Shop wheels for your sled

[Teth-Air]

So what do most use for wheels on your sled in the shop?

Is it more important to have casters so you can push the sled sideways or is it more important to have wheels that can go on gravel or rough surfaces?

Is it important to you to easily get the sled on the wheels (dollies) or not?

Maybe some use wheels to run their sled into their trailers or would like to?

Would it be good to be able to ride a ways on gravel to good snow?

We have a new product we are testing that work similar to our original design that only worked with our offset spindles. (Pic of old design shown)

I am just trying to gauge if there is a market or is this just important to me?

The new design is currently just for the Gripper Ski but the design could be expanded to work for all brands.

 

[Quicksand]

I believe there's a market for both casters and straight wheels. They both have their uses. When I'm using wheels it's to move sleds sideways and spinning them around to work on in the shop so casters for sure. Anyone with a driveway who loads on the road would probably say they're junk.

 

[Quicksand]

Mount the wheels inside the skis with enough clearance to have a setup that can do both a lockable straight wheel or unlock to have a spinning caster and with a large enough wheel to to roll over some rocks and you've got a winner

 

[Teth-Air]

The inside the ski has been considered for moving tight to a wall such as in an enclosed trailer and the only issue is the clearance to the A-arm. A triangle plate dropping below the axel with 2 smaller caster wheels on the corners would work only locking the straight may take a little thought.

 

[CatMan16]

The inside the ski has been considered for moving tight to a wall such as in an enclosed trailer and the only issue is the clearance to the A-arm. A triangle plate dropping below the axel with 2 smaller caster wheels on the corners would work only locking the straight may take a little thought.

I push mine into a corner so so a swivel caster would be best but that is just me.

 

[Teth-Air]

Here is what I cam e up with so far. The Gripper Ripper Braces that we sell here:

http://www.sourceinnovations.ca/product/gripper-ripper-ski-brace-kit/

have been modified to accept an axle. This seems to be working very well. It did however take 5 tries to get the design just right to carry the ski level at about 1" above the floor. Insertion of the axle is easy, just lift the front of the ski with the ski loop and insert the axle. When you lower the ski loop the rear of the ski raises off the floor.

If there is interest in this product please let me know as I may have our machinist run a batch this Fall. These modified braces are expected to be $99 for the 4 pc. with bolts included. You can use standard 5/8" shaft and my wheels came from Princess Auto.

 

[Teth-Air]

Another pic.

 

[skegpro]

Lift right onto the deck.

 

[NoBrakes!]

Oh Magoo! you've done it again....

 

[Teth-Air]

Good news. I have managed to source some nice 6061 aluminum axles and the kits will be available soon on our store.

Gripper Ripper Braces, (standard) powder coated black with 8 SS bolts, New price $69
Gripper Ripper Braces with axle option, powder coated black with 8 SS bolts, New Price $79
2 x 6061 aluminum axles with 4 shaft collars and pull handle, $49

Now if you want to add a pair of the Gripper ski, Polaris Ultimate ski dampeners, add $30, regular $39 when sold separately.

Chris

 

[Teth-Air]

Here is the first picture of the components. The "Gripper Ripper standard braces arrive tomorrow. They are designed to strengthen the bushing hole in the Gripper skis. We have seen several oval and/or rip out.

 

[Jorg Jorgenson]

Another pic.

I have been wanting to design something similar for spring riding trips where we usually camp down low and end up riding fair amount of gravel to get to the goods.. for in a shop, however, castors or nice as like many already said the swivelling ability is key to tuck into right corners. I just got for Christmas a set of the dual wheel ski dollies and haven’t tried them yet, might be helpful to use for driving sled from garage out of driest to back of deck to load in fall/spring when no snow at home and don’t need to worry about skags grabbing on driveway or rough alley.

 

[Teth-Air]

I have been wanting to design something similar for spring riding trips where we usually camp down low and end up riding fair amount of gravel to get to the goods.. for in a shop, however, castors or nice as like many already said the swivelling ability is key to tuck into right corners. I just got for Christmas a set of the dual wheel ski dollies and haven’t tried them yet, might be helpful to use for driving sled from garage out of driest to back of deck to load in fall/spring when no snow at home and don’t need to worry about skags grabbing on driveway or rough alley.

I have tried almost every type out there. Casters are over-rated since you have so much control with these to drive tight to the wall. Casters can shoot out and break wheels off often. I have gone up the trail 2km with these wheels when I used them on my Pro-Ride that had custom spindles that the axles fit into. I don't want to say these won't be destroyed on a rough logging road but I do use them to ride on my gravel driveway and up my sled deck.

 

[Jonnytree]

Just wondering if your going to offer a package as pictured, and when they will be ready for ordering on your site?

 

[Teth-Air]

Just wondering if your going to offer a package as pictured, and when they will be ready for ordering on your site?

Thanks for asking.

I have recently added the products to our online store. We do not show all as a package as each item adds freight and it is best to call us for a price that consolidates freight and gives a package deal.

The Gripper Ripper Braces are now all Powder Coated black and com in Standard for $69 and with the Axles Loop Option for $79.

The 6061 aluminum axles are $49/pair and include the shaft collars you need to look your supplied 12' wheel on. Shaft dimensions 11" x 5/8"
The Polaris Gripper Ski Ultimate Ski Dampeners are $39/pair. These dampeners last much longer and provide way more ski control over stock.

When you buy a set of the Ski dampeners with either brace we knock of $10.

Chris