1973 Tucker Sno Cat 1443 New to Me

[Track Addict]

Nothing but the best straight from a ply tree.

 

[1boringguy]

Are those new sprockets considered a consumable

 

[Track Addict]

Here’s the mock up of my side project.

Still needs some adjusting/finishing then fresh orange and black.

Have just the spot for this one!

 

[Track Addict]

Rear

 

[mlang2005]

No matter the size of a shop it never seems to be big enough. Lol

 

[Track Addict]

Skimobile snowmobile sno-mobile sno cat snowcat skidoo snow sno which came first ?

From a time before helmets were cool in the Midwest with one bullet that didn’t make it through!

Crossed the Kanc today. Snowpack is underwhelming. Please send sno(w)......until the its always winter and Tucker time in the basement.

 

[Snowy Rivers]

No matter the size of a shop it never seems to be big enough. Lol

Gawd....you got that right.
I had a lovely 30' x 60' with a slab in part of it..

Then came the daughters love of horses.

So now the shop houses hay and sawdust.
I have managed to keep the slab...but it has been relegated to being a storage place for for the many many 55 gallon drums of hazelnut shells we use to heat the house with... (Burn nice in the pellet stove...cheap too)

So projects, when they happen end up outside...
WE have talked about building another small shop.....$$$$$$$$$$$$$


Quite a nice collection of toys.

The Tucker goodies are way cool.....

 

[Track Addict]

Trying to keep the spirit alive with shitty winter #2 on this thread.

Tucker Trivia

Are A models 1” rollers and non A model 3/4” rollers interchangeable on tracks?

Are A model and and non A model pontoons interchangeable?

Are A model and non A model rails interchangeable?

Are A model and non A model grousers interchangeable?

Is this roller part# a cost effective solution to the pontoon Tucker’s?

 

[Track Addict]

This is a rare Frandee ish Tucker hybrid.

 

[Pontoon Princess]

Trying to keep the spirit alive with shitty winter #2 on this thread.

Tucker Trivia

Are A models 1” rollers and non A model 3/4” rollers interchangeable on tracks?
NO

Are A model and and non A model pontoons interchangeable?
YES, if they have removable rails, and or you want to spent countless hours welding new rails in place, the basic pontoon are all the same, and you can mix and match steel and fiberglass pontoons of the same series.

Are A model and non A model rails interchangeable?
NO

Are A model and non A model grousers interchangeable?
NO

Is this roller part# a cost effective solution to the pontoon Tucker’s?

only if you can cross reference it to the original manufacturer

tucker never made things easy...

 

[Track Addict]

Congrats! You won a trip to meet me in Sun Valley coming March 2020.

 

[Pontoon Princess]

Congrats! You won a trip to meet me in Sun Valley coming March 2020.

is that all expenses paid trip to meet YOU?

and FYI, the link pins are not the same on a 3/4 inch and 1 inch roller grouser, though, you could use a 1 inch roller grouser link pin on a 3/4 roller grouser...

 

[Track Addict]

Another true piece of trivia. The discerning Tucker aficionado may not like the optics of the extra play of those 1" links used but it will be functional. Might possibly cause the link retainer to wear a little odd.

Sprockets?

You have also won a second Brian on your trip and the luxury of carting them around in one of your fabulous Tucker Sno Cats!

 

[Pontoon Princess]

Another true piece of trivia. The discerning Tucker aficionado may not like the optics of the extra play of those 1" links used but it will be functional. Might possibly cause the link retainer to wear a little odd.

Sprockets?

You have also won a second Brian on your trip and the luxury of carting them around in one of your fabulous Tucker Sno Cats!

spockets ??? I will never tell.....

two, two, two Brians for the price of one, what a PRIZE..........

 

[Track Addict]

That third Brian would be amazing if true walks two by two, didn’t board the ark, and says four tracks bad meow!

 

[loggah]

You guys are wacky !!!!! Me thinks orangeitus has struck !!!!!!

 

[Track Addict]

Wife wanted to make sure it was clear what the picture was of. Think this was sarcasm and mocking me?

 

[Track Addict]

Loaded up for a cat trip finally!

Glad I caught this before it went bad. Was only on by a few threads. I never touched it so I assume it was loosening over time. All fixed now. Will see tomorrow if it need to realign the tables using the tie rods.

 

[loggah]

That would be a PITA if it came unscrewed nd let those pontoons go all cattywumpus !!!!! That ski is really getting around,suprised you didn't make a cribbage board or beer tray ot of it !

 

[1boringguy]

That would be a PITA if it came unscrewed nd let those pontoons go all cattywumpus !!!!! That ski is really getting around,suprised you didn't make a cribbage board or beer tray ot of it !

Or a Tucker shot ski.

 

[sno-drifter]

Loaded up for a cat trip finally!

Glad I caught this before it went bad. Was only on by a few threads. I never touched it so I assume it was loosening over time. All fixed now. Will see tomorrow if it need to realign the tables using the tie rods.

Obviously, you are making too many left turns causing the rod to unscrew. Don't need to tighten, just get right. LOL

 

[olympicorange]

……… nice catch T/A ; no worries … lots of talented guyz around 2mrw...tools , etc.. we'll assist in any way... safe travels ...

 

[olympicorange]

……. hey T/A , wish I had gotten there much earlier today,...i'll fill you in 2mrw.... but great pics of the repair,... and it looked good following you thru the terrain today,... 930 a.m. grousers rolling ,..

 

[Track Addict]

Fix one thing break another but all good. Princess was the butterfly affect leaving that tie rod sacrifice behind months ago.

Good news is I have something to work on again. Thinking back without looking back at the thread these tie rods were designed to not lock on the table end. If I remember correctly I added the clamps because they were missing but as Sno-Drifter states they should not be locked on the table end or at least one end. This was designed correctly and I added useless clamps I think.

My forensic review of what happened is over time the threads wearing back and forth and 40 years of water and rust caused the material to reduce inside the threads and on the tie rod end allowing the front to pull out. The tightening of the piston on the trailer while strapped manifested this eventual failure quicker. That is my theory and it makes sense looking at it.

Glad it broke where it did not early or later.

New tie rods to build, tapers to tighten, and the front trunion needs a thrust washer.

 

[Track Addict]

It would slide right back on the treaded end of was so worn.

After researching Tucker alignment today it’s a bit out of kilter but easy fix.

 

[PJL]

I guess if you wanted a maintenance free snowcat you wouldn't have a snowcat.

 

[sno-drifter]

Hope it was the RH and not the LH thread. You can just cut off the end and splice a piece from your friendly wrecking yard on. The trick is to put never seize or your favorite grease on the non clamped end and make sure there is LOTS of thread engagement on that end.

 

[Track Addict]

Tucker Sno Melt blues....

 

[Track Addict]

Here are some pics for Davenet. Must have been an optical illusion plenty of clearance.

Got the rear tie rod end tightened up. At full turn you need a special offiset 1 5/16” wrench or a custom socket.

I would make sure to use some galvi or stainless cotter pin/wire. These pockets in the table stay full of water promoting rust. Inside cats probably don’t have it as bad and eventually evaporates but two weeks later mine is still full. This might contribute to loosening and tie rod failure also.

Think this cat is garaged for the seasons. The winter that wasn’t.

 

[olympicorange]

…… I find on most, if you turn the radius of the fifth wheel plates , to the right position, a socket will slip right in, an impact universal helps also. I've been contemplating , after cleaning & pm , filling pocket with an epoxy , silicone , or grease,..... to keep the moisture from sitting in there,...…...