SW Ice Scratchers

[Q. Arrius]

Travis: (hibshman25) :

Thanks for the update! You sent me both, and asked to let you know which work better on the skis.

Both are quality products. SLP has more ability to adjust and are universal....can be used on both sides.
The Duraflex seem to work slightly better when used on skis, due to two different bends on the ski ends. It forces you to use them with a pretty aggressive down pressure....hence the finger digs better.

Again, both are extremely well made, good quality, and I'm very pleased.

Overall, I highly recommend the ski mounted version for scratchers. The scratchers easily kick enough ice up to get into the track, and when set aggressively, you can see the ice being kicked up from the corner of your vision.

Your mounts work as designed, and I'm very pleased. Cutting the cables was a result of literally skating across steel railroad tracks hundreds of times. After hitting hundreds of rail coupler bolts and railroad spikes.....cutting the ends off was bound to happen, and was the least of my worries. For the conditions, I'm lucky not to have had to replace my skis, slim Jims, and A-arms.

Q. Arrius

 

[actionjack]

Travis
Email me an invoice. I'd like to use your mounts for my SLP scratchers on my skis.

 

[yamaha06]

Also interested in ski mounted ice scratchers. Do you have any issues with keeping them in the up position? Not sure if I would go with the cable or the wire one.

 

[Q. Arrius]

Yamaha06:

I haven't had so many times of the scratcher falling off the ski, that it would bother me. They can drop off when you'd rationally think they would....like running over snow banks or stuff. It doesn't really bother you after a few times, if they do.

I did fabricate metal holders for the SLPs, and working on something for the Duraflexs....but they seem to stay put on their own. I happened to have a hole already drilled through my rib on my ski....and on a really great snow condition trip I knew I wouldn't need them.....I simply zip-tied them on.

They can easily handle reverse...so if they're down, it doesn't really matter.

Q. Arrius

 

[Byam]

Qualipieces

 

[Kevin]

I made this quick mount for the weekend trip
Worked pretty good, just needs a little tweaking

 

[snowbiscuit]

Here' another home made version

 

[PowderFalcon]

Running the cable style on the skis... has anyone had an issue where the cable would go under the ski/carbide when steering the sled one way or another? at a full lock turn, could they not tend to want to drift under the ski?

 

[stevewithOCD]

I had 2 problems with the Duraflex style scratchers
1) When mounted on rear suspension, they would jump around & hit track. My track has scuff marks to prove this
2) Can't be mounted to plastic ski because there's no way to keep it from spinning & loosening up
-must use metal bracket like above pics

 

[stevewithOCD]

Kevin, did you paint your ski nuts & bolts blue to match spindles? We may be calling you Kevinwithocd soon...lol

 

[Kevin]

Kevin, did you paint your ski nuts & bolts blue to match spindles? We may be calling you Kevinwithocd soon...lol

Ummm...maybe
all bolts might have been touched with a paint brush

 

[PowderFalcon]

Thought I'd share my experience with mounting the cable style scratchers on my pilot 6.9's.

I used the Qualipieces brand - same company that make the cobra head carbides - mostly due to their mounting design which has an anti-rotation feature. I had 2 goals in mind for mounting. 1 - be ski mounted rather than skid mounted. 2 - utilize hardware that can be removed with the tools in my tool bag so the scratchers can be stored in my travel bag when not needed.
I wasn't sure the plastic rail on the skis were strong enough to take the torque that the scratchers so I made some brackets out of stainless I had kickin' around to strengthen the joint. I made up some plates 25mm wide X 70mm long and drilled holes to match the brackets that came with the kit. Large bolt takes a 14mm wrench and smaller one takes a 10mm. quick and easy install/removal. pretty happy with the fit and finish. hoping they work well for cooling!

 

[snowbeast]

I installed the scratchers on my skis, using Travis's break-away mount. I added a few pop rivets for piece of mind....but I couldn't be happier. Good workmanship and perfect fit. I made a holder further back on the ski, if I want to pull them up. (Travis at Barn of Parts.)

He sent me the StraightLine version. 800+ miles and no issues or lost scratchers. They kick the snow to the front of the track obviously, when mounted on the skis.

Q. Arrius

Mine came with a set of clips to hold them when not in use,you do need to drill a hole thru the side of skis,and with straightline scratchers being down 180 degrees from cable,it does pose a problem hooking them in to the loop,so for now when I want to use them I just pull the clip out,and when setting them back onto ski,reverse application.

 

[hibshman25]

Mine came with a set of clips to hold them when not in use,you do need to drill a hole thru the side of skis,and with straightline scratchers being down 180 degrees from cable,it does pose a problem hooking them in to the loop,so for now when I want to use them I just pull the clip out,and when setting them back onto ski,reverse application.

Clips are new this year. You still have to pull clips to hook duraflex as well. Very simple regardless.

 

[19SRX]

What about Ski-Z ice scratchers, anyone used these?