With recent warm ups and harder trail conditions, the timing couldn’t be any better! Don’t you like it when a good idea gets an improvement boost which makes it a great idea? That’s what’s happen in the world of ice scratchers.
There are several choices for better slider lubrication and engine cooling, some better than others.
Our group has tried several types with various degrees of performance and durability. Last season I tried a US distributed flexible cable product which mounts to the slide rail and can be deployed when conditions dictate. The challenges of this particular product were two fold.
1) The cable could self deploy from its slide rail perch and contact the track rather than the snow.
2) The one bolt / lock washer attachment to the rail would loosen no matter how tight you installed it. I used tread locker on mine and still lost it. Test over!
For several years there has been an improved version of this type of ice scratcher. It is called a Trail Blizzer and it is made by Qualipieces in Drummondville Quebec. Unfortunately (for whatever reason) the “Trail Blizzer” product was available only in Canada.
Qualipieces is well known here in the states for their high performance Top Gold Carbides, non darting Cobra head carbides and RollerSki products. Their flexible cable carbide tipped ice scratcher improvement is simple, but makes a significant difference. The addition of a machined mounting plate keeps the unit firmly attached without the potential for rotating loose or out of position. Small change, world of difference!
The other traditional drawback to the slide mounted cable scratchers has been unwelcomed partial deployment with possible contact with the track edge. I’ve heard of people using a variety of less than perfect methods to keep the cables in stowed position. Qualipieces solves this issue as well, with their optional eye hook hardware, which keeps the cable securely stored when not in use.
For a Qualipieces dealer near you visit Qualipieces.com. Please note that any Qualipieces dealer from any brand snowmobile can meet your Top Gold carbide, Rollerski and NOW Trail Blizzer needs.
