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New Kristi Owner
- Thread starter Bobcat
- Start date
I'd like to take a moment to welcome you to the Forums.bobpierce said:
We are a pretty big place. There are 4 dedicated areas to Snowcats, but plenty of other forums here as well. If you need to make any repairs we've got some guys here who have a lot of experience in repair and restoration of snowcats, tractors and cars. Well you will be in good company with Gary Wilkinson, he uses a Kristi commercially too. Gary uses a KT-3 for accessing microwave & radio towers. Gary has provided us some great information that we include with the Kristi manuals, he did some drawings and made some suppliments to the manual that you will find valuable since the original factory manual is pretty sparce.
Make sure you take a look at BigAl's Kristi KT7 restoration thread. Allen is currently on vacation and not checking in for a couple weeks, but he's one of our restoration experts and knows engines, fiberglass, and fabrication. GKP is currently doing a KT-3 restoration and has posted some photos of excellent work, he's taken a little break in the restoration but is doing a first class job of it. I think Flathorn is going to be starting up a KT-3 restoration this spring/summer.
For the VW engine (or do you have a Porsche engine?) then we have a few VW experts here who can help you out with any question you can come up with. Lyndon knows both VW & Porsche engines. We also have a few guys here who are experts in hydraulics if you run into any snags with they Kristi hydraulic system.
By the way, what year is your KT-3?
Bobcat
Je Suis Charlie Hebdo
It was built in 1963. Has the VW engine, which I know zip about. The Kristi is running and everything works, but has some problems. Biggest problem is a hydraulic leak under the hood somewhere. It is still sitting in the previous owners lot so I won't be able to get into it until I can haul it home in a few days.
I have been reading the repair and restoration threads for about a week now. It helped me decide to buy this beast. Hopefully I will become a contributor soon.
I have been reading the repair and restoration threads for about a week now. It helped me decide to buy this beast. Hopefully I will become a contributor soon.
Attachments
Welcome Bob! I'm glad you found us.
Cool new ride you got there. I'm sure Big Al will be happy to see another Kristi owner join the crowd. Those VW engines were a breeze to work on. With a shopmanual and the forums here you should be good to go.
Enjoy and post often!
Cool new ride you got there. I'm sure Big Al will be happy to see another Kristi owner join the crowd. Those VW engines were a breeze to work on. With a shopmanual and the forums here you should be good to go.
Enjoy and post often!
Snowcat Operations
Active member
Welcome aboard Bob! Nice Kristi KT-3. If you need a service manual I belive Bob Skurka might have one if not PM me and I will see I can dig one up for you. I can see you have good belting on your Kristi. That is a huge step ahead of most snowcat owners who buy used snowcats. Belting can run into the thousands to replace. The hydro leak shouldnt be to much a problem as long as it is the hydraulic system. The valves are in the engine compartment as is the hydraulic holding tank. The only other issue is the heat from the engine compartment. Get some good sound and heat insulation and recover the wall between the cab and engine. This will take most of that issue away. Keep us posted and post alot of pictures. There are a few Kristi owners here. BigAl and GKP (GKP bought my Kristi KT-3) and a few others that know what they are doing. Where do you live? We may have a member close by to you. Also if you need any help please feel free to post or call. PM me for my phone number. Welcome to the gang.
Bob, from the looks of the photo (and I admit photos can mislead) the track belting looks to be in very nice conditon and the wooden cleats also appear to be above average.bobpierce said:
The gelcoat needs to be cleaned up, but there is a thread somewhere here where Mike (Snowcat Operations) showed how to restore the fiberglass.
The hydraulic leak is probably an easy fix. As soon as you find it. Its likely a bad hose or fitting. Either way, they are pretty straightforward repairs. One of our tractor guys (Mad Referree) is the best hydraulics guy I know, and we have serveral others here who also are very well versed in hydaulics and work with fluid flow systems.
Bobcat
Je Suis Charlie Hebdo
Snowcat Operations said:
I should have a DVD on the way soon. The current owner has the original belts as well as these 'aftermarkets'. Looks like it was one WIDE belt that was sliced in half, but it is new rubber. I read somewhere that as long as all the parts were there the hydraulic system would be easy to fix, so I wasn't too worried about the leak. I've also been reading up on the exhaust and heat issues. Live in Rio Rancho, NM which is north of Albuquerque and south of Santa Fe...but I'm never there.
Bobcat
Je Suis Charlie Hebdo
bczoom said:
Here is a link to what I'm doing and why the Kristi should come in handy...
http://www.earthscope.org/usarray/array_design/transportable.php
This job should eventually take me within 40 miles of everyones house in the lower 48!