deep snow and slush on northern MN lakes

[Sun Dried]

Up in Northern MN this winter they have about 4 feet of snow on the lakes and it has pushed up water so under the snow is deep slush.
I've been told that snow sleds can't go off trail of they are being stuck in the slush.
I have purchased an 800 and Tatou tracks and have a trip planned to take this machine over two lakes and an un broken trail. Hopeing to haul supplies to build a shed to store it as well.

The stories I'm hearing aren't reassurring that even this Ranger set up won't have trouble.
Anyone had experence with tracks and deep snow?

[Code Blue]

All the folks here that have tracks are usually pulling those without to safety, I've never seen trouble, that said we would be grateful if you'd come back with pic's and a chronicle on your trip..

[sharper]

With 4 feet of snow, I'd guess that your tracks would need to be large enough to float like the Snow Cats they use on ski slopes, other wise you'll be pushing 3 feet of snow and be fighting high centering.

What ever the case, the trip and idea sound like it will be a real adventure and I'm sure it will be a hoot. Good luck.

[ELK_HUN10]

I have a six wheeler that has tracks. It will go in deep snow as long as I kept the weight down. I usually had four people when I went and if I started to high center and push snow, I would have a couple of people get out and then I could turn around. Slush type snow is not good. I would wait until it turns below 20 degrees before venturing out on the ice. A good rule is do what snow mobiles do, if you are wanting to stop, drive in a circle and park on previously packed snow so you will not get stuck. Two vehicles is good for safety, Keeping one far enough back so it does not get stuck in the same spot. Plan on getting stuck and think what you will do to get unstuck. A mini trip to check everything out is a good idea before you go on an expedition. Take all of the survival gear that snowmobiles take and you shoud be fine. If cell phones work there, take one that is fully charged and don't turn it on until needed. If cell phones don't work, take a thing like Spot On where you can communicate by satelite and let friends know you are all right or in need of help. Getting stuck occurs, for me it is an every trip occurance, so plan accordingly. It sounds like you are going to embark on a grand adventure. Way to go. Water on ice is not good, in the arctic, we shut down until the ice stabilyzed by freezing up. Watch out for open leads, they may be covered by thin ice and a layer of snow. I doubt if you will run into any pressure ridges but if you do, go around. Be sure to have plan B if the worst occurs and you will be fine. Sometimes equipment gets lost on trips like this, most of the time it don't. Have fun and when it aint fun, persevere.

[Sun Dried]

We have postponed the trip till March 16.
It is 50 degrees in Northern Minnesota tonight the planned day of our depature.
I am thankful we had the advice to post pone. I'm afraid it would have been a disaster.
Do you have any insights about towing capacity with tracks?
What about water and snow freezing in the tracks over night.
Thanks much.

[Lakerat]

If water or slush freezes in the tracks, you will not be going anywhere until you chip all the ice out of the tracks. This happened to a buddy of mine, and he had to be towed off a lake.

[The Beast]

Have a 2011 Ranger XP LE 800 with Polaris tracks... Not Alot of hours yet but so far the ranger is unstoppable... It floats well in deep snow and if you do bury it on the belly just back right out... I have tried to stick it on purpose in order to use the winch and so far I can't... Be smart about parking overnight with tracks full of slush and clean them out while things are still warm and you will have no problem... I keep a rope with a 12" piece of steel bar stock at the end and a ice auger on board to be able to winch out of any situation you may have on frozen lakes... Blessings and stay safe...

[ELK_HUN10]

When I was a logger, the cat operators stopped working 10 minutes early so they could clean out the tracks so they would not freeze at night. The rubber tired skidders did not need this done. The towing capacity of your tracked vehicle will depend upon the percent of grade of the hill and wheather the towed vehicle has skis or wheels. With wheels, the vehicle will be high centered all of the time in deep snow and you will only be able to pull it on soft snow that is 5% grade or less, with hard frozen snow where the wheels do not break through, you will be able to tow it the same as a towed vehicle with ski's or tracks. About a 20% grade with a 1000 lbs is all my tracked vehicle was good for. At 30% grade, the tracks would spin and the vehicle would not move forward. If the steep grade is short, you can use your winch to get up it. When towing up hill, speed is your friend and will enable you to climb some short slopes that you would not have normaly been able to climb. "The Beast" recommendation about the 12 inch iron bar and a ice auger is a good one. You might want to throw in a snatch block so you can double your pulling power if needed. If winching your vehicle, it is usually bettor to unhook from the trailer, pull forward and turn around and winch the trailer up or out of where it was stuck. I think you are planning a well thought out trip. Have fun when you go.