Snow Cats anyone have one ??

[jackelope]

I was under the impression that a tracked quad could run FS roads where snowmachines were legal. Quads with tires were not legal but tracks were. I could be way off here so don't hold me to it. Aside from size, not sue what the difference would be between a tracked quad and a snow cat.

I used to love riding the snowcats up the mountains skiing back east. 1st turns in fresh powder off of a snow cat was awesome stuff.

[KFhunter]

I think the biggest deal is the transmission and splitter that drives the two tracks.  The engine itself is easy fix. 

Wheels need to be checked over as they'll most likely be cracked, the drive cogs checked.  The scratchers (metal bars) wear out in the center.

pretty easy stuff, I wouldn't stress too hard over parts as they have a big following and pretty wide support base. 


I wouldn't mind having one myself,  in fact I'd love to have a cabin that sees 20 foot of snow accumulation annually and requires a snow cat just to get back to it 

[KFhunter]

I'd want one with a small blade on the front, the road I'd be on get a lot of trees fallen across the road and I'd be forever sawing up trees where I could push a lot out the way with a small blade

[benbo30]

after checking out more maps of the groomed roads , there is still lots of roads that are not groomed that i could run this thing on lots of green dot roads , only a handfull of roads are groomed and the areas where i would go does not look like to have groomed roads for snowmobiles .

[benbo30]

[quote   


I wouldn't mind having one myself,  in fact I'd love to have a cabin that sees 20 foot of snow accumulation annually and requires a snow cat just to get back to it 
[/quote]

yea i think it would be loads of fun to take my kids up in some deep stuff 

[benbo30]

I was under the impression that a tracked quad could run FS roads where snowmachines were legal. Quads with tires were not legal but tracks were. I could be way off here so don't hold me to it. Aside from size, not sue what the difference would be between a tracked quad and a snow cat.

I used to love riding the snowcats up the mountains skiing back east. 1st turns in fresh powder off of a snow cat was awesome stuff.

i thought so too 

[luvtohnt]

Does this cat have a hydraulic drive system, pumps and hubs? I have not seen any other type, but I dont know much about the old ones. In the picture it looks like there are several tire guides that need replaced to prevent tire damage. How do the rubber belts look, any cracks or weathered spots? I help work on the snow cats in Cle Elum, and it can get spendy fast. If you need more info or ideas on where to get stuff you may want to contact mfswallace he works with them also.

after checking out more maps of the groomed roads , there is still lots of roads that are not groomed that i could run this thing on lots of green dot roads , only a handfull of roads are groomed and the areas where i would go does not look like to have groomed roads for snowmobiles .

Be careful if you enter any area make sure you are not in an area closed to motorized vehicles except snowmobiles!

I was under the impression that a tracked quad could run FS roads where snowmachines were legal. Quads with tires were not legal but tracks were. I could be way off here so don't hold me to it. Aside from size, not sue what the difference would be between a tracked quad and a snow cat.

I used to love riding the snowcats up the mountains skiing back east. 1st turns in fresh powder off of a snow cat was awesome stuff.

Based on definition these would be in violation of the law, however it would most likely be up to the officer you encounter. Also maybe other ranger districts are more tolerant of these type of vehicles.

Brandon

[benbo30]

im still getting more information on this particular one as its out of state ....... thanks ill keep ya in mind about more info and such on these things

[KFhunter]

Does this cat have a hydraulic drive system, pumps and hubs? I have not seen any other type, but I dont know much about the old ones. In the picture it looks like there are several tire guides that need replaced to prevent tire damage. How do the rubber belts look, any cracks or weathered spots? I help work on the snow cats in Cle Elum, and it can get spendy fast. If you need more info or ideas on where to get stuff you may want to contact mfswallace he works with them also.

after checking out more maps of the groomed roads , there is still lots of roads that are not groomed that i could run this thing on lots of green dot roads , only a handfull of roads are groomed and the areas where i would go does not look like to have groomed roads for snowmobiles .

Be careful if you enter any area make sure you are not in an area closed to motorized vehicles except snowmobiles!

I was under the impression that a tracked quad could run FS roads where snowmachines were legal. Quads with tires were not legal but tracks were. I could be way off here so don't hold me to it. Aside from size, not sue what the difference would be between a tracked quad and a snow cat.

I used to love riding the snowcats up the mountains skiing back east. 1st turns in fresh powder off of a snow cat was awesome stuff.

Based on definition these would be in violation of the law, however it would most likely be up to the officer you encounter. Also maybe other ranger districts are more tolerant of these type of vehicles.

Brandon

I'm pretty sure it's the old school brake/clutch system

[Heredoggydoggy]

I rode in a Thiokol similar to that one when we built the tower on Mission Ridge back in '75.  At the time, the ski areas were using them to groom the ski runs.  The tracks had wood cleats bolted on to add flotation.  It had a single cab, and we built a canopy and benches onto it so we could ride out of the wind.  They won't slide forwards or backwards, but they will slide sideways.  The last time I rode in it, it slid off the trail sideways, and we slid down a hill in the canopy when it popped off with us in it and slid on the top down the hill about 50 feet.  Everyone stepped on me to get out, fearing that the Thiokol was going to roll down the hill onto us.  Watch for the PUD and County auctions that they hold to sell used equipment.  One might come up for sale.  Saw a smaller, lighter one that some guys were going to use to service cell towers.

[Knocker of rocks]

Does this cat have a hydraulic drive system, pumps and hubs? I have not seen any other type, but I dont know much about the old ones. In the picture it looks like there are several tire guides that need replaced to prevent tire damage. How do the rubber belts look, any cracks or weathered spots? I help work on the snow cats in Cle Elum, and it can get spendy fast. If you need more info or ideas on where to get stuff you may want to contact mfswallace he works with them also

I think most modestly sized cats that were made by Bombardier or Thiokol/DMC/LMC used an American built automotive trans going to a standard operating diff, with Oliver-Clarks being common.  Outboard of the diffs, wet or dry band brakes stopped one side or the other for turning.  This is different than dozers where the simplest types use a spool with outboard clutches on either side.

Thiokol sometimes used a system where they had a variator downstream of the trans, with two parallel drive lines going to two differentials sistered together.

The newer snowcats use complicated and/or expensive drive trains and often hydraulic motors on each side.  Those units are primarily meant for ground engagement work (ski area grooming) and are powered by big diesels.  The older smaller rigs for sale generally have FoMoCo 4 cyl industrials or Chrysler engines.  318 x 8 or 300 x 6 were generally the largest factory engines.

Tuckers used a completely different steering mechanism.

Here is a good place:   http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/forumdisplay.php?f=65

And:   http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=58515

[Southpole]

Definitely do your math on where it's legal to drive a snow cat. I have a friend in Darrington that has a snow cat and a few years ago he got busted by the forest service for innocently driving on deep ungroomed, forest service roads. He got a warning from the forest service and they said if they bust him a second time it's a $5000 ticket. That's the Mt.Baker/Snoqualmie area. I know, it's a bunch of crap, a guy should be able to drive a snow cat around like a pick-up when a pick-up can't get there anymore, but that's the dictator world we live in. Anyway, we were wanting a snow cat as well for our place on the eastside. Fortunately we're surrounded by thousands of acres of private forest land and have permission to drive in there.

[magnanimous_j]

that thing is awesome.

[crschralping]

I used to operate a Piston Bully at Squaw Valley down in CA, they are tons of fun! You should get a nice one and see if the state will sub contract you to do some trail maintenace 

[Knocker of rocks]

Definitely do your math on where it's legal to drive a snow cat. I have a friend in Darrington that has a snow cat and a few years ago he got busted by the forest service for innocently driving on deep ungroomed, forest service roads. He got a warning from the forest service and they said if they bust him a second time it's a $5000 ticket. That's the Mt.Baker/Snoqualmie area. I know, it's a bunch of crap, a guy should be able to drive a snow cat around like a pick-up when a pick-up can't get there anymore, but that's the dictator world we live in. Anyway, we were wanting a snow cat as well for our place on the eastside. Fortunately we're surrounded by thousands of acres of private forest land and have permission to drive in there.

Irongoat at forumsforums is an expert on this, and claims that USFS use permits are availble ( for a fee)