I would like to know if the ice cleats on the tracks of the Panzer IV's were attached during the winter or were they on the tracks all year round (perminately)??

Are you referring to the winterketten or seperate ice cleats? From what I found in my resources, winterketten were removed when the weather changed as the horns could be damaged or broken off. The ice cleats, if used by that unit, would also be removed. The maintenance units usually performed this job at springs onset.
Hope this helps!!
Tank on, Ed

Weren't the chevron shaped ice-cleats part of the track's casting?