Skid Plate or No....on Proclimbs?

[ranger12]

I have run a plastic skid plate from Hubs Performance or MM Sports on all of my Proclimb sleds. He doesn't charge much for them and all of the holes are already in it for mounting. Just drill out some of the rivets that are there and rivet the skid plate on. You should have a plastic plate because if you hit a rock or something sharp it will slide off it. If it is aluminum it has a tendency to grab ahold of whatever it hits. Have you ever tried to slide something sharp across a piece of aluminum? If you have you will know what I am getting at. They look similar to the one pictured of the aluminum tread plate.

 

[Chewy22]

I have run a plastic skid plate from Hubs Performance or MM Sports on all of my Proclimb sleds. He doesn't charge much for them and all of the holes are already in it for mounting. Just drill out some of the rivets that are there and rivet the skid plate on. You should have a plastic plate because if you hit a rock or something sharp it will slide off it. If it is aluminum it has a tendency to grab ahold of whatever it hits. Have you ever tried to slide something sharp across a piece of aluminum? If you have you will know what I am getting at. They look similar to the one pictured of the aluminum tread plate.

This would be a good option. I remember seeing a picture of it. I searched the old posts but Kevin's picture no longer show up.

Kevin can you repost picture of your skid and the price for everyone. Couldn't find on your web page.

 

[Frostbite]

I'm with you Ranger12, I remember trying to ride my sled into the bed of my truck on my new ramp with aluminum sides. The sled stopped immediately and I remember a warm embrace with the handlebars. Yes, plastic is better.

I tried MM Sports and don't see accessories and tried Hubs Performance and didn't do much better. Does anyone have a link where we can buy a small plastic skid plate? That's all I think we need.

 

[Chewy22]

I'm with you Ranger12, I remember trying to ride my sled into the bed of my truck on my new ramp with aluminum sides. The sled stopped immediately and I remember a warm embrace with the handlebars. Yes, plastic is better.

I tried MM Sports and don't see accessories and tried Hubs Performance and didn't do much better. Does anyone have a link where we can buy a small plastic skid plate? That's all I think we need.

Kevin, ie MM Sports/Hub Performance, probably will post a picture of his. I sent him a PM asking. His is exactly what your after.

 

[Frostbite]

That would be great Chewy22.

Especially if there is a link or a phone number where one can be ordered!

 

[Chewy22]

That would be great Chewy22.

Especially if there is a link or a phone number where one can be ordered!

Here is Kevin's webpage

http://hubsperformance.com/home

 

[Frostbite]

I didn't see them on Kevin's webpage. So, I sent him a message asking if he might still offer small plastic skid plates.

Thanks for the link Chewy22.

 

[mmsports]

Skid plate

I will have to get that added to my website.
They are 25 with bumpers
35 with out bumper.

Thanks guys.

 

[Frostbite]

Whoo Hoo! Now we are talking, an aftermarket part that protects our sleds without breaking the bank! Thank you so much. I will be ordering one for sure. Not to sound too dumb but, what do you mean with or without bumpers?

It must mean the protective plate will be a bit smaller if a sled has a bumper and will be a bit larger if the sled doesn't have a bumper? Hence the price difference? Right?

 

[Chewy22]

I think what he means you get a discount on the skid plate if you buy one of his bumpers too. His bumpers are awesome. I have one on my 14.

 

[Frostbite]

That makes sense....sorry my response was made before coffee!

 

[ranger12]

Anybody who gets one of his skid plates will not be disappointed. All of the holes are already in the plastic and all you have to do is remove some rivets and re rivet the plate on. It is light weight and doesn't cost a lot of money. I also highly recommend his bumper! I watched somebody going wide open with his bumper on hit a big stump just under the snow and seen wood go flying in every direction and there were only some marks on the bumper from the stump. No damage to the sled at all. That was unbelievable. His bumper is fairly priced, very strong, easy to install, and you can get the hood off without any hassle once it is installed and also looks good on your sled.

 

[j.janke]

Extra little bit of weight is worth it.

It seems most of you would disagree with me but, I started last season without one and ended up having a mystery stump or rock pop through the clutch side of my plastic belly pan on my 14 proclimb. After having to spend $160 to replace that side belly panel, I also spent the money to get the cat skid plate. I know its a little bit of added weight but IMHO i think its worth it. It also protects the front heat exchanger and it has definitley saved me some damage over the remainder of the season. Just my $0.02.

But on another note, I couldnt agree more that the wait for winter from this point forwards sucks!! Hopefully a wet and early winter emerge this year!!

 

[mmsports]

Updated

Web site has been updated with skid plate. Thanks guys.

http://hubsperformance.com/bumpers_us_pricing




As far as the big heavy ones. I take so many of them off due to the fact they act like a boat anchor. Heavy hold moisture just not worth it. My .02 cents

 

[Frostbite]

I just ordered one! $43 including shipping isn't too bad for the protection this plate offers. Thank you for adding the skid plate to your website.

 

[lundracing]

Having a new sled that is sitting in the shop and being inside waiting for snow is absolutely maddening but, it does give one plenty of time to go through the accessories available for the Proclimb snowmobiles.

Not too many years ago, skid plates were all the rage. We put them on everything. In fact my 09 M8 has had the Arctic Cat Full coverage skid plate on it for years, and based on the really deep gouges just below the clutches, I would say it has paid for itself several times over.

So, with the new Proclimbs what's the consensus?

Let me guess.... there will be those that will say "we spend $500 to loose a couple pounds of weight, why would you ever put a modification on a sled that actually adds weight"? Just let your insurance cover it and forget about it!

Then there will be those that say, "yes it adds a small amount of weight but, think of a skid plate as insurance to protect your substantial investment". Who will go on to say, time has proven that what looks like a soft fluffy mound of snow that you undoubtedly will use as a launch pad is actually a very sharp rock just waiting to gut the innards of your fancy new machine.

What's your take and which one would you buy?

I would never run without one. Not worried about hitting stuff but when you blow a belt and you will on a proclimb it helps save your belly pan from getting busted out under the clutch. I learned my lesson twice, then put on a belly pan protector and never had it happen again.