Kristi KT7 restoration pictures

[BigAl]

Thanks for the input Bob & Mike !

I'll check with them when I get back off vacation . Still kicking the loose outside belt theory around ....

My KT3 has the 3/8" belting on it and it looks brand spanking new ! I know for a fact that it has been sitting for 5 years .
The KT7 was last run in the snow 5 years ago and the drive belts are 1/4 " and cracked to hell . I think I might just go with a 3/8" belting that can handle colder temps . Yetti wieghs about 3200 pounds so it is pretty light .

So what do you guys think about me just running the belting past each end a couple feet and bolting to the cleats as the Snow Tracs do , instead of hinges or laces ????
Good evening guys ,
Allen

 

[Melensdad]

So what do you guys think about me just running the belting past each end a couple feet and bolting to the cleats as the Snow Tracs do , instead of hinges or laces ????
Good evening guys ,
Allen

I have about a mile of conveyor belt in my warehouse, it fails at the laces. I've only seen one of the ramps fail at a spot that wan't laced, that was because the belt tracked off center and the side got torn on the converyor framework. There is a lot of stress on the lacing points, which is why it fails there. The Snow Trac system of overlapped ends is simple and I suspect reliable. I honestly don't have snow experience to know if it is truely reliable or not, but I suspect that 2000+ Snow Tracs have used the system with a reasonable level of reliability or the owners would have switched it to something better during the overhauls and track repairs.

 

[BigAl]

Thanks Bob ,
You make a great point . I think I will try that . If need be I can always add the hinges later .

Looks Like about Thursday will be my last posting day for awhile .
Allen

 

[BigAl]

Notice:
This THREAD has been temporarily suspended . DO NOT attempt to correct this situation by adjusting your Computer monitor ! There is nothing wrong with your computer terminal .

The Author and its producer are taking a short break collecting more research material and getting drunk . Really drunk !!!

This vastly popular show should continue “next season” with the conclusion of this educational series on “Snow Cat stress” and the restoration story of “Yetti” . The story of the “Butt kicking , Snow Trac hating Kristi KT7” …

Reruns of this thread can be found starting on channel page 1.

Look for the new and exciting episodes to begin again in September .
Be prepared to laugh along with the other viewers , as those crazy Snot Trac regular characters , Bogus Bob , Mouse Ear Mike and Toe Jam Tommo bumble there way into our hearts for yet another snow cat season as they chase each others tail around in their little “Peddle Powered Snot Tracs” .

Join in the laughter as Bogus Bob again wears his trademark “short pants” and has those little hairy toothpicks for legs sticking out .

Cry as we watch Mouse Ear Mike consume a whole jar of Pickle Pigs feet with beer and then attend church services while attempting to keep from farting .

And look for the exciting conclusion of Toe Jam Tommo as he tries to get his Snot Track actually home and out of his brothers garage .


New characters are planned for the upcoming season also . Mtnflopper “Festus” will come aboard and be introduced as the stumbling ,bumbling Wyoming side kick of the wonderfully liked Big Al , who is a half track off center . “ Festus” along with regular “Big Boom " , will be portrayed as the loyal KKK (Kristi Kat Klub) members who protect their glorious leader for hurting himself on a daily basis .


“ Snake eyes Lyndon ”will also be making guest appearances through out the season as a Don Knotts “look a like “ who is portrayed as the Snow Trac Guru in the series .


Until then have a good time and be safe .See you next season !!!

Sincerely,

 

[Snowcat Operations]

I would run it past and bolt it. The tracks on the KT-3 broke at the hindge when I was running it. Granted it was the original belting but thats the only places it broke!

 

[BigAl]

Do Not Pay the Ransom!!!
I have escaped!! Panama was enjoyable and hot . The Beer was really cold . I lost 46 pounds . The natives waved goodbye as I left and seemed to be hugging each other with grief over my leaving . It could have been from happiness , but I like to think it was from grief . They also seemed to be sad that they had no more beer to offer me .

I returned home with a nice case of strep throat and a 102.7 temperature . The Miami Airport A.C. system was working perfectly and the temperature was a brisk 14 degrees , I asked the airline steward for a blanket but he was busy , Thats ok , I breathed on him and in about one more day he is going to want a blanket too .

So the new improved KT7 series "YETTI" is about to begin its 2nd season . All kinds of new Snow Cat equipment is now carefully stored away in the living room which the wife is very excited about . I actually went out to the shop and my KT7 was still there with no harmed caused by those inconsiderate Snot trac wannabes who I am sure were sneaking around while I was gone .
I have a short hunting trip to attend to in Idaho and then it will be restoration time . As the sign says

Big Al

 

[villi]

Welcome back I missed you !!!!

 

[Mith]

Al, good to see you back. I'm looking forward to getting my daily comedy shot again Post up!

 

[wilkinsn1]

Big Al,

Can't wait for the 2nd season!!!!! Welcome back from the Banana Belt.
Gary

 

[BigAl]

HI!!! You all!!!
Just arrived back from the Idaho ranch last night . Looked like it was going to start snowing any time . Hunted Elk for 24 days .The score was Hunters 2 ,Elk 0 . Though I did fall down a ravine backwards and am now limping around with a sore hip . The Elk all laughed and thought it was quite funny to see a fat guy go sliding by on his back into a draw . Studip Elk!!!
Got a nice 6x6 raghorn and we also took a nice fat spike in the last 10 minutes on the last day . Saw a ton of buck deer ,but none that I wanted to take . Let me get caught up on some sleep and will get this years restoration series rollin again .

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

Welcome back Al! I was wondering were you were lately. It's been quiet with out you around and Bob is getting a big head again!

 

[BigAl]

OK Guys and Gals !

The saga continues!!!!

I am off to Sacramento to go order my new track belting and pick up my new grouser material . I'll let you know cost and type soon .

Tomorrow the new steering controls get installed . It will be a "two stick finger control" ,operated by the left hand .The right hand is needed for picking my nose !!! Nothing but "Blue Sky" in front of the driver !!! All engines gauges and switches will be overhead . That should really open up the operators area in front of "Ole Yetti"

 

[BigAl]

Ok !
Track belting is ordered !!! $880 bucks ! That is a great deal . I talked with the fellow down at Capitol Rubber in Sacramento and he give me a better deal .I got one quote from another outfit for damn near $2500 , but they deal in snowcats belting and really stick it to ya . I got the number and type they use and started shopping !!! They have a ton of different styles to choose from . I went with a 3 ply #330 pound Heavy Duty belting . It is warranted to be flexible at -25 degrees .

 

[pixie]

Are you going to drill all the holes yourself, Al ? Or do they come with holes ?

 

[BigAl]

Are you going to drill all the holes yourself, Al ? Or do they come with holes ?

Hey Pixie !!! How ya doin ???

I decided to drill my own . I tossed it around with the supplier drilling the holes but I am still unsure if I want the looser outside and inside belt as it had originally .
Remember all the hooplaa that caused last season !!!! I may never be able to make another decision or feel good about myself again !!!

It took many hours of intense therapy to once again realize I am the attractive man ,I thought I was . OH Yea , drilling the belting !!I forgot and wandered off subject .

Anyway that is the plan for now . Tomorrow on to the new steering controls

 

[Lyndon]

Yetti? Does that mean that it has 'YET' to prove itself? or does this imply that like the Yetti it is only a fable? Ok all joking aside, take one of your grousers to get the hole spacing across, then determine the "Pitch Diameter" and that will be your lateral spacing. DO NOT try to use the old belt as a pattern. This will not work! Don't even think about it! You can determine the Pitch diameter by looking at a Belting sales directory or catalog. They usually have it spelled out pretty clearly. For a fairly good set of tracks you can just lay out the dimension with chalk or white-out works pretty good. If you want "Top of the line" tracks that are generally quieter and don't cause your sprockets to wear you make a template. 4, 5, or 6 rows of holes. Tap one of the end rows for the proper size bolt and thread a set of bolts thru so that you can lay them in the last row you punched. It helps if you put a collar on the drill so that you don't drill clear thru what ever wood you put on the floor or your work benck. There is a hollow punch that has a hexagonal shank that is specifically made for drilling belting. They look like leather punches or the punch that you use to make the wadding for ammunition. That you may want to get from the belting place. DO NOT make the holes oversize. It should be very difficult to thread the bolts in by hand.

 

[Lyndon]

Re: Re-Assembly

A good old hand nut driver is desireable. The best tool is a pnumatic butterfly 3/8 air ratchet. Use a Deep 6 point socket. Buy Nylocks and don't fool around with lock washers. From a Fastener supply place the difference in Stainless and Grade 3 or grade 5 will be about 50 bucks for the Kristi's tracks. Thats 50 for both, not apiece.To do a Snow Trac in steel cost me around 100$, in stainless 140$ 960 Bolts (480 per track), 960 Nylocks, and 320 Fender washers. Other Impact, air and electric wrenches work well, but remember your going to be installing around 1000 fasteners and that means lifting the air tool 1000 times. It will be a good 8 or 10 hour day to build one track. And you can absolutely count on being sore after. Does it sould like I might have delt with this before? There is an "UP SIDE". A good set of tracks will last as much as 25 or 30 years so it's a 'One Time' deal. Ah yeah, when you start let me know so that I can make sure that I'm OUT OF TOWN!

 

[BigAl]

Re: Re-Assembly

A good old hand nut driver is desireable. The best tool is a pnumatic butterfly 3/8 air ratchet. Use a Deep 6 point socket. Buy Nylocks and don't fool around with lock washers. From a Fastener supply place the difference in Stainless and Grade 3 or grade 5 will be about 50 bucks for the Kristi's tracks. Thats 50 for both, not apiece.To do a Snow Trac in steel cost me around 100$, in stainless 140$ 960 Bolts (480 per track), 960 Nylocks, and 320 Fender washers. Other Impact, air and electric wrenches work well, but remember your going to be installing around 1000 fasteners and that means lifting the air tool 1000 times. It will be a good 8 or 10 hour day to build one track. And you can absolutely count on being sore after. Does it sould like I might have delt with this before? There is an "UP SIDE". A good set of tracks will last as much as 25 or 30 years so it's a 'One Time' deal. Ah yeah, when you start let me know so that I can make sure that I'm OUT OF TOWN!

Lyndon,
Thanks for all the good advice . I am looking forward to getting Yetti up and running .

Looks like quite a few boys have joined FF who have Snowcats . With all these new members it is more important than ever to get ready to pull out stuck inferior brand snowcats and go for parts as they break down ! BUSY BUSY BUSY!!
I see even ole Mtnflopper has bought another snowcat looking for something that may possibly give me a little competition for ole Yetti .

You still up in the land of popsicles ????

 

[Mith]

Looks like quite a few boys have joined FF who have Snowcats

Al, while you were away they didnt feel threatened by your superior Snowcat

Welcome back

 

[BigAl]

Al, while you were away they didnt feel threatened by your superior Snowcat

Welcome back

Dear Mith , Good Morning Sir

I would imagine that they have no idea just how superior my Kristi is . It is really a shame . We have members like Bogus Bob and ole Mtnflopper Festus putting these false ideas into these young kids heads ,that they can somehow be equal with a vastly under rated SnoTrac ,Pimp ,LSD,DVD, Sucker or a Bombsaway .

A lot of people do not realize that when America was in its infancy, George Washington used a Kristi KT4 to cross the Potomac and cut down a Cherry Tree for Christmas ,he then lied and told everyone it was a Blue spuce ( Christmas Tree). I am almost certain that is not a lie on my part .

No, No, No, it is just not fair !!! Both of those members should be bought up on charges of "Crimes against Humanity"

 

[Mith]

SnoTrac ,Pimp ,LSD,DVD, Sucker or a Bombsaway

Man, I missed this thread

 

[Melensdad]

Dear Mith , Good Morning Sir

I would imagine that they have no idea just how superior my Kristi is . It is really a shame . We have members like Bogus Bob and ole Mtnflopper Festus putting these false ideas into these young kids heads ,that they can somehow be equal with a vastly under rated SnoTrac ,Pimp ,LSD,DVD, Sucker or a Bombsaway .

A lot of people do not realize that when America was in its infancy, George Washington used a Kristi KT4 to cross the Potomac and cut down a Cherry Tree for Christmas ,he then lied and told everyone it was a Blue spuce ( Christmas Tree). I am almost certain that is not a lie on my part .

No, No, No, it is just not fair !!! Both of those members should be bought up on charges of "Crimes against Humanity"

HECK I don't even know how to respond to this!?!

I tip my hat to you sir Absurd as it all was, you certainly made me laugh.

Now if only you could get your Kristi into some snow (under its own power) to see if it might actually work.

 

[mtntopper]

Dear Mith , Good Morning Sir
I would imagine that they have no idea just how superior my Kristi is . It is really a shame . We have members like Bogus Bob and ole Mtnflopper Festus putting these false ideas into these young kids heads ,that they can somehow be equal with a vastly under rated SnoTrac ,Pimp ,LSD,DVD, Sucker or a Bombsaway .
A lot of people do not realize that when America was in its infancy, George Washington used a Kristi KT4 to cross the Potomac and cut down a Cherry Tree for Christmas ,he then lied and told everyone it was a Blue spuce ( Christmas Tree). I am almost certain that is not a lie on my part .

No, No, No, it is just not fair !!! Both of those members should be bought up on charges of "Crimes against Humanity"

BigUglyAl,
My response is what the hell have you been smoking????????? Can you send me some, I would like to have some real wild dreams like you seem to have. Man that must be some good chit that you have!!!! Please send some to me......ASAP........I am sure Bob and I should look into some kind of "special program" to enroll you into before you hurt yourself.....

 

[BigAl]

Smoking ??? Well my wife does call me a "Smokin Hottie" but that is something that I was just born with .You have to be born with it , I just cannot send it to you like it is Viaga or something . I will confess that I did run out of Dr Pepper and had to use Ginger Ale in my drink . I have named it "Last Rites" because I don't remember much after that .

You say I posted something on FF . I do not remember .If I insulted anyone please forgive as I meant every word .

Ok ,If I can get my big aching head out the door I am headed to the shop on this rainy Saturday morning in Northern Calif . Back to the steering controls on Yetti .

Good Morning Guys and Gals . Coffee pot is on and hot and the front doors open !!!

 

[BigAl]

Good Evening All ,
Well I finally got out to the shop and started fiddle fartin with the steering controls .Mostly fartin.... The new controls have about a 8" lever and I had thought about cutting the handle length down to shorten up the height . After thinking about it and trying different locations ,I came to the conclusion that I need that length to move the levels without ending up with a sore wrist from pushing or pulling too hard for long periods of time . They are self centering controls so there is spring tension to return them to center ,everytime I move the handles . I will lower the control housing down and raise the armrest up to offset the longer levels . It looks like everything is going to line up very well . Nothing can be this easy ,but it sure looks like it is going to work well . Hmmm ...Something is wrong ..... There has got to be more to this . I am sure something will show up tomorrow to slow me down .

I'll grab some pictures when I get it mounted permanantly in place .That should be tomorrow .

 

[BigAl]

Ok Folks,
The steering controls are mounted . What a slick way to control the steering over the original airplane yoke style that was in it before .

The old console/yoke system was braced in so many places that the driver hardly had room for his feet .The original steering cables ran under your feet and loked like a after thought . Once I place the new padded armrest into position the steering cables will be completely hidden .I was concerned about the length of the control cables ,but it looks like they made it with about 6 inches to spare .

I had the little woman sit in the drivers seat and with the seat slide adjusted forward for her height ,it will work just fine for her . Tomorrow I will buttom up the connections at the hydro transmissions .

I cannot give enough credit to the guys at "California Push/Pull Inc." in Chico, Calif . These guys are incredible and knew exactly how to set the controls up so I would have a neutral safety position anytime I released the controls . The controls are smooth as silk !! . Well worth the cost .

Here are two pictures . The original design console/steering yoke and the new design steering handles . All the gauges and starting switches are to be mounted overhead .

I won't even begin to tell you how much fun it was to get my "Fat Ass" behind that old steering yoke design .

 

[Lyndon]

26 pages of !*%#@! ? No Pictures in the Snow? Wheres the Beef? Let's get with the program! The longest thread in snow cat history and you still havn't made it out of the garage! Lets GO!!!

 

[Melensdad]

Al, the controls sure look sweet. You forgot to post the AFTER picture that shows them installed on your Kristi Snowcat.

And Bill, you can see this photo of Al's snow cat shows that it is in the snow.

 

[BigAl]

Hey !!!! You know fat guys have feeling too !! You could set me back 6 months in therapy with those kinds of insults .
The Good Lord did not build the world in one day ! And I am taking my time and making sure Yetti will be perfect when I kick the crap out of your Snot Trac !!!
You keep up that kind of "Potty Mouth" talk and I won't even cook you a hot dog on my Snow Cat Bar-b-que or serve you a cold one from my Snow Cat mini bar when I pull you back to safety !!!

Oh Yea !!! Now your having second thoughts about that smart mouth of yours !!!

Sorry Lord ,but he started it .

 

[mtntopper]

26 pages of !*%#@! ? No Pictures in the Snow? Wheres the Beef? Let's get with the program! The longest thread in snow cat history and you still havn't made it out of the garage! Lets GO!!!

So well said..........There is no way to say it better or shorter......Come on Al, winter will be over and we will have to listen to your !*%#@! ramblings for another year.......