Scratchers

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Dave_B

Active member
As many of you know, I bought a 2006 Switchback 600 when the Dragon blew up.

This particular sled has the rear heat exchanger in the rear of the tunnell extension. In 2006, they used the same extension for the Switchback and the RMK. I have real issues getting snow up and back there in low snow conditions.

Would scratchers be effective on this sled? Would they kick up enough snow that it would make it that far back?

Thanks for any input!

Dave
 
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willey

New member
They would help tremendously. I've used the RSI scratchers and they worked okay. Just got a set of duraflex scratchers and they are way better. Reverse compatible is really nice also. Few more bucks than the spring style but in my opinion worth the extra $$.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
willey said:
They would help tremendously. I've used the RSI scratchers and they worked okay. Just got a set of duraflex scratchers and they are way better. Reverse compatible is really nice also. Few more bucks than the spring style but in my opinion worth the extra $$.
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Totally agree with helping and go with the duraflex.
 
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Deleted member 10829

Guest
Scratchers will surely help, but also make sure your snow flap is doing it's job. It's not ripped or bent upwards?
 
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Dave_B

Active member
mspease said:
Scratchers will surely help, but also make sure your snow flap is doing it's job. It's not ripped or bent upwards?
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That's part of the problem. The flap is so far back because the same tunnel is used for the 144 (mine) and the 155, It's impossible to get snow to it on hardpack like we had a couple weeks ago.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
Dave_B said:
That's part of the problem. The flap is so far back because the same tunnel is used for the 144 (mine) and the 155, It's impossible to get snow to it on hardpack like we had a couple weeks ago.
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Dave, Are you having an over heating issue? I suspect the boards are heated and there also is a heat exchanger at the front of the track in the bulk head. I truly do not believe that your sled is as long as a 155. maybe a 144. you can get the specs on length at the Poo sled site. Buy the scratchers they sling a ton of ice/snow on the track and rails. I also raised my tunnel bag off the tunnel with a way cool spacer system to keep from trapping heat back there. I have a gas can mounted behind the seat with a space between it and the tunnel also.
 
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Dave_B

Active member
Nothing under the running boards. Just one up front and one in the back. I did look it up. They used the same extension on the 144 and the 155 in 2006. That's why the flap is useless for cooling on hard pack. Don't forget, this was a special snow check option and, obviously, not thought out very well. (sounds like a 2009 800 Dragon. :) )

I took the shovel off but not the gas can. There is a space there and it's in front of the heat exchanger.

I put it side by side next to a 2007 Switchback and mine is at least 4" longer.

My average temp was 161 degrees. Highest, 189. Again, the snow was hard packed and tough to lubricate any sled.

I knew it would run hot based on the conditions. I just didn't expect it to be that bad. Put it in deep snow and it's fine.

Just want to make sure scratchers will be worth the investment.

Thanks guys!

Dave
 
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willey

New member
Scratchers will drop your temp to the high 120's on the trail. Trust us its a must have and a wise investment!
 
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polarisrider1

New member
To me that is hot. I run at 121 to 149 at tops. Mainly at 127 degrees. I most definately run way cooler with scratchers down.bthey do work. Mount as far forward as you can. Right behind front idler wheel. I would stretch it out to a 144x2 and run scratchers down all the time.
 
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anonomoose

New member
Dave I had the same issues with a RX-1 Mountain and the answer was more heat exchanger. Though I believe the running boards on that switchback sled had coolant running through the rails, if you add additional heat exchanger behind the rear one on there, your problems will go away and you can run the sled in low or no snow conditions and it will never over heat. That's what I did after adding a temp read-out gauge which I used to keep track of the temps.

These sleds are all short on heat exchanger equipment.
 
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Dave_B

Active member
Moose
There may be coolant running through the rails but the heat exchanger is all the way in the back.
I will be trying scratchers next year and see what happens.
Unless I buy a new sled! :D
 
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willey

New member
Dave_B said:
Moose
There may be coolant running through the rails but the heat exchanger is all the way in the back.
I will be trying scratchers next year and see what happens.
Unless I buy a new sled! :D
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Daveb, the running boards act as additional heat exchangers. They ran it that way to cut down on ice buildup and help cool the sled.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
willey said:
Daveb, the running boards act as additional heat exchangers. They ran it that way to cut down on ice buildup and help cool the sled.
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Thank you! Dave that is how the antifreeze gets back there and back to the front. Look behing the plastic cover holder thing that is on your tunnel, it hides the rubber hoses that connect the rails to the exchanger. Had the same set up on the 755 RMK I had. .Poo did it that way for 06 and 07.
 
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Dave_B

Active member
willey said:
Daveb, the running boards act as additional heat exchangers. They ran it that way to cut down on ice buildup and help cool the sled.
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Not effective in keeping the temp down in low snow conditions or hard pack. I just want to get more snow to the rear heat exchanger when trail riding or riding on hard pack snow. Scratchers seemed like a good idea but want to make sure they will kick up enough to make it all the way to the rear.
 
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bobsledder

New member
I ride a 03 Frontier and it WAS a hyfax hog. The scratchers spray a ton of snow and ice. On just always leave them down as they show hardly any ware in 1200 miles
 
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xc500mod

Member
I have a 2012 switchback assault 800 144''. my brother in law has the same exact sled. we were riding the mancelona area the last week of march. i had scratchers and he didn't. with two scratchers down i was at 127 degrees, with one down i was at 143, with none down (my brother in law) he was running in the 180 - 190s. and had to stop once at night when it was freezing because his temp light came on.

why would i run with 1 scratcher? because i went in reverse with them down and broke it off. the first thing i buy for my sled are the duraflex ice scratchers. you can run in reverse.
 
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elf

Well-known member
xc500mod said:
I have a 2012 switchback assault 800 144''. my brother in law has the same exact sled. we were riding the mancelona area the last week of march. i had scratchers and he didn't. with two scratchers down i was at 127 degrees, with one down i was at 143, with none down (my brother in law) he was running in the 180 - 190s. and had to stop once at night when it was freezing because his temp light came on.


why would i run with 1 scratcher? because i went in reverse with them down and broke it off. the first thing i buy for my sled are the duraflex ice scratchers. you can run in reverse.
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Funny you mention the 1 scratcher down. i almost always ride with just 1 scratcher down so if I do back up and forget about it and break it, I have the other one yet. Been there done that!
 
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lenny

Guest
scratchers work. Couple years back I bought a new M8 and it was right when conditions were hard pack and temp light came on right away. I installed scratchers and problem solved
 
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