Arctic Cat BEARCAT F5, Operator'S Manual

Page: 51 / 72

47
Arctic Cat recommends that the track ten-
sion be checked daily during the first 300
miles of operation and once a week there-
after and adjusted according to need. The
track will stretch and take a “set” during
break-in. Track deflection must be main-
tained within the recommended range.
Checking Track Tension
1. Remove excess ice and snow buildup
from the track, track drive sprockets,
and the inside of the skid frame.
2. Elevate the snowmobile on a
shielded safety stand high enough to
use a spring scale.
3. At mid-point of the track (on the bot-
tom side), hook a spring scale around a
track clip; then pull down on the scale
to the recommended pressure. Measure
the deflection (distance) between the
bottom of the wear strip and the inside
surface of the track clip. Compare the
measurement with the chart.
743-191A
Adjusting Track Tension

NOTE: To ensure proper track ten-
sion adjustment, perform all adjust-
ments on both sides of the
snowmobile.
1. Loosen the rear idler wheel adjust-
ing bolt jam nuts.
739-636B

NOTE: On the Bearcat XT, the rear
axle cap screws must also be loosened.
743-323A
2. If the deflection (distance between
the bottom of the wear strip and the
inside surface of the track clip)
exceeds specifications, tighten the
adjusting bolts to take up excessive
slack in the track.
3. If the distance between the bottom of
the wear strip and the inside surface
of the track is less than specified,
loosen the adjusting bolts to increase
the slack in the track.
4. Check track alignment (see Track
Alignment sub-section in this sec-
tion).
5. After proper track tension is
obtained, tighten the adjusting bolt
jam nuts against the axle housings.

NOTE: On the Bearcat XT, tighten
the rear axle cap screws to 20 ft-lb.
! WARNING
Track tension must be properly main-
tained. Personal injury could result if
a track is allowed to become exces-
sively loose.
! WARNING
DO NOT attempt to check or adjust
track tension with engine running.
Turn ignition key to the OFF position.
Personal injury could result from con-
tact with a rotating track.
Model
Setup
Tension
After
Break-In
Tension
F5/Bearcat 570/F570/
T570/TZ1 @ 20 lb 44-51 mm
(1.75-2 in.)
51-57 mm
(2-2.25 in.)
Bearcat XT/GS @ 10 lb 44-51 mm
(1.75-2 in.)
44-51 mm
(1.75-2 in.)