Port Track Discussion?

[mmsports]

OK hear is the deal I have wondered for many of years if it helps or does any good. Looks like the Doo guy's have found the answer It does not just wanted to do a poll and see if any of you guy's have done any testing and results you have found.


For you that have done it and wish you did not we have a fix.

 

[VTMTcowboy]

I did it on my Indy 500 and am glad I did. When the track is off the ground (on a stand), you can rotate it without using much effort at all. I only went with 2 - 1 1/8" holes down the center, so nothing too crazy, but it has definitely helped. I will be porting the 700 the same way when I get back home this year. You will hear the good, the bad, and the ugly (sorry had to throw in the Sergio Leone reference cause they are my favorite movies). It's really just up to you in the end. Like I mentioned, I am not going to punch 5 holes across, but a couple I believe helps for the rotating mass factor. Just my .02.

 

[4Z]

I have an early build 2.5 CE that had duro issues. Since it is new now but will fall apart this season I will test out the ported track thing. Drilling out my standard 1 1/8" holes, 2 down the center. I have been porting my tracks for the past five years and always felt like it helped with track speed due to flexibility. My gut right now is that all the pros outweigh the cons. But, we shall see. Hopefully this won't be one of these "depends on the sled, bogie wheel color, pump gas only" things.

 

[mmsports]

The Doo Guy's

Have found that it is forcing snow in there suspension and digging loosing mark on hill. In testing after putting my track port plugs on they gain 75-100ft on hill.

 

[Frostbite]

Wow, now that's interesting!

In the past, once you ported your track it's was all over but the crying.

I guess it's not too late anymore? Can you leave the plug covers on or is this a temporary hole plugging exercise?

So you believe Skidoo's testing was correct?

I have seen snowmobiles that roll with much less effort once I have ported my tracks. Sleds that once stopped very quickly once the throttle was released now roll away on you if you park on any slope at all. That has to be freeing up hp and saving fuel.

Yes, the holes may not allow one to climb quite as high but, you also may not be dragging around nearly as much snow in the skid either. That too has to be freeing up hp and saving fuel.

For a boondocker like many of us, the benefits of a conservative porting job may very well out weigh the detriments. For a straight up climber, maybe not.

Yet, I think the days of porting five holes across each row of the track (because if porting is good, even more holes must be better) are long gone.

 

[tdbaugha]

I can't remember who it was on here but they said they figured out the key to porting the powerclaw and that was too JUST port directly behind the lugs of the track.

I think this is a good idea. Right behind the lugs there is basically a void in the snow when the track is spinning. This should allow snow in the suspension to fall out and decreases rolling resistance and weight.

I think that idea is the ticket.

 

[duc848]

I have never done it to any of my tracks personally.

My theory all along since people have been doing this is that if it worked as well as everyone says it does they would come that way from the factory. As for the snow being able to fall out of the suspension, I would think the opposite happens and it actually would pack it into the suspension.

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

port'n traks

Spring of 08 part of our ID/WY sledd'n vacation was a 6 day stay in Island Park. Everyday from the cabin we rode 2 or 3 or 15 miles of newly groomed trails out to the back country to ride. The newly groomed trails were packed new soft snow.

4 ported tracks 3 non ported tracks sleds every morning.

In those conditons the ported tracked sleds....... M's and xps operated without scratchers no problem. The non ported two Ms and king kat had to drop scratchers and they still burned some hifax. Stopping and comparing the skid frames, lots of snow rolling around in the skid frames on the ported track sleds. No so with the sleds just running scratchers.

Looking at ported and non ported skid frames while out riding, my observation is operating in the deep snow, ported tracks won't carry as much snow in the skid frames.

XP's have been running a much larger open ported area in their tracks than I have ever created by porting PCLAW tracks?

So is too much port too much? a little is ok? over the top is no good? a few round holes better than big square holes ?

Some interesting issues there. I have never had two identical sleds ported and non ported tracks side by side for a straight up comparison, but I'm guessing that snow conditions will dictate when a ported track or non ported track might go that extra 50 ft. So what snow condition did ski doo test in?

 

[sledtahoe]

x2

I have never done it to any of my tracks personally.

My theory all along since people have been doing this is that if it worked as well as everyone says it does they would come that way from the factory. As for the snow being able to fall out of the suspension, I would think the opposite happens and it actually would pack it into the suspension.

From what I have seen, I also think it allows more snow in the skid, and physics say more holes equal less floating ability, now I am sure the rotating weight helps but no enough....

 

[cpa]

I use to port all of my tracks(on M's) I really don't think that it made much diff. Somethings might have been marginally better some things a little worse. My brother had an identical sled with out a ported track and there wasn't much diff, my sled would out run/climb/boondock his sled by a little day in and day out.
As far as getting 75-100 feet on the hill not a chance. If you believe that I have some ocean front property for sale here in Utah, real nice with a view.

 

[av8er]

porting PC- I have been porting my tracks for years

Punch a 1 -1.5" hole behind each paddle near the center alternating right and left, it drops about 2 lbs off your sled, cutting 2/3 off your AC mudflap drops 1 lb. compare 2 09 m1000, one ported, one not sitting side by side the ported tracks skid is almost clean of snow, non ported track has a good 3-5 Lbs worth of snow in skid, this holds true X5 when u get stuck would you rather lift the sled with empty skid or packed full of snow skid. as far as going up the hill another 75-100 feet is that with the same rider on 2 different sleds, are the sleds identical without the difference of porting. there are lots of different varaibles that can come into play. I'd rather have my Skid clean itself out of snow.

 

[backcountryislife]

I think there's another option that needs to be in there...

ONLY IN MODERATION!

LIke a few said above, too much (like doo did) is just that, but a lightly ported track, I feel, helps. I've had an attack 20 overdone... wasn't a good choice, and I've had a few very moderately ported PC's to compare to my non ported PC's & you can see a difference in residual snow when you stop or are stuck.

 

[av8er]

Don't do this!

See pic

 

[mmsports]

So Good if only a little

I would agree maybe

Her is my stance on it if you port it and it falls apart no need to worry about warranty. I also have seen guys port it and slowed sled down.

I think there's another option that needs to be in there...

ONLY IN MODERATION!

LIke a few said above, too much (like doo did) is just that, but a lightly ported track, I feel, helps. I've had an attack 20 overdone... wasn't a good choice, and I've had a few very moderately ported PC's to compare to my non ported PC's & you can see a difference in residual snow when you stop or are stuck.

 

[Frostbite]

Then there is snow type.

Here in the Pacific Northwest we have snow that has a higher water content than the snow of Utah, Wyoming or Colorado. In the sugary snow of the forementioned states I can imagine holes in the track could be more detrimental than when riding in heavy moisture ladden wet snow.

The higher the water content the more prone to packing the snow is of course. I think in snow that is heavy or wet the track packs the snow and less snow actually comes up through the porting holes, yet you still get the benefit of the decreased rolling resistance that a conservative track porting job provides.

 

[Tonysnoo]

I ran a camo extreme with two 2" round holes right down the center, kinda like doo did. I ride the Sierras. High moisture(sierra cement) most of the time.

I was always amazed at the ground speed this thing had. I think it was due to rolling resistance being reduced a ton. The track was a rag doll it was so flexible.

The skid was always pretty clear of snow compared to others in our group, but it may have been partially due to the easyride. Never thought about the ice scratcher comment in the post above, but I do remember not having to run scratchers much. Sucked bad in sloppy slush late season lake cove crossings......shiver!!!!

I believe in it too much to abandon the idea. I've been buying into the concern that doo brought up.... so this year I only ported my tracks in front of the mid paddle on the camo and staggered in front of the powerclaw paddles.......only time will tell on this experiment.

 

[WaBackcountry]

I port my tracks because it is so much fun. I like the smell and the ache I get in my arms after an hour of drilling. Also beucase I love the look on my wifes face when she comes home and the garage is full of burnt rubber smoke and it has billowed into the house.

That smoke is good for you right? I like to port at midnight the day before I ride so I hack up black chunks of my Camo Extreme while I am riding, although it sucks when I try to spit them out and they get stuck in the mouthpiece of my helmet.

For Real.....I port my tracks. It seems to works for what I do.

 

[Dam Dave]

I port my track because it looks cool sitting on the trailer with all those holes

 

[elvis1280]

PICS-Ported vs. Non ported powerclaw

These are pics from today of my skid (10' black LE) with "MILD" PORTS (bdx 1.25 holes behind each paddle only) after riding w/ my friend. He has the exact same sled only a 10' SnoPro, on the same ride.
We rode the exact same miles, same terrain, same trail home ect. everytime we go out i end up having considerably less snow in my skid than he does, but i thought now was time to prove it to the forum for anyone contemplating porting a powerclaw.

One other note. this is a new track i got from warranty issues this year and i did the one hole behind each paddle like i said. my old powerclaw i got greedy and put two holes side by side and the snow came back in same or worse than stock! so if you do it, just do ONE HOLE BEHIND EACH PADDLE.

Without changing belt deflection, before porting with the rear off the ground the track would sit still at idle, after 1lb of holes cut out the track will take off by itself and continue to make laps. I dont care what anyone says thats less rotating mass and more free HP

chris

 

[mmsports]

See now this is were the port fix will be handy

Instead of tossing a good track just put port plugs on it.

See pic