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Alpine Cat Jamboree 2022

We had a great time!! Thanks to Jesse and all the new friends we made. Even Kristi made a new friend.
 

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Big thanks to everyone that helped keep me going this trip. Jim’s brew sorta summed up my outing this year. The only photo contribution for me since I was under the hood or on the pontoon all weekend.
Hey partner we had a great time
Here is a pic of a couple of great rides with some great guys!! Can not thank the Tucker and GMoose and others enough what a great time for me
Ready to hit this next year !!!
 

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Frandee transfer case update. Fully disassembled now. Drive sprocket is in fair condition but will be replaced. It is steel and will be replaced with a steel one with hardened teeth. Driven sprocket is toast, teeth are gone and rounded out. This was made of gray cast, probably why it failed, it will be replaced with a steel sprocket. Chain had at least 5 broken links, and was just skipping over the driven sprocket, that was the popping sound we heard. Chain had split rollers, it will be replaced with a chain that has solid rollers and a higher strength. Case was full of gunk which is the cast teeth that were ground off over time mixed with gear lube, there were also a few chunks of teeth and chain. Found all the replacement parts needed. All parts are ordered, sprockets come with a small bore that will have to be bored out to fit the shafts and keyways installed, machinist is on line and ready to go when the parts get here later this week. Should have the Frandee back on her tracks late next week. Very excited here in Idaho, I thought it was going to be much worse than this.
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Frandee transfer case update. Fully disassembled now. Drive sprocket is in fair condition but will be replaced. It is steel and will be replaced with a steel one with hardened teeth. Driven sprocket is toast, teeth are gone and rounded out. This was made of gray cast, probably why it failed, it will be replaced with a steel sprocket. Chain had at least 5 broken links, and was just skipping over the driven sprocket, that was the popping sound we heard. Chain had split rollers, it will be replaced with a chain that has solid rollers and a higher strength. Case was full of gunk which is the cast teeth that were ground off over time mixed with gear lube, there were also a few chunks of teeth and chain. Found all the replacement parts needed. All parts are ordered, sprockets come with a small bore that will have to be bored out to fit the shafts and keyways installed, machinist is on line and ready to go when the parts get here later this week. Should have the Frandee back on her tracks late next week. Very excited here in Idaho, I thought it was going to be much worse than this.
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How do you tension the chain ?
J5 Bombardier
 
How do you tension the chain ?
J5 Bombardier
There is an idler wheel that pushes up against the chain, it is adjusted external to the case with a bolt that pushes it into the chain inside. I may have had the chain to loose, I need to research and find out how much play should be in this chain. I may have had 3/8 to 1/2 inch of play, not sure, but some.
 
The Frandee 37 is all repaired and back on her tracks after the failed transfer case at Salt Creek Summit. Taking it out in a couple days to put it through the paces, seat the drive chain, and retension as necessary. A special thanks goes out to Rock'n BK for helping me get out of the mountains and loaded onto the trailer after the failure (y)(y)(y).

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The Frandee 37 is all repaired and back on her tracks after the failed transfer case at Salt Creek Summit. Taking it out in a couple days to put it through the paces, seat the drive chain, and retension as necessary. A special thanks goes out to Rock'n BK for helping me get out of the mountains and loaded onto the trailer after the failure (y)(y)(y).

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That's great, did you have to custom make any replacement parts?
 
Hey Guys and Ladies. Just wanted to check in with my experience at the Joseph Jamboree. I have a few photos, and wish I would have taken several more. Thank You for everyone for being incredibly welcoming and letting me join this awesome experience.
The first day we had some fueling issues about half way up, and GMoose let us ride with him in the Frandee, then I got to drive the Kitten down! Now I know two things: The Frandee is AWESOME, and the kitten is the most terrifying piece of equipment I have ever driven. Incredible experience!
AstroCat gave me a carburetor Saturday evening, and I got it hooked up Sunday morning. The fueling issue was better, but not solved. We drove with the hood up so I could see the fuel filters, and it turns out the glass one was defective, and sucking air into my fuel pump. Removing that got us storming around in that fluffy stuff for several hours! I did almost drive into a pond, but luckily a lot of arm-waving caught my attention.
We then set off on a trail, winding down through the canyon. Turns out, the Wide Track unit really does not love groomed trails. After an hour or so, I pulled the left turn lever, and tore the front Left wheel right off the studs. Looks like that next axle set-up I built needs bigger bolts. We got some help from the guy with the groomer, (I am so sorry I can't remember your name!) and we were able to get it back on the trailer under it's own power. After a wonderful dinner, we headed home.

I wish the story ended here.
On the way home, I got the chills, and by the time I got the the other end of Washington, I had a 103 temp. I tested positive for covid. I have been vaccinated, and avoided catching it for over two years, working with covid positive patients, but it finally caught me. I think the cold, the fumes, and not drinking anything but hard cider or coffee for 3 days. If I incidentally gave this to anyone there, I am So Sorry!!

The real way the adventure ends is actually ok. I recovered after missing 9 days of work, and after 3 weeks, took the cat out again. I figured the hub was a fluke, but fixed the left one with 9/16 grade 8 bolts and lock nuts. I made it 11 miles in to the lake, but only about 7 miles back out before... Yep. The right front wheel studs all let go. I had some friends up in the area in pickups, so we took the hub off, and I was able to get it fixed and back on the next day. Maybe someday I will be able to take this thing someplace the Toyota trucks can't go!
 

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Hey Guys and Ladies. Just wanted to check in with my experience at the Joseph Jamboree. I have a few photos, and wish I would have taken several more. Thank You for everyone for being incredibly welcoming and letting me join this awesome experience.
The first day we had some fueling issues about half way up, and GMoose let us ride with him in the Frandee, then I got to drive the Kitten down! Now I know two things: The Frandee is AWESOME, and the kitten is the most terrifying piece of equipment I have ever driven. Incredible experience!
AstroCat gave me a carburetor Saturday evening, and I got it hooked up Sunday morning. The fueling issue was better, but not solved. We drove with the hood up so I could see the fuel filters, and it turns out the glass one was defective, and sucking air into my fuel pump. Removing that got us storming around in that fluffy stuff for several hours! I did almost drive into a pond, but luckily a lot of arm-waving caught my attention.
We then set off on a trail, winding down through the canyon. Turns out, the Wide Track unit really does not love groomed trails. After an hour or so, I pulled the left turn lever, and tore the front Left wheel right off the studs. Looks like that next axle set-up I built needs bigger bolts. We got some help from the guy with the groomer, (I am so sorry I can't remember your name!) and we were able to get it back on the trailer under it's own power. After a wonderful dinner, we headed home.

I wish the story ended here.
On the way home, I got the chills, and by the time I got the the other end of Washington, I had a 103 temp. I tested positive for covid. I have been vaccinated, and avoided catching it for over two years, working with covid positive patients, but it finally caught me. I think the cold, the fumes, and not drinking anything but hard cider or coffee for 3 days. If I incidentally gave this to anyone there, I am So Sorry!!

The real way the adventure ends is actually ok. I recovered after missing 9 days of work, and after 3 weeks, took the cat out again. I figured the hub was a fluke, but fixed the left one with 9/16 grade 8 bolts and lock nuts. I made it 11 miles in to the lake, but only about 7 miles back out before... Yep. The right front wheel studs all let go. I had some friends up in the area in pickups, so we took the hub off, and I was able to get it fixed and back on the next day. Maybe someday I will be able to take this thing someplace the Toyota trucks can't go!
Glad we could give you a ride in the Frandee and help out. I am very glad you had an opportunity to drive the kitten and get that experience. Hope to see you next year! Also sounds like you might consider carrying a spare hub with you.
 
Glad we could give you a ride in the Frandee and help out. I am very glad you had an opportunity to drive the kitten and get that experience. Hope to see you next year! Also sounds like you might consider carrying a spare hub with you.
Hmm... I've been thinking of mounting a spare-tire carrier on the side anyway, but a spare hub AND tire carrier would be just as easy to make... I like this idea!
 
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