pistenbully axle addition

JimVT · May 11, 2014

I got 35 more hours on my meter last season and started my pimping project.
I wanted to improve on the flotation that it doesn't have. So the new axle should get me 3ft on each side.
I have it at a shop now.

First I let the wife learn to drive it. Graded driveway in rear.

New Pb axle

winched on the trailer and headed to the shop.

JimVT · Aug 30, 2014

slow process. the shop has its priorities .They had me pull the hydraulic tank and cap all the hoses.
Cutting soon I hope.
Red line shows the area.

mbsieg · Aug 30, 2014

what is the current psi? What will the psi be after mod? I am interested as a local just purchased a trooper. he and rocky mtn power have the same cat and same problem. to the point of having a tucker pull them out lol.

JimVT · Aug 30, 2014

my canyon floats like a bulldozer. never weighed it . book has 4850lbs but i have steel over aluminum tracks ,blade and 600lb cabin. Manual has .544 psi
i'll gain 3ft on each side.
You said same cat,was that a trooper?

mbsieg · Aug 30, 2014

JimVT said:
my canyon floats like a bulldozer. never weighed it . book has 4850lbs but i have steel over aluminum tracks ,blade and 600lb cabin. Manual has .544 psi
i'll gain 3ft on each side.
You said same cat,was that a trooper?

Yes they both have troopers. RMP has a utility box on back that is huge and heavy. The local has a big passenger cabin.

sno-drifter · Aug 30, 2014

JimVT said:
my canyon floats like a bulldozer. never weighed it . book has 4850lbs but i have steel over aluminum tracks ,blade and 600lb cabin. Manual has .544 psi
i'll gain 3ft on each side.
You said same cat,was that a trooper?

Given this info. you would need 10,000 sq. in. which means if the tracks are 36 in. wide, each track would be 139 inches long. Need more axles and 40 acres to turn around.

Snowtrac Nome · Aug 31, 2014

I haven't got to try it out in real deep soft snow yet, but my 2100 on fresh snow doesn't seem to sink much deeper than my snot trac and Brutis weighs in at 9 k .

JimVT · Sep 4, 2014

Snowtrac Nome · Sep 4, 2014

who is adding the axle for you Jim

JimVT · Sep 4, 2014

I am having a large local shop extend it and mount the axle. then it will be finished at home. hoses,tracks,cabin mounts at home by me.
do you need a name?

300 H and H · Sep 4, 2014

I hope this works out for you Jim. Looks like the right shop for the job as well!

Not sure the Snow Trac won't still be better in the deep stuff though. Light weight is the key to them....

Regards, Kirk

JimVT · Sep 12, 2014

welding starts today. I should have it home the first of the week. then I extend the hoses , paint ,build tracks section, mount cabin

JimVT · Sep 16, 2014

home and in my shop now.
lots of unpainted metal.

sno-drifter · Sep 16, 2014

Lookin good Jim. Bet you will have it all ready before the snow flys.

JimVT · Sep 17, 2014

got it in before any rust started. with our dry weather it never got wet.
I plan on getting a good measure on track length so I can order grousers and belt.
so putting one track on is the next step.
I don't want to be caught waiting on parts.
I want to have it running by the end of November.
jim

JimVT · Oct 3, 2014

coming together slowly . got the last of the new hoses yesterday. original ones were 3ft.

Snowtrac Nome · Oct 3, 2014

that look on your face you must have received the bill for the new hoses. to have those built here would be over a grand so smile a bit.

JimVT · Oct 3, 2014

I was talking to the pistenbully parts girl and she mentioned that the factory replacement stock hoses are $500.
that picture is just for one side.
jim

300 H and H · Oct 3, 2014

JimVT said:
I was talking to the pistenbully parts girl and she mentioned that the factory replacement stock hoses are $500.
that picture is just for one side.
jim

Are those 6 wire braid hoses?

Yup they are pricey. I have several on a 4WD hydrostat sprayer that were in the $800 apiece range. I know from the factory it was considerably more. My price was from a local hydrolic shop.

Lookin good! Snow tonight in the midwest. I have yet to start harvest. 3 inches of rain this week...

Regards, Kirk

JimVT · Oct 4, 2014

not sure but am thinking they are the heavy ones.
all hoses are in .hydro tank tank was set in place and stopped for the day.5:30pm

smell of buring leaves/grass in the air. found out when I entered the house it was a pizza I have cooking in the oven since 12 noon. 400 degrees kind of black.
it wasn't a good one anyway.
bad part was wife found it when she got home at 6pm. I am blaming it on a new oven. 6 hours at 400 .
good thing she is going to be at her sisters this weekend in Idaho. House needs airing out.

akimp · Oct 5, 2014

Oh man that is a classic snow cat addict move.

Nikson · Oct 7, 2014

Wow, definitely seems like a worthwhile idea to put into works, extra flotation is always good...

During the 1450 rebuilt, I've decided to go an extra 1ft or possibly more in my length as well...

I'm sure you'll be happy!!!

JimVT · Oct 13, 2014

like a kid at Christmas today. got a call and 600lbs of track parts are about to be shipped from Utah.

JimVT · Oct 22, 2014

adding belts and grousers . 6.5 ft on each side.

I also should get an award for the messy shop.

Northcoast · Oct 22, 2014

What a great upgrade. Not only better flotation,but a much better ride.

JimVT · Oct 24, 2014

I chose to pull the track up as I added grousers rather than bend over. missing track holes in the belt were punched through the grouser. slow going ,my torque wrench doesn't lock and keeps moving. 15 -17 lbs torque to prevent smashing the cords. goodyear belt 3 ply. two new belts and 2 that were cut off the outside when I narrowed it. missing laceing on top outside belt is ordered. I mixed belts old and new. This one has inner and outside new. Next side i'll do it correctly put both new in the inner.
while track is off I am replacing all oil with synthetic. rear planetary drive was over filled and am surprised it didn't leak from pressure.

I am also adding a FUMOTO OIL DRAIN VALVE to help in the next engine oil change.

muleman · Oct 25, 2014

Looking good! See you folks are getting some snow in the high terrain. You will like the extra float when it gets deep. :clap:

JimVT · Oct 25, 2014

I got some good help on the tracks yesterday and he even wants to be back today.
I will be in for prostrate removal soon and he wants the thing done. He is worried I'll be out turning wrenched when I shouldn't.this guy is a veteran from working on tracked rigs in nam.
He has his own st4 .
I expect snow in the lower hills for thanks giving. So that has been my deadline since june.

jask · Oct 26, 2014

Jim... I hope your prostate surgery goes well and wish you a quick recovery. Good to hear you have an extra set of hands to speed the work along! I will look forward to seeing some pics of you guys getting out with your machines.

JimVT · Nov 2, 2014

before and after. almost ready for the Leavenworth jamboree.
I "hope" to get it on a scale Monday and figure out the PSI on the tracks.

rear cabin mounts are not built yet . you can see straps holding the cabin down on a 2x4. cabin hinges up with a hydraulic jack to do engine work and the new hinge placement is presenting a slight problem.

pistenbully axle addition

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