slide kicks scratchers

[Doonut]

I decided I wasn't happy with where the manufacturer recommended mounting them. I didn't like the quality of the ski scratchers I saw so I fabricated up some prototype ski mounts for the cable scratchers.

 

[m8sandman]

the problem i've found with the slidekicks is when it gets setup they don't have enough pressure to give a good spray... at least when they're mounted in the skid.

 

[Aussie Niko]

Yep tried them too, no good in hard pack.

 

[MN 660]

Scratchers

tried them-no pressure in hard pack and then they pop up on to the track-back to Holz!

 

[NapaMatt]

Well I Seam like the ODD Man out..

I LOVE my sidekicks!!!!


They flat out WORK...


Going under 15... No so much.. But Really What scratchers works going So Slow..


OO yea the "spring" Style they i Bend every time i go to backup to the shop after a days of riding!


My 02. Just keep the side kicks down! Dip off trail when ya can...

 

[MORSNO]

I LOVE my sidekicks!!!!

X2 I love mine also. I think that the type of snow has a lot to do with it. We have dry snow here in Alaska, even when compacted on a trail the Slidekicks kick up a plenty of snow to lube the hyfax and keep the engine cool. The carbide tips also help because they have a blunt edge that dig in better that then plain tips that a V cut that runs parallel with your sled. I've seen many Slidekicks install wrong also: wrong end attached to the rails, cable at an angle towards the rear of the sled instead of straight down (this keeps the scratcher from digging in and makes it pop up on the track and rails). Take a look again at the picture above, they are mounted incorrectly, the end is not pointed downwards it is angle towards the rear of the sled. Mine hang straight down when the sled is lifted, they provide plenty of downward pressure.

Obviously they don't have the same pressure as a traditional spring scratchers (never seen them advertised as they do) but they do work. What I like about them is that they can stay down all the time. They don't get bent when going in reverse, when your sled slides out on a sidehill, when coming to a stop on a climb, or when loading on a trailer.

 

[Dootimes2]

Never used sidekicks, but it would seem to me that the carbide tip could be made more chisle like. If it was tapered from the bottom to the top it would help it to dig in and also maybe help to draw downward pressure on it as it does. Just a thought what do you all think.

 

[Polarisrider1]

I Love them. If installed properly they work great. I did have one pull out of the crimped end where cable meets part that bolts to rail. The company was fantastic about replacement at no cost. I always forgot the wire scratchers were down at the gas pumps and would ruin the wire type.

 

[MORSNO]

Never used sidekicks, but it would seem to me that the carbide tip could be made more chisle like. If it was tapered from the bottom to the top it would help it to dig in and also maybe help to draw downward pressure on it as it does. Just a thought what do you all think.

They were redesigned this year from a square to a round piece of carbide. The new design should keep from tearing up trailer decks with the sharp corners (for those of us who never put them up) but still dig into the snow better than the regular tips. I don't think a chisel tip would apply any additional downward pressure, the cable mounted properly works pretty good.

 

[volcano buster]

Doonut,

Does your ski bracket for the scratcher get in the way of ski clamps? I can see this being a bit of an issue on an open trailer where the standard clamp down bar might interfere with this design.

 

[Matte Murder]

I thought the slidekicks worked great. I have such a spray coming off them that snow was getting into my jacket when I had the pit zips open.

 

[Doonut]

Doonut,

Does your ski bracket for the scratcher get in the way of ski clamps? I can see this being a bit of an issue on an open trailer where the standard clamp down bar might interfere with this design.

I guess that would depend on where you put the clamp down bar. The front of the mount is 2,1/2" from the front of the spindle.

 

[Rudy198]

just a question so then why not do the bolt in the back of the ski idea?..Guys say it works and alot cheaper than buying scratchers,but heard have to becareful when backing up..Dunno just what i heard.

 

[Doonut]

Take a look again at the picture above, they are mounted incorrectly, the end is not pointed downwards it is angle towards the rear of the sled. Mine hang straight down when the sled is lifted, they provide plenty of downward pressure..

Note the word "prototype" mounts.
Who knows if it will function well or not. If you don't ever try a design you think of, you'll never find out what works and what doesn't.

 

[Doonut]

just a question so then why not do the bolt in the back of the ski idea?..Guys say it works and alot cheaper than buying scratchers,but heard have to becareful when backing up..Dunno just what i heard.

bold. I think you just answered your own question no ?

 

[miko700]

temps?

I dunno bout u guys but i found i was running the same temps with slidekicks or wires, but the kicks are easier on my wallet since some absent minded riders like myself love to backup without putting the wires up. also i over rotated the cables forward a bit on instalation...might help a bit?