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Also, if any NH guys see this, it has current 2021 NH stickers on it. I assume that means I could ride it on the ice seeing as though the sticker is good until the end of april or is that only a trail pass and the reg is different?
Congrats on getting your sled - it opens up a lot of ice fishing territory! I use the cable type scratchers to help keep my track slides cool and mounted them on my ski's so they deploy to the inside between the ski's. Between the scratchers and the studs in the track they've done the job when I've been on bare ice. I know some guys that use the wire springs for lawnmower de-thatcher blades on their sleds - they're notably cheaper but they don't work so well if you have a sled with reverse on it.Make sure you you have carbide skegs on the ski's and look into making the rear suspension as stiff as you can. Mount a hitch on the back and I highly recommend a tow bar versus rope, especially on bare ice - I use Otter products. Another great adder is to mount a GPS capable unit onto the handlebars of your sled for navigation - I used a RAM mount for my Garmin EchoMap. Mounting on the handlebars helps reduce vibration of the device versus mounting it to the hood. I run long distances out on the ice at times and have also mounted a lighted compass on my sled and it's surprising how often I use it even with the Garmin. Other items I use are a Johnson's Cargo Rack with bucket holders on the rear of the sled and a Jaws-of-Ice auger carrier mounted to the front along with a 10" LED light to give me better lighting. I have an electric start sled so I wired in two separate switches with relays direct to the sleds battery - one to power the LED light and the other to power the Garmin and compass light - which I can operate without the sled motor running.Always be careful on the ice looking for objects in your path - especially tip-ups - and be mindful of other folks already out on the ice and give them plenty of room when you drive past. Watch out for bad ice and when you're in slush be sure to keep up your speed. If you plan on stopping in a slushy area drive by that spot and circle back such that you can park your sled on the track/trail you just made. I also recommend to take along a spud bar in case you need it to help "un-freeze" your sled if the track suspension freezes up.
Hey Bucket Rump, do you have pictures of how you added the Jaws of Ice to the front of your sled?I have a 99' Panther 440Fan set-up, but want to move the Digger Auger Holder currently on the back rack to the front of the machine. I have some ideas, but always looking for more input before cutting into plastic shrouding this offseason!
So I ended up picking up a new to me sled yesterday. Got a 2002 Arctic Cat zl800ss with a little over 4K miles on it. It has a studded track although its seen some miles and a few of the studs have pulled but overall in very good shape. I know its a lot of machine for a new rider but for towing stuff ice fishing I don't expect to be doing any high speeds or tight trails so I couldn't pass it up.
Practice changing and checking the belt before it fails in a blizzard.
If it's not a electric start, make sure pull rope is in good condition, hate to have one break on the ice. Most can be emergency started by wrapping a cord around the clutch.