The Best Grooming Machines: Selecting a Snowmobile Face it – the modern snowmobile is not optimally designed to pull a trail-grooming implement. Wide ratio clutches have been tried unsuccessfully. Michigan’s more than 6,500 groomed snowmobiling trails are one of the most extensive interconnected snowmobile trail systems in the nation, made even better by the state’s abundant and dependable snow. Gooseneck pulling an 84” Ginzu. A full service ski touring center located on over 1100 scenic acres of varied terrain along the Montreal River in Ironwood Michigan. The V-800 was tested for a complete season and logged 1500 miles without any issues. SKI TRAIL GROOMING GUIDE - 2 - i CCC/Morten Byskov The two main ski techniques: classic skiers use set tracks and narrower trails, while skate skiers require flat, wide lanes to ski on. The machine would  have three double reversing polarity, self centering switches mounted conveniently on the left handle bar or left section of the dash to operate the groomer  with 30 amp fuses readily accessible. The typical heat exchanger under the tunnel and floor boards does not provide enough cooling in slow grooming operations on hard surfaces without loose snow present . Trail snowmobiles are a hybrid of performance and touring. Snowmobile Trail Report Updated: December 21, 2020 Upper Peninsula Snowmobile Trails officially open December 1st and are groomed (weather permitting) until March 31st. ABR tests groomers on their 60 km trail system from mid-November into April. Suspension requirements include a stiff rear suspension that does not squat with the weight of the groomer but delivers adequate ski pressure for steering. This trail begins on the #2 Custer Draw trail and contunues North to the end of County Road 41 and intersects the trail to Kelly Lake (ungroomed). Check back soon for updates. The switch does not self center and does not reverse polarity. Saved by Bill Stannard. It appears the Skidoo engineers were trying to satisfy the grooming requirements as they installed a three position switch on the left handle grip and a twelve volt cigarette lighter style receptacle on the rear of the machine. Cooling was tested on hard snow condions pulling a medium size groomer on hilly terrain at various ambient temperatures. In addition to the automotive alternator with plenty of electrical capacity, the machine can be factory ordered with switches  and rear connectors for grooming actuators and work lights. Please check this report during the season for trail condition reports across the UP! Cooling was an issue however. Steering was measured on a level surface with a weighted rear suspension simulating the groomer. The heated seat and heated floor boards provided operator comfort even in the coldest conditions, (too bad they could not duct the hot air from the radiator up to the windshield and operators area). The machine did indicate in the low hard snow, heavy pulling applications that it was getting warm, however, the heat alarm never came on. Use the map to find Sno-Park locations in specific regions. The Ski-doo Expedition TUV V–1000, was tested with the Rotax V-1000 four stroke with SOHC. It debuted in 1995. Eric has been skiing and snowmobiling since the age of 10 years old. This utility snowmobile review relates to hard utility chores such as grooming cross country ski trails. It was only in the 2005 and 2006 TUV; in 2007 the V-800 replaced it. The combination of the 20x156x1.25 inch Camoplast Ripsaw track and the well tuned suspension gave this machine plenty of traction and steering. The machine ran relatively hot during testing as indicated by the analog temperature gauge but the temperature alarm never sounded during even the hardest chores (the factory explained the cooling system is designed to run hot for efficient engine performance and clean exhaust emissions). Grooming 20k of trails in varied terrain. However, it takes a more skilled operator to get this machine to steer properly under load. Steering was also evaluated on the trails on uphill climbs with curves. Traction was measured with a force gauge in various conditions pulling a groomer. Like the V-800, it houses the 12 volt battery under the seat for easy access. The TUV was compared with the VK Pro for cooling and the TUV would last 30-40 % longer before the heat alarm came on. It would have a large radiator and heated floor boards without under tunnel heat exchangers that drop slush on the trail which is picked up by the grooming … The engine started very well and was tested in -20F conditions. The cooling systems must either be fan cooled or liquid cooled with a radiator and fan. Groom Your Trails with SnoDozer Snowmobile Groomers Snowmobile trails are important to keep everyone safe during the winter season. The testers compared their vision of the ideal grooming machine to Ski-Doo, Yamaha, Alpina and Polaris machines. Ranked as the #7 snowmobile destination by SnoWest magazine, the Wyoming Range offers riders the opportunity to enjoy plenty of rarefied air along with its 335-mile trail system. This was our choice in operator comfort with its comfortable seat, softer suspension, and appeared to be more agile in light grooming applications. The machine steers as well as the old Alpine but more importantly, with two skis it backs up for long distances. It had an optional pintle hitch that was inadequate like all the other utility machines. Rookie operators will most likely have trouble with this feature. The 4 stroke machine weighs in at 1360 lbs and houses a 1.4 liter EFI automotive Peugot engine. If the 69.1 dB drive by and 86.0 dB static noise levels don’t bother you, you will enjoy industry leading cooling system charcteristics. Power was evaluated pulling groomers up hills. The 75 HP engine coupled with its two speed low range transmission can creep at the slowest grooming speeds without burning belts. Eventually this trail will lead to Wyoming near the Wycolo trail system. Indeed, many of its groomed and ungroomed trails top over … The simple rear bogie suspension provided very little travel which was perfect for pulling heavy loads and the bogies worked very well in hard snow since they did not require the lubrication of the slides systems. The biggest and best feature of this utility sled, as far as grooming is concerned is its exceptional cooling ability. The future ideal grooming snowmobile would come with a powerful 4 stroke EFI engine with a low geared transmission. This is a review of the top utility snowmobiles on the market as of March 2007. Very dry snow much of the time, in small spurts of 4-8" with an occasional 20-30" snow thrown in there. Published HP is not available but we are guessing it could be close to 90  HP. Fuel Economy was measured in various conditions with the majority of the time spent pulling medium sized groomers. We are still working on our power station that works with the cat shed and the shelter. Voltage  regulators appear to be the weak link in this system. Left: Bombardier, Right: Polaris 5 Photo 1.3 – Trail grooming is important to snowmobilers. Here is an honest, non-biased opinion with A LOT of use of the SWT. We understand that the TUV may not be available for 2008. The wide tunnel and low seat do not offer comfort for the long legged operators. December 2020. The articulated rear suspension has three basic adjustments; the front telescopic suspension has none. The low end torque and engine power is very good with low noise, 61.4 dB drive by and 80.0 dB static, and there is no odor due to the four stroke engine. The test machine was equipped with an optional radiator fan kit from Ski-doo ($800.00). At grooming speeds you are not working it that hard, therefore burning less fuel and less wear and tear. It would have a large radiator and heated floor boards without under tunnel heat exchangers that drop slush on the trail which is picked up by the grooming implements. snowmobile trail grooming may also be performed with a tiller mounted on the rear of a tracked snow cat. The machine puts out  240 watts at 6000 rpm. The Ski-doo Alpine did a good job of grooming, however, it fell short in the areas of steering , maneuverability, and most importantly operator comfort. We are grooming! The Ski-doo Skandic SWT 4-TEC V-800 four stroke came out in 2007, using the V 800 engine that was proven in the Can Am 4-wheelers.This is an electronic fuel injected engine. The ideal grooming machine would have bogie wheels that do not require loose snow for lubrication like the slide systems, and a dash adjustable shock for varying traction and steering depending on snow conditions. This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our, Recommended (proven) Snowmobile Models for Nordic Grooming. Download Trail Map. The Ski-doo Skandic, superwide track (SWT) is Bombardier’s replacemen for  the Ski-doo Alpine. Sno-Cat Parts, New Used parts Drags,Sub Compact Snow Groomers Snow tractors Groomers for smaller and lighter units such as ATV, Light Truck, UTV/SXS, Compact Track etc. 2021 Arctic Cat ZR 9000 Thundercat 137 ARS II w/ ATAC. The testing that was done was a combination of objective and subjective assessments. The machine came with a factory spec sheet that included the set up for heavy groomer pulling,(suspension settings, gearing, clutch setting, and ski runners). We also have a local fat bike group that has been using a 900 ACE SWT for several years and added a 600 SWT as well. The single track utility machines have come a long way since 1994. Kevin Balduc  is a college student who has been snowmobiling for ten years and grooming and skiing for two years. If Polaris can get the rear suspension stiffened, this machine will be a very strong contendor for the Trail Groomers. While this outlet can be used for a work light, it is useless to operate actuators….maybe next year. This machine appears to be built with heavy duty work in mind; it houses the Genesis 120 engine which is a four stroke 3 cylinder engine delivering 120 HP! The four stroke engine is  carburated. UTV’s to groom their “smaller” woodland trails or invested in snocats. Another local organization purchased a 900 WT and used it very sucessfully this year as well. The tracks are dual 20x156x1.2 inch and provided plenty of traction, compaction, and floatation. This snowmobile, if you can call it that, is hand built in Vicenza, Italy and has been built since 2002. This SWT can be found with additional operator installed nose weights and after market Simmons skis to enhance steering performance. We are fortunate to have Ken Blakey-Shell’s experience grooming snow trails for various uses to give us a primer. It has had a few minor changes since 1995, such as an increase in displacement from  499 to 550 cc, and improved voltage regulation and lighting  but basically the machine has remained unchanged for the past decade. Unless equipped with an expensive /visabilty reducing cab, the ATV/UTV lacks good heating even after windshields heated handle grips and seats are installed. * For longevity of trail grooming, it is best to avoid riding a snowmobile on freshly groomed trails for at least two hours after the groomer passes. The 2009 Midwest Grooming Clinic is scheduled for January 20th and 21st (Tuesday and Wednesday). The future ideal grooming snowmobile would come with a powerful 4 stroke EFI engine with a low geared transmission. Quebec: The Laurentians. In fact, one of the first snowmobiling clubs in the world began in the Laurentians. The Lake Park-based Midnite Riders club has agreed to take over responsibility for the trails in western Becker County, and the Wolf Lake-based Wolf Pack snowmobile club already grooms trails in southeastern Becker County. Kim Raap 5 Photo 1.4 – Riding styles like fast starts and powering through curves impact trails. 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