steel saddles for plastic skis

[400brian]

Sure, there is always a potential for that. Perhaps we could find a way to have the skis stress-tested.

I think that is Don's area of expertise.

[Matt]

Crash test dummy?

I kiid, I kiid!

[AirborneX4Special]

Luckily everyone survived and we can joke about it.

Even the tree looks good, considering.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

[400brian]

Here's a shot of the aluminum saddles that Ross Heavener designed. These were tested last winter by the R&D team of Amber, Campbell, Heavener, and Miley.

These are set up for the 24" Yamaha springs, which has been found to eliminate a ski darting issue they had with the original springs.

I'm thinking they'll look really good polished.

[JD600]

Are these the ones everyone is having all of the problems with, or are they something else?

DE

[400brian]

What problems?

[JD600]

Busting shocks for one....

DE

[400brian]

I think that is a shock issue.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

I think the shock is the issue. The same part number shock was used on two different sleds with two slightly different ski attachments. All four shocks broke in the same location. I'm still calling it "engineering error" much like the original skis on the Cross Country. Big difference here is that shocks did not cause anyone to hit a tree.................just saying.....................

DA

[JD600]

Big difference here is that shocks did not cause anyone to hit a tree.................just saying.....................

DA

Yet.................just saying.....................

DE

[Matt]

I'm also on the verge of having a ski mount available to work on the stock Deere springs & shocks with the SLP SLT skis. I'll have complete kits available on New Breed when they are ready.

[jdsledsrgr8]

Keep us posted Matt as I have interest.

[Liquifried]

Matt, I would be interested in a few sets myself. Keep me posted.

[HoosierDeereMan]

Are these the ones everyone is having all of the problems with, or are they something else?

Dustin,

When Ross had the first set made, the sides of the mount where the spring attaches were cut at a sharp angle. After some hard test miles they cracked at the angle area. He has since changed the design and curved those angles. Brian's photo is of the curved set. No issues that I'm aware of after this modification. There have been lots of questions regarding this entire set up. My set up is on the 340/S. I'm running NOS Deere shocks. I have 350 hard miles on it and I'm not having any shock concerns. The set up I'm running is Ross's ski mounts, the 24" Yamaha springs, SLP skis, and Stud Boy 6" shaper bars.

The original 26" Deere spring sets the skis out in front of the sled. The 26" spring mounts to the spindle behind the top center of the spring. Looking at it from the side about The 1:00 position? The 24" Yamaha spring mounts on top in the 12:00 position. Between the mounting being different and the shorter spring it changes the entire center of gravity up front. I don't have darting issues and the sled is now very predictable. I can't see the ski loops out front anymore and that really messes with me. I can carry some speed through the turns and not push out like before. It's very fun to ride. Before this it was just a hand full. In nice conditions I had darting problems. It you got on a rutted trail the old skis would catch in a previous rut and would toss you around. It was white knuckle riding alot of times. Now it's straight and I can ride with one hand if need be.

I know a few of the guys were experimenting with this plastic ski set up using their own mounts and the 26" Deere spring. It would be interesting to hear some feedback from that set up.

Troy