Mountaintech Skid Plate.......or THIS!

[Off Trail Mike]

So, needless to say, a group of us headed out for some trail and off trail riding and sometime during that ride that underside POS plastic decided to depart. Likely a stump, windfall or a heavy branch, but nothing the driver really noticed.

Next we start hearing all these complaints that his sled is slipping into neutral every time he leaves someone's track...which is not good when you are about to go on a long backcountry run...."Man......there's something wrong with this sled, it keeps slipping into neutral..must be something wrong with the reverse lever???"

Now this guy hadn't experienced it, but a few of us knew the drill and a quick roll on the side confirmed it. Rather than ruin the day, we MacGyvered a skid plate very bit as tough as the stock one.....


That would be cardboard and Tuck Tape and it has lasted longer than the stocker!

Peter....if you read this, please get that Mountiantech skid plate out to Dave! I think he really needs it...LOL

OTM

 

[R00STER]

That's why my Mountaintech was the very first thing I bought for my machine.
That's nice work Off Trail Mike or should I say Back Yard Bob!

 

[Teddy0375]

same thing happened to me yesterday!! which is better the full skid plate or the shorty from mountain tech? as I don't want the same thing happening again.

 

[Nikolai]

Ha ha, nice. We cut reed pedals out of an extra goggle lens one time to get a buddy home.

 

[Off Trail Mike]

Now that's original MacGyvering Nikolai! Wouldn't have thought goggles for reeds....

Teddy: personal preference on short/long. The long offers better protection IMO but you will have to add foam between the lower a-arms to keep the ice build up out. The shorter plate doesn't have that issue as bad, but is a catch point up front. I run the long one and two of my buddy's run the short.

OTM

 

[Mountaintech]

So, needless to say, a group of us headed out for some trail and off trail riding and sometime during that ride that underside POS plastic decided to depart. Likely a stump, windfall or a heavy branch, but nothing the driver really noticed.

Next we start hearing all these complaints that his sled is slipping into neutral every time he leaves someone's track...which is not good when you are about to go on a long backcountry run...."Man......there's something wrong with this sled, it keeps slipping into neutral..must be something wrong with the reverse lever???"

Now this guy hadn't experienced it, but a few of us knew the drill and a quick roll on the side confirmed it. Rather than ruin the day, we MacGyvered a skid plate very bit as tough as the stock one.....


That would be cardboard and Tuck Tape and it has lasted longer than the stocker!

Peter....if you read this, please get that Mountiantech skid plate out to Dave! I think he really needs it...LOL

OTM

Nice job on the MacGyvering!! The old.....my clutches are slipping and I don't know why. Did you know that the first skid plate I ever sold for a Nytro was to a guy in Dallas Texas?!! I have both the shortys and full length versions in stock and ready to ship.

 

[edge_232]

Nice job OTM on the trail side repair!

Teddy here is a picture showing what OTM is talking about on the foam block off

Now I have replaced this open cell foam with a closed cell foam yoga block ($9 on amazon). You want to use the closed cell so it will not absorb water and cause it to swell. I have also cut two smaller pieces to slide above the A-arm connection points. I'll try to get a picture tonight for you.

I also went with the long skid plate version and believe it was the better option IMOA.

 

[edge_232]

Here's some better pictures of the yoga block spacer:

 

[Teddy0375]

Thanks guys!!!

 

[Wheelchairvalley911]

Hey guys ! This happened to me later in the day after on off trail adventure. Can some one explain what is happening?! When you say "confirmed it" what are you confirming, and I see the foam pieces and skid plate, what are you preventing?

 

[Off Trail Mike]

WC:
No one mentioned "confirming" in the thread so not sure what you mean..

The skid plate eliminates the feeling of going into neutral because the stock plastic plate under you engine has a tendency to depart from your sled for no particular reason aside from it's a POS and then allows snow to spray on your clutches.
The foam between lower a-arms is a way to reduce the ice build up that occurs in that space when you ride in powder. The front end of these sleds (like all others) ingest a lot of snow, which melts and drips down between your a-arms forming a huge ice block. The foam simply blocks this from happening and it's more important to put the foam in when using the "Long" Mountaintech skid plate, because it blocks some the drain area.

Hope this helps.

OTM

 

[Mountaintech]

WC:
No one mentioned "confirming" in the thread so not sure what you mean..

The skid plate eliminates the feeling of going into neutral because the stock plastic plate under you engine has a tendency to depart from your sled for no particular reason aside from it's a POS and then allows snow to spray on your clutches.
The foam between lower a-arms is a way to reduce the ice build up that occurs in that space when you ride in powder. The front end of these sleds (like all others) ingest a lot of snow, which melts and drips down between your a-arms forming a huge ice block. The foam simply blocks this from happening and it's more important to put the foam in when using the "Long" Mountaintech skid plate, because it blocks some the drain area.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the explanation Mike. I would also like to add that the formation of ice buildup to the point that it becomes a problem only occurs in certain conditions. I have never experienced it. Sealing the front space between the a arms off with a foam block takes care of things. The short version does not require this as it is an exact copy of the OEM "engine Protector". The OEM "engine protector" is only held on with 5 plastic push pins, which is why it often goes missing. Mountain skid plates are held in place with stainless metric M6 fasteners.

OTM

 

[Wheelchairvalley911]

OTM, yeah it helped ! Sorry I didn't realize the flaw of losing the skid plate clutches being exposed (and block) that bad. I did fix it with ply wood and a mid flare while waiting for my Mountain Tech shorty plate! Plate looks great! Thanks Mountain Tech!