Ready for asphalt/ice/snow

Sure

Very impressive. Just for curiosity, do you have any close-up pix of the grooves and spring arrangement? thx

Not right now but i will take some and post them here

Close-up-1. Shows the shim/spacer I made from wood for the wheel to clear the ski when deployed.

Close-Up-2. Shows the wheel in stoved position.

Close-up-3. Shows the wheel in stoved position from the rear.

Icecy.......that looks just great

Good thinking on that invention Icey. I am sure we are going to see many more Smittys of that design out on the ice this season. Thanks for sharing the info with us.

A+ for creativity, workmanship and engineering. I am wondering about the low profile exposed axel, it might create drag in snow or hang up on jagged ice, when pulled by a walker it should be ok , if pulled by a rv, snomonbile, snow dog ect it could be a problem. Like to Hera back on how it works for you.

I have a question and maybe a suggestion. What are those colorful plastic things holding the spring to the axle? If they are just zip ties I suggest you replace them with hose clamps((Doesn't that plastic get brittle when cold?)

I get brittle when cold.

You're absolutely right. They are heavy duty zip ties and i used them because i didn't have anything else. I am not sure how long they'll last on cold weather but yes i may replace them with hose clamps or something similar made of metal.

When the wheels are retracted while on ice or snow, the axles are almost at the top of the riser blocks. I think there is enough height/clearance from there to the skis, so I expect it to be OK pulling it with a quad. Prior to this mod, I had caster wheels hanging from the bottom of the sled and I never had any problem pulling it with the ATV. Mind you I've never been on deep snow with it, at least not at lake Simcoe, and I rarely ice fish further up north.

But I reserve the final judgement until we have the conditions to test it on the field.

Np bud, I'd be glad If it does indeed help.

You're absolutely right. They are heavy duty zip ties and i used them because i didn't have anything else. I am not sure how long they'll last on cold weather but yes i may replace them with hose clamps or something similar made of metal.

Sounds like a simple fix and it might avoid a disaster if the zip-ties broke while towing with your ATV.