Kristi KT7 restoration pictures

[Snowcat Operations]

WELDED??? :657:

 

[BigAl]

OK!!!
The last hoses were made today . I have 4 left to hook up and the hydraulics are complete . All new hoses and fittings ran about $715 . Those last 4 are going to be a "son of a gun" to hook up . They are under the transmission . Found some major BooBoo's by the Kristi builders in their orginal hydraulic hose lay out . This may explain why it was reported the KT7 could not obtain 20 MPH in testing . WE shall see . I don't think they were much of hydraulic experts . I know I'm not . It took the boys down at the "Catapillar Shop" about 1 minute to locate the problems and find a solution .
Pictures maybe tomorow .

 

[Snowcat Operations]

Your snowcat should hit at least 30MPH. Wouldnt that be horrible if the Kristi factory screwed themselves by connecting a few hoses wrong! I was shocked to hear the Kristi expert CAROTH say that the Kristi KT-7 failed to hit 20 MPH and that is why they lost the FAA contract. From what he told me that is why the company went under. I am kinda hoping that it doesnt hit 20 mph with the fix. We would still have the KRISTI snowcat company if it wasnt for that! Oh well. Time will show.

 

[BigAl]

Evening folks

Well.... The #@!!XX$$$!! hydraulic hoses are all installed . I have one left to tighten up and it is directly under the Transmission . I have about 4 inches to access it . Looks like I am going to end up cutting a wrench in half to tighten it up .

Overall ,I am pleased with the outcome . It is much cleaner as far as the hose routing goes . The Hydro Transmissions now have there own large oil supply so there should not be a oil stavation issue anymore .

If the last hydraulic hose can be tightened in the morning, I will connect the remote engine oil filter hoses ,secure the hydraulic tank ,connect gas line ,add oils, battery, temporary wiring and get ready to fire it off over the weekend.

Here are a few pictures of the new hoses and the routing ....

Good Day

 

[mtntopper]

temporary wiring and get ready to fire it off over the weekend.

Have a fire extinguisher ready just in case something goes wrong. Too much hard work to let something stupid happen.

I would not be surprised to see it going 30 MPH sitting still.

 

[BigAl]

Thanks Bill , Yes, I keep 2 big "10 pound" fire extinguishers in the shop at all times . I think I may just use a boat fuel tank as a fuel source before adding fuel in the tank . That way I can isolate it outside and away from the KT7 .

 

[Snowcat Operations]

Make sure the fire extinguishers are fully charged. I happen to just check mine in the small shop and it is dead! Just put it in last year. Not even 12 months old.

 

[BigAl]

Evenin folks

Well .... Its as ready as it ever will be to start . I finished up all the little things and just fiddle farted around checking stuff. Its greased ,oiled and everything has been checked about 3 or 4 times now.

Its funny but I been working on it so long ,I am in absolutely no hurry to start it . Maybe tomorrow or maybe Saturday .

Think I am going to go make a drink and just relax .

Till tomorrow....

 

[mtntopper]

Evening BigAl,
Enjoy your Dr. Pepper and rum and savor the moment!!! No need to rush the little thingies in life...The little things make it all worthwhile!!!

 

[Mith]

I am in absolutely no hurry to start it

Yea, you may not be, but I'm drumming my fingers waiting for the news of engine parts flying everywhere! You better do it soon, my fingers are wearing to the bone from all this drumming.
Lets see those engine parts fly!!

 

[BigAl]

Yea, you may not be, but I'm drumming my fingers waiting for the news of engine parts flying everywhere! You better do it soon, my fingers are wearing to the bone from all this drumming.
Lets see those engine parts fly!!

Gee Mith !
Your a real confidence builder for my ego ! I think I might go for it this afternoon .
Allen

 

[Jim_S]

Lets see those engine parts fly!!

 

[Mith]

Al, with the amount of work you have put in, it wont be short of perfection, we all know that

 

[Jim_S]

Al, with the amount of work you have put in, it wont be short of perfection, we all know that

I agree with Jim. It's going to be better than it was when new.

 

[BigAl]

I hope you boys are right .

Otherwise you all may see me on the "Dr Phil TV show" crying my eyes out . It does not look good to see a 300 plus pound man crying on national TV .. Very bad for ratings .....

 

[BigAl]

Evening Folks ,

Well… I torn the guts out of her starting on Feb.23 ,2006 and she fired back up today . She runs like a raped ape! .

She fired off on about the third revolution after I had primed the motor with oil and got fuel up to the carb.

Had to tighten two hydraulic fittings and find a bad wire in the distributor that was shorting out the points and adjust the carb .

I also realized she has a pusher fan instead of a puller fan on the motor .

All systems are go and all I need to do is bleed the hydraulic lift rams .

Those hydro transmission motors flat get with the program !!!!

So tomorrow should see me permanently install the battery and start to button her up .

It appears she has about 16” of vertical travel on the lift rams . I am still trying to figure it all out . Right now she has her back end up like a “Big Black Beetle”

But I think it is about to get fun now !!!

With that little V-4 in her with a glass pack muffler she just purrs. I swear she is saying “ I want to kick some Snot Trac Butt”

 

[Jim_S]

With that little V-4 in her with a glass pack muffler she just purrs. I swear she is saying “ I want to kick some Snot Trac Butt”

No matter what Bob S says Mith and I knew you could do it

One question - I thought it was a Corn Trac or a Bean Trac?????

I know you offered Bob S a ride in the back. Does he realize he will be beside the popcorn machine and it is full of hot oil? Hate to see your interior stained by the spilled oil when you take Bob up one of those almost vertical slopes

 

[Doc]

Congrats Al.
You made darn good time on your project with everything else you had going on. Don't ya love it when a project comes together?

 

[Melensdad]

No matter what Bob S says Mith and I knew you could do it

One question - I thought it was a Corn Trac or a Bean Trac?????

It is the Cornfield Flyer not the Corn Trac!

 

[mtntopper]

GREAT JOB, BigAl Looking forward to seeing it in the snow.
Now the excuses will start from the Snot Trac side.
My new paint isn't dry yet...
Got to break in a new motor first....
Epoxy has to set on the top....
Don't want to scratch the tracks....This is my excuse!!!!
Mommy won't let me go out in the cold....
Mine is just for show....
Can't find my trailer....
Had to work late....
Gas is to expensive to fill the tank...

 

[Snowcat Operations]

Finally! NOW its my turn at the rebuild section.

BigAl Man that is the best damn rebuild of any snowcat I have ever seen. Of course its the only frame off resto but still that is top quality. Even if it is a Kristi it will NOW run 10X better than it did when it left the factory! Sounds like they were using the smaller fittings and or hoses. Dumb arses! Now she will have the vital fluid flow she needed to run like the beast it is! The "YETTI" has been born. Congradulations daddy! Now where is my Cigar?

​

 

[BigAl]

Thanks Guys ,

Well you won't be getting rid of me yet . I still have the steering controls to install . Along with the windows,heater, wiring,tracks, commutications system , popcorn machine,beer tap, and the bar-b-que . Or I can just quit here on posting the restoration project and show a finished picture in another month or so .

I want to have another nice Avatar and the one I plan to use is my copyrighted KT7 pulling a Snow Trac .

 

[Snowcat Operations]

Good luck on the new Avatar!

 

[mtntopper]

I was going to congratulate you as the GrandPooba of Kristi rebuild, but now I will also have to attach another title to your name as the KRISTI SNOW CAT AUTHORITY. The great part is that you have and always will be willing to share your knowledge and experience of your project with everyone with no strings attached. You have inspired all the members and many non members to challenge themselves. Much of the growth of the snow cat section is in response to you, MR. BIGAL. That is what makes this forum and the members here the authority for snow cat fun, information and help on the web. Thanks again and keep up the flow of great info and fun........

Now that the praise is finished, what did I do with my sharp stick????

Bill

Reposted to this thread since it should of probably been here to begin with.

 

[BigAl]

Ok ! You are being way too nice ????What are you guys up to . I better get ready ,cause I know something bad is comin . If you think I am going to roll over and start being nice to you guys , think again !!!

But thanks anyway , It sure was nice of you !!!

Allen

 

[BigAl]

Evening all ,

Thought you might get a kick outta these pictures .

The front end comes way up . So does the back . Or I can lower it or raise it level . I can tilt side to side also .

I think I got myself a little sea sick from playing with it . I bet I could join a “Lowrider Club” with this baby .


The last shot is my little stuffed engine compartment . About all that is left to install in here is the wiring .

Enjoy !!!!

 

[Melensdad]

Al, I remember you described it in a post somewhere, but how did you run the exhaust out through the sides and still make the holes reasonably tight so melting snow does not come into through those holes?

Also, when the body is elevated, is the muffler low enough so that it does not come in contact with the rubber track? Or is there enough side clearance so the muffler doesn't come in contact with the rubber track?

 

[BigAl]

Al, I remember you described it in a post somewhere, but how did you run the exhaust out through the sides and still make the holes reasonably tight so melting snow does not come into through those holes?

Also, when the body is elevated, is the muffler low enough so that it does not come in contact with the rubber track? Or is there enough side clearance so the muffler doesn't come in contact with the rubber track?

The exhaust runs through a asbestos exhaust manifold donut . It is held in place by a thin metal cover on each side . The exhaust pipe cannot touch the body !

The muffler clears everything very nicely . I cut the Tail extension off where it goes up the rear of the body . I plan on using stainless steel tubing "polished" to a high gloss when I connect it .

I wonder if I even need the extension ??? . Maybe just put a turn out where it is and call it good .

 

[BigAl]

Good Evening Gents and Ladies ,

Its been a lazy day . Just kinda fine tuning a few things on Yetti . Trying to decide on a steering control but as of now I think it will be a "Quadastat single control level" . It is amazing what they can do . I can add about 4 switches in the control handle for horn, lights, popcorn machine "on" buttom , or shut down the beer tap if Bob S. is sucking it dry again .

Its getting confusing trying to remember everything I want to add ,as I go now . Working up a Electronics list of goodies that need to be installed . Good God that stuff is costly !!!

Hey "Ya all" have a safe and sane 4th !!! God Bless each and every one of you !!!

 

[Doc]

Thanks Al;
Hope you and all FF members have a good 4th.
Cheers.