It's not hard to estimate

No odometer so how would I estimate 20+ years of use? I am not claiming to have put a million miles on it. Last year it was hardly used because we just didn't have any snow. Other years it has had the snot run out of it. One thing I like about the Tundra and ice is that it can run across ice I can't walk on. The long track has a very light footprint.

Yeah, only about 300” annually.

This has been my experience all in life. You never find a snow machine here for the prices I have seen posted where I live unless it was pretty much junk or it needed work to get to work.
That price range would be if I found one would don't take it any farthah than you want to walk.

Hope you find a great machine.

Steve; As well as the old skandics served me,had one in 500 as well, these new sleds are light years ahead in My opinion. The ride forward is much easier on the body, not having to deal with mix oil, especially at todays cost is a real plus.\Have never fouled a plug. Still running the original belt on the expedition. For me maybe the most important feature is the mileage. I will say the sled I enjoyed running the most was a 2005 expedition sport but it had the 550 fan and the fuel consumption was atrocious.

When did you decide this was about where live. We were talking about most of Minnisota.

Harder than you think. How do you keep track of the hard working miles from the easy working miles ?

Excuse me for not reading 5 pages of opinions, I took your comment as in the lower 48. LOL

I would guess most would over estimate.

I don't think it would be that hard, 1000 miles a year, 2000 miles? How often does one change the slides every year? Carbides? I can tell you how often I do it. I can tell you about how many miles they will last for me.

If I ran the same sled continuously for 20 years it would have had 30 to 35000 miles on it.

What separates hard working from easy?

WBG, my sentiments exactly, once a guy has been on the ride forward it's hard to go back.

Worse around here would probably be logging. The easiest would be driving them for miles on a butt arse smooth trail with 3 or 4 inches of lubricating snow on top.

Grabbed this pair of 94 indy 440 fanners, one runs and works, one is supposed to be working and allegedly was run last year but has a frozen throttle cable, came with 2 carbs, throttle cable and covers for $950.

I'm going to keep looking for something a bit more utilitarian like a bravo or tundra but now atleast I can get out if it snows.

for new throttle cables and cables for mowers, tillers and snow blowers and such I have started soaking them before use in a pan of waste oil all my waste oil is 5w30 or 5w20 so nothing very thick , I haven't had one freeze up yet , but it also hasn't been that long

let them set submerged for a while , overnight is great , then pull out wipe off the outside and hoping that keeps my stuff going longer

I'm bummed to see only one mention of a track sled here from Snowy. Though his is the commercially made one, the homemade versions are becoming more popular. Load easily in/out the back of a truck with a ramp, only weighs about 200-250 pounds, very basic (and affordable) engine with most other parts available on amazon.

Though not the best option if you have to go far or have bad back/knees/shoulders because you stand in the sled when driving, though I have seen guys build them with lower handlebars and a seat in the sled.

Too bad they get stuck in the snow.
Had a dealer for those here-went out of business

The snow machine like pictured above is neat but just wouldn't work well for what I want.

When did this become about you?

I would be curious to hear how fast these get stuck in the slush too.

I'm thinking back when I got my snowdog stuck. I one time that I can remember, I was turning in about ~20 inches of fluffy snow and got the track machine just about on its side. I had to level it up and was on my way. I have had no issues in slush in late wintah early spring getting stuck.

I'm not here to argue for or against the track machine but the pros outweigh the negatives and checks all the boxes for me.

Yamaha Enticer 250 long track with reverse listed @ $1200 , Atkin MN on Markeplace Warren G is owner a local Yamaha collector here on the East Side of Mille Lacs.

I seen that also…wish I was a little closer.