I'll Never Ride Without Ice Scratchers After Seeing This | Reversible ICE Storm Scratcher Test

[@jacobbuckle7227]

best things i ever got for my sled, Sliders, and the heat exchangers depend on that snow, also a trick, drill holes in the ski, along the carbides, ittle kick snow up onto the front of the skid aswell,

[@SwankyCatProductions]

True. Huh maybe I'll try that. Would be nice if the skis would just do it all and we didn't need scratchers!

[@danwustrack]

The procross chassis is the only chassis arctic cat I've ever needed scratchers on. But they are a must in low snow conditions. Studs help a little but the scratchers are nice and a must. I've seen alot of sleds in my area of wisco come with scratchers from dealer

[@Rumblefan]

They all seem to need them nowadays, Polaris and ski doo included. Not sure why because I never really needed them on all the 90s/ early 00s sleds I’ve owned. Never had a Zx chassis 800 so I’m not sure if it was just the rev, or ski doo 800s in general, but ski doos 800s have run hot ever since the rev at least. My last rev 800 would have days where I’d have to pull over and cool off frequently if I wasn’t kicking up enough snow or it wasn’t sticking well. Recently bought an 07 xrs and I was gonna take off the scratchers until my overheat light came on one day, I pulled over, cooled off, kicked out the scratchers and never had any issues the rest of the day or the rest of the season

[@jeffnicks2128]

back in the day we used to add a piece of rubber to the snow flap but the suspensions got stiffer and travel more so I definitely run them on all my sleds the only one I ve never had to drop them on is my 2011 z1 1100 that thing stays cool. great video, also went through your area sunday I have never seen that many sleds on 51 before trails looked awesome! have a good one Ben

[@duopolaris2741]

I looked at these type of ice scratchers but decided to get the cable scratchers because it was one hole to drill and if you put the blue lock tight on the tips they last and don’t vibrate off! Also, when not in use I can easily hook them back on the rail and don’t have to worry about suspension coming down smashing or bending them! The cable ones I have have been in place for 3 riding seasons haven’t worn out yet! So you can save money if you want to get the cable version!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Good info thanks! What brand did you get?

[@paddyg56472]

They work!!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Indeed!

[@oby-1607]

Really good video on scratchers. Camera angles were great. Thanks.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@defomatt2684]

That invisible selfie stick gets me every time. I just can’t wrap my head around it.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Haha yeah they are pretty neat!

[@northwoodsmediaworks3377]

Have the Ski-mount version on my Doo and they have been great all season. Definitely flood the tunnel with coolant and lube!

[@karlbullock2907]

I have used scratchers for 10 years. One of the best things you can do for your sled!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Agreed!

[@denisgiguere1600]

I think you dont need to enlarge the holes, the ''hook'' should sit on the top of the rail and the ''spiral'' is the one who need to be screwed in the hole.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

The directions call for it to be placed in a hole but I did contemplate doing what you described. Seems like that would have worked but if you were to get the track off the ground they could fling themselves around and get jabbed into the snow.

[@wingmaster2109]

My 20 Alpha ran 105-115°. After installing a Solid turbo kit my average coolant temp went down to 90-100° due to dumping that much more fuel in the motor. Your cooling capacity being larger than mine makes sense why you drop to below 100°. Nothing wrong with those temps for a 2 stroke. As far as cable scratchers I have seen way to many fall apart to ever want to try them. I’m pretty impressed by this set in your video though.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Huh yeah I suppose I'm just so use to seeing 170 or so on my motorcycle and 190 on my truck that this seems cold but they are a whole nother animal! I'll see how long these last and maybe do a comparison sometime. I'm sure your right though, bet these last much longer.

[@735Films]

If you're getting full cooling on a cold day, your sled can be within 1-4 degrees of 40C / 100F (operating temp). It's amazing. Your sled will thank you. Even the dual spring scratchers (like BRPs) I keep down all the time. Even going in deep snow. Won't affect your track and you can reverse with them!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I've been running them just about all the time now!

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I just bought my first sled. It has these on the front on the skis, but the rears are just a straight bar. Are these for the rear too?

[@johndortch5464]

I have the same scratchers. Drops my temp by 30F on those crisp mornings when snow is really hard. Great product. Mine are mounted on the inside of the skis. Try mounting on skis.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I'm not sure how different they are but they make a set for skid mounting and ski mounting. Mine definitely work awesome too!

[@otahu26]

It's the windage of the spray collecting by your track and snowflap. If you had a larger snow flap. The same thing will happen. cooler machine. a single stud in the back of the ski will do the same thing. Makes enough spray to be collected by the windage of the track n keep the engine cool.

[@Fishnfreak]

Thanks for the video man!

[@elderrider9298]

we just got 17.5 inches of fresh stuff here near superior Wi over the last 2 days

[@midwestall-terrain4309]

Great video! Are you able to share what cameras you're using? Great quality and angles!

[@ericanderson6838]

Swanky, although the sled is likely gone now, where’d did you mount the Ice Storm scratchers on the ZR6000 skid?

[@mauriceprudhomme5296]

I had 2 sets of these both broke in no time. The springs seamed weak, almost cast-like. Great idea just didn’t work for me.

[@johnkenneally4662]

Those work great. Good install.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

They are pretty impressive! Thanks!

[@ArcticJeff]

Yep, 1 will suffice and you can take turns on which side you drop so wear them evenly. Also, by running 1 at a time if something happens to one and it breaks, you always have a back up. I'm running the cable scratchers on my 19 ZR8000 and was able to mount them behind the second set of idler wheels and the scratchers are still effective.

[@ArcticJeff]

Sorry, one more quick observation...Do you have your GPS mounted to the top of the gauge cluster? that's how my GPS is mounted - using GoPro mounts. With the vibration of the engine and bumps on the trails, it has made the gauge cluster wear loose where it mounts. I had to put a couple small dabs of silicone on the gauge cluster mount so it will stay in place.

[@ajbertelson9871]

There can be a too cold temperature and you can seize the motor but not at those temps. A cold seize happens at startup where the piston and cylinder have not got to equilibrium, the cylinder expands as it warms. Also you don't want to run scratchers over 50-60 as you can wear them out. And finally those scratchers are all sold out but you can also mount them on the skis.

[@ajbertelson9871]

@@oldjarhead386 all sleds run t-stats outside of a few race sleds. You can overload the cooling system by running it to hard before it has had a chance to warm up.

[@user-ji2vk5ti9m]

Both of my Polaris sleds have a thermostat. I believe they are 90 degrees. The only way to run with a lower temperature would possibly be to remove the side panels and ride when it’s 20 degrees below zero.

[@leftyeh6495]

A cold seize is when you hammer on it right after a cold start. Pistons expand before the cylinder has a chance to and will scrub and stick. 100-115* is normal 2t sled thermostat range. I leave my scratchers down on all trails all the time. Damn 163 800 RMK needs a flurry of snow to stay below 140. Scratchers won't even help cooling for me until 30-35mph. Big paddle track makes funny noises above 85mph, so I don't go too terribly fast.

[@dannytaylor6066]

Wish was able to get out on the trail this past year. Nobody wanted to go out on trail with me.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I end up riding alone a lot. Not the safest but kind of nice too!

[@shanemayers777]

100 is what my 18' 3" mountain cat runs at in deep powder. So I'm sure that's what the thermostat is at. I like temps between 100-140.

[@gingie5246]

I’ve noticed that studs and scratchers are in the same boat where once you run a sled with them you don’t want to go back.

[@leftyeh6495]

I have no use for studs, but use my scratchers every ride. Of course, I'm in the mountains and studs on a 2.6" track are useless.

[@Dwightsp26]

As long as your going forward you don't have to worry about them off trail on trail doesn't matter

[@lukesmith9144]

150 and the temp light comes on? That's not very hot at all, is that an Arctic Cat thing?

[@Patriot-Logic]

Great justification for scratchers!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks!

[@jimriley2812]

Nice!!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Pretty drastic increase of snow being thrown when you put them down!

[@fcalandra1234]

Those cameras withstand the low temps? Batteries dont show low voltage? All my sled mounted GoPro's die quickly in the cold. I am forced to remote power them.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

That's what I've been doing with my helmet camera too. GoPros are awful otherwise. I generally try to only film for an hour or less now just so I have less footage but I don't think I've ever had one of these shut down on me yet. Haven't tried them below zero F yet though either.

[@leftyeh6495]

Get the new endurance batteries.

[@Dwightsp26]

Even for fan sleds in low snow conditions keeps the sliders from melting

[@429thunderjet2]

You only need scratchers on bare ice or really really hard packed snow that's almost like ice. We used to sometimes melt the hyfax, that was the main concern. Idk I never had mine heat up much on conditions like what you have there. Otherwise you just gotta "Go Faster" to keep enough air flowing by the heat exchangers. Ha ha

[@leftyeh6495]

Heat exchangers are much more effective when they're getting hit by snow and ice. They're designed to get wet because water transfers heat while air insulates.

[@429thunderjet2]

@@leftyeh6495 well sure I know that as well, I was just sayin. I grew up on the dam things riding, racing & wrenching on em for a living.

[@johnrafferty5266]

Those work awesome, great job and plenty of slide lube.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Yeah they do!!! I was not expecting that much snow to be flying around! Looking at the clip before I put them down really surprised me too, seemed like there was enough fluff on top that I wouldn't need them but they sure made a difference!

[@Dwightsp26]

I haven't crossed any roads I'd be interested to see how they hold up to that. running colder is better for two strokes cooler means more power

[@MarkDulisse]

Ya, how are they are roads

[@Drowhawk]

My 600 CTEC2 is very happy ~100F. No such thing as too cold.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Good deal!

[@fixbuildplay5249]

Pretty cool! Nevsaw that style. 👌🏼✌🏼

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Me either, definitely a cool design!

[@connorklevesahl7846]

Are the trails where u ride in marathon county still open

[@dylank3333]

I personally won't run cable scratchers. I tried them once and they just bounced around and beat up my rails and my sled still over heated. I just run the stock scratchers that come on the cat mountain sleds.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Mmm yeah I suppose that wouldn't be so good...

[@MarkDulisse]

I need scratchers. What’s the story on the cable type with tips? No good?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I've heard a lot of bad things about them. Loss of pressure and that they fling around at high speeds and bash up your rails. Mine seem to work ok but the feet on the ends seem to wear out pretty quick.

[@bryantleclair6547]

These are ski mounted scratchers. I have them on my 2020 doo 850.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

They have both a ski mounted model and a skid mounted model. Mine are the ladder. How do you like yours?

[@bryantleclair6547]

@@SwankyCatProductions I didn't know that.. they work great..

[@jasonlepak9290]

Just a little advice don’t buy the cable scratchers that use a washer on the end to throw up the snow. It would be great to see you try a ski mounted pair. Also a lot of guys are using ski doo scratchers. A unbiased review on those would be cool.

[@shanemayers777]

the doo dual coil style ones are the best. I've used the stock cat ones, cables, Polaris ones, the standard doo single ones. lots of Polaris and cat guys run the doo ones and they are the best in my opinion for backing up as well.

[@PartTimeYooper]

@@shanemayers777 ^^^^^this^^^^^

[@506curtis]

I bought a set of those for my girlfriends sled. They worked great for a short time. She backed up on the groomed trail a few times and they worked as advertised. But then she spun out on a hill and slid backwards and bent one real bad. And then it broke off shortly after. I tried the cable ones once and found they did not cool worth a crap. So I guess pick your battle hah. I have a set of ibexx scratchers to try now. They look awesome hopefully they hold up.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Mmm yeah I can see that. I suppose none of them last forever but they'll definitely help extend the life of everything else!

[@120rain4]

I have the cable scatchers and they work great, I leave down all the time with no problems, they are on my m8000 that only has 1 cooler in the front no rear cooler.

[@bradenrides7386]

just got a 2021 summit sp 850 and a 2019 polaris assualt switchback 850 this year and i run ice scratchers on both. im in central maine and not much snow right now. where do you ride at?

[@jdorney70]

I live in Maine also. Went to Eagle Lake a couple weeks ago and had to put scratchers on after the first day. -9 but the trails were so packed down, my sled was running 190. They fixed the problem. Just got back from Rockwood yesterday. If wasn't for the 5" we got on Friday, I would have been better off with my hockey skates.

[@redneckmaniac3463]

I miss the 3 feet of powder we had a little while ago that was some good ridin

[@justflylow]

Does your engine have a thermostat? Seems like it shouldn’t cool down that much. My 4stroke runs Warner than that in the normal range.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

It does seem like it changes awfully quick. I was almost wondering if the fluctuations were a bad thing. My guess is it's reading directly where the coolant enters the motor after it leaves the coolers?

[@Drowhawk]

The ctec2 runs cool. 95-105 is considered ideal with these engines.

[@leftyeh6495]

4t will need to get hotter to run correctly. Most 2t designs make peak power around 90*f. Remember that on a 2t they also make power with a hot pipe vs cold pipe. So while you need the heat in the engine on a 4t, the 2t you need it in the pipe and the motor just needs to be cool enough.

[@duckslayerbuckslayer321]

Awesome video! I have those same ones, they work great. There is no need to pick them up if you think your water temp is too low. The lower the temp, the better. Your motor will perform better with less heat in it (especially in a 2 stroke). It will also prolong all of your suspension wear components and engine life. Keep up the great content!

[@lobbyrobby]

What's your helmet setup?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

This kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqbbd6uXabmgaJI

[@Taite1]

Bought a new Matryx slash and broke one of the crappy scratchers right away and put the other one up and ran 105 on the trail without them the whole time

[@markh2860]

Are you going to do a video and compare temp on F1100 with and without scratchers?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I would like to but that sled doesn't have a temp read out, just flashes when it's "hot".

[@markh2860]

@@SwankyCatProductions They do have a temp. But you have to get to it after each start up to display it. Start it up, On your display, the top and bottom buttons on left side. Hold each one simultaneously for about 4 or 5 secs. When you see the bottom of display change, let go of each. It will be showing your voltage, prolly 14.3 when running. Use top or bottom buttons to scroll thru items. 03 will be the engine temp. Not sure what all the other ones are. If by chance you let go of one button before the other it may display 08 or something. But jus scroll till you find the voltage display or the 03 temp. It will make sense after you do it a few times. You need to do it after each start up to get it to show though. If you do it before you start you can check battery voltage and compare when it's running. They usually run about 166°, think that's the thermostat temp. I got 2 ZR5000's. It would be great for you to do a video and show people how it works. I've showed many Arctic Cat owners how to do it.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

@@markh2860 Whaaaaat??? No way! I'll definitely have to do that, thanks!!!

[@markh2860]

@@SwankyCatProductions You can watch it warm up, I'm thinking the "temp" quits flashing at 113° or so and then will let throttle rpms operate. Like watching your videos of the F1100. My ZR5000's same sled. Awesome trail sleds

[@markh2860]

I was wrong on the 03, it's just #3 is temp. Voltage is displayed without an item #. Then there is 0 thru 8. I think one of the item # 's are for turbo boost on other models. Jus various diagnostics for the sled are what some of the others are.

[@rack9458]

What is the brand of scratchers?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

ICE Storms, there's a link to them in the video description.

[@snowmobile488]

Best option is to buy skidoo style scratchers. I put them on all rentals of every brand

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I'll have to check those next!

[@michaelkoren5431]

Mine won't cool without scrachers

[@bryanhoyt4871]

I wouldn't even bother with the cable ones. I've ran several pair with the same results. The tips bend up and the cables lose strength. Last pair i ran didn't even last one weekend trip. For what they cost, I'll never buy another set of cables.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

What are you using now?

[@bryanhoyt4871]

@@SwankyCatProductions I use the basic spring type like the ones you show but without the scraper on the end. None of them are worth what they cost IMO for what they are and none that I have used work well in reverse. I rarely use reverse on my sled anyway. I've run the ones you have and had the ends break off. I have run all the cable types with same results. All of the hooked ends on the cables that scrape the snow end up loosing their bend because they are not hard enough metal. The only ones I havent tried are the ski mount or the A arm mounted ones. You may have better luck with different scrapers but I've tried a lot of them. When they are new they work awesome I just wish they lasted. Good luck!

[@leerjet18]

This is a crazy problem to have. Fan cooling rules!

[@GYPSY400]

Some of us want more than a 60hp sled.

[@wingmaster2109]

Yeah air isn’t going to keep my 210hp turbocharged 800 cool. Nor is a fan cooled snowmobile gonna produce 210 hp.

[@gummo3873]

Yeah fan cooling rules..... if you're riding a Kitty Kat 🙄

[@MtnXfreeride]

Fan cooling wont cool lube the rails though.

[@darrellroeters4951]

Can they design a tunnel or track to accomplish this?

[@leftyeh6495]

Every mountain sled comes stock with scratchers. Trail sleds generally have much more cooling system with radiators and extra heat exchangers. They're not really necessary for most trails.

[@jeffh747]

I run scratchers from start of season tothe end!!😁

[@maxmartz4665]

Studs work as good as scratcher in my learning. My sled runs 140F while my son no studs runs 160F. 20-30 higher unless in deep snow.

[@ChaseLandMgmt]

I don’t like mine above 120 but that’s just a personal thing

[@PartTimeYooper]

PUT YOUR SCRATCHERS DOWN🤣🤣🤣 Those things seem to really throw the snow. I run the ski doo ones after failures on cable and long spring models like the ones you have. PS they dont usually last more than a season

[@tonys1641]

Crazy to that it gets that low of a temperature! I have a Polaris. I was told not to take off until the temperature gets too 100 degrees.

[@HankAaronJoseph19]

I was told once warm up mode stops its good to go. 70 on Ski-doo

[@brucewunderlich405]

A bucket of water works much better for removing the ice and snow buildup on your skid.

[@wyo-chance9753]

Convince to fit. Hahaha love it.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Haha

[@leewhite5377]

Swanky, those scratchers are for the skis, not the rail.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

They do sell a set like that, pretty interesting! These are the rail mounted version though.

[@leewhite5377]

@@SwankyCatProductions interesting......... They look exactly the same.... Weird

[@leewhite5377]

@@SwankyCatProductions FYI, they made a 10c cooler difference right away. I'm hooked.

[@harvyss136]

The reason they don't work so well for installation is because these are for mounting to your skis not your rail. wrong application. But to each their own.

[@mariobanville2203]

565y

[@tonys1641]

Don't get that brand in the ski scratchers. Those rail ones work much better.

[@georgesafford8663]

They are called Ice scratchers but not meant to use on ice. They are meant for hard packed snow.

[@mavericksportoff-road8094]

The cable scratchers suck. At high speed the flop around and bash your rails.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Mmm yeah that doesn't sound good

[@jamescantlin1072]

Leave down at all times