1973 Tucker Sno Cat 1443 New to Me

[Track Addict]

This cat was built as a pontoon cat and converted at the factory to rubber. It's a 1443 but has 5 wheels go figure. Eventually Tucker moved to the Dana's. The 8 3/4 was pretty common on the pontoon cats. Not sure about the rubber ones.

 

[Track Addict]

Differential is back and rebuilt like new. Mitchell Differential in Shrewsbury MA was a pleasure to work with.

Was all bearing and race wear that allowed the slop. New yoke bearing seals and adjustments. Knowing what I saw here rear is slated next year.

Some fresh paint and back in it goes.

 

[Track Addict]

Cleaned up the housings in prep for assembly. Here you can see the bearing tape wear. Both inner outer bearing tapes lifted but stayed in place. A tacky glue like substance developed.

Still a cost effective solution. One day the Tucker Sleeve Update Kit is the way to go.

Fresh paint and if I get the time will hit the carriers.

Need a new axle tube seal which is SKF 1900.

 

[Track Addict]

Installed new bearing tape after good cleaning. This time I heated the garage for a few days to acclimate then further used a heat gun and plastic scraper to bond.

Here you can see the wear pattern and how it needs to be layered.

 

[Track Addict]

Ready for install.

 

[Track Addict]

Diff installed and driveshaft hooked up. Was filling from the drivers side waiting for the oil to run out the fill hole. Was wondering why it took so much!

 

[KickerM]

Been there! At least it wasn’t the drain plug!

 

[Track Addict]

Testing out a theory which might be covered already. Different attack angles and side hilling allows the diff fluid to run past the axle seals.

The original design was for flat roads. Been inside a few of these and the bearings are always washed out with gear lube. Rears is probably less impacted but going up over sno drifts banks etc the oil leaks out.

So I lowered the level to about 3/4 incline. With such slow diff speed should be non issue. Will prob add some Lucas treatment to thicken sticky as well. Carriers need to come off again for paint so we shall see.

 

[Track Addict]

Here is an example of where the green bearings solve a problem and should work on pontoons. Found a set in the parts that came with it which were larger so maybe someone thought the same.

The early 8 3/4 used shims to extend the retainer outward with a foam sealing gasket. Removing shims reduced end play. Later they added an adjuster to one side to take up the slack. Tucker didn’t have this so started with tucker tolerance.

All the 8 3/4” cats I have had apart they are all recessed with lots of end play. My guess is it’s from years of slopping around.

My solution was to have these shims made up solve the problem.

Axle play on the pontoon cats should move the sprocket and pontoon together. With the rubber track the carrier is fixed so the sprocket can move side to side hitting the carrier which you can see in the pictures.

These didn’t have foam seals. Diagrams don’t show but can’t hurt.

 

[Track Addict]

Here is what we call a New England shitbox migration.

Potential runners to the front depending on the weather that day!

 

[LakeTucker]

Is that a quadracer 250?

 

[Track Addict]

87 that’s growing roots not mine but currently mine.

 

[Track Addict]

Set the axle end play. Needed two of these to get into what I think is spec.

If you have ever installed the carriers on these the studs are loose. Trying some rtv to hold them. You need to bolt on the outer journal to install the carrier then remove the nuts and add the retainer. During this process if not careful you can lose the retaining bolt into the carrier and it has to come off.

Non nyloc work well here. Grade 5 or 8 nylocs for the retainer final torque.

 

[Track Addict]

Cleaned up the carriers for new tape and install. Here you can see the wear pattern well on the drivers side not as much on the passenger.

I also think the passenger side was replaced. That one has a snap ring retainer that is not on this model schematic and the other carriers don’t have the groove.

Also less wear in that side in comparison.

This cat came with a legend of the operator on MT Greylock running down the mountain missing a track. Maybe the carrier was damaged beyond repair?

 

[Track Addict]

Carriers back on. Drivers side confirmed more worn. Used the same bearing tape measurements and had to trim and work the passenger side on.

Checked all the bolts front and back frame down.

 

[PGBC]

Fun thread to follow, and I don't even own a snowcat.

 

[Snowy Rivers]

Looking great,

Would be nice to replace that inner track carrier support where the plastic strips are with an easily replaceable UHMW ring.......That would make a "Tune up" a simple task......

 

[Track Addict]

Bill Cook made one Tucker uses now. It involves removing and rewelding smaller journals on and a Uhmw sleeve.

Think it was 600$ a track decade ago. Tape is cheap and easy for now but one day.

 

[Track Addict]

Hubs back on. This is an areas to get super tight and check regularly on all Tucker Sno Cats. They can loosen.

Three wheels have bad so will freshen those up. Greased the rest. This cat has mix of idler seals, washers, spacers.

Pricing out the update spacers with orings. May swap over if reasonable.

Trying to figure out this ice breaker setup. Idler shafts is shorter than all the others with a different nut that is recessed. Any input appreciated.

 

[Track Addict]

Spoke with dealer today. That icebreaker spindle is a newer style. If I understood correct it’s shorter, has oring machined on spindle in the back, uses a different nut and cap pictured here. More like a basic trailer bearing setup. Eliminates a seal, spacer, washer, and the need to machine orings in two spacers plus use less material.

Bearings are common A6 found anywhere. Seals little harder. Was also told Tucker installed the seals like any tapered bearing to hold the grease in. Thinking was Bill Cook started reversing them and the lip which let old grease moisture and dirt out and new grease in. The retaining washers followed later most like because the yankee ez lube hub forced seals out with cold grease most likely.

Wicked smart idea!

 

[YamaDooPolCat]

That reverse seal idea would certainly do the trick when crossing a bit of water. The slightly colder water would usually be quickly pulled into the wheel bearing, but the reverse seal would just tighten up and keep water out.
Good idea for sure!

 

[YamaDooPolCat]

Why is the front idler called an "ice breaker"?

 

[Track Addict]

The rear idler helps to break up packed snow in the track. Certain snow conditions can cause a layer build up and the tracks can walk off. The ice breaker wheel prevents that or should anyways.

 

[Track Addict]

Would have both sides done if Napaonline didn’t fib!

 

[Track Addict]

Worked on a few tracks this weekend! Tucker ready for snow if it happens this year.

Amazing what 100 miles north to south does. Watch for train track switches! Wedged this one in. Funny part is I have the kids a talk and instructions on how to avoid this earlier in the day. No damage or injuries.

 

[YamaDooPolCat]

Here is a picture my son took yesterday in the hills east of here. They can get stuck going downhill

 

[DAVENET]

WOW, nothing like that here

 

[Track Addict]

Wood skis are back in style!

Just need to figure out the factory DIN settings.

 

[Mctucker]

Wood skis are back in style!

Just need to figure out the factory DIN settings.
View attachment 161521

Are you building tucker ski’s? I’ve been needing to build or track down a set myself.

 

[Track Addict]

I am not and don’t possess the wood skills to create. These were gift skis for a project TBD.