Mattracks is an American
continuous track
Continuous track is a system of vehicle propulsion used in tracked vehicles, running on a continuous band of treads or track plates driven by two or more wheels. The large surface area of the tracks distributes the weight of the vehicle b ...
manufacturer. It specializes in rubber track conversion systems for wheeled vehicles.
Products
![Humvee equipped with four snow treads](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Humvee_equipped_with_four_snow_treads.jpg)
The rubber track system is a bolt-on independent unit that takes the place of individual vehicle wheels.
One or two people with hand tools and a floor jack can install the entire Mattracks system.
Mattracks also produces a motorized
snowboard
Snowboards are boards where the user places both feet, usually secured, to the same board. The board itself is wider than most skis, with the ability to glide on snow."snowboarding." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 17 Mar ...
called the Powerboard.
History
Mattracks was started by Glen Brazier. The company developed out of a drawing by his 11-year-old son, Matt, in which tracks took the place of a truck's tries.
The tracks first went on sale in 1994.
The rubber track conversion system was first manufactured in Thief River Falls, Minnesota in 1992.
Later, production was moved to its current location in the community of
Karlstad, Minnesota
Karlstad is a city in Kittson County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 710 at the 2020 census.
U.S. Route 59 and Minnesota State Highway 11 are two of the main arterial routes in the city. The city's slogan is "The Moose Capital ...
. Mattracks, Inc. was incorporated in 1995.
In 2002, Mattracks launched the
LiteFoot ATV
LiteFoot ATV rubber tracks are a track conversion system for ATVs manufactured by Mattracks Inc.
Mattracks is an American continuous track manufacturer. It specializes in rubber track conversion systems for wheeled vehicles.
Products
The r ...
track conversion systems, adding to the Mattracks rubber track conversion product lineup.
Since 1994, Mattracks has created 72 different models of tracks that can go on four-wheel drive vehicles, ATVs, tractors, and trailers. The tracks are used for recreation, work, commercial and agricultural applications. Mattracks can equip most 4 wheel drive vehicles from a small ATV to trucks up to 25,000 lbs.
Uses
Mattracks have been used for a variety of applications, both for work and recreational purposes. Mattracks equipped vehicles have been used to travel over difficult
terrain
Terrain or relief (also topographical relief) involves the vertical and horizontal dimensions of land surface. The term bathymetry is used to describe underwater relief, while hypsometry studies terrain relative to sea level. The Latin word ...
. The track systems have been put to work in industries including agricultural, law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency services and government agencies.
Mattracks equipped the
Mars Institute
The Mars Institute is an international non-governmental organization created with the goals of advancing the scientific study and exploration of Mars, conducting peer-reviewed research, and educating the public about Mars exploration. It was incor ...
's "HMP Okarian" Humvee on the
Northwest Passage Drive Expedition
The Northwest Passage Drive Expedition (NWPDX) (2009–2011) was a multi-stage vehicular expedition from the North American mainland to Devon Island in the high Arctic, by way of the Northwest Passage. The expedition was led by planetary scientis ...
.
Mattracks are sold worldwide.
See also
*
LiteFoot ATV
LiteFoot ATV rubber tracks are a track conversion system for ATVs manufactured by Mattracks Inc.
Mattracks is an American continuous track manufacturer. It specializes in rubber track conversion systems for wheeled vehicles.
Products
The r ...
*
Humvee
The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV; colloquial: Humvee) is a family of light, four-wheel drive, military trucks and utility vehicles produced by AM General. It has largely supplanted the roles previously performed by the ori ...
*
Snow coach
A snow coach is a specialized passenger transport vehicle designed to operate over snow or ice, similar to a large, multi-passenger snowcat that is equipped with bus-style seating. These vehicles may have multiple sets of very large, low-pressur ...
*
Ford Expedition
The Ford Expedition is a full-size three-row SUV, manufactured by Ford. Introduced for the 1997 model year as the successor of the Ford Bronco, the Expedition was the first full-size Ford SUV sold with a four-door body. For its entire production l ...
*
Northwest Passage Drive Expedition
The Northwest Passage Drive Expedition (NWPDX) (2009–2011) was a multi-stage vehicular expedition from the North American mainland to Devon Island in the high Arctic, by way of the Northwest Passage. The expedition was led by planetary scientis ...
References
External links
* {{Official website, http://www.mattracks.com/
Companies based in Minnesota