSnowDragon]

Check clutching, etc. you may be engaging higher than normal. Mine starts to turn track about 4300.

 

[97exc]

Ok I'll check the engagement RPM see if thats playing a part.

Yeah the A20 is crappy on anything but powder. This time I had to switch sleds with her since it was so bad, I just don't remember it being this bad the last few seasons. Maybe its just fnally worn out

On a side note, I forgot to add that hard braking made the tail kick out hard, so it was loose under all situations, not just acceleration

 

[clutch]

Is there a bent runner on the ski, or ski way out of alignment?

 

[97exc]

I didn't specifically check the ski alignment but it seemed to track ok in a straight line and in turns when not using much throttle. I can add that to the list of things to check though

 

[MT Backcountry]

track folded over

the attack 20 track would lay over if you left it on the ground. They were a good track if installed FROM New in the Hill Climb position, but you had to put a 2x4 under it for storage, keeps the track from folding over. I would look for a used 2.25" or 2.50" camoplast they are cheap to buy second hand and last. Anything is better that a powder position track that is folded over.

 

[sledtahoe]

a 20

I ended up cutting the fold off of mine and putting in small notches, and it did help alot for hard pack, gave up a little in pow , but was worth it tell i picked upnew track. Since its for girlfriend maybe be option over 600 for new one.

 

[vinpie1]

check your hifax and track clips for melted plastic. I bet that is what you were smelling