Thoughts on using Tracks on a John Deere Gator?

30909 Views 7 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Fuel Hoser, Sep 6, 2012

MuttonPowerEquipment

Discussion Starter · Apr 19, 2012

Hey everyone!

We have been receiving more and more curiosity and interest from customers across the US about adding tracks to their John Deere Gator to replace the tires. We have never carried any in-stock before, nor really tested out a Gator with tracks equipped on it. While doing some research into them, we have come across a few major players in the tracks market, but were looking for expert opinions from our favorite John Deere fans.

Has anyone on this site ever used, or owned, a set of tracks for their John Deere Gator? While we can listen to the features and benefits from the supplier's salesmen all day, nothing beats the honest word of those who have used or owned them before. We are aware of a few major companies producing these wheel-replacement tracks, and have listed them below. One of the biggest companies, and one that John Deere seems to work with more often, is a business called Camoplast. They produce tracks for not only John Deere Gators, but a variety of ATVs, UTVs, Tractors, and more. Unfortunately, not every website can be super flashy with pics and videos, so we are really unsure about total performance with these pieces of equipment.

Camoplast: http://camoplast.com/en/index.php
LiteFoot: http://www.litefootatv.com/

Land vehicle Vehicle Motor vehicle Mode of transport Transport

If you have any experience with Gator tracks, either using them or owning a set yourself, we'd love to hear from you! We are always looking to expand our business and offer more products that our customers want. This could potentially be a new venture for us, but we never undertake anything unless John Deere fans will like it. I couldn't think of a better community of John Deere enthusaists and friends than the GreenTractorTalk forum, so you guys are officially the first to know.

Feel free to comment on this thread with your input and advice. Whether it be good or bad, we want to hear reviews and stories either way! If you wish to talk to us directly, you can always give us a call toll-free at 1-888-284-9606 or visit us online at MuttonPower.com

Thanks for your time and we look forward to hearing everyone's responses!

Jon K.
Mutton Power Equipment

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has15

· #2 · Apr 19, 2012

I have no personal experience with this, But I am friends with the GM at Town & Country Harley Davidson here in Cement City MI. They sell several different brands of this type UTV/ATV. He told me they are a great up grade but $$$$ and the only down side is you loose all of your suspension so it can be a very bumpy ride.
This is just hear say, but trusted hear say!!!:drinks:

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Martian

· #3 · Apr 19, 2012

I did test drive a Polaris with tracks at a car/equipment show. A couple things that I noted:

The turning radius sucked! From a 3 lane road (small down town area with a turn lane and parking a long side the road) I could not make a 180 degree turn to go back. I had to stop and back up.

It was extremely difficult to turn until you got going a decent speed (which I could not as there were quite a few kids in the way). I couldn't turn the wheel (tracks) while sitting still. I definitely would not buy one with tracks unless it had power steering. Which even then I don't know how practical it would be, because while sitting still and turning you might just turn it and pull the track off/tear up the lawn/dirt.

I didn't have any off road experience, but the salesman said he'd sold a couple and everyone had been pleased with how it performed. I think it would definitely be cool to have a couple out front of your place. The yard definitely a unique item and would bring some questions in and some interest around them.

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GatorGuy

· #4 · Apr 24, 2012

Gator Tracks

has15 said:
I have no personal experience with this, But I am friends with the GM at Town & Country Harley Davidson here in Cement City MI. They sell several different brands of this type UTV/ATV. He told me they are a great up grade but $$$$ and the only down side is you loose all of your suspension so it can be a very bumpy ride.
This is just hear say, but trusted hear say!!!:drinks:

I work with the Gators at John Deere, and wehave recently announced that the Camoplast (Tatou) tracks are approved on the Gator. So if you want to preserve warranty, that's definitely the one to use. We had a set at BTL, and they definitely change the vehicle characteristics. In addition to turn radius, they make steering more difficult. They actually work with the independent suspension, so that's not a big problem, but steering becomes more difficult...Power steering would be a definite plus with tracks.

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shock-n-awe

· #5 · Jun 10, 2012

Camoplast is a great company, and great products. They also make the tracks for our snowmobiles. :snow:

I have used tracks on a Ranger before (not sure of brand), and in snow, it will go anywhere.
The problem I hear is in dirt and mud, is where the complaints are mechanical failures.

Snow is a lubricating and cool,....... and mud/ dirt is friction and heat...:thumbsdown:

I love the idea of floatation in mud with tracks though....

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hanson1999

· #6 · Jun 10, 2012

had camoplast tracks on a polaris ranger. they worked great in the snow. took them off for summer because of reasons mentioned above. Ground speed is lost, hard to turn, and won't turn sharp at all.

very fun outfit for winter time though.

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scrappy

· #7 · Jun 11, 2012

Litefoot is a division of Mattracks. Mattracks was the first to develop the vehicle track systems so they are a good choice.
one thing that is a detriment to them though, they are HARD on the suspensions. An oil company bought the truck versions for their F350s to use in the snow up of the northslopes of AK. They were always breaking the frontends of the trucks because of the tracks. the track system is supported entirely by the wheel bearings so they will put a LARGE load on the bearings.

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Fuel Hoser

· #8 · Sep 6, 2012

Lite foot tracks

The USAF Rescue and Recovery guys up here in AK have the Lite Foot track systems on some of their Rhino's. These rigs are set up with litters and medical equipment/ In swampy tundra I guess these things can go anywhere and get to downed planes/helicopters. They were picked over Argo's for this duty. I would be tempted but they are sooooo expensive.

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