Kristi KT7 restoration pictures

[BigAl]

Crap ! That last picture is looking from the front toward the rear ! Even I am getting confused trying to figure out which end is which!!

 

[jaybe_2]

I must say that is some fine work you have done.

 

[BigAl]

I must say that is some fine work you have done.

Thank You ,
It was all a labor of love . well almost .....

It also helpped to keep my mind busy since my Dad has been so ill .

 

[Melensdad]

Thank You ,
It was all a labor of love . well almost .....

It also helpped to keep my mind busy since my Dad has been so ill .

And beside, if you did a crappy job all the Snow Trac guys would have just made fun of your forever and ever and ever.

 

[BigAl]

And beside, if you did a crappy job all the Snow Trac guys would have just made fun of your forever and ever and ever.

You know Bob ???? I had never figured out why you Snot Trac guys like to pick on me . I have done nothing but be perfectly honest about my superior Kristi KT7 over those dirty little Snot Tracs .

 

[BigAl]

Evening folks ,


OK ! I am now designing the new "Track Cleats" and think I have a winner of a design .

Take a look at the 5 pictures of the old and new style Cleat Design and give me some input .

I purposely rabbited the HDPE Plastic to "inter lock" into the 1 1/4" Steel
Channel . One thing I did not want was any exposed edges where snow could build up on the cleat . I also felt the "HDPE plastic"would have more protection by wrapping the edge with steel .

The steel channel will be held in place to the Plastic and belts by 3/8" diameter Stainless Steel bolts and nuts

If you think this will work , I will set up a jig and start mass producing these in the morning .

I should have them all made by tomorrow night .

Thanks Allen

 

[BigAl]

Last two:

 

[BigAl]

Good Morning all ,

Well ,I sure hope the new track cleat design works !!!

We finally had a weather change here yesterday and my back just killed me last night and I could not sleep .I wonder why the weather affects my back like that ???

So I got up ,went to the shop and made all the cleats .

42 @ 25" long and 42 @ 14" long ! Whew!!! I am glad that is done .

I will start cutting steel channel a bit later on today and start drilling the bolt holts.

That HDPE plastic is the strangest stuff to work with . I like it

 

[bczoom]

Good morning poobah.

You're up and posting awfully early today.

 

[BigAl]

Good morning poobah.

You're up and posting awfully early today.

You have to go to bed to get up early and I hav'nt been to bed yet ! My back is on FIRE . We have a major weather change going on here and I really feel it in the old back !! Can't stand ,lie down or sit for very long . I need a drink !

 

[Melensdad]

Allen, just curious, but how will you keep the bold heads from wearing down/rounding off? I noticed the original cleats used square head bolts, are you going to use those, or 6 sided bolt heads? And is there a special type that you will use (some sort of hardened bolt)?

 

[BigAl]

Allen, just curious, but how will you keep the bold heads from wearing down/rounding off? I noticed the original cleats used square head bolts, are you going to use those, or 6 sided bolt heads? And is there a special type that you will use (some sort of hardened bolt)?

Actually Bob ,
My cleats are bolted from the bottom at the belt up through the cleat so it is the nut that wears out . They were orgininally hardfaced at the Kristi factory to keep from coming loose and giving good wear points .They also make for excellent "Ice Grips" being done this way .

I am switching over to Stainless Steel Bolts and Nuts as they are much harder than regular steel Grade#5 bolts . I will then hardface the nut to the bolt as the Kristi factory did . I am trying to locate square nuts so I can use those instead of switching over to hexagon style nuts .

 

[mlang2005]

Hey Al is that plastic going to be stiff enought? Seems to me that it will bend from the force of the sprocket, then start jumping teeth. or is it as stiff as the old oak grousers

 

[BigAl]

Hey Al is that plastic going to be stiff enought? Seems to me that it will bend from the force of the sprocket, then start jumping teeth. or is it as stiff as the old oak grousers

I think it will be . I guess we will find out soon . The original cleats were made of Hickory and many KT3's have been replaced by Oak . My best guess, as to why the Kristi Factory used Hickory for cleats was because it is hard like Oak but probably cost less . Its seems like they liked to cut corners wherever they could .

As far as using HDPE plastic to replace the wood . When I talked with the engineers at the Plastics Factory where it is made ,they were pretty sure it would do the job nicely .The engineer and I talked about brittleness ,bending, expansion,stress from cold and of course strength of the product . The Company has never supplied HDPE Plastic for snow track cleats and they are very interested to see how well they perform on the KT7 and are patiently waiting for a review of their product . I guess it may give them another sales angle if it works . They asked a number of questions dealing with weight , lowest operating temperature , type of terrain,etc.

These plastic cleats are "good to go" to at least -25 degrees below 0 . I added the 1 1/4" channel steel style over using the original 1" flat bar steel design that came from the factory to increase the stiffness and give the Plastic more protection from the abuse of the elements .

If this works I know of 3 other Kristi owners with KT3's who are planning to change over to Plastic Cleats in the near future . I guess I am the "Ginny Pig" on this idea, since it was suggested during a conversation on "reconstructing of the tracks and alternate ideas in place of wood ".

I thought it was well worth trying and one thing about it , The plastic will never rot !

I do not have a huge amount invested in the plastic and if it does not perform well ,I am only out the cost of Plastic and the Stainless Steel bolts that hold them in place to the Rubber Belts . I can reuse the channel even if I go back to wood .

Wish me luck .
Al

 

[Vance]

Al,

Those cleats look great. I think you will be fine with the HDPE. That stuff will survive much more abuse than the wood it replaced. You'll also get lots of stiffness from the channel that replaced the flat stock (at some expense to weight).

I am a bit puzzled about the bolt configuration, tho. Do you have the option to put the nuts on the inside of the belts? If so you could tack weld the bolts to the channel and never worry about them rounding off. Just a thought as this is kind of how my Tucker belts are (but my cleats are angle-iron based.)

Let me know if you ever need any physical help - especially when it comes time to wrestle those tracks on the beast!! I'm just down the road...

Vance

 

[BigAl]

Al,

Those cleats look great. I think you will be fine with the HDPE. That stuff will survive much more abuse than the wood it replaced. You'll also get lots of stiffness from the channel that replaced the flat stock (at some expense to weight).

I am a bit puzzled about the bolt configuration, tho. Do you have the option to put the nuts on the inside of the belts? If so you could tack weld the bolts to the channel and never worry about them rounding off. Just a thought as this is kind of how my Tucker belts are (but my cleats are angle-iron based.)

Let me know if you ever need any physical help - especially when it comes time to wrestle those tracks on the beast!! I'm just down the road...

Vance

I appreciate that very much ,Vance . Can you make me a drink ???

Just kidding !

I believe "The Kristi Company" purposely installed the nuts on the outside and then "Hardfaced" them to give the Track design a better "Ice Gripping" capability and a longer wear life . They are like studs sticking up and I know they sure did a number on my paved driveway when I unloaded this Snowcat and pulled it into the shop ,when I began the restoration . I do have the option of reversing the bolts ,but feel they would be of more assistance as the factory installed them. We shall see ...

And by the way , You do not have to come up and work to stop by . Your invited anytime . PM me and I'll give you my Phone # and directions .
Allen

 

[MNoutdoors RIP]

Al, here is a cleat that we extrude of 6061-T6 aluminum in 12 foot lengths and you can just cut to what ever length you need it is 2.5" tall we also make one that is 3.5" tall and you just use a grade 8 carraige bolt anywhere along its length easy to use with any bolt pattern on your belts. weight is one pound per foot.

 

[BigAl]

Al, here is a cleat that we extrude of 6061-T6 aluminum in 12 foot lengths and you can just cut to what ever length you need it is 2.5" tall we also make one that is 3.5" tall and you just use a grade 8 carraige bolt anywhere along its length easy to use with any bolt pattern on your belts. weight is one pound per foot.

I very well might be interested in purchasing some of that from you for my KT4 restoration I will be stating soon ,if you sale it retail. Since my KT4 floats, I want to keep it light as possible and replacing the existing steel cleats would shave a lot of wieght .That is really pretty neat looking stuff . Where were you 6 months ago when we started dicussing the cleats for the KT7 !!!

 

[BigAl]

Ok ... I think my arm is broke .... :657: I have never drilled so many holes in my life !!! I figure I drilled about 600 holes today and 600 holes yesterday .

My drill press is about 80 plus years old but it just kept chugging along . My Dad actually salvaged it from a trash can a few years ago when he was on his nieghborhood walk . It needed a new electric cord and I have been using it ever since .

Anyway,.... the cleats are done as well as the Channel Steel covers .

Tomorrow I will punch the belting and be ready to put the tracks together .

600 holes to punch using a 3lb. hammer and a 5/16" hole cutting punch????? I wonder what the odds are of hitting my thumb before I am done ???

Here a few pictures of the cleats and my old faithful drill press .

 

[BigAl]

And yes ,I know I spelled "Really old " wrong in the last picture !

 

[SkiDozer 302]

Damn Al, I think that I saw a picture of Noah using that same drill press when he was building the Ark!

 

[MNoutdoors RIP]

Al, that looks the (arm)strong model 600 (for 600 holes)

Good Luck Tomarrow you really are on a schedule here...............remember
to take a break (drink) once a while........

 

[Vance]

Geez Al... how are we gonna bug you on how your Kristi doesn't track straight after posting pix of that antique drill press!! Don't get me wrong - I still use the old fashioned tools too - mostly because they just work. I guess we're gonna have to blame the tracking on distractions from the passengers getting into the Dr. Rum supply!!

Props to ya!!

Vance

P.S. If you ever need to drill a hole straight... give me a call!!

hehe

 

[BigAl]

Ok.... Half the rubber belting is punched and I quit for the day . I should finish up in the morning and then its time to breakdown the old tracks to get the "alinement brackets" off the old tracks and also the Stainless Steel "wear sleeves" that engage the sprockets. They will need to be checked for breaks and rewelded and repaired as nessessary before slapping on some new paint .
"SpecialThanks" to Bogie and Mtntopper for helping me get the track layout correct . I called both in a fit of "panic" this morning when I found quite a variation in the "Track Spacing" on the KT7 . I reached Brad first and he was gracious enough to get me straighten out and going in the right direction .
Bill returned my call to him a few minutes later and agreed with Brad 100% . Now that is good service !!!
Thanks Guy's

 

[Lyndon]

Re: Al's Forum?

So you want to change the Logo pictures to include a Krusty? And I suppose you want to change the name too? Now let's see.. you probably have the longest running thread, what are there over 700 posts? For the amount of time & energy you have in the Forum you could have built 2 snow cats! And your not done yet! We are going to have to start a NEW thread: What Day Will Big Al's Kristi Thread reach it's 1000th post?

 

[Lyndon]

Your first post was on 2/23/06 and I see my last post was on 2/9/07 and was the 805th that means an avarage of 2.2933447 post per day, so you should reach your 1000 on:May 5th.

 

[BigAl]

Your first post was on 2/23/06 and I see my last post was on 2/9/07 and was the 805th that means an avarage of 2.2933447 post per day, so you should reach your 1000 on:May 5th.

What's wrong with you Lyndon ? Did someone steal your pudding cup again that was in the frig?

What you have failed to realize is that this is a "Kristi Cat" and it takes time to make such a wonderful machine more perfect than it was .

And I think it is a wonderful idea you have to celebrate the completion of my KT7 on May 5. Thank You
We can call it .....Hummm??? Oh yes , I know .... We will call it "Cinco De Mayo" and all of Mexico will celebrate with me on creating a magnificent snow cat !!! I can hear the chants is spanish now

"Cinco De Mayo De El Gato Grande"

 

[BigAl]

Re: Al's Forum?

So you want to change the Logo pictures to include a Krusty? And I suppose you want to change the name too? Now let's see.. you probably have the longest running thread, what are there over 700 posts? For the amount of time & energy you have in the Forum you could have built 2 snow cats! And your not done yet! We are going to have to start a NEW thread: What Day Will Big Al's Kristi Thread reach it's 1000th post?

Your right Lyndon .

I could have built a half dozen of them "throw away,use one time only , Snot Trac's" like you use to own with the amonut of time I have in this Krusty KT7.
Unlike a Kristi a Snot Trac ain't much besides a VW steering wheel , a lawn chair and a set of rubber bands . Very easy to work on or throw away,whatever you prefer !
Who did you pawn that "lead sled Garage queen" off to anyway ???
Oh yea ....Mtnpooper now has that headache !!!

PS : You have a Great Day Lyndon and stay warm!!!

 

[Lyndon]

Big Al can apply for a pattent for the first 'HOT AIR & Gossip Powered Snow Cat'. It might even be "environmentally friendly"!

 

[BigAl]

Ok Lyndon ... I hear what your saying .

So this is probably my last post on the actual restoration of the Kristi KT7 until I can show all of you a couple pictures of the "completed unit" with Tracks attached and a couple of operating in the snow .
I will add one last single report on "how well or not well" it performed in the snow . That should happen later next week.

So I am finished punching the new belts for the tracks. It was easier than I thought it would be to do . I did take Bogie's suggestion and use my long bench to layout the belts to get the cleat spacing correct and transfer the measurements to each belt . This sure saved the old back . Thank You Bogie .

There are a total of 4 -3 ply belts on each side . The 2 outside belts are 6" wide and the 2 inner belts are 5 1/2" wide . In the original design the 2 outside belts are installed with additional spacing between the cleats . This makes the outside belts bunch up or "floppy" .

I have 2 theorys as to why this was done . First , as stated by Kristi Manufacturing in the brochure , is to provide additional floatation and side hill grip . Second theory( which is my own) is to add additional "Square Inches" to the track footprint so Kristi could claim a "lower PSI numbers" in the snow .

So which one is correct or are they both correct ?? I guess time will tell.

I decided to install all 4 of my belts with a tight design as there was quite a bit of damage to the fiberglass body where the loose belt design had slapped the KT7 body sides ,more than once .

Not to start a war ,but Caroth had stated in a earlier post that damage was caused by "Out of adjustment" on the belts . I don't think this is a correct statment as all 3 of my Kristi models show body damage from this .Also every Kristi model I have ever seen shows this damage too . They can't all be out of track adjustment ?????????

I think it may have been a "good idea from the factory and a additional selling feature " that may have "worked well on paper but not that well in actual conditions" .

So here are a few pictures of my belts being manufactured .

Good Day and Good Grief ,

See you all at the finish line.....I hope
BigAl