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Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State [Re: tlguy] #8012909
12/06/23 12:36 AM
12/06/23 12:36 AM
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,775
Eastern W by God V
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Originally Posted by tlguy
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 01:26 AM
12/06/23 01:26 AM
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,191
Green Bay, Wisconsin
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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: ol mike] #8013078
12/06/23 10:06 AM
12/06/23 10:06 AM
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Eastern W by God V
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Thanks !
I'll give them a look.

Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State [Re: tlguy] #8013085
12/06/23 10:22 AM
12/06/23 10:22 AM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,571
Nebraska
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Nebraska
Originally Posted by tlguy
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.

[Linked Image]


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] #8013170
12/06/23 12:11 PM
12/06/23 12:11 PM
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,191
Green Bay, Wisconsin
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The torque converter is pretty common on these machines. Many have good luck with the Chinese knockoffs, but Comet is a reliable name brand, kind of like using a Honda vs Harbor Freight.

Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State [Re: ol mike] #8013259
12/06/23 01:56 PM
12/06/23 01:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,571
Nebraska
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The only Chinese knock off I have had regular success with is the Harbor freight Predator motors. I have beat them to death up and down the river, open water and frozen and have had great luck with them.

Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State [Re: ol mike] #8013261
12/06/23 01:59 PM
12/06/23 01:59 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
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Nebraska
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Thanks much, I think I’ll go be a comet Kit a go.

Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State [Re: ol mike] #8014173
12/07/23 11:06 AM
12/07/23 11:06 AM
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Posts: 226
Mtn. Home, Arkansas
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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.

Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State [Re: ol mike] #8014177
12/07/23 11:11 AM
12/07/23 11:11 AM
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MT
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Originally Posted by ol mike
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] #8014295
12/07/23 01:40 PM
12/07/23 01:40 PM
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 226
Mtn. Home, Arkansas
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Snowy ,

Howdy.
I was saying that if someone manufactured a machine like I mentioned for $4995.oo they would sell like hotcakes -IMO.

I went and looked on Snow Dog site - yes - they went way up in the past 2-3 years , $4,999.oo . I remember them being around $3,500 - 5-6 years ago .

Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State [Re: ol mike] #8014444
12/07/23 04:45 PM
12/07/23 04:45 PM
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Posts: 45,560
james bay frontierOnt.
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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] #8014449
12/07/23 04:59 PM
12/07/23 04:59 PM
Joined: May 2013
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Green Bay, Wisconsin
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[Linked Image]

They only weigh a couple hundred pounds, so they pretty much float on top of the snow. That pic was me running mine on 16" of fresh snow on top of the rest of the winter's snow. If they do get stuck, you just step off the sled, goose it a little and your back in business.

Re: Snow-Dog Type Snow Machine Made- Washington State [Re: ol mike] #8014454
12/07/23 05:04 PM
12/07/23 05:04 PM
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james bay frontierOnt.
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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 05:06 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 06:37 PM
12/07/23 06:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2022
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Eastern W by God V
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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 smile

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