Snowmobile or ATV with Tracks

[Machias]

For lion hunting with dogs or running a trapline in the mountains in winter, what is your favorite mode of travel?  Snowmobile or ATV with Tracks and please give me your thoughts on why?  A UTV with tracks is out of the possibility for me.  Thanks for any thoughts.

[Dan-o]

I used to own snowmobiles, which were pretty darn dependable if I kept up on maintenance.

I have zero experience with tracks ATVs.........   but it seems like I've heard lots of horror stories.
 
I'd be hesitant to convert an ATV to tracks unless I could see some good data that said I wasn't buying myself a huge headache.   

(But dang, tracked ATVs look AMAZING.)   

[MADMAX]

I’d say snowmobile

Something like this
Good price

https://spokane.craigslist.org/snw/d/otis-orchards-2005-polaris-vertical/7867283032.html

[Buckhunter24]

Late winter early spring, atv with tracks will get you across those south faces that have melted off much better then the snowmobile 

[Machias]

Late winter early spring, atv with tracks will get you across those south faces that have melted off much better then the snowmobile 

So your recommendation is to buy both? 

[CastleRocker]

I've had both.  Quads with tracks have to have some horsepower, and a low range.  I smoked a belt every time I tried to run it in high range unless it was downhill on a groomes trail.  Also, a quad will burn over twice as fuel as normal with tracks.  Don't ever try to side-hill with a quad on tracks.  Quads go to or down hills only.

Snowmachines are better in most conditions, and most situations, but my quad had racks, and would pack WAY more stuff.

[bearpaw]

I have UTV tracks, as others have mentioned tracks are slower, because I can cover twice as much ground with the snowmobiles I haven't used the tracks in three or four years. On the first or second snow we use ATV or UTV on wheels, as soon there is enough snow we switch to the snowmobiles because they are quicker. I will say, late winter or after a big warm up, an ATV or UTV on tracks works well if there is too much bare ground for the snowmobiles.

[Machias]

Thanks Dale!  I'm going to go with the snowmobile.  Any make or model you really like for the dogs?  Leaning towards a Skandic or Tundra.

[bearpaw]

Thanks Dale!  I'm going to go with the snowmobile.  Any make or model you really like for the dogs?  Leaning towards a Skandic or Tundra.

We've had and still have numerous skandics, tundras, and expeditions. The tundra has the narrowest ski stance, its best if using narrow trails through the woods or slicing across open sidehills. The skandic has wider ski stance, more stable, and more oprions, but at an additional cost, my son likes his skandic with 600 ace best. I have a 600 ace expedition and 900 ace expedition, i like them both but the 900 ace pulls a load of dogs in a trailer and don't even know they are back there, however the 600 ace is way lighter and more nimble, I actually ride it more than the 900.

We have had five tundras with 2 stroke motors they were cheaper to buy and good machines too, but the 4 stroke motors will last longer and run quieter, in the long run you get back the extra cost with fuel and 2 stroke oil savings, 4 strokes go about twice as far on a tank of fuel and don't burn oil, any new machines we buy will be 4 strokes. The 4 stroke motors are a little heavier but we have not noticed a big difference in staying on top of the snow performance.

600 ace verses 900 ace, weight, power, and cost are the three biggest differences. I think it depends on how much weight you plan to pull on which will be best. You can also opt for a two speed transmission which is a beast in low range but adds weight, keep a good shovel and winch under the seat in case you get stuck.

[BKMFR]

When we could Cat hunt in Washington I had a Honda 500 ATV, a Kawasaki 650 with tracks, and a SkiDoo Skandic. I was set up for any condition, but used the ATV and snowmobile the most because of speed, plus had 2 different instances when a track came off-not fun in deep snow by yourself.... Snowmobile and ATV w/out tracks worked best for me....

[Machias]

Awesome advice and information, thanks to both of you!!

[bearpaw]

Forgot to mention, the expedition has the widest ski stance and is the most stable on roads especially if there are tire ruts, I can cruise over torn up roads easily, with a tundra torn up roads are a battle to stay upright, they are much tippier, but the expedition does not slice across steep open slopes nearly as well or get through timber as well.

All three models have basically the same engines and running gear unless you get the 900 ace and the two speed transmission. All extremely reliable. The only engine we've blown up was my own fault, it was a tundra extreme with the 600 2 stroke etec (no fan and no radiator), very snappy engine but I rode it on a warm day and over heated it pretty badly, it wasn't long after that I had to rebuild it. With 4 strokes weve never had one over heat due to a warm day, they have better cooling.

Just depends how you plan to use it which model will be best.

If you decide you want a 2 stroke I would get the EFI type and make sure it has a cooling fan, I'm not sure if they still put a fan on the new 600efi. My 2 stroke tundras are a few years old, about 1999 or 2000, they have a 550 efi with the cooling fan. They have 4000 or 5000 miles each, going to replace at least one with another four stroke expedition.

If you want a good deal on a used 2 stroke 550 efi tundra let me know?