Installing Studs on a Snowmobile

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

Studs will give you very good traction on ice which can be very helpful in certain situations. They can tear stuff up so you got to be careful with them and what you ride over. I was never a fan of them until I recently bought a sled that was lightly studded. Makes all the difference when trails have icy spots. Literally you don't have to worry about the a$$ end of the sled getting loose on you, especially in a corner. My only gripe with them is that they can do damage to the sled, to the tunnel if the suspension bottoms out and especially the snow flap. Now one interesting thing I noticed on my studded machine is that the stud pattern is such where they are not in direct line with the heat exchangers that run the length of the tunnel that connect the front and rear exchangers. That was a nice touch by whoever installed them. For the snow flap, well I bought a shorter and stiffer flap so it's almost impossible for it to make contact with the track if I were to back up into deep snow. Nothing looks rattier than a tore up shredded snow flap.

I'd lay bets that I have about 96 studs in my 121" track, I'm convinced that's all you need. I see some guys who are running tracks that look like they have braces, good grief you could turn these machines into brush chippers in the off season. Think that is way over kill. Also I would think that in those circumstances the stress on the track by so many studs is sure to shorten it's life and weaken it substantially. Just my opinion anyways.

If I had the choice would I stud a machine? Probably not as I don't ride aggressive and although they give you good traction in certain situations I don't ride when the conditions are marginal where they are most useful. What I don't like about them is you have to be so darn careful not to rip up anything your riding over, they will tear up everything they come in contact with, tar, cement, wood even if your not careful trailer mats. One thing I did as an "upgrade" to my trailer was to remove the stock mats and replace them with an old 1" lug track. The other nice thing with using an old track as a replacement pad is they give you awesome traction loading the machines up into the trailer.

You have 96 studs in your track if you have two studs per row on a 121" track.

Next, how many studs someone needs isn't really a matter of opinion. The guys you see with a lot of studs are probably compensating for something (power, carbide, etc.). It all depends on the nature of how you use your sled. For instance, if I race on Back Lake or Turkey Pond regularly with a race sled, I'll probably be running a lot more than 96 studs due to running on ice. So be careful about the advice you give if you do not understand what you are talking about.

For instance, many people don't know there is a direct relationship between the number of studs you run and the size of carbides you use on the skis. All I'm saying is, do your homework. The Winnipesaukee forum is not the best place to get your info regarding stuff like this. Check out some snowmobile related websites such as hardcoresledder.com or dootalk.com. There is tons of information on this topic that is very precise.

[VitaBene]

I understand your point competely and believe you are right. Frankly, I am not sure what is right (I am on HCS and am sloooowly figuring it out) and luckily all of my new to me sleds have been already done. Done, but all somewhat differently.

For general purpose, originating for the lakes region (snow Gods willing) snowmobiling, what would you recommend for studding? I just picked up a new (to me) sled that was just studded 96 up the middle.

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

I understand your point competely and believe you are right. Frankly, I am not sure what is right (I am on HCS and am sloooowly figuring it out) and luckily all of my new to me sleds have been already done. Done, but all somewhat differently.

For general purpose, originating for the lakes region (snow Gods willing) snowmobiling, what would you recommend for studding? I just picked up a new (to me) sled that was just studded 96 up the middle.

For trail riding, especially around the Lakes Region, 96 studs has become the happy medium for almost all sleds. I run 96 on my 600ho. I also have a clutch kit and C&A pro skis so I'm borderline pushing it right now. I plan to gear down 1 tooth on top gear soon and when I do that I'm going to need to change my track and run some more studs. I'll probably end up running 144 for the added traction. There is a reason why (and many people don't know) a sled should run a certain amount of studs.

For example, with my clutch kit, if I geared down and didn't change my track or studs, it would be pointless and overkill. The point of gearing down on top gear is to be faster off the line and generate the power to the track. Likewise, this is very similar with a clutch kit. Clutch kit will make you engage at a higher RPM. So, by combining these two modifications the power would be going to my track, but it would be too much power and not enough tractiong given my 1" lugs and 96 studs. Therefore, I would step up to at least a 1.25" track (probably Rip Saw) and 144 studs.

This is one of few examples of why people run the studs they run. If you have any specific questions feel free to shoot them to me. I don't know everything, but I know a lot and I can tell you where to find answers if I don't know. Just let me know what sled it is, where you ride, and what kind of riding you are looking to be setup for.

[woodynh]

Originally Posted by Shreddy

You have 96 studs in your track if you have two studs per row on a 121" track.

Next, how many studs someone needs isn't really a matter of opinion. The guys you see with a lot of studs are probably compensating for something (power, carbide, etc.). It all depends on the nature of how you use your sled. For instance, if I race on Back Lake or Turkey Pond regularly with a race sled, I'll probably be running a lot more than 96 studs due to running on ice. So be careful about the advice you give if you do not understand what you are talking about.

For instance, many people don't know there is a direct relationship between the number of studs you run and the size of carbides you use on the skis. All I'm saying is, do your homework. The Winnipesaukee forum is not the best place to get your info regarding stuff like this. Check out some snowmobile related websites such as hardcoresledder.com or dootalk.com. There is tons of information on this topic that is very precise.

Just a warning be careful about some of those snowmobile related websites. While a lot of the information is true there is just as much BS on there. Read through many topics on what you are looking for and make a decision for yourself.

I am an avid snowmobiler and have a lot of friends that snowmobile. I have 6 sleds sitting in the garage ranging from a 220 hp crankshop sled to a 1976 Mercury.

I have way too many friends that believe everything they read on those forums and waste more money and screw more things up from things they read and think are helpful then I care to remember.

Trust me I am on those sites all the time they are fun and full of advise just weed through the sdvise and make your own decisions. I feel that talking to your local dealer will give you better advise then a lot of it on those sites. Another idea is talk to people in the local snowmobile club. There are a lot of people with a lot experience in those clubs and they probably would give you a hand for a couple beers and some help with trail work.