Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: ol mike]
#8011977
12/04/23 10:52 PM
12/04/23 10:52 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 861 S E Idaho
Jmack
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 861
S E Idaho
|
Snowdog is what one of my buddies has.
The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight. Theodore Roosevelt
|
|
|
Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: ol mike]
#8012427
12/05/23 01:04 PM
12/05/23 01:04 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 11,539 Maine, Aroostook
Posco
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 11,539
Maine, Aroostook
|
I like Snow-Dogs but would prefer something with a Honda engine instead of a Briggs & Stratton. That's what I was thinking. Put a Honda engine on one and I'd buy it.
|
|
|
Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: tlguy]
#8012438
12/05/23 01:17 PM
12/05/23 01:17 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,237 Missouri
Osagan
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,237
Missouri
|
The non Snowdog versions are usually called track sleds, that might help your search. I built this one this spring and am in the process of building another. My main use will be for ice fishing. They're not too difficult to build yourself if you have a welder and a little mechanical know how. Good looking fabrication there TLGUY............ Curious... Why would someone who lives in snow country (I don't), prefer this to a regular snow machine that you ride on? Haul more stuff? Gets around better?
|
|
|
Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: Trapset]
#8012454
12/05/23 01:43 PM
12/05/23 01:43 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 56 Minnesota
Bus3
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 56
Minnesota
|
What is the advantage of these over a traditional snow machine? Is it just weight? They are super easy to load in the back of a truck and maneuver through trees pretty good. They definitely don’t have the power like a snowmobile but they do pretty well.
|
|
|
Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: ol mike]
#8012481
12/05/23 02:08 PM
12/05/23 02:08 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,938 Lower Alabama (Daleville)
LAtrapper
"Professor"
|
"Professor"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,938
Lower Alabama (Daleville)
|
I would have no use for a Snow-dog here in Alabama. A little information I found using a GOOGLE search
The Tingerdog is compatible with 4 engine choices: the Predator 420CC, Briggs&Stratton XR2100, Kohler CH440 or the Honda GX390.
Where is Tingerdog made? The "Tinger Dog" has come out from a Russian manufacturer.Feb 2, 2021
Note to self- Engage brain before opening mouth (or hitting the ENTER key/SUBMIT button).
Ron Fry
|
|
|
Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: ol mike]
#8012687
12/05/23 07:01 PM
12/05/23 07:01 PM
|
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,342 Green Bay, Wisconsin
tlguy
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,342
Green Bay, Wisconsin
|
Lots of advantages for my particular situation, but a track sled isn't for everyone.
Weight/size - the green one weighed about 225 pounds and around 5' long. It can easily go in the back of a truck with an ATV ramp or hauled on a hitch hauler. I will use mine almost exclusively for ice fishing, and where I fish, trailer parking is extremely limited. If you're not at the lot by 4am, you can't park a trailer. No need for a trailer with this.
Cost - I had about $800 into that green one, will have a little closer to $1000 into my current build. Around here, you can't get a reliable 4x4 atv or snowmobile for that, and even if you do, parts and repairs for a 30 yr old machine are expensive or hard to come by. The track sled is much simpler in design and operation. Mine uses a brand new Harbor Freight engine and an Amazon torque converter.
Pretty simple to build, and fun to boot. I had so much fun building the first one, I sold it before I even had a chance to use it for ice fishing and am building another one. It helps that my dad has a shop with all the tools a guy could need plus a dummy-proof welder.
No registration - unlike a snowmobile or atv, in Wisconsin one of these homemade track sleds doesn't need registration. It can't be used on the trails, but I gave up trail riding long ago. I can have enough fun tooling around on the lake or in the woods if I want.
Like a snowmobile or atv, they can haul quite a bit of weight. I've seen these things drag 5 or 6 sleds full of gear all tied together out on the ice. Most have 6-7hp engines that put out just north of 200cc, so they don't really fly, but most are geared for torque, not speed. Top speed is usually around 15mph.
I'll make a post when I finish this build. Hope to get it done in the next couple weeks.
|
|
|
Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: tlguy]
#8012747
12/05/23 08:10 PM
12/05/23 08:10 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 11,776 MT
snowy
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 11,776
MT
|
Lots of advantages for my particular situation, but a track sled isn't for everyone.
Weight/size - the green one weighed about 225 pounds and around 5' long. It can easily go in the back of a truck with an ATV ramp or hauled on a hitch hauler. I will use mine almost exclusively for ice fishing, and where I fish, trailer parking is extremely limited. If you're not at the lot by 4am, you can't park a trailer. No need for a trailer with this.
Cost - I had about $800 into that green one, will have a little closer to $1000 into my current build. Around here, you can't get a reliable 4x4 atv or snowmobile for that, and even if you do, parts and repairs for a 30 yr old machine are expensive or hard to come by. The track sled is much simpler in design and operation. Mine uses a brand new Harbor Freight engine and an Amazon torque converter.
Pretty simple to build, and fun to boot. I had so much fun building the first one, I sold it before I even had a chance to use it for ice fishing and am building another one. It helps that my dad has a shop with all the tools a guy could need plus a dummy-proof welder.
No registration - unlike a snowmobile or atv, in Wisconsin one of these homemade track sleds doesn't need registration. It can't be used on the trails, but I gave up trail riding long ago. I can have enough fun tooling around on the lake or in the woods if I want.
Like a snowmobile or atv, they can haul quite a bit of weight. I've seen these things drag 5 or 6 sleds full of gear all tied together out on the ice. Most have 6-7hp engines that put out just north of 200cc, so they don't really fly, but most are geared for torque, not speed. Top speed is usually around 15mph.
I'll make a post when I finish this build. Hope to get it done in the next couple weeks. You really did a great job that track machine. I remember it from last year when you built it. You hit a lot of the pros I bought one for. I like the light weight, can go places where a snowmobile can't, I pull up to 1000 lbs, takes no room to store 5ft., no licensing or insurance needed and is very handy at the ranch and when the snow gets deep, mine has a 14 HP B&S. You can use them year around do not need snow. We have had snow machines all your life and we really don't need them anymore. Snow Dog is simple built not like a snow mobile with all the BS on them and when something goes wrong you need to take it to get fixed. Snow Dog is a couple of pulleys and a motor not really anything hard to complicated about them. Go and buy a 3K snowmobile and all you have is trouble and don't ask how I know. They aren't for everyone and I don't need a machine to go 60 mph and get to the highest summit. I need something to get me from A to B and be able to be a work horse and that is what I use it for and is what I we need it for.
Give me a fish, I will eat for a day. Teach me to fish, I will eat for a lifetime
|
|
|
Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: tlguy]
#8012900
12/05/23 11:23 PM
12/05/23 11:23 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,041 Eastern W by God V
Crowfoot
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,041
Eastern W by God V
|
You guys are too kind. I think if you saw how easy they were to make, you'd have one too! This second one I'm making will have a custom frame which is taking a bit more fabrication and creativity, but reusing the snowmobile tunnel makes it pretty easy. If a guy had all the parts, he could put one together in a weekend easy. Where do you source the actual track ? I think I have everything else. Thanks
|
|
|
Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: tlguy]
#8012909
12/05/23 11:36 PM
12/05/23 11:36 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,041 Eastern W by God V
Crowfoot
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,041
Eastern W by God V
|
You guys are too kind. I think if you saw how easy they were to make, you'd have one too! This second one I'm making will have a custom frame which is taking a bit more fabrication and creativity, but reusing the snowmobile tunnel makes it pretty easy. If a guy had all the parts, he could put one together in a weekend easy. Where do you source the actual track ? I think I have everything else. Thanks Oh, I just found that other thread and see where you got the bulk of it from a snow machine. Cool ! Thanks
|
|
|
Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: ol mike]
#8012923
12/06/23 12:26 AM
12/06/23 12:26 AM
|
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,342 Green Bay, Wisconsin
tlguy
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,342
Green Bay, Wisconsin
|
The track is just a snowmobile track, usually comes with the sled that gets torn down for the frame. Most snowmobiles use a track that's 121" long by 15" wide with a 2.52 pitch, meaning there's 2.52 inches between the holes. The track doesn't need to be anything special, they're made to go 60+ mph on a snowmobile, these machines go 10-15 and don't put on hundreds of miles per year either.
I'm adding studs to mine for added traction on ice. Some of these machines have brakes, but mine didn't/won't. They stop pretty well on their own just by letting off the throttle. Again, they're only going 10-15mph, not screaming down a trail at 100mph.
Lots of YouTube videos out there on how to make them, and if you're on Facebook, Track Sled Builds of the North is a great group to join. Every question you have has been asked and answered dozens of times.
|
|
|
Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: tlguy]
#8013085
12/06/23 09:22 AM
12/06/23 09:22 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,235 Nebraska
Trapset
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,235
Nebraska
|
The non Snowdog versions are usually called track sleds, that might help your search. I built this one this spring and am in the process of building another. My main use will be for ice fishing. They're not too difficult to build yourself if you have a welder and a little mechanical know how. I use a regular mini bike clutch on my ice motor but it’s about maxed out when I get a load of wood in the boat. I’ve actually blew one up before. Does the torque converter handle heavier loads a lot better than a clutch?
|
|
|
Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: ol mike]
#8014177
12/07/23 10:11 AM
12/07/23 10:11 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 11,776 MT
snowy
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 11,776
MT
|
If a manufacturer would listen to Snowy words they could sell the machines by the trainload.
Snowy quote ; ""They aren't for everyone and I don't need a machine to go 60 mph and get to the highest summit. I need something to get me from A to B and be able to be a work horse and that is what I use it for and is what I we need it for."" And his words ''something simple and easy to work on.''
Imagine a lightweight snowmobile with a Honda/Kawasaki four stroke engine - quiet - dependable - no frills like speedometer/gas gauge/etc. , no Bluetooth remote start <[LAFF]. A snowmobile that parallels a Yamaha TW200 or Honda Trail 125 < I just bought a new HondaTrail 6 weeks ago. A machine to get you there and back home with a top speed of 25MPH , cruise at 15-20MPH and run all day on 3-4 gallons of gas. Price $4,995.oo Not made for jumping/wheelies/backflips/wild teen boys - just a dependable alternative to snow shoes.
I waited for months on end to get the little Honda Trail 125 -same story with all of the small quiet bikes > lots of people buying them. < Boomers like me would be standing in line to get one. The price must have went up a lot on them and I suppose no difference than snow mobiles went up also. I paid 3200$ delivered to the door. I didn't get reverse in mine don't need and just another thing to go wrong. It is so light I can lift or turn it around if I have to and no need for reverse. The other thing it is shorter then 5 feet. Mine is 52 inches long and a true work horse.
Give me a fish, I will eat for a day. Teach me to fish, I will eat for a lifetime
|
|
|
Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: ol mike]
#8014444
12/07/23 03:45 PM
12/07/23 03:45 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 47,874 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 47,874
james bay frontierOnt.
|
Pretty sure dey get stuck in de dad gum snow.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
|
|
|
Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: ol mike]
#8014454
12/07/23 04:04 PM
12/07/23 04:04 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 47,874 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 47,874
james bay frontierOnt.
|
Seen a couple clips on utube-they were stuck all the time in only about 2 and a half feet of snow.Couldnt get up a small hill,and no cargo. Couple places that carried them around here no longer sell them.
Last edited by Boco; 12/07/23 04:06 PM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
|
|
|
Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State
[Re: ol mike]
#8014492
12/07/23 05:37 PM
12/07/23 05:37 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,041 Eastern W by God V
Crowfoot
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,041
Eastern W by God V
|
It has it's given set of skills and appears to be real good at them. Nothing is great at everything. This was made primarily for ice fishing and does pretty good in moderate snow. But, I bet you can't fish from it this summer
|
|
|
|
|