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An Old Cats Tale.....
- Thread starter Mtn-Track
- Start date
.....Glad to here you have no issues with your beautiful restore and it's first run in the snow.
Mtn-Track
Member
Thanks guys!
It definately floats much better than it used to with the 16"-wide pontoons. The belted tracks are 24" wide and makes for really smooth ride. I did notice that I start to get a fair amount of 'track clatter' around 18mph, so I guess that's why Tucker recommends 15mph as the top-end mark. Anyone with a belted-track Tucker experience the same?
It definately floats much better than it used to with the 16"-wide pontoons. The belted tracks are 24" wide and makes for really smooth ride. I did notice that I start to get a fair amount of 'track clatter' around 18mph, so I guess that's why Tucker recommends 15mph as the top-end mark. Anyone with a belted-track Tucker experience the same?
northerndave
Member
mine tops out at 12mph because my gears are 6.17:1 I can hear the tracks of course but i don't hear anything that scares me at that speed.
what gears do you have? 15-18mph would be awesome!
what gears do you have? 15-18mph would be awesome!
Mtn-Track
Member
I didn't hear anything that really scared me but there is a 'clatter' that sounds like the track grousers slapping the hyfax or something. Checked the tension when I got it home and it was OK, so not sure where the track-slap is coming from. Sprockets maybe? The old steel tracks just got louder and louder, but still ran smooth.
Blackfoot may know more about this(?).
I have the 4.56 gears that were stock in the '58 443 that I had. I suspect that yours were changed since it was primarily used as a groomer. You should have the power to easily run 20mph in light snow conditions....
Northcoast
Member
I agree with aksnowcat,the track noise is the "track slap" on the sliders on the top of the carriers. I had the same noise on my 1975 tucker. That might be one of the reasons they changed the carrier configeration to using upper rollier wheels. I'm astounded by your top end speed,that's just a nice bonus.
Broken Grouser
Member
Now that's sweet! I agree with the comment that your flotation still looks good - Congrats on a successful snow trial.
Regarding your "track slap" on the hyfax sliders, it's definatly an annoying issue for both noise and underside grouser wear. I'm woking on retrofitting my '78 1642 to upper damper idler boggies - I'll start a thread as my progress continues. I've basically completed the left side tracks - still working on refining - using 6" industrial casters from Hamilton
Regarding your "track slap" on the hyfax sliders, it's definatly an annoying issue for both noise and underside grouser wear. I'm woking on retrofitting my '78 1642 to upper damper idler boggies - I'll start a thread as my progress continues. I've basically completed the left side tracks - still working on refining - using 6" industrial casters from Hamilton
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Mtn-Track
Member
I haven't weighed the machine yet but plan to sometime. It does float better than it used to with the pontoons, that's for sure....
The track-slap will take a little getting used to. Since all my parts are new, including the hyfax, I'll wear them down before I make any upgrades to carrier wheels. I almost did it when I rebuilt the track frames but it didn't cost much to replace the hyfax rails, so that's the route I took.
Mark; Looking forward to you posting of your carrier-wheel mod!
The track-slap will take a little getting used to. Since all my parts are new, including the hyfax, I'll wear them down before I make any upgrades to carrier wheels. I almost did it when I rebuilt the track frames but it didn't cost much to replace the hyfax rails, so that's the route I took.
Mark; Looking forward to you posting of your carrier-wheel mod!
Wow! that is cool. Would like to have a cat like that with the capability of hauling more people than my 2 man cab Tuckers I have. May have to convert one of mine to the 5 man cab.
Great Job, that looks real nice.
Great Job, that looks real nice.
Mtn-Track
Member
Just an update;
I've had my cat out several times since I last posted about it and found that letting the new tracks stretch out a little has significantly lessened the track-clatter. I noticed that it's pulling a little better too and running about 3-4mph faster than it did at first. This was all at the same location as the first run and in similar snow conditions. I did get it briefly stuck attempting a climb out of a steep bowl but backing it out was not a problem. I'll get some more pic's posted when I start taking more!
I've had my cat out several times since I last posted about it and found that letting the new tracks stretch out a little has significantly lessened the track-clatter. I noticed that it's pulling a little better too and running about 3-4mph faster than it did at first. This was all at the same location as the first run and in similar snow conditions. I did get it briefly stuck attempting a climb out of a steep bowl but backing it out was not a problem. I'll get some more pic's posted when I start taking more!
PrecisionMarine
New member
You've done a superb job here - planning, implementing the restoration itself, and documenting it. Bravo!!
Stu,
Did you ever get any pics of the finished seats (rear) and how you ended up completing the roof over the drivers area?
And, how is the interior noise level with the extra insulation?
Mtn-Track
Member
Hi Dave,
I did get the interior finished. The roof was the real PITA as I used the same rigid foam board as the rest of the interior panels. I had to make it up in sections and taped it all together while installed, then took it out, layed it out flat, then cut a new single piece to cover and install. I had to run a series of 'slits' in the back of the foam board to get it to form into the curves, but it all came out smooth and even when done. The rear seats came out great and the sound and thermal insulation is far superior to what it was. I only run the front heater to clear the windshield and the rear only runs for a few minutes after it's been sitting with all the doors open in the cold. Anything more than that and it gets too warm inside.
I need to take some pic's of the rear interior now that's it's finished and I'll post them when I do. The dimples down the center of the roof insulation in the rear are actually a series of 8 recessed red and/or white LED interior lights that I can select for running with passengers or loading at night. The 'bar' across the center is a 12v flouresent that the USFS had installed as the only source of interior lighting, which I decided to put back in....
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I did get the interior finished. The roof was the real PITA as I used the same rigid foam board as the rest of the interior panels. I had to make it up in sections and taped it all together while installed, then took it out, layed it out flat, then cut a new single piece to cover and install. I had to run a series of 'slits' in the back of the foam board to get it to form into the curves, but it all came out smooth and even when done. The rear seats came out great and the sound and thermal insulation is far superior to what it was. I only run the front heater to clear the windshield and the rear only runs for a few minutes after it's been sitting with all the doors open in the cold. Anything more than that and it gets too warm inside.
I need to take some pic's of the rear interior now that's it's finished and I'll post them when I do. The dimples down the center of the roof insulation in the rear are actually a series of 8 recessed red and/or white LED interior lights that I can select for running with passengers or loading at night. The 'bar' across the center is a 12v flouresent that the USFS had installed as the only source of interior lighting, which I decided to put back in....
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Attachments
MNoutdoors RIP
Gone But Not Forgotten
very nice machine, is it ever going to be for sale? if so I call dibs
had to do that mainer you just never know when the "d" en hiemer is going to fly.
MNoutdoors RIP
Gone But Not Forgotten
I've noticed a few of you fine "gentlemen" have been throwing out a lot of "DIBS" lately, and some faster than the gubmt is spending cash! What is the "Dibs" quota on here anyway, and how long are they valid?
Well, first, some of us are gentlemen,
(I am just a collector, and do what it takes to get what I want) when mainer throws out a call for dibs its good for that day. when I call dibs mine are good forever. I think Mainer has the record for Dibs calls, at last count. but I like the ones that he never has the chance to call.
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