How steep will a snowcat climb ???

[BigAl]

Ok ....
We all have read the brochures about the climbing abilities of some snowcats .:blahblah: :blahblah: :blahblah:

My Kristi KT7 brochure says it will even walk across the ceiling, like a spider, if need be ...:yum:

So really ... What is the steepest slope you have climbed in a snowcat ??? I am not talking about going downhill, as it could be over a cliff but gravity will take over and eventually send you to the bottom .:pat:

I'm talking about going up .Really up ! I know that weight and balance plays a terrific part of this . Some of you are very experienced snow cat operators with hundreds and thousands of hours behind the wheel ,so you are who I want to hear from . Can you give me an idea ,based on degrees of slope ???

I did see a Snow Master video of Lyndon's old Snow Trac going down and then turning around and going back up the steepest most unimaginable "God Awful" ravine I ever saw . If I had not seen the video ,I would not have believed it possible .

If there is anything out there that can out preform that SnowTrac , I would pay money just to watch .

[Melensdad]

Allen, no clue to the real answers, but there is a similar discussion here:

http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=8058

[Lyndon]

SEE "Climbing Ability"! elsewhere here at the Forum. At a ski area in Vermont that is now out of business, called Hogback Mountain, there was this phone line right of way that ran down thru the woods that wasn't really part of the Ski Area. Anyway we used to ski down it anyway and I broke a set of skiis there. They eventually started roping it off and had a sign prohibiting skiing there. But periodically the rope would get knocked down from some 'hot dogger' skiing under it and then a bunch of skiiers would pour down it until they put the rope back up. On one such ocasion a guy fell and had a serious injury, either dislocated or broke something, anyway the ski patrol were there and we were right behind the ski patrol. One of the ski patrol was saying to the other:" bring a streecher, we wont be able to get the cat in here", another ski patrol chimed in:" The Kristy could make it" pretty quickly the Kristy was there and they had the rope back up blocking off the trail, not long after that here comes the Kristy out the lower end of the Phone Right of Way with the injured skiier.

[BigAl]

Allen, no clue to the real answers, but there is a similar discussion here:

http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=8058


Yes, I saw that after I posted my question . Great minds think alike .
What I am looking for is actual angle of attack .
You can transfer this over to Jaybe's thread if you like .
Al

[Southtowns27]

I would regularly drive a PB300 up and down a 33* ski slope with little difficulty. Once in awhile if the snow was just right, it would break traction going down hill. All you can do then is hold on and go for the ride. Of course you can always put the blade down to stop you, but what fun would that be?

[BigAl]

The Kristy could make it" pretty quickly the Kristy was there and they had the rope back up blocking off the trail, not long after that here comes the Kristy out the lower end of the Phone Right of Way with the injured skiier.

Ok . Since you were there and you were the one in that video I watched at your house last year , Was it as steep as what the Snow Master climb up ??? That would give me a pretty good idea of what a Kristi KT3 can do .

[Lyndon]

No, it was a totally different situation. This Phone Right of Way was narrow, winding and had phone poles in the middle of it. It crossed at least 2 streams ( one of wich is where I broke my Ski a year earlier). I don't believe anything but a Kristi could have navigated that teraine. This thing was steep and only 8 feet wide!

[BigAl]

No, it was a totally different situation. This Phone Right of Way was narrow, winding and had phone poles in the middle of it. It crossed at least 2 streams ( one of wich is where I broke my Ski a year earlier). I don't believe anything but a Kristi could have navigated that teraine. This thing was steep and only 8 feet wide!

Very Interesting . Now all I want to do is hurry up and get done so I can go try mine . I assume that was a KT3 Kristi that you were talking about .
Off Subject, but do you still own any snowcats ,Lyndon ????
PS : I really enjoy your stories you posted . :thumb:

[ewolf1951]

Hey Lyndon, Tell the story of the snow master in Alaska climbing the frozen waterfall I don't recall all the details but it would be interesting to hear it again ED

[teledawg]

Hi, new member here and prospective new owner of Snow Trac #163. I have a question for all of you veteran Snow trac operators.

Will a stock Snow Trac climb a 25% prolonged grade in soft snow with a load? The climb is on a trail to my property and varies from 15% to 25% over 500 vertical feet. There can be up to 4 feet of powder on this hill.

Thanks, Fred

[Snowcat Operations]

Not sure if a Snow Trac can but for sure a Snow Master could. LYNDON would know better if a Snow Trac could.

[Lyndon]

A Snow Trac should have no problem even in deep snow pulling a trailer. Just make sure that the Temp guage is working correctly and that you don't overheat the engine. It may be slow if that machine has one of the smaller, early engines. You may find yourself wanting to up grade to a 1600 CC motor if it hasn't already been done. Buy the serial number it would have had an early 1200 (40 HP) or even an 1100 (36 HP). In either case it won't be enough to go very fast.

[teledawg]

A Snow Trac should have no problem even in deep snow pulling a trailer. Just make sure that the Temp guage is working correctly and that you don't overheat the engine. It may be slow if that machine has one of the smaller, early engines. You may find yourself wanting to up grade to a 1600 CC motor if it hasn't already been done. Buy the serial number it would have had an early 1200 (40 HP) or even an 1100 (36 HP). In either case it won't be enough to go very fast.

It looks like ol' #163 does have the 1,600cc engine. It was upgraded somewhere along the way.

However, it does not have a temp guage. What would you reccommend for a temp guage so I can keep an eye on it while climbing the hill?

[Bobcat]

<snip>
However, it does not have a temp guage. What would you reccommend for a temp guage so I can keep an eye on it while climbing the hill?

Ditto for Kristi KT-3 SN 00145. If I'm going to have to tow Snow-Tracs up hill, I may need to watch my temperature as well! :yum:
I would guess we could just tear one out of a junkyard VW?

All Content Copyright K.R.I.S.T.I. - Kristis Rescuing Impotent Snow-Tracs, International

[Melensdad]

Ditto for Kristi KT-3 SN 00145. If I'm going to have to tow Snow-Tracs up hill, I may need to watch my temperature as well! :yum:
I would guess we could just tear one out of a junkyard VW?

All Content Copyright K.R.I.S.T.I. - Kristis Rescuing Impotent Snow-Tracs, International
Bob, no need to upset the guard dogs and old guy who protect the junkyard when you are searching for suitable parts while trying to upgrade your Kristi.

Your particular Kristi probably has a temperature gauge mounted outside the cabin. It should be held on with duct tape or liquid nails. It will accurately read the exterior temperature of your vehicle. See Photo #1

If you need to know the temps inside your Kristi, See Photo #2, then the gauges that dangle from your key fob will work just fine for you. These are pretty high tech devices, but I'm sure a 5th grader can teach you how to work one. Some of the really nice units have both a compass and a thermometer mounted on them! :tiphat:

But to test when your engine is cooked, special modern digital thermometers are best: See Photo #3.

In fact, for safety you might want one of each. I'm sure that should be sufficient for your needs. :moon:

[groomerguyNWO]

:applause: :yum:

[Lyndon]

All the VDO replacement Guages and approiate senders are available from VW Shops as well as thru VW Magazines. You can get the correct size as well as the matching style to the original OEM one's on your machine. The "Dipstick" oil sender is still available from VW specialty restoration shops but I recomend the fixed ones that add on to where the existing oil pressure switch is. If you get them thru the VW magazines they will be half the price of your local VW Shop. Make sure to purchase a "Y" or "T" fitting to add in the additional sender. Keep the "Idiot Light"( Oil Pressure Switch that runs the green indicator on the dash and make it operational). The Oil pressure GUAGE sender is available in a DUAL, Pressure/Switch Sender. I recomend ALL. Idiot light, Pressure Guage and Temperature Guage as this is a very critical function on a VW Air cooled engine.

[Bobcat]

<snip>
I recomend ALL. Idiot light, Pressure Guage and Temperature Guage as this is a very critical function on a VW Air cooled engine.
As usual, a very concise and informative post by Lyndon, only outdone by his stories. Can't believe he's a Snow-Trac owner! :respect:

[Snowcat Operations]

Cant believe your still a Kristi owner!

[mtntopper]

All the VDO replacement Guages and approbate senders are available from VW Shops as well as thru VW Magazines. You can get the correct size as well as the matching style to the original OEM one's on your machine. The "Dipstick" oil sender is still available from VW specialty restoration shops but I recomend the fixed ones that add on to where the existing oil pressure switch is. If you get them thru the VW magazines they will be half the price of your local VW Shop. Make sure to purchase a "Y" or "T" fitting to add in the additional sender. Keep the "Idiot Light"( Oil Pressure Switch that runs the green indicator on the dash and make it operational). The Oil pressure GUAGE sender is available in a DUAL, Pressure/Switch Sender. I recomend ALL. Idiot light, Pressure Guage and Temperature Guage as this is a very critical function on a VW Air cooled engine.

VW Oil Senders With T Fittings
12811
VDO Gauges In My Tracmaster
12812

[Lyndon]

Don't forget I owned, drove and operated, (13) ST4's, (2) bombardier Muskeg Tractors, a neat little Bombi with a 5 man cab, (2) Tucker 443 steel tracs, a Tucker Kitten, a Kristi, (4) Snow Masters, a JD Lindeman, and an AMC Tracked Missle Loader, as well as having driven Nodwell, Foremost, B12's(Bombardier), Rolligon's and Haglunds, Late model Tuckers and Bombardier and Thiokol.Working in Alaska in the Arctic for 14 years might have something to do with it. Prior to that I had a dozen or more VW's andd half a dozen Porsches.

[Lyndon]

Oh,yes, it's May 3rd and we are experiencing an Arctic Blow right now. Supposed to last for 3 day's.

[Snowcat Operations]

Will you be able to get some pics?

[Lyndon]

Maybe after I finish shoveling the drift to get into my office. I shoveled it about half an hour ago and it's already drifted back in.

[Lyndon]

Before and after shots.>
12813

[Lyndon]

Spring? We've heard about it, seems to happen more in the SOUTH, like "The Lower 48"
12814

12815

[Doc]

WOW :eek:
Where bouts are you in Alaska?
Is this normal weather for you?

[Lyndon]

As Far North as you can get, on land. We could actually drive to the North Pole from here, but it's about 800 Miles over the frozen Beaufort Sea(Arctic Ocean), we do drive as much as 10 miles out to sea on 'sea ice roads' on a daily basis. The frozen ocean is about 500 yards from my office. Do a sattellite scan and punch in Prudhoe Bay, or Barrow Alaska. Thats where I am.

[Doc]

That is really up there. So, how much daylight do you get now?

[teledawg]

All the VDO replacement Guages and approiate senders are available from VW Shops as well as thru VW Magazines. You can get the correct size as well as the matching style to the original OEM one's on your machine. The "Dipstick" oil sender is still available from VW specialty restoration shops but I recomend the fixed ones that add on to where the existing oil pressure switch is. If you get them thru the VW magazines they will be half the price of your local VW Shop. Make sure to purchase a "Y" or "T" fitting to add in the additional sender. Keep the "Idiot Light"( Oil Pressure Switch that runs the green indicator on the dash and make it operational). The Oil pressure GUAGE sender is available in a DUAL, Pressure/Switch Sender. I recomend ALL. Idiot light, Pressure Guage and Temperature Guage as this is a very critical function on a VW Air cooled engine.
Sorry my simple question started such a banter about Krisit vs. Snow Trac/Master... But it all seems to be in good fun. :pat:

Lyndon, very good info. :thumb: Thanks. It looks like you are talking about an oil temp guage. Would there be any merit in using a cylinder head temp guage too?

Here is a VDO oil temp guage (http://www.bus-boys.com/bbvdo.htm#tempoil) and sender and a VDO cylinder head temp guage (http://www.bus-boys.com/bbvdo.htm#temphead) and sender. These are not the correct style though...

Thanks, Fred

[jim slagle]

Barrow Alaska.

Isn't that where Wiley Post and Will Rogers crashed?

Jim

[Lyndon]

That is correct, just read about it in Lindburgh's biography a couple day's ago. >
We are into the Long day's already , the sun was up around 4;30 this morning. But it's still around zero out.
As to the Cylinder head temperature, you probably only need one or a set of those if you plan to Fly at various altitudes. In conjunction with that you would also want adjustment for the fuel/air ratio and the spark advance both from the "pilot's" Seat. For a Snow Trac usually Oil Temp & Pressure are good enough.

[On Donner Summit]

I'm responding to the original question in the thread...which is a tough one. So much depends on the particular machine and snow conditions. A modern groomer with good ice caulks might climb 45* (if you have the cajonas). Add fresh snow to the mix and that might drop to 25* tiller & blade up. If its too steep we go around the easy way and make down passes. Frequently in soft snow that means an uncontrolled slide on the steeps. From a personal use perspective, my Tucker climbs much better than my friend's Imp especially in freshies. Ditto for angle of attack. I've pulled my Tucker out of some deep holes...just climbs right on out.

BTW, over a foot of fresh in the past couple of days...can't wait for Spring.

[Lyndon]

Of all the machines I've owned and/or operated, the Snow Master and Trac Master were definately the most aggressive. I believe it has to do with the Power to Weight ratio and the type of drive/steering. Machines with differential braking for steering were the poor preformers. A stock Snow Trac was runner up with a lot of other brands even with it's shallow cleats. :>

At a river crossing near Fairbanks, on the Chena River sat a wide variety of "Track Rigs". What was involved was first fording the river, then climbing a steep hill. The Bombardier, Tucker Sno-Cat, and Thiokol all forded the stream well, but none were able to climb the hill. They all wanted to slide off sideways. Along comes this guy in a Snow Master, navigates the stream, trots right up the hill with no problem, definitely a more aggressive machine. The operators of the other machines could be heard cursing the operator of the Snow Master, as he was dragging behind his machine 2 Moose, Not On a Sled!>

I am quite sure that a lot of it had to do with the Snow Master's grousers. The alternating herring bone pattern holds well on side hills. I don't remember ever seeing it on any other machine. >

There is one snow condition, melting, slushy, 'corn snow' about the consistency of a Snow Cone or what come out of the Slurpy machine that will hang up All the makes. >

On a head on approach an old Tucker 443, with steel tracks climbed almost as high up a steep hill as the Snow Master and definitely out climbed various newer machines. It also is a light machine. An Un-laden Snow Master with a roller set puts down 4/10 of a pound per square foot, which is less than the advertised value of any other machine and is less that a person on Snow Shoes or Skis. >

On an acent up Mt. Baker, in the Cascades, the Trac Master out preformed 75% of the snow mobiles. Some 'hot-rod' snowmobiles, with 2 to 3 inch paddles could take a running start on a steep hill, but eventually they spun out of stalled out. The Trac Master could out climb them even at it's slow 2 or 3 mph speed in deep, unpacked powder. >

The Bombardier Bombi's literature claims it will climb a 60% grade. Aside from the snow burm at the entrance to snow parks I never took one over anything that steep. I wouldn't have wanted to as the machine acted as though it might roll over end for end.>
The Bombardier J5 also claims 60% grade in it's literature. Since mine had obviously been is some altercations, and after spending 3 years of hard labor making it 'Show Worthy', I never put it to the test. >
The Bombardier B12 wasn't even in the running. With it's Skis in front it was easy enough to get stuck and then wouldn't back up. Where it Shined was in it's speed over level ground. With a 6.2 Liter, normally asperated diesel, it could hedge up around 40 MPH. but it definitely wasn't an "off-road" rig.

They just called me on the radio" 559 Lyndon" so I need to head out and witness some "Hypot Testing" (High Voltage Die-electric withstand test) at "L-Pad" Later.

[On Donner Summit]

To be clear I was using * to indicate degrees. That is, 45* slope = 100% grade.

I am unclear on your PSI theory, but I am intrigued. In my experience, my snowmobile has a lower PSI than my Tucker and gets stuck in deep snow that the Tucker laughs at. My point is that I do not think low PSI is the be-all-end-all solution in deep fresh snow.

[Lyndon]

I'm no real expert, but I have noticed that at Ski Areas, the really big groomers, some like 18 feet, from track to track, like piston bullys( don't know how to spell Kossborher?) and Bombardier's seem to have little difficulty even on steep terraine. With that much square area for a footprint they are likely a very low PSI machine. Alyeska's (the Pipeline) Tucker's were more than twice the weight of my 443, yet they spectacularly out preformed a bombardier Ski Dozer that had massive tracks with much taller cleats than the Tucker's. Personally I favor the Tucker. One or more of our members Grooms professionally it seems that we should be seeking their opinions, they would be the real 'Pros'.

[Melensdad]

I'm no real expert, but I have noticed that at Ski Areas, the really big groomers, some like 18 feet, from track to track, like piston bullys( don't know how to spell Kossborher?) and Bombardier's seem to have little difficulty even on steep terraine.In my experience, my snowmobile has a lower PSI than my Tucker and gets stuck in deep snow that the Tucker laughs at. My point is that I do not think low PSI is the be-all-end-all solution in deep fresh snow.
Part of the problem with a snowmobile vs your Tucker may be the power of the snowmobile and its ability to very easily spin its track and bury itself. While a snowcat can dig itself into the snow, it is all too easy with a high powered sled to bury itself in the snow.

To my inexperienced mind, the light pressure of a snowcat (low psi) combined with high torque and low track speeds keep it on top of the snow. The ability to climb a steep grade is going to have to be somehow related to the relative torque applied to the tracks (relative to the overall weight and the low psi). The Snow Trac/Snow Master's "variator" is known to be an efficient transmitter of power from the engine to the tracks. Brake steer and hydraulic steering both rob HP from the engine that cannot efficiently be used by the tracks. They may be able to provide plenty of torque to the tracks, but they would need higher initial HP. Many of the modern ski slope groomers have 300 to 500 horsepower, I've heard about some that have even more.

[groomerguyNWO]

I don't have any experience on the older machines but here's a few pics of some of the hills on our trail system and the problems they create when hauling a drag.

First, our lamtrac breaking trail uphill. I'm not sure on the slope in terms of grade but I would say it starts off at roughly 50-60 degrees then half way up goes over a hump and levels out to roughly 30 dgrees. The Lamtrac had no problem without a drag on but even with a hardpacked base the next day, it was a little challenging. It was hauling a drag on the second pass the next day.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/bcdlavis/102_1859.jpg

Here's a pic of our BR160 spun out on the hill after several attempts. I find it easier with the lamtrac being a four track machine to climb hills as with the BR160, it tends to side-slip on hills and to correct this, you end up locking up the one track to steer then you only have one track gripping.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/bcdlavis/102_1868.jpg

This next one is another hill we have on our trail system. It starts off at about a 30 degree slope at the bottom then goes to about 45-50 degrees halfway up. I usually have no problem with this hill breaking trail from the bottom with a drag on behind. The first pass we make each year is always the hardest as there is no base to grip to but we have no problem.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/bcdlavis/102_1872.jpg

[On Donner Summit]

Nice pics Groomerguy. Agreed on the 4track vs 2track principle. In response to Lyndon I do drive a groomer professionally. And I agree with you. The PSI is roughly the same on both the Bombardier BR275 and my Tucker 2000. In deep snow (and without blading) the Tucker is superior. Once the snow gets above the tracks on the groomers, it's pretty much all over in terms of climbing. Granted, that takes 3 feet or more of fresh untracked powder but that happens here all too often. I only had trouble with the Tucker once. We had a storm set drop 7 feet in 6 days when I was out of town. I came home and was unable to move the Tucker more than 100 yards before she started listing to one side. (I had all the fuel in the DS tank and none in the PS tank). I don't know if I would have made it up the hill with a more even weight distribution. As it was I had to wait 2 days for the snow to set up.

I agree with B Skurka on the sled. But I still think that there is such a thing as too low PSI on a snow cat. All of the big machines (2 and 4 track) seem to run 1 to 2 psi. I suspect there is a reason relating to traction.

[groomerguyNWO]

The main problem we have with steeper slopes(doesn't matter which machine I'm using) is refraining from giving it too much fuel on the pedal and spinning the tracks. I find it a real pain trying to climg with the BR160 even on a hardpacked trail as it is a stick steer system with two levers located in the general vacinity of the family jewels when I'm sitting in the driver's seat. The Br160 has a tendency to stall out if you give it too much fuel going uphill. The engine will shut right down if I push just a bit too hard on the steering levers or fuel pedal.

With the Lamtrac, the biggest problem I find is keeping it climbing without spinning. I've been stuck on a few hills from spinning out and lossing traction. To keep traction in the hills and to keep the tracks from spinning, the Lamtrac is equipped with low a range/high range lever. I just set it to low range before even starting a climb. It also has a selectable 4x4 that I use to keep all the tracks gripping. So, in low range and 4x4, it is much easier to keep the tracks from spinning resulting in being able to climb some pretty steep terrain.

We made the mistake of keeping it in hgih range one time while climbing a hill and spun it down to the ground. It wasn't stuck from the amount of snow but from a lack of traction. After 3 hours of choice words, we finally managed to make the climb only to run out of fuel 10 miles out of town. We were on a 16 hour run at the time.

[Snowcat Operations]

I have seen guys just keep going when the tracks start to dig in. I am not sure what the deal was. I dont know if they could sense or feel the tracks spinning but as soon as you feel it you need to instantly back off the throttle. Also sometimes you just need to hit a hill more than once to get up and over. The VMC we use to have is a perfect example of that method. Go up as far as you can and as soon as you stop forward momentum back out. Now you have packed the snow and you should get a bit farther next time. Give it all hell and slowly back out as you reach the limit of your forward motion. On the Snow Master it just seems to never give out. Even when you know its not going to make it it just chugs right up and over! Power can sometimes be your worst enemy if you dont know how to drive a snowcat.

[On Donner Summit]

We call it augering in and it sucks....just like on a snowmobile. It's a fine line to know when to stop...stop too early and you might have made it....stop too late and you've made a mess of the corduroy.

Groomerguy, FYI, the newer Bombis and Pisten Bullies have a computer engine control that prevents them from stalling out the motor. What year is that BR160 and are the sticks cable control or fly-by-wire? The newer ones of course are fly-by-wire.

[groomerguyNWO]

1996 BR160.........cable control. It has the throttle lever beside my right leg when I'm sitting in it. It also has the fuel pedal on the floor. I find the easiest way to run that thing is to rev it up to around 1700rpm then set the throttle lever.(sort of like cruise control.) Then, you can regulate how fast you go with the steering levers and not have to worry about the fuel pedal. But, if you push the controls too far forward while climbing, the engine will bogg down and die. Then, if you pull back to much, the drives won't engage. It's a real fine line between stalling it and keeping the drives engaged while climbing. I stalled the thing four times the first time I went out with it this winter before I got the hang of it.

[On Donner Summit]

We run the BR275s (and the BR350) pretty much the same way except we pin the throttle control at full RPM. We run at full RPM because the tiller takes a lot of power. They also have a track speed control which comes in handy when operating around lifts but is normally maxed out too.

[TurboTouring]

This machine would i like too see i deep snow....it was a cool thing!

http://bil.feber.se//feber/art/13553/bandfeber/

[On Donner Summit]

Very cool indeed....

http://www.howeandhowe.com/ripsaw.htm

[Snowcat Operations]

Interesting.

[Robert]

here is a video of a pisten bully climbing a steep hill, looks to be real by the angle of the rubber mat hainging off the back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znhe8D3Btqs

[Snowcat Operations]

You see the cable? That is a swivel type of winch. They hook into a purpose built anchor and the cat is able to go downalmost vertically. When they need to come back up the top part swivels around and up thay go or the simply reverse the winch and back up. The last few seconds are not of a cat climbing. That is ment to fool you.

[Bobcat]

Yup, bogus. Another Kristi wannabe.

[Robert]

How about the last part is there a winch involved there?

[Snowcat Operations]

No. Thats the bogus part.

[Robert]

It's all smoke and mirrors. I guess i will have to get a cat and see how steep it will really climb.

[mtntopper]

How about the last part is there a winch involved there?

Camera angle and how it is being held can be very deceiving. This pic was taken last spring while climbing with the LMC 1200. The angle was considerably steeper than the camera portrays. The camera lens was looking level into the hill and not up the hill.
16582

[Bobcat]

Looks like your LMC didn't quite make it. If you can't find yourself a Kristi, maybe I can come break trail for you in mine?








All content copyright K.R.I.S.T.I. - Kristis Rescuing Impotent Snow-Tracs, International

[mtntopper]

Looks like your LMC didn't quite make it. If you can't find yourself a Kristi, maybe I can come break trail for you in mine?
All content copyright K.R.I.S.T.I. - Kristis Rescuing Impotent Snow-Tracs, International

Oh, the LMC made it! We just backed up to try and get a pic of the steepness and the pic did not turn out very well. The hill is on a snow cat trail about 3/4 of a mile behind our home that we use often. I am sure a Kristi would of powered out or dug a trench....to China or Elk City....:yum: :poke:

[Bobcat]

Oh, the LMC made it! We just backed up to try and get a pic of the steepness and the pic did not turn out very well. <snip>

Yeah, yeah. And the one that got away was how big?:Raised_Ey

[Snowcat Operations]

This is getting good!

[Bobcat]

You're just glad not to see any mention of your clown car in the circus tent. Oops, I mentioned it. :pat:

[Snowcat Operations]

Lets see how fast "A" Kristi can fly off a cliff! Of course this will be after an extensive test of its mud bogging capability.

Besides my Snow Master is nice and cozy in its "Garage" which is better than I can say about your Kristi!

[Robert]

I know how to get rid of that squirrel, with another squirrel

[Bobcat]

I know how to get rid of that squirrel, with another squirrel

Squirrel? What's this about squirrels? Are you one of those 'furrbies'? :yum:

[Snowcat Operations]

Robert is that your hand?

[Robert]

Did some post get erased what happened to the pictures of the kristy with no window, and the rodent problem

[Bobcat]

Wa? What thread are you on? Better yet, what are you on period?

[Snowcat Operations]

What the hell is a "FURRBIE"?

[Bobcat]

OK Robert. We were just messing with you. SnoOps deleted the post about the squirrel.

[Robert]

I'm not sure wat happened but it didn't turn out the way I planned.

[Robert]

you had me scratchin my head???? Good one, mess with the new guy :applause:

[Bobcat]

Yeah, we just had a blast at your expense! :yum: You'll catch us next time.

[Snowcat Operations]

I'm not sure wat happened but it didn't turn out the way I planned.

Hardly nothing does when your dealing with guys like BobP!:yum:

[groomerguyNWO]

Ok, back on topic, here's a pic of our Lamtrac climbing a hill. It's a short hill but is very steep for the first half then, if you make it over the hump halfway up, it levels out somewhat. The Lamtrac made it up first try. Again, pictures don't do the steepness of the hill justice.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/bcdlavis/102_1859.jpg

The same hill after the Lamtrac packed it down a few times. Yep! I spun out in the BR160 just before reaching the crest of the hill. Had to get hauled up by the Lamtrac. At one point, the machine slid down the hill sideways and ended up jacknifed with the drag on the side of the hill.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/bcdlavis/102_1868.jpg

[Bobcat]

By the way, damn cool squirrel. He's ready to take on the gopher-cong.

[Snowcat Operations]

That Lametrack. Is that the one that punch through the ice last year?

[groomerguyNWO]

Nope! That one got written off by our insurance company. That was three years ago. We found this one(at a really good price) to replace the other one.

Still don't know why the insurance totalled it off??? We had it running the day after it was hauled out of the drink.

[groomerguyNWO]

That Lametrack. Is that the one that punch through the ice last year?

You mean this one, right?
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/bcdlavis/bubbles2.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/bcdlavis/bubbles1.jpg

[Snowcat Operations]

Yup!

[Bobcat]

Is this it? That's all a Snot Trac can do? Heck, my Jeep climbs hella better that this!

YouTube - snow trac grimpant aux murs!

[Snowcat Operations]

What video? says no longer available?

[Bobcat]

The youtube widget does that sometimes. Just click on the title banner instead; that always works.

[Snowcat Operations]

Still say unavailable.....You should leave are new German friend alone....lol

[Snowcat Operations]

lol he missed second gear. thats why we need our brakes working. LOL!

[snowbird]

That looks like a pretty steep hill. Would it climb it if it were covered with snow (the hill?)