Straightline Ice Scratchers

[BigDogrx1]

Got ya Joe, I tacked the scratcher to bracket with bolt.
I will make a hanger since mine will only be down when needed. Not down when loading. Will hope I don't twist bracket.

 

[superfan75]

Superfan, this is exactly what I did to my Pilot 6.9's. I used a strip of sheet metal that bolts to a flat spot on the side like Steiner did to his ski's.

Just determine how high you need the cable to be and trim the plate accordingly. I would use steel though. I don't think a thin, flat aluminum strip would hold up.

View attachment 112432 View attachment 112433

Yeah that's what I was thinking of doing with some 1/4" aluminum I got left over from my skid swap. I like the idea of the tab on the scratcher so it can't spin. All of you guys have some great ideas. Thanx.

 

[superfan75]

OK Guys you made me come out to garage and make this, your opinions.
It's not painted yet but didn't want to drill holes in ski saddle or skid rails?
Figureing out still how I'll make non using hanger.View attachment 112436 View attachment 112437 View attachment 112438

That is also pretty much what I was thinking of doing. I have a hook like steiner has on his ski to hold it up when not needed. I'll have to post some pics when I get a chance to work on it later. Right now the sled is still in pieces after changing out the rest of the ball joints, steering stem bearings, and all the drive bearings. Maybe by the end of the week I'll have a chance after I finish up some other stuff, I'm saving the skis till last.

 

[superfan75]

View attachment 112434

This is what the scratcher install looks like on my 14 Vector LTX. Notice the wear mark in the back side of the rail. This was after one season of hooking them in the rails when not in use. This fall I added the hangars as show.

I think one has a better chance of getting hit by another sledder than having a scratcher fly off and go into one's tunnel.

That is originally how I was going to mount mine. With the Grand Touring rear skid I have there wasn't anywhere to mount it up towards the front at all. With the idlers and arms and also the way the rails are made they are so low in many places the scratchers were going to rub on the track. So mounting them on my skis ended up being plan B. It would've been easier to mount them to the rails.

 

[rangermike14]

I like what 4strokeluvr did with his on the rails. I stretched my Apex to 136" with 1.5" tall this summer. I ride 100% trails and just wondering if a setup like his is needed? How bad is it without them?

 

[Redbeard]

Got ya Joe, I tacked the scratcher to bracket with bolt.
I will make a hanger since mine will only be down when needed. Not down when loading. Will hope I don't twist bracket.

Larry, yes your brackets look good. I wouldn't worry about drilling your ski's though.

 

[BigDogrx1]

Well here's bracket painted and clear coated, gonna try them like this and hope for the best.

 

[whitedust1]

Well here's bracket painted and clear coated, gonna try them like this and hope for the best.View attachment 112482

What happens in reverse with this mount? Get snagged on anything?

 

[BigDogrx1]

What happens in reverse with this mount? Get snagged on anything?

Nothing!!!!!

 

[4strokeluvr111]

I like what 4strokeluvr did with his on the rails. I stretched my Apex to 136" with 1.5" tall this summer. I ride 100% trails and just wondering if a setup like his is needed? How bad is it without them?

If you hook them on the rails like I used to the scratcher (not the carbide.....the small round pc it's connected to) will actually wear a groove into your rails. It doesn't show it real well on the picture I posted and can post another if you'd like to see it. The groove was worn into the rails on two Yamaha 4s' that I have.

 

[4strokeluvr111]

Do you ride that thing? There are zero paint chips on the arms.

Lol...I had to say it. I know you take immaculate care of your sleds.

LOL!! I try but thanks!

2400 GREAT miles last season!

 

[BigDogrx1]

If you hook them on the rails like I used to the scratcher (not the carbide.....the small round pc it's connected to) will actually wear a groove into your rails. It doesn't show it real well on the picture I posted and can post another if you'd like to see it. The groove was worn into the rails on two Yamaha 4s' that I have.

Yes I just picked up eye hooks to do similar to Steiner did in previous pic for when not needed.

 

[whitedust1]

Nothing!!!!!

Thanks for the info...I'm debating scratchers for my 2012 Apex XTX & having trouble with getting my head around cable scratchers bouncing around near my rear skid at high speed or any speed for that matter. A-Arm or ski mounted scratchers seem like a better way to go but where do you hang them when not in use? Last thing I want to do is introduce a scratcher that will cause me addtional wear problems to skid ,ski or A-Arm. I also know I will forget to secure in reverse so need scratchers for dummies. LOL

 

[BigDogrx1]

Whitedust I just welded and painted some eye hooks when they dry overnight I'll bolt them on then post finished pic tomorrow. They will attach with plate on rear 2 ski bolts.

 

[whitedust1]

Whitedust I just welded and painted some eye hooks when they dry overnight I'll bolt them on then post finished pic tomorrow. They will attach with plate on rear 2 ski bolts.

Thanks I look forward to the pic.
I have to ride across deep lake powder from my house ,2 miles on plowed road with limited ditch opps,then 2 very large powder hayfields, then 5 miles on unplowed Frs to get to groomed trails. The plowed roads are the ball busters for hyfax & carbides very icy but snow covered with hard pak so thinking scratchers might help. My riding bud has started having wear issues with his hyfax on an SE so maybe scratchers will help us both if we can get it right.