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IMP questions from a new member

C

CATS

New member
FIRST POST - Great Website!!

I have spent months searching these pages for information about operation and maintenance of snowcats in general, but specifically IMP's. I have the following questions for anyone willing to help out:

Track
1) how does one prepare for and repair a track failure in the field?
2) what options are available to repair a 3" transverse tear in a track?
3) what is the approximate cost to replace the rubber track bands?

Insurance
1) what companies insure snowcats?

Manual
1) Are replacement manuals available for the IMP?

It took me several weeks before finally running across this website and it's been a tremendous help. It's nice to know there are people out there willing to help out with just about any question.

Thanks for any help!!
 
Welcome to the group CATS. You might want to post any questions conserning snowcats in the snowcat forums section.

For your questions, here is what has worked for us. We had a track belt tear on our Bombardier BR160 about 30 miles from town last year and here's what we did.

1. Jack the machine up to loosen the track tension. Then back off the track tensioning bolts on the track in question.
2. Using a come-a-long(winch), hook each end to a cleet/grouser on each side of the tear. It's best to go at least 3-4 cleets/grousers back from each side of the tear. Use the winch to relieve tension and bring the track back together.
3. Now, they sell track repair kits thats basically a hinge that you fasten to each side of the tear then insert the pin in the hinge. You could go that route, or, if you have some spare belt, remove the bolts on at least two cleets on each side of the belt. Then align a short peice of the spare belt with the holes of the existing belt with the tear again making sure the "patch peice" extends at least two cleets past each side of the tear. So you'll be removing the bolts on at least four cleets(two on each side of the tear) Place the short spare peice of belt on the inside of the track-not on the side that the cleet/grouser sits against. Get some longer bolts that will go through the cleet, old belt, and short peice of patch belt. Get it all tightened up with new longer bolts. Release the winch, re-tighten the track tension, lower the jack and you're set to go. Make sense????

For your second question, we've had to add a spare peice of track belt to the track(same as in the previous proceedure I mentioned) for a tear like that just to keep us going for a bit longer. As for the cost of the track belts, the price varies depending on which dealer you go to.

Hope this helps, and gain, welcome! Enjoy and post often!
 
Thanks for the help. Would you suggest I repost to the snowcat section or will those guys pic up this thread without a re-post?
 
I'd say any snowcat related questions should probably be directed there. You'll get more views and responses over there. Guys'll pick up on it here too but you'd have better luck doing it the other way. We're a great bunch of guys(and gals) here and always open to new members. There's allot of "low-blows" and "jabs" at each other but its all in fun. There are a few members here who have Imps and Super imps that should be able to help you out. I'm kind of the odd bad here being the only one running a Lamtrac and BR160 so I might not be very informative when it comes to specific questions about specific models. There's a wide variety of different types of machines represented in these forums so you should be covered.
 
CATS
BOGGIE and SNOTRANS have manuals I'm sure. PM them. As far as repairing a rip in the belting get a piece that will cover in length at least four grousers. Mark the spacing and drill out the holes. Then take a bolt and get it red hot (wear gloves and glasses) and poke it into those holes. Then start unbolting the second grouser back from the tear. You just need to pull the bolts on that section of belting you are covering. Now use the lacing and the bolts if they are long enough if not get grade 8 ones long enough to go through the original belt on top and down through the splice piece. Now bolt it up just like it was done originally. Now do the next one the same way. Then the third and fourth. What you will end up with is a splice on the inside of the track covering or underlining the tear on the original track You should carry one more spare in your cat just like this with the tools and hardware needed to do the repair in the field. Belting can be expensive but is cheaper if you do everything your self. Just have your local GoodYear Conveyor belt dealer cut the track to length and width. Do the holes your self. IF you not mechanically inclined then have them drill the holes. Also I like over lapping belts for a connection. Some like the hindge type. Get all new hardware as well when you redo your tracks. Also its sometime easier to over tighten and break off the bolt then it is to try and unbolt it most the time. See which works best for you. Also make sure you get aircraft lock nuts (plastic insert on end) This keeps everything from vibrating loose. If you need any more help jump on down to the Snowcat section and post some pictures of what the problem is. We will do are best to help you out!
 
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