XC drag build

airbiscuit · Oct 4, 2021

Smooth Move XC
Smooth Runnin
Groomzilla
Gladiator Groomer
Ghost Groomer

ArlyA · Oct 6, 2021

I was at my real job for the morning, then spent the rest of the day, until 8 this evening in the school shop making parts. I am getting to old for those hours!

I took some pics for you guys but it will take some time for me to process them.

ArlyA · Oct 7, 2021

OK here is some work I got done yesterday and for you machine shop connoisseurs, I'll include pics of the machines used. This 3/8 plate will hold all cutting frames on, so it will see a great deal of stress. On the 4" channel, I drew the profile of the pan. The little plates bolted on its top are 3" tall and will be the pivot points and welded onto the ends of the 3" channel that create the cutting frames. The 1 and 1/4 hole on the side of the plate is a tow location if you need to tow this implement out backwards. This plate will see more trimming before its segment welded on.

Another pic of this setup.

Now making those little brackets you see that will be welded on each side. They are 3 x 3 x 1/4 angle but they will be trimmed down.

Punching out .5 holes for the pivot bolts.

Drilling them out, one size larger than .5. (I can't recall the drill size)

Kerfing the holes with a 90 degree chamfer.

Not shown is the cutting off and rounded them off. All edges were sanded off.

BackRoad · Oct 9, 2021

"Dragon"

Anyone using the trail would be following Dragon Tracks...

Users would be reminded to stay on the Dragon's Trail...

When on a Dragon Trail, be on the lookout for a Dragon. (They sound just like a snow machine!)

An intersection would be a Dragon Crossing.

Dragon sightings could be awarded...

If you breakdown, hopefully somebody starts Dragon hunting...

ArlyA · Oct 12, 2021

airbiscuit said:
Smooth Move XC
Smooth Runnin
Groomzilla
Gladiator Groomer
Ghost Groomer

Groomzilla seems to be the winner polling with our pals..

Thanks for the idea's!

I'm heading into the shop on Wednesday and be there all day, like 12 hours. Picked up the pans over the weekend. They were left outside with a bill taped to them. This is the UP!

Sorry for the poor photo here but the top is on the right side. I should have put there bottom section flat with the truck bed.

ArlyA · Oct 14, 2021

Work done on the Groomzilla project.

This shows the anchor for the cutting teeth and the bracket that will be welded to 3" channels. Its all made from 3/8 plate. There will be two on the bracket held by the same .5 bolt.

The pan got its reinforcement flat welded to it. The pan is 14 gauge and the flat is 3/16 x 1.5". Any guesses why I would plug weld it on?

This shows how the pan will be welded onto the 4" main frame channel.

Here is the anchor tacked on to the frame!

BravoXray · Oct 14, 2021

Looks great.
Looks like you're making some good progress.

ArlyA · Oct 23, 2021

Much work was done to Groomzilla frame members this week.
Top photos are holes drilled to hold flexible wings on. The channels open side is the outside of the implement.

Holes were also drilled for skags. With cutting frame anchor actually welded on!!!

Here you can see how the 3" channels will be attached to hold the cutting frames on.

Any questions or comments? This is the 4th drag I've built or modified to improved on over the past X years.

ArlyA · Oct 28, 2021

Work done this week. This is the mian frame and I cut off the ends to give them gradual roundness. I used a torch to cut these over the years but this time, I tried a battery powered band hand held bandsaw. Worked fine!