Ice Scratchers

[saint_nick3]

who is using ice scratchers? and did you remove any idler wheels after you installed them?

 

[boondockin]

who is using ice scratchers? and did you remove any idler wheels after you installed them?

I am...yes...and my sled is going to rock your sleds world!!!! :snowmobile1:

 

[snotterite]

who is using ice scratchers? and did you remove any idler wheels after you installed them?

Yes I do.and No I didn't

 

[Modman]

Yes, I use RSR's scratchers, took off all but 2 of my idlers (left the outside two at the front rail bend where there is the most track pressure) Hyfax have two seasons on them, will still have another on them end of this year.

 

[rideride]

work great..just dont forget to use them..we always remove all idler wheels..

 

[Paininthe#$%]

Why would you want to remove idler wheels?

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

I run scratches on all my sleds. Did the "wheel removal" and wore sliders too much, put one set back on and all is good now.

 

[Modman]

Why would you want to remove idler wheels?

Weight loss and if you have lots of snow for lubrication you don't need them. I only keep the ones up by the rail bend to reduce a little bit of friction where it occurs most.

 

[Paininthe#$%]

Unless you are a perfect phisical specimen with no body fat removing wheels to save a few pounds seems pointless...

 

[Murminator]

Unless you are a perfect phisical specimen with no body fat removing wheels to save a few pounds seems pointless...

I was thinking that also........and didn't realize wheels were that heavy

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

A few ounces versus worn out sliders and in my case it went through the rails in one 4 day weekend, isn't worth it.
For the Record Murm...I'm that perfect specimen that shouldn't remove wheels

 

[Modman]

Unless you are a perfect phisical specimen with no body fat removing wheels to save a few pounds seems pointless...

LMAO! I'm no perfect specimen but each ounce counts! Pound here, pound there, all of a sudden, there is 20 pounds gone. Less weight = better power to weight ratio (no matter if its the rider or the sled - if the rider loses 20 lbs too, now thats 40 total!). Not everyone understands and not everyone cares about power to weight. There was a reason I made my mesh hood out of aluminum tubing instead of solid roundbar as well. Saved at least 1 ounce by going tubing but saved about 15 lbs by getting rid of the stock hood. Full of fuel (40 liters) and coolant, I'm 487 lbs. I will do all of my weight loss mods over again in a heartbeat on the next sled. Riding a sub-500lb sled is a different experience.

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

I agree, weight loss really makes a difference in the handling and getting up on top of the snow...but I felt I comprimised the rails when the wear was too much.

I'm lightweight as well but still have the wheels.

Me thinks were both right.

LMAO! I'm no perfect specimen but each ounce counts! Pound here, pound there, all of a sudden, there is 20 pounds gone. Less weight = better power to weight ratio (no matter if its the rider or the sled - if the rider loses 20 lbs too, now thats 40 total!). Not everyone understands and not everyone cares about power to weight. There was a reason I made my mesh hood out of aluminum tubing instead of solid roundbar as well. Saved at least 1 ounce by going tubing but saved about 15 lbs by getting rid of the stock hood. Full of fuel (40 liters) and coolant, I'm 487 lbs. I will do all of my weight loss mods over again in a heartbeat on the next sled. Riding a sub-500lb sled is a different experience.

 

[snotterite]

Old FAT guys go the other way and add billet wheels............................... heavier but there are so shiney:d
Sledding is Great...different opinions about everything and nobody is right or wrong.......We all have our reasons and it's a benifit to the sport. And it keeps after market companies RICH.:d

 

[Summiteer]

Old FAT guys go the other way and add billet wheels............................... heavier but there are so shiney:d
Sledding is Great...different opinions about everything and nobody is right or wrong.......We all have our reasons and it's a benifit to the sport. And it keeps after market companies RICH.:d

That's an awful lot of track for a trail rider Terry.:d

 

[snotterite]

That's an awful lot of track for a trail rider Terry.:d

I still like to pose as a Mtn. rider Mitch:d

 

[northstar23]

when your riding on hard pack does it damage the 2" tracks?

 

[Haggis]

I run scratches on all my sleds. Did the "wheel removal" and wore sliders too much, put one set back on and all is good now.

I run scratchers and hyperfax - no wear problems. skid wheels gone.

 

[Modman]

when your riding on hard pack does it damage the 2" tracks?

I haven't ever seen hard snow "damage" a track, I'm sure they wear faster if you ride it all the time or spin on it lots, trees and stumps are what kills a track out here in the mountains (and road rash on gravel if you're riding in the spring).

I don't know what the spring snow in Ontario is like (maybe same as here?) but here it thaws during the day and then re-freezes at night, like concrete til the sun hits it. But usually by that time of year you can drive a little farther up so you don't have to ride as many trail miles. On average I only ride about 20 kms of trail a day (depending on location) up and back, so I have never really put the miles on trails. Maybe someone else has more experience with wearing one out on the hardpack.

 

[Modman]

I agree, weight loss really makes a difference in the handling and getting up on top of the snow...but I felt I comprimised the rails when the wear was too much.

I'm lightweight as well but still have the wheels.

Me thinks were both right.

You and snotrocket are correct. Every sled is different and each rider is different, depending on setup, nothing is going to work for everyone. Mine works great with that set up, might not work on the next sled though, but you don't know until you try.