soooo 2 weeks ago was the Iditarod Sled Dog race. I have a friend with a cabin near where the racers go by, and planned to hang out and watch - figured I'd run the Unatracs, since they bolt on.
Since it's been pretty cold lately, I built a "camper top". I have a Red Dot heater in back and it kept me warm with the soft top, I figure it will heat up a plywood box. I made it extra big to accommodate cold kids, and have room for "stuff". Of course, I have no garage
Long story: took me two weeks working outside as cold as -20. Short story:
as I got it done, and the tracks on, and worked to get it on the trailer:
I blew the high pressure power steering line. So it sucked. I didn't go
. Got a new line built the next week.
Key ingredient on new one is they brazed a fitting to the ZF pump banjo fitting - so it can use standard hose/standard fitting. Ak Rubber does great hydro stuff.
Next I will add ram assist - and I plan to mod my Unatracks to be more like the later modles (1973 vs 1971, lol) that "tipped up" the bogies on the front and back, leaving just 6 in contact with the ground, and easier to turn. I plan to cut and weld the chassis of each of the 4 tracks. Might have to pull a segment out of the tracks if they shorten enough.
cut along the dotted lines:
and the "new version" for comparison:
,
Not track related, but I was to go on a trail-run this weekend - wheels this time, it's a packed, heavily used trail -but I got an air leak on the fuel lines. Lucky it happened close to the parking lot, that's the good news. I was able to restart it, and get it home. Had it fixed properly the same day.
Lesson - prep your gear!