What affect does the front track shock have...pertains to the "Heavy" Folks

[Boston Racing]

I have a 2007 600 with a 155 track. I have the shock in the layed down position and the limiter straps all the way out. The reason for this is I read on here it helps avoid trenching and gets it on the snow easier. I dont do a whole lot of climbing and really have not noticed it wanting to pull the skis up except on the trail. I just upgraded to the 375/77 springs in the rear and I put the 225lb front track spring on. After reading further it looks like the heavier front track spring was to help the 900s "feel" lighter when turning. This is a problem I never had. What affect will the heavier spring on the front have and should I put the stocker back on. I am 220 pounds.

 

[Ron]

The front shock is the fulcrum point of the sled. The shock and the limiter straps create adjustability in the weight transfer of the sled, this affects handling and "going through" the snow. Limiters out, stiff spring then the nose of the sled stays up too much and sled won't corner well. You need enough to keep the nose up in the snow but let the skiis bite in corners for good handling. Too little and the nose plows in deep snow and is harder to steer.
Tune for rider weight using the rear springs and shock valving, tune for handling using the front track shock and spring. If the rear springs are too soft you can get a teeter totter effect since the rear will sag creating excess ski lift.
I'd put the stock spring back on the front shock. The lower mounting position of the shock puts the shock in a position with less leverage so it is "softer feeling", softer on the trail. The upper position works better in the snow in most conditions. If you have an adjustable front shock spring or a tunable float shock on front then you have more adjustment too.
There are quite a few running with the limiter all the way out. I found my sled performed better in the mid position. Out may work in powder but creates too much ski lift climbing.

 

[MORSNO]

Great explanation ron! Learning a little more each day.

 

[Trenchmaster]

Some good info from Ron on suspension set up, I tried my front track shock in the lower forward position and hated it. Sled felt like it was plowing snow and I was getting stuck way to often. Found it to work way better in the upper mount with the straps all the way out and the torsion springs on the stiff setting. This is for deep powder riding, don't care about the trail ride.