The good and bad on porting tracks
- Thread starter SpencerA
- Start date
X
X2Freeride
Well-known member
I dont think there are any real cons to it. Just dont drill directly behind the paddles and you will be fine.
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SpencerA
Member
About how much weight can you save by porting a track?
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volcano buster
Well-known member
I'd guess you might get 2 pounds out of a 144. I thought I remembered guys getting 3-4 out of a 162.
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Flying Dutchman
Well-known member
I used a hole saw with the teeth ground off and the INSIDE edge beveled to make it sharp.
Don't drill on the outer track edge.
Keep the holes lines up in a row when looking at the length. If you stagger them all over, you will cut more threads that hold the track together.
Honestly, I'm not sure if it did help, but I did this to a couple tracks and ran them for a few years without any problems, stretching, etc.
I think those in the pic are 1-1/4" holes, 2 per pitch
Don't drill on the outer track edge.
Keep the holes lines up in a row when looking at the length. If you stagger them all over, you will cut more threads that hold the track together.
Honestly, I'm not sure if it did help, but I did this to a couple tracks and ran them for a few years without any problems, stretching, etc.
I think those in the pic are 1-1/4" holes, 2 per pitch
They dont work very well water crossing.
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X2Freeride
Well-known member
at all unless you like sinking.
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X2Freeride
Well-known member
Markedly less snow stays in the suspension that's for sure. The weight savings are not even worth the time it takes to do it IMO.
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Flying Dutchman
Well-known member
The debate if it's better or worse is still on. For the last 5 years or so, new sleds were coming from the factory with big holes in the track. If you go look at new machines now, some still do and some don't.
The holes themselves will only save you a couple pounds.
In certain conditions, less snow will accumulate in the suspension, which will make it lighter.
I found the track rotates easier, so doesn't that free up HP.?
If you decide to do this, here's a few tips.
I did this with the suspension removed.
Make a wooden template to lay in between the paddles. use this to drill your pilot holes, 2-3 what ever you decide.
The template will keep the holes aligned.
Get a bigger piece of wood to lay inside the track.
Start drilling with the hole saw described above.
The hole saw will heat up and cut through the track like butter.
It will also cauterize the holes so no loose ends.
And do it in a good ventilated area, cause it makes a fair bit of smoke.
The holes themselves will only save you a couple pounds.
In certain conditions, less snow will accumulate in the suspension, which will make it lighter.
I found the track rotates easier, so doesn't that free up HP.?
If you decide to do this, here's a few tips.
I did this with the suspension removed.
Make a wooden template to lay in between the paddles. use this to drill your pilot holes, 2-3 what ever you decide.
The template will keep the holes aligned.
Get a bigger piece of wood to lay inside the track.
Start drilling with the hole saw described above.
The hole saw will heat up and cut through the track like butter.
It will also cauterize the holes so no loose ends.
And do it in a good ventilated area, cause it makes a fair bit of smoke.
How long does it take to cut the wholes? And i think its only Doo that has the ported tracks on there bigger mountains sleds I could be wrong tho just have not seen any other companys that were putting them on there sled since about 08 or so.
the track doesent loose a lot of weight but snow build up is almost gone
and as you know 30 to 40 lbs is av min a skid..
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X2Freeride
Well-known member
Indeed.
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lshobie
Well-known member
I did it and I like it, if you do alot of bush wacking then I would not pepper the track too much as a branch could get stuck and rip the track. It does free up some power and lighten it up, I lost 4 pounds cutting excess off my 151 track on my elan 540.
Here's a video I made showing how to port a track:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNYgZM0CL9U
Here's a video I made showing how to port a track:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNYgZM0CL9U
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fordpickupman
Well-known member
Dooo it.....
I have done 3 so far and am in the process of another one. The snow build up is less. The BDX tool (thanks snowduck) makes short work of it compared to the hole saw. Rotational mass is a big deal on a sled, especially w the track. The additional flexibility also makes a huge difference producing less drag. I only run two holes evenly spaced in the middle of the track.
I won't lie to you, it takes a long daggum time to port a track.......you will be sick of it by the time you are done......but I think it is worth it.
I have done 3 so far and am in the process of another one. The snow build up is less. The BDX tool (thanks snowduck) makes short work of it compared to the hole saw. Rotational mass is a big deal on a sled, especially w the track. The additional flexibility also makes a huge difference producing less drag. I only run two holes evenly spaced in the middle of the track.
I won't lie to you, it takes a long daggum time to port a track.......you will be sick of it by the time you are done......but I think it is worth it.
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