Scratchers at Work.................

[FrozenTows4]

Great ride with member DVW, from Arctic Chat, the other day.

Trails were in great shape and appeared to have adequate loose snow for cooling. Outside temperature was 37 degrees.

One section got a little lean. I noticed my temperature was 195+ at times. Decided to drop the scratchers.

Here's DVW's skid.

Didn't look much better after he deployed his ski mount scatchers.

Here's mine with wire scratchers.

Without scratchers, DVW's temperature was 195-200 degrees.
With wire scratchers, mine hoovered 165-177 degrees.

Both sleds are 2014 XF7000's with 137" skids.

Here's the SkiDoo scratchers that DVW mounted to his skis.

Very nice, clean, user friendly, and functional install.
They do provide quite adequate cooling as observed last Wednesday.
Skid frame did not fill up like mine with the wire skid mount scratchers. Yet appeared to lubricate the hyfax very well.

Like DVW said, the wire skid mount scratchers throw a huge spray, especially at 50+ mph.

Was wondering why he stayed so far back while on the grade.

 

[DigitalFusion]

maybe im a bit blind, but I cant even see your scratchers in the pic?

 

[trevorl1]

Are they on the skis, if so what brand?

 

[FrozenTows4]

maybe im a bit blind, but I cant even see your scratchers in the pic?

Sorry. Black scratcher, against a black track, with black hyfax is a little tough.

Plus the spring part is hiding behind the wheel.

For the record, the fuel hose on the scratcher does not work. If you want a rail guard, put the hose on the rail.

 

[TD Max]

Which part# scratchers are those? They look nice and simple/compact.

 

[lilrez]

What he said ^^^?

 

[FrozenTows4]

The scratcher mount, that I did, is a little more complex than it looks.

I modded the original wheel mount to reinforce our swiss cheese rails.

Cable scratchers appear adequate for many riders. They are more like snow scratchers than ice scratchers. Some conditions require the added down force of the wire type. Trail re-route down a long stretch of a plowed road, that well traveled rail road grade that's more ice than snow, etc.

The 137 has nowhere to mount the wire type scratchers short of removing the front wheel.

Here's how mine were mounted without deleting a wheel.

Parts needed for install.

You will also need a 4" x 3/8 Grade 8 Bolt with Nylock nut. Rail needs to be drilled to accommodate the larger bolt diameter. Bottom fastener remains stock. Wheel bracket will need to be trimmed down to 13/16". This will allow for full engagement of the nut when installed.

One Scratcher Spring Washer will need to be flat sided to clear the rail extrusion.

Here's how it mounts up. I left the wheel off to better show how this fits.

Some 1/4" high pressure injector hose was added to the front and rear contact points.

I guess that's pretty much it. Torque to spec and LocTite blue all fasteners.

Be sure to stow before backing up. I now consider the reverse alarm a Scratcher Alarm.

UPDATE, the fuel hose on the scratcher does not work as a rail guard.

The 1/4 hose Does walk off the scratcher.

I even added cable ties to help hold them on. Nope. They still slide off. Only takes about 25 miles to shread them.

This makes a great rail guard.

With wire scratchers, one can ride glare ice.

Just don't back up! Remember the back up alarm is the scratcher alarm.

 

[super1c]

Great idea on putting the hose on the rail. I also did a similar mod to run cable scratchers on my previous sleds and never had a problem.

 

[Kkurz]

I know it's off topic, but do you also have 2 windshields on? I just bought a used 7000 and I'm thinking windshields...

 

[FrozenTows4]

I know it's off topic, but do you also have 2 windshields on? I just bought a used 7000 and I'm thinking windshields...

Yes I do. The mid height is overlayed on the "looks good in the showroom, but is worthless on the trail" windscreen.