Polaris 2000 Universal Snowmobile - Manual (Page 101)

96
MAINTENANCE
WARNING
Proper balance of traction products on the skis and track must be maintained to
obtain proper vehicle control on hard packed snow or ice. Loss of control can result
in severe personal injury or death.
If your machine is equipped with carbide skags or you are adding them, it may also
be necessary to add track studs in order to maintain proper vehicle control while
turning on hard packed snow or ice.
Track Studding
IMPORTANT: Before equipping your machine with traction products, be aware of
the laws in your area pertaining to the use of traction products.
Track studding will enhance braking control on hard packed snow or ice, but ex-
treme caution is still required on such surfaces. Use extra caution when track stud-
ding is employed as steering ability may be reduced on hard packed snow or ice.
The addition of carbide skags (if not already installed) is recommended with
studded tracks to aid in maintaining proper vehicle steering and control. Proper
balance must be maintained between the number of studs and the length of car-
bide on skags. As a rule of thumb, the more studs, the longer the carbide on the
skags should be. Polaris offers carbide skags in 3″, 4″, 5″, 6″, 8″, 10″ (7.6, 10.2,
12.7, 15.2, 20.3, 25.4 and 35.6 cm) lengths.
Inspect carbide skags and studs frequently. Worn studs or skags can reduce
steering and braking control on hard packed snow and ice. Replace worn traction
products as required to maintain proper balance and vehicle control.
When studded tracks are used, increased wear to the brake pads will result from
increased braking effort. Extended wear brake pad kits are available. See your
dealer for more information.
Tunnel wear strips must be installed whenever track studding is used in order to
avoid excessive tunnel wear. Several wear strips are available. See your dealer
for the correct part for your machine.
See dealer track studding chart for recommended studding and skags.
CAUTION:
When using some aggressive studding patterns, it may be nec-
essary to grind protruding stud bolts flush to prevent idler wheel damage.
CAUTION:
Track tension must be maintained on the tight side of spec
when studs are used to prevent front engine heat exchanger damage.
CAUTION:
Center of stud must be at least 1 1/8″ (2.86 cm) from the edge
of the outer belt.