Repair VS Replace

News and Information From CarrollTech CUSTOM MADE TRACKS Do you have a “crazy” style track that you have been dreaming about for years? Tracks that will make you stand out from the rest.  How about a shorter track, or better yet, a longer track? How about a skinner track, for the people who are concerned with having less weight.  How about 3-inch paddles, so you can make it up the hill higher than all your buddies.   Whatever you can dream up, Carroll Tech can make a reality! How CarrollTech was started             It was a cold February night in 1997, two days before a dream snowmobile vacation to Canada.  Three of the four machines had been completely inspected, maintained and were already loaded on the trailer.  The last of the machines, my fathers 95 XLT Special, was still in the garage.             I performed all of the usual maintenance, and everything seemed to be in perfect shape.  All I could think about was the awesome vacation that lay ahead of us.  My final step was to perform a track inspection prior to loading the sled up.  I spun the track slowly while examining it for damage.  I was just about all the way through the inspection, when suddenly, there it was!  I found a ripped out stud on the outer section of the track.  It was bad!  Suddenly my dreams of happiness and joy turned to sorrow and misery.  My heart sank into my stomach, and I felt like I was going to be sick.  I barely had enough money to embark upon the trip, I couldn’t afford a new track, and I was running out of time.  I was absolutely devastated!!!  Not only was I looking at spending $450.00 on buying a new track, I also was faced with having to take out all of my old studs and reinstall them in a new track. I could have purchased brand new studs, that would have cost another $400.00, not to mention all the work of removing the track and replacing it.             In a panic, I called my local dealer and told him I needed a new track.  He proceeded to tell me that he was out of tracks and the only way that I could get one in time, was to overnight it, costing me $100.00 for overnight shipping.  He also added insult to injury by stating that he couldn’t even supply the track that I desired, and I would have to compromise on a less quality track.  Again, I began feeling sick.             There I was standing in the garage, I was so HOT that my face was beat red, steam was coming out of my ears, and my hair was on fire!  I thought to myself, THERE HAS GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY!!!! BRIAN CARROLL These pictures clearly demonstrate some of the custom work that we have performed. This gentleman races water cross. He desired to have anti directional lugs placed in between his standard lugs. This was an attempt to control the machine from sliding sideways while racing around the oval. Another example of how we truly can deliver just about anything that you want. We do custom Track Repair work too. Picture #1: We took two XC 120 tracks and cut them in half.. Making our client a deep powder track for his sons custom machine..         Picture #2: We performed this work 5 years ago and this little custom track is still in service today.. We have done it again... We have manufactured yet another longer XC 120 track.                         We proudly custom manufactured these deep lug mini tracks (below) for a gentleman and his two sons in Michigan.  Our deep lug tracks provided the winning edge that his sons needed to clinch the Championship.  His sons talent combined with Carroll Techs AWESOME custom products created a "Deadly Combination". We can safely state that these custom tracks gave his sons machines a 25% ~ 45% increase in performance... We ourselves were not lucky enough to actually be at the race.. However, we were informed that the performance of the tracks simply, ROCKED !!!

These cool little remote control robots, extract bombs from obscure locations, fire shot guns, and unleash other deadly force (not to mention). These machines save lives of our men and women in the military.

WEASEL TRACKS AND BELTS

The Worlds wait for Weasel Tracks is almost over !

We will not state an exact time frame for when the tracks will be available because monumental agendas such as this take LOTS of time. Below are some pictures of sample sections.. 

Click to enlarge track pictures.

BRAND NEW WEASEL TRACK UPDATE

This communication is intended to bring you all completely up to speed with the brand new Weasel Track manufacturing agenda. In the event that you have any questions, please contact us directly. Our contact information is located at the end of this document.

Concerning this company’s silence over the past several months:

Carroll Tech has been ready to advance to the point of production for many months now, however we have been hesitant for two reasons. First, is that we do not want to make a bad business decision and loose a tremendous amount of money. We needed additional time to fully investigate and evaluate the market, and ensure that the buyers are there. This company simply cannot take on such a large agenda based on the might’s and maybes of potential buyers.

We have now crossed every " T " and dotted every " i " as we have diligently addressed every issue of this very complex manufacturing agenda. All of the groundwork has been completed, and we are completely confident in our ability to produce these tracks both in the volume needed and the quality that you (and I) demand.

By the way, I might as well make this announcement now. We are only going to manufacture complete sets of tracks. We can’t be involved manufacturing belts/straps only, as the numbers do not work for us. You wouldn’t want to pay for them with what they would cost. Ultimately, we have concluded that the market desperately needs new tracks and we can manufacture those for a reasonable cost.

The second issue that caused us to hesitate is funding. It will cost this company over $500,000 to produce this desperately needed product. The tooling costs alone associated with manufacturing the substrates, being the metal components pictured below, are over $300,000. As you can see in the other pictures below, we have already done quite a bit of the work necessary to produce these components of the track.

We have located financiers, submitted business plans and other required documentation, and are close to receiving the required funding. But, there’s a catch. They also cannot deal with might's and maybes. They want their investment protected with the knowledge that there will be enough buyers who will go through with a purchase. Without a solid commitment from our customers, we will not be able to procure the funding.

We here at Carroll Tech, Inc are hereby placing the future of the Weasel and this agenda in the hands of the Weasel community. We really desire to manufacture these tracks. We know that we can, and we know that the Weasel community really needs them. Please help us achieve our goal of production by proving that this community will buy this product.

We already have many deposits/sales/orders on the books. This is excellent, and the financiers were pleased to see the commitments. By and large, these fine folks who placed orders are happy with us and THANKFULLY have been practicing great patience. These fine folks will be rewarded in the future!

Now, we need more commitments from the Weasel community. I do not think I need to mention this, but I am going to guys. Just like everybody else out there, we are doing this deal to make money. Certainly not lose money or for that matter, merely break even. If this is all meant to be, and I truly believe that it is, then the following needs to happen.

We need 100 letters of commitment, with a mere $100 deposit in order to please the financiers and ensure we can get this level of commitment from the Weasel community. If you do the math, you’ll see the amount we’re raising is $10,000. A new set of tracks is $8,000. We could pre-sell just one more set and be 80% of the way there…but it’s not about the money. It's about volume. I’d be more than happy to sell you a set of tracks, but what we REALLY NEED is commitment letters with a non-trivial deposit ($100).

If we cannot garner the Weasel community's support, then I'm sorry to say that this company cannot march forward with this matter. We need those letters. We need to prove this community's commitment to these new tracks.

I am one of the most positive and patient people in the world, and I’m sure the weasel community will come together to make this happen. However, a time frame must be placed on this matter. We need to receive those letters and deposits by July 15th 2007.

     
click images to enlarge

In life, we give credit where credit is due. Therefore, we applaud the fine folks who have devised this Rubber Track conversion kit that is featured in this picture. They did an amazing job ! I know that some of you folks are considering this as an option. After all, as of today, this conversion kit is available and could assist you in returning your Weasel to service.

That being said, these comments posted below concern Completely Rubber Tracks.

Here are the historically proven FACTS concerning completely rubber tracks compared to tracks that have separated, metal grouser bars and are linked together with rubber belts/straps just like the stock Weasel Tracks.

I must state first that we always encourage people to make solid, educated decisions, based on FACTS... Ultimately, a final decision is in the hands of each individual to make. There are many factors, in every equation in life that need to be given great consideration prior to making a final decision. Hopefully, this communication will assist some of you folks.

My Company, Carroll Tech, Inc has been slicing and dicing rubber tracks for approximately 11 years now. This slicing and dicing, combined with repairing/manufacturing these tracks has fortified us with knowledge that many other folks do not possess. Furthermore, spending a decade dealing with customers that are disappointed with the pricing structure, longevity, and performance associated with their completely rubber tracks has provided us with quite an education as well. We mention the pricing structure first, because it directly relates to the performance and longevity. This ultimately = The Total Financial commitment of owning a piece of equipment that utilizes completely rubber tracks.

THE POSITIVES of completely rubber tracks.

• They costs less.

• They absolutely help people operate equipment on sensitive and or fragile terrain. For example. Plumbing contractors, landscapers, electricians, LOVE rubber tracks. They can drive over concrete and or black top with out damaging it at all.

• In some cases, rubber tracks can weight less. However, this is not the case in this instance. A Weasel track weighs approximately 330 pounds. With out a question, the completely rubber tracks pictured above weigh much more. Basing this weight speculation on other completely rubber tracks that are the SAME SIZE. The pictured rubber tracks above weigh approximately 675 pounds. We can safely state and we have had Weasel mechanics tell us that this additional weight may adversely effect the performance of the machine. Furthermore, this additional weight may also adversely effect the components of the drive train, etc ? I myself wonder, will it float with these tracks ? It probably will, just a question I myself had.

THE NEGATIVES...

• This may amaze you.....The average life expectancy of a completely rubber track is around 1,000 hours. Understanding the we cut them in half, slice and dice them etc, in order to perform repairs. To this day, we have not yet found a completely rubber track that is designed to last long. Quite frankly, they are all made very cheaply and are designed to ensure one thing. That's you coming back to purchase more of them sooner, then later !! To say the least, the infrastructures of ALL completely rubber tracks are inferior and or sub standard.

• Completely rubber tracks that are designed for an excavator generally do not perform well in the snow. Snowmobile tracks, grommer tracks, snow cat tracks that are designed to perform in snow. REALLY ROCK ! Not excavator tracks. Some folks do not care about operating their machines in snow. However, we desired to mention this fact. The track pictured above is a “ Metal Grouser “ bar track. By defining this track in this fashion, we are stating that this track has metal grouser bars integrated with in the center of the track. The metal grouser bars provide many different functions. The grouser bars function as guides, propulsion devices, in other words, the drive sprockets engage with them and move the machine. The grouser bars also offer structural support to the track. These integrated metal grouser bars are consistent with excavator tracks. Unfortunately, these tracks have been historically proven to not last long. One of the major challenges is the grouser bars themselves. Mother Nature works her way into the tracks infrastructure via the grouser bars and begins shortening the life of the track. We have NEVER seen a metal grouser bar track where this was not the case. Mother Nature = No. 1 cause of death for a rubber track.

• These tracks are definitely not designed for prolonged operation at maintained speeds.... Certainly not speeds in excess of 20 MPH... Over the years, we have seen machines with completely rubber tracks, that are operated at maintained speeds, really have short life spans... In general, these tracks are designed for a machine that moves a bit, but finds itself stationary performing much of it's work.... These tracks are not truly designed to be running all over the place... In fact, there is one manufacturer that actually states this in their brochure..... If you have a large work site, we recommend that you load the machine on a trailer to move it across the expansive area.

• These tracks are fairly easily damaged by rocks and sharp objects. If these tracks are sliced by a sharp rock for example.. Mother nature will work her way into the infrastructure and cause premature track failure.

• Repairing these tracks is very challenging and many times not worth it when you consider every factor in the equation.

• Many Weasel owners that we have spoken to do not like the way these rubber tracks look on the Weasel.

THE REAL DEAL = ORIGINAL WEASEL TRACKS

The real deal Weasel Tracks are the way to go ! They will be performance pros. The will last a LONG time.

They will drastically increase and retain the value of a Weasel.

In the event that these tracks do get damaged. Repairing them is fairly simple process compared to completely rubber tracks. The individual components of the Weasel Tracks can be sent to your location and just about anyone can perform the necessary work.

These tracks are more structurally sound.. The tracks can simply take far more abuse. No question.

You will be able to operate your Weasel on and or over sensitive environments, such as black top and or pavement because the new tracks have grouser bars that are completely encapsulated with rubber, as pictured below.

The choice is yours. Original or rubber?

In closure, you have all been waiting many of years in order to obtain the “ Holly Grail “, being the new tracks, of the Weasel World. The opportunity is finally, at your finger tips. This is in your hands Weaselers ! You control the destiny of this agenda.!

ANOTHER UPDATE & RECENT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Gentlemen,

The track manufacturing agenda is progressing nicely. Since our recent request for 100 letters of commitment, we have been contacted by a number of people that have sent in letters and placed orders for tracks.
We still need more letters, so if you're on a fence...PLEASE call. I want you to feel secure in your commitment to purchase these tracks. I want to answer all of your questions, alleviate your fears, and explain why the letters are critical to the project.

As you've undoubtedly noticed, we're not heavily active in monitoring the boards, or dealing with questions and concerns generated on the Internet. This should absolutely not be interpreted as our lack of concern for our potential customers.
I am not a smooth-tongued Internet salesmen looking to dominate a thread and twist perceptions with slick words. That's not who I am or what this company or agenda is about. I'm a guy that makes tracks, and I do that very well. I fully appreciate that some of you have real concerns, and I will most certainly speak with you at length to address those concerns, but I honestly feel that if you're genuine about buying a set of new tracks for your weasel you'll at least find the time for a phone call.

In my conversations with other buyers, here are some of the questions I've heard. Perhaps some of you have had the same questions?

Q: What about the Warranty?
A: The tracks will come with a 4-year/4,000 hour warranty.

Q: I know steel cables rust, but what about the fatigue problems I've heard about with stainless-steel cables?
A: The fatigue you may have read about is under tight radius bending conditions relative to the diameter of the cable and poor, sub standard manufacturing processes. The weasel bend circumference in conjunction with the cable diameter will not fatigue stainless cable. However, it has been historically proven that steel cord of any type is not the way to go. Many factors figure into this equation. One such factor is the mechanical and chemical bond that is achieved during the vulcanizing and or manufacturing process. The very nature of steel cord dictates that the bond between the elastomeres, being the rubber and the steel cord is a bit compromised to begin with. Over time, steel cord can begin breaking apart, breaking the bond, creating " challenges ". Ultimately, There are better modern materials. This is one area that will not be seen and will not affect origin appearances. We will be utilizing Kevlar cord. It's rust and corrosion free and therefore, it is not adversely affected by Mother Nature. Kevlar cord doesn't stretch like steel cord, It is lighter and stronger. To further demonstrate our commitment too manufacturing extremely high quality tracks, the Kevlar cord will cost us much more then steel cord.

Q: When will I get my tracks?
A: Delivery will be prioritized based upon the date in which orders were placed. However, once the point of full production is reached, the tracks will be produced quite quickly. No one will be waiting very long.

Q: How are the tracks tested? How do I know they'll stand up?
A: We have several Weasels positioned for relentless testing prior to full production or anyone receiving a set of tracks. Tests will be conducted as various speeds, temperatures, terrains and distances. We will be deliberately trying to break or damage the tracks so that you'll never have to worry about it. With out a question, these new tracks will be FAR stronger then the original tracks

Finally, I wanted to share the following video with you. It exemplifies the problems of old weasel tracks. Some of you have undoubtedly experienced situations similar to the second video at the web link below. This will be a thing of the past if the letters keep coming in. Carroll Tech, Inc will be proudly producing brand new, high-quality tracks to make your weasel the reliable, go-everywhere vehicle it was intended to be.

Here's the Video Link:
http://www.mvccnews.net/archives/2007/021707_mcalpine/mcalpine_video_feb07.htm

BRIAN E. CARROLL
CARROLL TECH, INC
WWW.CARROLLTECH.COM
Bcarroll@nycap.rr.com
518~346~8966

 

Tele: (518)-346-8966  Postal Address 1024 Helderberg Ave  Schenectady, NY 12306 E-mail bcarroll@nycap.rr.com