and in case you wonder.. there's a Torque Converter behind the box 
'sid
'sid
comet makes snowmobile cvts
it's an anchor (or 3 swingarm if you prefer) system;
like the comet 102C for example
but allow me to see if I can trace a 'safari cvt'
OKay got it.. indeed that is called Safari I can only trace it on russian sites though...
Вариатор "Сафари" (Variator [CVT] "Safari") or to be even more precise add
Буран (Buran (snowstorm), that's the model name)
here's one site for example:
http://buran-variator.ru/
unfortunately I do not speak or read russian.. so I can't be much of help.. what I know though, that it's rated for up to 40hp (at least as far as I would understand) and is fairly common on 3600rpm industrial engines in russia.
and it's cheap.. motodog wants $260 US for a complete set with belt and mount which is much cheaper than you'd expect for a smal sled CVT
but I think the series 40 clone for 155 is much easier to get (and maintain)
and it'll do the job as well I assume
'sid
and in case you wonder.. there's a Torque Converter behind the box
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'sid
That thing is cool! Whats it called? I could use one of those in the woods. How does it steer? Whats the website for those?? Do you ride on the front or back???
Thanks Sid!
Do you have any experience using a snowmobile CVT on a lower RPM motor? Skidoo specs say clutch engagement is at 4500 RPM +-200. There is adjustment built in the to driven clutch that should allow it to get down to ~4k engagement.
But in theory If i can soften the primary spring it should allow it to engage sooner.
Any input?
Maybe in shopping in the wrong places. I had $75 for sprockets and chain from BMI, $40 for a 25" keyed shaft from mcmaster, and two pillow blocks at $12, and $155 for the TC and $40 for a belt, two $5 collars
Hmmmm, back to the TC vs reduction box I guess. I was thinking reduction box would be a bit more heavy duty than the TC. No belts to eat....
If I were building one I'd use a torque converter set up and I think I'd also put a lawn mower gear box between the jackshaft and the drivewayxle. That way you could have 4-5 forward speeds and reverse. A Peerless 700 series gear box would be perfect for that application. Are you planning on using the suspension from the snowmobile? That sled has a slide style suspension and wouldn't work very well for that application. You need a bogie style suspension. I know in the Golf cart world its quite common to retrofit a 13hp Honda or clone engine and I've seen some suppliers selling adaptors to adapt a taper shaft clutch to a straight shaft engine.
Plan was to use the snowmobile skid. Why do you say it'snnot well suited? Too much drag? I agree a bogie system would be less drag, but it's done already.... why do you day gearbox? So you could gear low and then be able to up shift for speed?
I'm not thinking about using the snowmobile clutch, so I wouldn't need a tazer shaft adapter. I think the Jack shaft is splined though.
Yes the skid does have a lot of drag. It will be used mostly in the snow.
Do you have any experience using a snowmobile clutch on a 13hp? I am not sure sinceiit's not supposed to engage till 4500 rpms.
I just think you will have a lot of drag and it will create problems with the slide suspension. It will also take more horsepower to turn it and forget about running in anything but snow because without snow to lube it the slides will gum up quick.
Your clutch off your Ski-doo most likely won't work on a 13hp. Even if you could adapt it to your 13hp i don't think they make weights and spring to get it calibrated correctly. A comet clutch (I know it costs $$$) or a Polaris ATV clutch will be able to be calibrated correctly for your 13hp. How much did you give for the Ski-doo? I see a lot of parts on that thing you won't be using. If snowmobiles are has popular by you has they are by me you shouldn't have a problem recouping enough money to buy the correct clutches.
I agree its a lot of drag. 99.5% of the time it will be in snow. I do a lot of snow camping and this is a fun thing to bring along basically.
The drag from the skids is what was originally making me think 6:1, need more torque to get it moving.
My thoughts is the clutch would not work also. So im glad you agree. Ill have to look into ATV clutches, but i think the Comet 40 will be far cheaper.
I paid $260 for the snowmobile, I am planing to part it out to recoup as much as I can. I bought it for the track and drivers. If I had bought them separately they would have been ~$150 anyway. And I figure I can use the skid to see how it works. If it doesn't work well this winter, I can tear that apart and do bogies for next year. But I see it as a working suspension right now.
Not having a ton of luck selling parts yet, just getting to fall, so hopefully people start looking for parts as the sleds come out again. Its also a bit old.... we will see.
I still think your wasting your time with the slide rail suspension, but who knows it might work alright in the snow. I think with a bogie setup,light weight aluminum frame, and only what you could get into an otter style sled that a 6.5hp clone engine with a torque converter setup would work. I know you mentioned 20 mph for max speed, but to me that sounds scary standing in an otter sled! I think 10-15 mph would be splenty fast. I think since you have no experience tuning a clutch you should stay with the Comet 40 clutch has it will come in the ball park and you shouldn't have to spend much time calibrating it (and it will bolt right on). A used Polaris atv clutch can be had cheaper then the Comet but would require adapting and calibrating to work. What year is that sled? That isn't that old and its the perfect age where people will need parts. I have best luck selling snowmobile parts after the first snow. Snowmobiling is like a sickness. Once the first snow falls then everyone gets the fever! Then parts sales heat up! For what your into that sled for you should be able to make your money back and some good profit. The best way to do it is to advertise main or big ticket parts (engine, hood, seat, and etc) first then when someone comes to buy they most likely ask if you have other parts for the machine. Don't list the whole sled for parts! Someone will want to buy the whole thing cheap to take what parts they need.
I went to motodog.nu and there seems to be alot of info there but its all in Russian. I wish I knew how to translate it or have my computer translate it.