How many guys are running 8 tooth drivers?

I am switching to 8 tooth drivers on my 163 x 2.6" series 6 track on AXYS. I will change the gearing to accommodate the change. I am looking to reduce ratcheting when I run the track a bit looser and decrease the attack angle to reduce trenching. After side by side riding with a couple Proride sleds it was obvious that in some snow conditions the Prorides just kept going while the AXYS started to trench. Even when the riders were switched we saw this. The AXYS only climbed a bit higher due to more power and deeper lug design. Once the AXYS started to loose ground speed it quickly would stop as the hill got too steep or the snow got way too deep. The Proride would slow down much earlier but would keep moving forward.

So I believe the only reasonable explanations can be track, suspension set up or attack angle. One of the Prorides was my 2015 so I know that I have them set up similarly It is true that the AXYS will wheelie easily but I found no real decrease in the trenching when I installed our suspension coupler. It did however make it much more controllable while climbing.

I am interested in hearing results of others.

I have found a sled with a steeper attack angle sidehills better. Seems to cut a better line. 8 tooth will climb a bit better but you are reducing the amount of space up front ,reducing air flow. If I was to make changes this is what I would do. Throw that 2.6 track in the garbage. Go with 7 tooth 3" pitch drivers X3 track (174) and never look back.

I would of ran 8 tooth drivers on my 15 pro with an X3 if it weren't for the extra cost to do a drop and roll. I do agree with niner in the fact that I think the X3 is a far better track in 80% of snow condition even with 7 tooth drivers. spring riding the X3 wasn't ideal. Why are you still running a 2.6 teth?

It would be interesting to compare identical sleds side by side, one with 7 tooth drivers one with 8 tooth.

Jorgy said:

I would of ran 8 tooth drivers on my 15 pro with an X3 if it weren't for the extra cost to do a drop and roll. I do agree with niner in the fact that I think the X3 is a far better track in 80% of snow condition even with 7 tooth drivers. spring riding the X3 wasn't ideal. Why are you still running a 2.6 teth?

It would be interesting to compare identical sleds side by side, one with 7 tooth drivers one with 8 tooth.

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I was going to do something different this season but Polaris is giving me a new track under warranty so I figured I would run it again. It is good to fully evaluate stock components prior to switching them out so I know what I am talking about. I do have enough seat time with this track to know it has some good characteristics but others not so much. If I can fix the bad and keep the good I will be happy.

I don't completely like the feel of the 3" track as I like some slip to aid in rolling the sled up. This is why I have not gone 3" or 174" yet.

I too like the "slip" of the stock track over the X3 and ride a 155" for handling characteristics. I'd like to be able to get on the snow a little better and climb a little higher, so I am planning on trying 8 tooths this season as well. Have a driveshaft off a 15 Pro in the shop and plan to run a Tki drive with 27/63 gears. I wouldnt think it would kill the handling but if it does, i'll swap back I guess. Would be nice to know why Polaris switched to 7 tooths in the first place.

In my experience 8 tooth provides less wheelies and the sled just seems to float and keep going. This is on the deep and steep stuff with a 174 Xm. 7 tooth was ok but not as good as 8 tooth.

RRolsma said:

I too like the "slip" of the stock track over the X3 and ride a 155" for handling characteristics. I'd like to be able to get on the snow a little better and climb a little higher, so I am planning on trying 8 tooths this season as well. Have a driveshaft off a 15 Pro in the shop and plan to run a Tki drive with 27/63 gears. I wouldnt think it would kill the handling but if it does, i'll swap back I guess. Would be nice to know why Polaris switched to 7 tooths in the first place.

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I fully expect it was for gearing on the Quickdrive and for clearance on the 3" track models.