The HD4Pro track system

Having the freedom to make mistakes means being given the opportunity to accelerate the pace of learning and push boundaries. Because when you think of errors as a vital step that leads to progress, you discover things you never would have even imagined otherwise. This is the mindset that drove our teams as they designed HD4Pro, anew 4-season UTV track system that is redefining durability and performance standards. 

It all began four years ago when Soucy’s five business units came together to develop a product that would meet demanding technical requirements. The goal was a clear yet ambitious one: design a high-performance, 4-season, robust track system that is truly adapted to arduous work.  

“We had a goal we wanted to reach. But the technology to help us reach this goal simply didn’t exist,” said Jérémie Aubin-Marchand, one of the lead engineers on the project. 

As a result, Soucy Track Systems, Soucy Rubber Tracks, Soucy Powersports, Soucy Plastiques, Soucy Baron, and Soucy Techno needed to work closely together to develop new technology and materials. The result was a new rubber recipe that was specifically created for this project. It reduces the amount of fuel needed while improving durability. 

Innovation is rarely a result of an A-to-B linear journey. At Soucy, the freedom to make errors is ingrained in our culture. “Hurry up and make a mistake!” as president and founder Gilles Soucy is fond of saying. 

In fact, this is a principle that guided the team throughout the project. Especially during the phase when they used digital environments to simulate how the track systems would respond in the real world. They also tested innovative materials and carried out myriad trials to assess the system’s performance and durability. 

Unfortunately, despite an initial promising idea, the results simply didn’t live up to expectations. It wasn’t an outright failure. It was a crucial step that led to an even better solution. 

“It is true we made a mistake at the outset. But this setback helped us learn and make progress,” said Jérémie. 

The failed trials did not discourage the team. In fact, they had the opposite effect. The team went all out to adjust their concepts, test new approaches, and perfect the product until they made significant technical advances. 

As a result of this group effort, a new, one-of-a-kind 4-season track system entered the market. Unlike other “4-season” systems that quickly wear down in the summer or in muddy conditions, the HD4Pro was designed to be truly durable, year-round. It’s a heavy-duty product that’s perfect for industrial sectors were reliability and longevity are paramount. 

This project perfectly showcases one of Soucy’s flagship values: the freedom to make mistakes. Because when you break down and analyze a mistake, you can accomplish great things. In this case, the team was able to turn an obstacle into a springboard and as result, the technology we use has progressed in leaps and bounds. 

Thanks to the passion, perseverance, and proactivity of our teams, we’ve not only taken on – and overcome – a colossal challenge, we are now able to seize new opportunities for the future.