100% of my riding is done in the U.P. and no off trail riding at all. On the first day of our trip is was bitterly cold and some of the trails we rode on were groomed and set up so hard as result of cold it was like riding on paved roads, trail riding perfection, our F8 is lightly studded, 2/per bar, center of track only, 2017 ElTigre just standard track which I believe is a rip-saw, both are 129's When I had stopped, other than the line from my runners the only penetration I was getting into the trail on my ElTigre was light marks from the tops of my track lugs which were even that hard to make out. My question is... for better lubrication of slides and snow for heat exchangers what would be better, lightly studded like our f8 or are scratchers more beneficial and do they still work well on shorter tracks (129). My other question is I have always been a fan of using only OEM hfyax, is there a better than OEM out there? and what do you recommend if there are.
studs, scratchers and hyfax
- Thread starter euphoric1
- Start date
I don't use studs, so I can run my track loose as to compared with studs. Scratchers work! I would suggest you look into "Trail Blizzers" from Qualipeices in Canada. They are the very best cable type scratcher made imo. I do believe venturenorth in Tech Talk here has just bought them. They rode today in the cold hard trails. Good luck! As with any scratcher, lift them at RR crossings! I have several sleds with the original hyfax and still very little wear at close to 10K miles.
dfattack
Well-known member
Yeah, he installed them. He used them all day and didn't need to. Whenever I was behind him it was like he was throwing little snowballs at me.
Just like tracks, electronics, bearings, etc. The big 4 are having people like Garland make their slides.
6 of one half dozen of other.. cats burn threw hyfax.. I have doing this for a long time we carry spare sets always have always will.. cats melt plastic doesn’t matter off trail or trail they melt them all all brands had them all.. scratchers help but ain’t perfect .. DuPont this DuPont that if big paddle don’t hit snow don’t matter .. if short paddle don’t hit snow don’t matter .. scratcher do just that.. no perfect method other than be mindful and carry back ups .. 20 years in da u o say keeps spares.. or keep pats close.. lol
venturenorth
Member
Thanks again Abe......Yep, I used my new Trailblizzers on Wed....down here in Vilas on dry hard pack and ice they were a must....threw up a duststorm....once north of 2 they were still down, but not really necessary till my return home....Love the locking mounting bracket vs the Dutraflex. I run Dupont hyfax and no studs on my XTX.......Like some others, I was not a fan of adding more maintenance items, but feel much more at ease now that the scratchers are on, especially under these conditions.....Trailblizzers cost a bit more, but worth every penny.
Spot on venturenorth! I was sure you would like them. And yes, all around better material used, and built than Duraflex. They will last along time.
High Country
Member
Abe or Venturenorth where did you purchase these? Venture north could you post a picture of where you mounted yours please? I have a 19 high country 141" track so i believe our rails are similar thank you. Im not a real fan of ordering online .
venturenorth
Member
order Trailblizzers direct from Qualipieces.com .....out of Canada...
$114 for the carbide tip style.....$89 for the steel tips plus about $20 shipping
got em within a week
easy 30 min install......sorry no fotos .....but there are a couple videos on youtube
$114 for the carbide tip style.....$89 for the steel tips plus about $20 shipping
got em within a week
easy 30 min install......sorry no fotos .....but there are a couple videos on youtube
https://www.amazon.com/DURA-FLEX-IC...id=1584096759&sprefix=duraflex,aps,170&sr=8-2
Duraflex ice scratchers are the ticket and would never leave home without them. If installed properly they stay in place and are easily deployed when needed. $90.00 on Amazon
Duraflex ice scratchers are the ticket and would never leave home without them. If installed properly they stay in place and are easily deployed when needed. $90.00 on Amazon
I find dozens of those same ones on the trails in the spring when out 4 wheeling , along with hundreds of studs.
dupont sliders/hyfax's did help my sled run cooler, as well as a few rinds that went to them, so they too CAN help IMO!
NOW< are they worth the added costs?
that is , like most things IMO< a personal deal
some folks will always like higher end parts and some will always use the cheapest they can find that WORK well for them!
to each there own I say
but there is some science behind them that does prove they are more slippery and heat cool differently, to back there claims of SOME added cooling and longer life!
again, HOW Much is that little more help worth to YOU< personal call and spending!
NOW< are they worth the added costs?
that is , like most things IMO< a personal deal
some folks will always like higher end parts and some will always use the cheapest they can find that WORK well for them!
to each there own I say
but there is some science behind them that does prove they are more slippery and heat cool differently, to back there claims of SOME added cooling and longer life!
again, HOW Much is that little more help worth to YOU< personal call and spending!
If you have studs it should not be much of a problem. If you are anti stud or get into the big tracks probably need scratchers. We run on close to glare ice with studs sometimes. Never overheated. Seen many times people run ice without stud and then stop and get off sled. Come back 10 minutes later and sled starts fine. Hit throttle and sled does not go. Wth? Hyfax melted to the track. Have to flip on side and loosen / pry apart with screw driver or whatever you have. Never seen a sled with studs hyfax melt to the track. The ultimate set up for this fan cooled, 250 studs, oil impregnated hyfax, and scratchers. Haha.