Don't understand the comment on getting the 380 stuck. I ran a 380 skandic for about ten years and got stuck seldom and when I did it was very easy to get out, unless on overflow. Very dependable machine and likely your best bet given the parameters You describe. That said I won't be giving up My expedition or tundra 600 ace's any time soon.

Our conditions are even close to the same. Other than the NE corner of MN we don't get deep snow very often. Last time I can remember is 1997. Overflow isn't a problem, when I do have a problem with slush it's because I'm riding my 570. It's little underpowered and doesn't have studs.

The 380 Ski Doo pictured above is not a heavy sled and the reason it would get stuck is it's a little under powered.

I wouldn't trade my 440 bearcat for a bushel of the bravos, on lung tundras or elans. Or my so called big heavy 570 or 1100 fourstroke. If I get them truly stuck and if I do it's because I wasn't paying attention, I can put the winch on.

Here is last years conditions, and was late February.



Donner had less snow if any. Keep in mind Dirt, the OP lives in what i call northern Iowa. They get some snow but it tends settle or even melt. Most of these guys are riding around the back forty, down a groomed trail or a wind swept lake or a forest service road. In those conditions I wouldn't trade my four stroke tank of a bearcat for a bushel basket of the aforementioned machines. I've said many a time for a true trapping sled my 440 bearcat is the best I've owned of all the bearcats I've owned. the rest were wide track and a bit heavier with the ride forward design. The reason is the weight, with that said other than muskrat trapping in sloughs I wouldn't go back.

I realize cost can be an issue so we go back to the old standbys. Personally I think in our conditions, even more important than weight considerations is the machine needs reverse. Reverse will get one out of most jams and if one is trailering much well that is self explanatory.

If a guy can wait, I'd look for a late nineties early two thousands 440 bearcat or equivalent, fan cooled, reverse and long track. That will go trough every thing and more than 99.9 percent of Minnesotans riding conditions.

If anyone doesn't believe me, ask Rally if he would go back from his Skandic.

May I ask why?

I'm interested to see if your perspective is the same as mine.

Why on the 380 comments or why on not wanting to go back?

The 380 skandic needed to be geared lower to deal with heavy deep snow. The front end had a lot of drag. I didn't mention it because I know you guys don't get crap for snow.

Usually inexpensive and reliable don't go togather unless you are very lucky and find the rare one that does.Unless its someone who is selling something that don't know what they have, there is a reason why the snowsled is being sold so cheaply.

When you say snow sled, I'm thinking of a jet sled or toboggan, we call them snow machines or sno-go's. Or just sleds.

Most are sold here because they never get used, we sometimes have winters without enough snow and if you don't haul them up north or go on the lake it's ppointless. There's many 90s snowmobiles here with less than 2,000 miles that are mainly just garage queens.

is your expedition a 600 Ace or a 900 Ace? Happy trapping! ScottW

It's 2017 600 been very happy with it, plenty of power routinely haul 500 LBS. or better. I have heard that the 900 gets better mileage but I like to keep the weight of the machine as close to 500 pounds as I can.

I have not made a recomendations because I didn't have all the parameters. You could probably get by with a short track. Air cooled. I can't address reliable. Like any piece of equipment, if it moves, it breaks. Old short tracks generally have little demand.

Found an artic cat panther 550 fan cooled 136" track with 850 miles and appears in good shapefor $1,500 could anyone speak to the panther?

The skidoo I posted did not have reverse, the cat does.

Great sled! Solid engines. It’s a cat so you’ll probably replace a drive shaft bearing or two. When the Speedo goes out, about half the time you’ll need a new bearing within the season. Youll have room for a wife and one small kid!! As Was mentioned…..they all have issues eventually. Happy trapping! ScottW

Any worries about getting parts for the Cats since Artic cat appears to be folding? Probably to early to know.

There is a salvage yard near wilmar. All your parts should be there. The axle bearing is probably a 6205 .... Radiused with a lock collar and most of the rest will be 62052RS . Bearing store or internut.

I am telling you, a long track with reverse is the ticket and the lighter machine the better. The 2002 Tundra I have has the "big" 276cc as I recall. My old ones were 248's or something similar. I wish the Tundra had just a few more ponies for when you get in deep slush to be able to blow the track out but I always carry 100 feet of rope and a come along so I can always hook to a dead man and get out.

lol...called snow sleds around here.Snow machines to me make snow cones.Never heard of sno gos

How many miles you have on the tundra?

Does Rally still run his?

Donner, the panthers were good sleds, I can not comment to the 550 motor, never had one.

The average parts shouldn't be all that hard to find. There is a lot of after market stuff out there.

I worry about the newer ones.

WBG, sorry, why wouldn't you go back.

Going to be hard to brag how many miles you have on a tundra since they don't have odometers.

Inexpensive & reliable seems like somewhat of a misnomer regarding snowmobiles. I say that based on 30 years experience.