Straightline Ice Scratchers

[BigDogrx1]

For sure the hard packed icey roads are a killer on sled, scratchers seem like cheap insurance

 

[4strokeluvr111]

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

Cable scratchers have 100's of thousands of miles on them so they are proven. I too had some reservations but after (over)researching them, put them on and have now had them on for close to 7000 miles (combined) and have never had a problem. I think they unhooked off one of the rails twice. but it's no big deal. Cable scratchers also pivot when you go in reverse.

Pete, all BS aside, they work, maybe better than I thought they would. So good that I run with only one down when needed. Dang things are stiff. They don't dangle maybe like you think they do. The reason I put j-hooks vs. eye bolts is because I THINK I'll be able to just reach down and hook and unhook them. Miles on them will tell.

 

[whitedust1]

Cable scratchers have 100's of thousands of miles on them so they are proven. I too had some reservations but after (over)researching them, put them on and have now had them on for close to 7000 miles (combined) and have never had a problem. I think they unhooked off one of the rails twice. but it's no big deal. Cable scratchers also pivot when you go in reverse.

Pete, all BS aside, they work, maybe better than I thought they would. So good that I run with only one down when needed. Dang things are stiff. They don't dangle maybe like you think they do. The reason I put j-hooks vs. eye bolts is because I THINK I'll be able to just reach down and hook and unhook them. Miles on them will tell.

Jim yes I'm doing the same thing probably over thinking it but rattles me to think I could snag a branch in a field or FR or have cables tangled in my skid at triple digits on a grade.. I like the the loop eyelets for skid storage security but still unsettled about skid or A arm location. I'm leaning towards A-Arm just seems more logical to me but maybe not....lol.... I'm thinking of asking Kip best location but he will probably say skid & I'm not sure about that yet.

On a side not Ken's SE started wearing standard hyfax down to nothing in less than 500 miles. His 1st set lasted 5000 miles....I can't see what is causing the excessive wear & he wants to put on duponts like mine but I'm not sure duponts will help 128 as does not have same wear problems of my 144. Something is causing his wear ...something changed ...I'm stumped but scratchers might be best bandaid for both of us for different reasons.

 

[BigDogrx1]

Add wheels til ya can't add anymore and use oversize wheels and I bet you don't have hyfax problems. Iam doing the scratchers for eng temp as much as anything when its rock hard.

 

[rangermike14]

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.

I would most likey do them the exact same way as you. My question is how much difference does it make on a 136" with 1.5" track? Is this a must? Is it a huge benefit? Or is it just ok?

 

[SnoBird888]

it will keep everything cool when the riding gets dry "rock hard pack". the 1.5" track will be great in powder but once you hit hard pack the amount of snow being ripped apart will be minimal compared to what the ripsaw 1.25" did. For under $100 its a hard mod not to go with. I bought a set and am mounting them to the inside of the skies. My 144 xtx hasn't burned through the slides yet. most of its at 75% or so but I have larger wheels and a additional wheel location added to help. They wore to the point they are really quick and then stopped for the last 1000 miles. I don't plan to change them until after this season maybe even next if I don't get much riding in. Scratchers are going to help my cause plus get some spray up into the track/tunnel to the coolers for on those hard pack trails as well.

Its a surprise to me how many ppl are on the fence about this mod and worried about it getting into the track or the benefits. watch a youtube video to see how much snow/ice they tear up. As far as getting close to the track they are so stiff that if they ever did make contact they would be pushed right back out... not get more stuck. This is not some experimental turbo kit ppl its ice scratchers. the metal ones have been around a long time and I bet there are 10's of 1000's of miles on cable scratchers maybe even 100's of 1000's. When ppl don't like a product they go online and complain and cable scratchers is not something I have seen anyone complain about as far as helping keep things cool.

 

[Redbeard]

it will keep everything cool when the riding gets dry "rock hard pack". the 1.5" track will be great in powder but once you hit hard pack the amount of snow being ripped apart will be minimal compared to what the ripsaw 1.25" did. For under $100 its a hard mod not to go with. I bought a set and am mounting them to the inside of the skies. My 144 xtx hasn't burned through the slides yet. most of its at 75% or so but I have larger wheels and a additional wheel location added to help. They wore to the point they are really quick and then stopped for the last 1000 miles. I don't plan to change them until after this season maybe even next if I don't get much riding in. Scratchers are going to help my cause plus get some spray up into the track/tunnel to the coolers for on those hard pack trails as well.

Its a surprise to me how many ppl are on the fence about this mod and worried about it getting into the track or the benefits. watch a youtube video to see how much snow/ice they tear up. As far as getting close to the track they are so stiff that if they ever did make contact they would be pushed right back out... not get more stuck. This is not some experimental turbo kit ppl its ice scratchers. the metal ones have been around a long time and I bet there are 10's of 1000's of miles on cable scratchers maybe even 100's of 1000's. When ppl don't like a product they go online and complain and cable scratchers is not something I have seen anyone complain about as far as helping keep things cool.

Yup! IMO, ski's are the best location. You get ice spray up to the coolers and directly in to the track windows. That's just me though.

 

[BigDogrx1]

Well here's how it ended up!

 

[rangermike14]

Sounds like an investment worth doing...I am running dual tuner skis though and I don't think there is a good spot for them on those skis. When mounted on the skid is there still plenty getting into the track?

 

[SnoBird888]

Sounds like an investment worth doing...I am running dual tuner skis though and I don't think there is a good spot for them on those skis. When mounted on the skid is there still plenty getting into the track?

skid mounting was the original intent. youtube scratchers and watch how much goes into the skid. 60% of it goes outward and sprays the guy behind you but that 40% is quite a bit.

I think there are other better ones but you can see it throw quite a bit.

 

[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.

Yes that will work for the top side, but I meant tack the other end where the hook threads into the cable. My experience has been the jam nut isn't good enough. It doesn't take much of a tack; make it simple to grind off in case you change hooks some day.

Has anyone else ever had the hooks turn in the cable?

 

[BigDogrx1]

Yes that will work for the top side, but I meant tack the other end where the hook threads into the cable. My experience has been the jam nut isn't good enough.

Oh gotcha, I'll just tack that end on machine just 1 zap.
Thanks Joe

 

[BigDogrx1]

skid mounting was the original intent. youtube scratchers and watch how much goes into the skid. 60% of it goes outward and sprays the guy behind you but that 40% is quite a bit.

I think there are other better ones but you can see it throw quite a bit.

Well it sure seems to me way better from ski's on inside throwing it all under skid.
Not outward!!!

 

[SnoBird888]

Well it sure seems to me way better from ski's on inside throwing it all under skid.
Not outward!!!

that could be a double edge sword because if your throwing it outward at given angle from the scratchers point of impact then some is still going out and way, some might be getting into the skid but much is probably being smashed back down under the track. Optimally you would want the scratcher hanging off the ski so the tip of the scratcher is right at the leading edge of the track hitting the ground. Then I think all material coming off that side would go into the skid. Mounting it on the skid biases the rear of the skid getting snow/ice but some of that also flies around with the track back to the front.

 

[4strokeluvr111]

I can't keep up with all the posts as I'm on the road today. Mine are rail mounted on a 136" and I have a digital temp gauge. When I put them down on hardpack icy trail watch temps go from high 180's to 160 and it stays at 160. You pull over and look and are amazed at the amount of snow that's packed into the skid.

This is what happens when just ONE scratcher is down. Imagine how much would get in there is both were down? I'm always the lead guy and nobody has ever complained about getting hit with snow getting thrown back at them.

Pete - I'd bet Ken's problem is just plain running the track at Yamaha's spec'd sag. But that's jsut a guess.