2008 Yamaha Motorsports Apex LTX Owners Manual - Page 41

Operation Hard-packed snow It can be more difficult to negotiate on hardpacked snow as both the skis and drive track do not have as much traction as when the snowmobile is operated on fresh snow. Avoid rapid acceleration, turning, and braking. G G Always check the drive track for damage or maladjustment before operating the snowmobile. Do not operate the snowmobile if you find damage to the drive track. ECS00350 Operation on surfaces other than snow or ice Operation of your snowmobile on surfaces other than snow or ice should be avoided. Operation under such conditions will damage or result in rapid wear of the ski runners, drive track, slide runners, and drive sprockets. Operation of the snowmobile on the following surfaces should be avoided at all times: G Dirt G Sand G Rocks G Grass G Bare pavement Other surfaces that should be avoided for the sake of drive track and slide runner life are: G Glare ice surfaces G Snow mixed with a lot of dirt and sand All of the above surfaces have one thing in common in regard to drive track and slide runners: little or no lubricating ability. Drive track and all slide rail systems require lubrication (snow or water) between the slide runners and the slide metal. In the absence of lubrication, the slide runners will rapidly wear and in severe cases, literally melt away, and the drive track will be subject to damage or failure. Also traction aids such as studs, cleats, etc., may cause further track damage or failure. EWS00280 CAUTION: Ride on fresh snow frequently. Operating on ice or hard-packed snow will rapidly wear the slide runners. ESU11350 Maximizing drive track life Recommendations Track tension During initial break-in, the new drive track will tend to stretch quickly as the track settles. Be sure to correct the track tension and alignment frequently. (See page 62 for adjustment procedures.) A loose track can slip (ratchet), derail or catch on suspension parts causing severe damage. Do not overtighten the drive track, otherwise it may increase the friction between the track and the slide runners, resulting in the rapid wear of both components. Also, this may put an excessive load on the suspension components, resulting in component failure. Marginal snow The drive track and the slide runners are lubricated and cooled by snow and water. To prevent the drive track and slide runners from overheating, avoid sustained high-speed usage in areas such as icy trails, frozen lakes and rivers that have minimal snow coverage. An overheated track will be weakened internally, which may cause failure or damage. WARNING Drive track damage or failure could result in loss of braking ability and snowmobile control, which could cause an accident. Off-trail riding Avoid off-trail riding until there is sufficient snow coverage. It generally takes several feet of snow to provide a good overall base to properly cover debris, such as rocks, logs, 35