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articulating rear suspension

4.3K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  LabradorBoy  
#1 ·
Just orderd my first modern sled 2012 Skandic 600 ACE WT, I see it comes with articulating rear suspension, can someone explain the benifits of this to me? And when it should be locked or used?
 
#3 ·
LB,

I was reading your excellent observations on how a track behaves in response to various forces. I started thinking, with the rear articulating design, perhaps a lifting force is [not] created by track rotation because the pivot geometry does not effectively shorten the length of the skid when the rear portion swings upward. This might explain why even with very little resistance applied by the washer stacks, still the rear does not lift.

I'm thinking BRP engineers dealt with the issue by designing the pivot point not at the bottom of the skid, but farther upward. This appears to be the case as best I can tell looking at photos. I've never owned such a sled nor carefully inspected the design. You however, are certainly familiar with the design so I'm wondering what your thinking is.

mark
 
#4 ·
Mark,

You appear to have a pretty good understanding of the system, however it is so very difficult to explain force-concepts with the written word. In the case of the rear flip, essentially as long as the rear axle is positioned lower than the rear flip's forward pivot point, the inward force created by the tracks rotation and resulting tension will push the rear flip to the "flat" position.

I have had cases where my pivot point has become damaged to the point that the axle ends up higher than the pivot point; when that happens, you lose track tension, you begin to ratchet, and as soon as you go for any amount of track speed or power, the rear flip tries to "stand up". Not fun.