Ken,
I wish I could take pics like that. Is the Cannon Rebel you use an expensive digital camera? What is the pixel resolution?

I’ll give you $25 for it! Go Vikes!

Dan,
I was thinking of using a sonotube with a 5 gallon bucket on the end to protect the blades. Might get a couple years out of it. Of course I’ll have to use some good Old Duct tape to hold it all together…. Might even duct tape the whole thing. Probably have more into duct tape than the sonotube!

Try a pair of those ice scratchers onto your sled…. It will keep it cool on the ice! Any Pout?

Thanks GH! Maybe if there is enough interest on this thread we could find a few guys to go in on a 20 ft piece. I don’t want to spend much more than $10 for a 3-4 foot length.

Where can I find 10″ PVC??? Menards doesn’t have it and I doubt if Homeless Depot has it either. I like your idea …. Great minds think alike! ;}

Otter makes a 10″ for $55 …. ouch!!!

http://eelement.appolis.com/OTTEROUTDOORS/eproddetail.asp?S=67&P=5050&PubID=4393&V=7&PID=1027&iss=

Check this out ……

http://www.snoriderswest.com/oldsled/recent_articles/ice_machine.htm

Jon,
Did you make the motor/drive? I was wondering if the drive wheel had carbide spikes or if it was just cold rolled all the way? Neat video… That thing really moves!

We used an older one (early 90’s model) for hunting swamps. The pillow blocks on the frame didn’t hold up. The drive sprockets didn’t hold up either. I remember one time we were 3 swamps into Chengwatana Forest bear hunting and a pillow block seized up. Had to walk through loon sh*t up to our waist. I’m just glad we didn’t get a bear. I’m sure they are made better now. I was wondering if they are hydrodrive yet. I haven’t looked at the new ones yet but I would think that would be the way to go. Mucho torque and no moving gears.

I thought it would go through the ice better without the tracks since the amphibious tires are what propel it but I suppose having the tracks on would get you out of the ice. I have tracks on my Bobcat and they were slick as can be…. I wish it floated .

I’ve used ARGO’s bear hunting getting back into the Chengwatana swamps in Pine City. They do go through the loon sh*t. I have another idea for a Winter ice mobile project up my sleeve. I’ll let all you guys in on it after its complete. Cross your fingers … and toes!

A hovercraft would be nice but can you haul much gear in them? I had a friend that used one on the river and he was always worried about tearing the air boot that goes around it. They are slick though.

I guess if I was going to build one of these I would want it to be able to get through broken ice too. Maybe an air boat is the way to go.

He must have got it stuck a few times ;}

Ya.. I saw a few posting but no one answered my question about getting the contraption UNSTUCK in the ice after it breaks through. It looks like it would be a nightmare.

I thought vegetarian was an old indian word for bad hunter ;}

I tried searching for Herb but no luck. Can you send me a link to one of his posting.

Thanks!

This is what every fisherman should have. No more walking or driving on the ice and the risk of breaking through with your vehicle. If you break through the ice, this ice scratcher(boat) will float and keep your hiney out of the freezing water. It is a 14 foot flat bottom boat on skies powered by a 6 1/2 horse engine that runs a 2 foot spiked wheel that pushes the boat across the ice. It travels approx. 25 MPH now but you can gear it easily to go faster or slower. I use it on the Mississippi backwaters on the frozen sloughs and lakes. It’s great when you need to travel a long distance on early or late ice or any ice for that matter. It can haul 3-4 adults and gear easily.

It’ll be going fast this week. Be careful out on Rush!