Looking for some good Ice Scratchers for your snowmobile? Don’t look further as here we have a list of the 10 best snowmobile Ice scratchers. But before that let’s discuss in brief about them.
Ice scratchers are small steel wires meant to scratch the surface of a plowed road, a hard-packed trail, or an icy lake. These tools are compatible with most snowmobiles and are usually installed with the rear suspension. They help in lubrication and heat exchange while riding thus reducing wear and tear. Let’s discuss more about them.
What Exactly Are Ice Scratchers?
For those unfamiliar with ice scratchers, the name pretty well says it all. They’re there to scratch the ice. Ice scratchers are fitted on the rear suspension rails, one on each side.
These scratchers feature a pointed tip that penetrates into solid snow pack and ice to create a “snow dust”. As you ride, they loosen the snow and ice chunks. The loose snow is then forced into the rear suspension. This will produce “powder” if you are not riding on powder.
What Is the Purpose Of Ice Scratchers?
If you’re not riding in powder and getting snow pushed into your rear suspension, your heat exchangers won’t get the essential cooling. Heat exchangers beneath the tunnel and hyfax slides beneath the rails might become fairly hot.
If the slides become too heated, they may melt. Thus, they have ice scratchers to keep them cool. The snow that falls onto the heat exchanger melts and dissipates the heat in the engine.
If you do not keep your engine cool, it may explode! It goes without saying how crucial it is to keep your snowmobile engine cool financially.
The slides are there to protect your rails and are far easier and less expensive to replace than the rails themselves, so you should keep them as clean as possible to safeguard the rails.
Long-track riders, in particular, should think about employing ice-scratchers. Even when there is a substantial amount of snow, larger slides heat up faster and can melt away far more quickly than short-track sleds.
Use the scratchers in the mornings, especially if the snow has become more frozen and hard from the night before.
Where Do You Put Ice Scratchers On A Snowmobile?
Ice scratchers are installed on the back suspension rails, one on each side. These scratchers have a sharp tip that digs into solid snow pack and ice to produce “snow dust”. As you cycle, they loosen the snow and ice chunks. The loose snow is then thrown into the back suspension.
Make sure you drill a proper-sized hole to firmly attach the ice scratcher. If there is a prebuilt hole or pocket, then it will be very easy to install or remove them.
How To Choose Correct Ice Scratchers?
Tip
Your scratchers’ tips are the most important aspect of their design. This is the point at which the metal collides with the ice or snow, and the amount of dust produced by the tip is what efficiently cools your equipment.
Carbide tips are the best since they are the strongest and will dig deeper into snow and ice than normal metal tips. They are also more costly. They will dull faster if you use a more common tip.
Cooling Capability
While scratchers can assist reduce overheating, they will not eliminate it entirely. If you ride your snowmobile frequently enough, you will most likely encounter an overheating problem at some point.
The essential thing to remember is that you should let your sled cool down for around 30 minutes before restarting it. If your engine overheats, you risk damaging it.
Construction
The construction of any set of scratchers is an essential first consideration. You can choose between a cable design and a single metal bar style. They’re both excellent, but some riders will favor one over the other.
When not in use, it is preferred to use the cable design because it is more effective and easy to place onto the rail. If you are constantly using scratchers, the single bar type may be better.
Best Ice Scratchers
Btl Designs Dura Flex Ice Scratchers Kit
When compared to standard wire scratchers, these cable ice scratchers provide a more versatile solution. Dura Flex ice scratchers come with carbide tips as standard, are preassembled, and require only one bolt to mount.
These cable ice scratchers are universal and may easily be hung on the rail when not used. Furthermore, they are compatible with all reverse and non-reverse geared snowmobiles.
Though they aren’t the cheapest option on our list, the Btl Designs Dura Flex ice scratchers check off enough boxes to earn the top slot as they are one of the best snowmobile ice scratchers to buy.
RSI Racing Snow/Ice Scratchers SS-1
These low-cost choices are constructed of billet aluminum and spring steel and are one of the most popular snowmobile ice scratchers to buy. Replacement springs are supplied separately, and mounting hardware is provided.
They are sold as a pair and operate well, but to avoid bending, snowmobilers must push them up while not in use or when reversing.
Straightline Ice Scratcher Kit
These high-quality snowmobile ice scratchers combine products from two industry leaders. Straightline Performance employs Woody’s unique carbide studs, which result in a sturdy, well-made product that can be run down at all times or fastened to the rail if necessary.
Fly Racing Ice Scratcher Kit
These snowmobile ice scratchers are simple to set up. They’re made of CNC-machined billet aluminum and will do everything they can to keep your sled cool. A simple modification to your sled will make a significant difference making them one of the best snowmobile ice scratchers to buy.
Qualipieces Trail Blizzer Carbide Ice Scratchers
These snowmobile ice scratchers are composed of flexible high-strength steel cable that bends and flexes to accommodate various riding styles. When reversing, there’s no need to stop and put these up! The company has a proprietary anti-loosening technology, which ensures that bolts are always snug and in place.
Otto Ice Storm Reversible Scratchers
These snowmobile ice scratchers are composed of 316 stainless steel and spray twice as much as standard scratchers. There’s no need to stop and put them up when reversing because the scratchers automatically lay down! Another amazing feature is that when one side of the tip wears out, you can quickly and easily flip it around for double the life!
IFJF Flex Ice Scratchers Kit
The IFJF Flex Ice Scratchers Kit is an excellent low-cost choice. These aren’t anything special, and they don’t distinguish except for their low price. However, they do the job and are an excellent way to keep your engine cool.
Because of the zinc-plated wire rope, they are sturdy and long-lasting. This material is relatively hefty, which aids in increasing down pressure for deeper penetration into hard surfaces. It’s also made to last and won’t crack or fall apart.
This kit is suitable for all sorts of snowmobiles and is compatible with both reverse and non-reverse geared machines. That’s relatively common for any option, but you should always double-check when going for a low-cost alternative.
Another noteworthy feature is that the flexible rope can be easily transferred onto your sled’s rail when not in use. That means you won’t have to uninstall these scratchers when they’re no longer needed.
The disadvantage of them is that they do not provide as strong a tip as more expensive carbide choices. This causes them to wear out faster, and you may need to replace them after a season of use.
Ibexx Ice Scratchers
Ibexx Ice Scratchers are meant to work in reverse without causing any harm. In order to maximize snow on the track, they will also apply a lot of force to the ground while you ride. The Bi-Directional Ice Scratcher 2.0 kit is easier to install and maintains the highest levels of durability and performance.
Kimpex Ice Scratchers
These are made up of Full stainless wire rope and ends for lifetime use. They are specially designed to be run down at all times but can be mounted on the rails if needed thus making them a lot more durable.
Kimpex Ice Scratchers are Replaceable and affordable carbide scratcher tips. Their large mounting base avoids rail wear.
Polaris Ice Scratchers
These are built tough and attach well to the rails, throwing ice chips into the suspension more efficiently. They also lubricate the skid structure well by dragging in the snow. They also enable the rider to remove extra wheels, lowering the weight of the sled by up to 4 pounds.
This concludes our article on the 10 Best Snowmobile Ice Scratchers To Buy. We hope you find this article useful. Please make sure to like and share this article. You can also comment down suggestions below.
You may also like 10 Best Snowmobile For Ice Fishing.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do snowmobile ice scratchers work?
Snowmobile Many snowmobilers rely on ice scratchers to protect their machine from overheating and to keep lubricant in the skid. They provide peace of mind because today’s trails cover broad areas and vary in elevation.
Why use ice scratchers on snowmobile?
They have ice scratchers to keep them cool. The snow that falls onto the heat exchanger melts and dissipates the heat in the engine. If you do not keep your engine cool, it may explode! It goes without saying how crucial it is to keep your snowmobile engine cool financially.
Are snowmobile scratchers universal?
Dura Flex ice scratchers come with carbide tips as standard, are preassembled, and require only one bolt to mount. These cable ice scratchers are universal and may easily be hung on the rail when not in use. Furthermore, they are compatible with all reverse and non-reverse geared snowmobiles.
What is the safest way to stop a snowmobile on ice?
Keep a calm and steady pace. Do not accelerate or decelerate suddenly. Release the throttle and coast to a stop to come to a safe stop.
Do ice scratchers prevent overheating?
The ice scratchers assist you in avoiding overheating and snow issues. These tools, as the name implies, scratch the snow to provide snow dust on heat exchangers. These instruments are critical in avoiding potential problems caused by engine or transmission overheating.
How long do ice scrapers last?
There is no definitive timetable for replacing an ice scraper, however, they do not last forever. It all depends on how frequently and vigorously you utilize it. Also, when exposed to high temperatures throughout the summer or winter, the plastic might become brittle.
Is it good to stud a snowmobile track?
Adding studs to a snowmobile track improves cornering control, increases stopping power, and makes your snowmobile safer. Despite studding your snowmobile tracks is a do-it-yourself project, it is critical that your studs are installed correctly.
What are the best snowmobile ice scratchers?
Following are the best snowmobile ice scratchers:
1. Btl Designs Dura Flex Ice Scratchers Kit
2. RSI Racing Snow/Ice Scratchers SS-1
3. Straightline Ice Scratcher Kit
4. Fly Racing Ice Scratcher Kit
5. Qualipieces Trail Blizzer Carbide Ice Scratchers
6. Otto Ice Storm Reversible Scratchers
7. IFJF Flex Ice Scratchers Kit
