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It's a SUPRISE! Pt 1

Lyndon

Bronze Member
GOLD Site Supporter
EVERY SNOW CAT HAS A STORY When I went back to work for the Pipeline in Alaska, I worked for a specialty subcontractor that did all the inspection work, Corrosion, X-ray, Electrical, and Certification of Welders. Their office was right next to AT&T Alascom's office. They had a nice little BOMBI. I inquired about it one day. Didn't get much of a response. I said:"hey, if you ever go to sell that thing, give me a call" and left my business card. 2 years later, 500 miles North, reading the Fairbanks Daily News Miner at one of the camps in the Prudhoe Bay Oilfield, I come across this add: "Bombardier Track Rig, submit bids to Barbra Egalbretton" and gave some Anchorage address. the last line of the Add said:"machine can be seen at ...." and gave an address. I imediately recognized the address. I submitted a bid. A month later Barbra calls me up and informs me that I was "High Bidder" and goes on to volunteer that there were something like 70 bidders! A lot of them thought it would go for 50$. I had looked at the invoice, and AT&T had paid quite a high price for it(63,000). People in alaska have 2 and 3 Snow Mobiles, that they give 10, to 12,000$ for sitting in their garages. And they are fully insured for Fire/Theft/Collision like a car. So I had bid it at 10,001 dollars. The next highest bid was 7000. I had "left a lot of money on the table" but was satisfied because to me, a 5 seater snow cat was a lot nicer than a snowmobile. Full enclosed, Heated with whindsheld, wipers lights....what I had failed to notice when I inspected it 2 years earlier was that it only had 4 Hours on it! Bill Guthrie later informed me that it was easily resellable for at least that so I didn't feel too bad about the price. It had an Arctic engine heater system that had acted like a STILL and eventually caused the Glycol in the Antifreeze to gell up and seperate. This in turn plugged up the heater core. I blew out the system with hot water, cleaned the carb, and I had a NEW Snow cat! There wasn't so much as a ding on one grouser. Below: At Yellowstone National Park, after driving this it and my original "Old-Red"(#368) ST4 to see Old Faithfull.
GEM1 037.jpg
 

Lyndon

Bronze Member
GOLD Site Supporter
Generally I only had 12 snow cats at one time, all in various stages of restoration. I would really go thru them thuroughly, up-grade them for relaibility, play with them for a few years, then sell them by private sale. I never made "Big-Bucks", but I broke even and got to have a lot of fun and go to a lot of neat places. I have sold off all but the J5 Bombardier, which is sitting in Weiser, Idahoe waiting for a new home. However Earl stores #196 at my place, so even though I don't OWN a snow cat, I Have one.
 

Lyndon

Bronze Member
GOLD Site Supporter
I also Collected ST4 Parts, Literature, and Service Manuals. These I used to proudly show at VW Vintage Meets with original shipping tags from Westerasmaskiner, and places like White Horse scrawled on them. I bought out a Snow Trac Dealer, and Northwest Tell of all their spare parts. I Traveled to every dealer in North America and got to know the owner of AKTIV, as well as the parts franchise in Sweden. Great People! At the height of my collecting I had eventually collected at least ONE of every part for every Model of Snow Trac, 2 Belt, 3, Belt, 4, Belt and 5 Belt. Much of this was N.O.S. Which stands for New Old Stock, original factory replacement parts. For the parts I didn't have N.O.S., I would have a machine that I could rob the part off of and have a copy made.

Below is the Ex Alyeska Pipeline Ambulance tht I got from the UPS Guy and the Colonel in Fairbanks. I started working for the Pipeline some years after they had already sold off their ST4's and switched to Tucker's. I quizzed most of the head Mechanics at the 12 pump stations along the pipeline about them and scored several service manuals that failed to get sold off with the machines when they went to auction.
GEM1 038.jpg
 

Lyndon

Bronze Member
GOLD Site Supporter
THE RESCUE Here,at just shy of 10,000 foot, on formidable Mt. Baker, we rescued a Snowmobiler who went more than 25 feet down a hole in the snow where there was a streem running. Mt. Baker has Active Thermal Steam Vents near the top. We arrived with 2 machines at the same time as a bunch of Mushers with their sleds and dog teams. Both the Mushers and the Snowmobilers would get bogged down in the waist deep powder on steeper hills. We were slower, bring up the rear so to speak. But the little Snow trac's would march right thru the tough spots and that left them sort of groomed so the mushers would blast on ahead and be waiting for us at the next impass.
GEM1 039.jpg
 

Lyndon

Bronze Member
GOLD Site Supporter
I eventually tired of maintaining 3 trucks, 3 trailers, 20 batteries, 15 engines and 200 tires and sold off the collection. The mass of Literature including some rare factory photo's went to Warren, in Mazama WA. Included was my "little black book". It was sort of like Indiana Jones' fathers (Sean Connery) diary of his quest for the Holy Grail, and had locations and names and numbers of every contact I had made. Owning the collection was very time consuming and right at the edge of my financial capabilities. I figgured for what I had in it I could Ski for the rest of my life and wanted to invest my energies elsewhere. Finally the 1000th person said: "you should write a book". Along came Bob S. and Doc and started this forum where I could share some of my hard earned knowlege with others. Bob S, and Doc's efforts have certainly made Snow Cat collecting a recognizable National Hobby.
 

Lyndon

Bronze Member
GOLD Site Supporter
I also "Showed" the J5 and a rare John Deere Lindeman crawler tractor, one of 1100 built between 1936 and 1946, at Farm and Tractor shows. this is from the Lynden(no relation) Logging and Tractor show. suprisingly most of the loggers had never seen a J5, so it was the center of attraction.
GEM1 040.jpg
 

teledawg

Member
EVERY SNOW CAT HAS A STORY Earl's # 196, gets special mention. It is , or was one of the 200 ST4 that served along the ALCAN, is one of the 200 machines that lived at White Horse, is one of the machines sold on the 200 Machine's Year, and is one of the oldest operating ST4's in North America. It originally belonged to NorthWest Tell, but they were owned by the Canadian Railways which was in turn owned by the Canadian Government. (Blue With "W"s on fenders)
Lyndon,

Great thread. :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

I've seen # 196 in person and it indeed is a very nice ST4. It has specially made ST30 drive sprockets on it that were cast by Lyndon that are thicker than the factory design for longer wear.

I own and operate #163 here in Alaska so it is a bit older (1960) then #169, but it is not in nearly as good shape. I know of only one ST4 older (1958) here in Alaska that is still running.
 

teledawg

Member
EVERY SNOW CAT HAS A STORY

This is The FBI Track Master on it's Maiden voyage, after sitting at the FBI Office in Portland Oregon for 25 Years. It had 107 Original Miles, and 50 Original Hours, and everything except one of the dual tanks worked. It has it's own 'Thread'. You can see Earls #196 hiding in the background. It was supposed to be the "Back-up" support vehicle in case the Trac Master gave trouble. The Trac Master never missed a beat, but #196 developed a fuel problem, which we quickly resolved and were on our way.
View attachment 33849

Lyndon,

I love seeing these photos of the FBI Rig in it's former years. As you know I own and operate the FBI Rig here in Alaska. It really is a privilege to own and operate such a cat. It turns heads where ever I take it and it has never failed to do what I've asked it to do. :whistling:

Many thanks for posting the photos and my all means post more...

:clap::clap::clap::clap:

Thanks, Fred
 

couchloafer

Member
SUPER Site Supporter
I couldnt agree more Fred, please keep posting! I have also had the pleasure of spending time with Lyndon and have seen #196 in person. It was one of the most memorable days I have had in the last decade. Thanks for taking the time to share all of your experiences and knowledge with us Lyndon !!!!
 

JSX

New member
I couldnt agree more Fred, please keep posting! I have also had the pleasure of spending time with Lyndon and have seen #196 in person. It was one of the most memorable days I have had in the last decade. Thanks for taking the time to share all of your experiences and knowledge with us Lyndon !!!!

That was a very good day! It was cool getting a chance to talk to the Snow-Trac guru again. The first time I saw one of these cats was at the VW Vintage Meet in the pix above, I believe in '96? Lyndon was right, these things pretty much stole the show, I know I spent most of my time there checking out the cats and trying to get as much information from him I could. The one I liked the most was the FBI rig, prolly because of the wide tracks.

It was really cool to meet teledawg there also, and see his pix of the FBI rig restored and being used, that is one great looking cat.

Keep the stories comming Lyndon!
 

pixie

Well-known member
SUPER Site Supporter
Thanks for the Great pictures and stories, Lyndon :clap:

Your J5 looks like it just rolled out of the factory !!
 

Lyndon

Bronze Member
GOLD Site Supporter
It's a Suprise was the introduction to Part 2. But before we go there, here's the linc's to various of the supporting stories and technical know-how for primarily ST4's with a limited amount of general snow cat 'know-how'. I have Mike of Snowcat Operations to thank for bringing me up to speed on how to post linc's.
Great Snow Cat Stories, encompases Larro Olson's machine and Also covers the COLD BAY Snow Cat.
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=7954
DB Cooper and the FBI RIG.
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=8113
Loud VW Engines, goes into detail about sound from the Heat System
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=13246
Hood Disasters
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=13166
What Every Snow Trac Owner Should Know
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=13167
VW Engine
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=3895
Tracks ON/ Tracks Off, applies to all tracked snow machnes
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=3818
Snow Trac Manufacturing History
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=9271
Snow Trac Brake Systems
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=9181
Variator, This is a 27 part in-depth look at the Variator.
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=4113
Snow Trac Engine ID
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=6825
Famous Steering Wheel, get's into some of "War-Issue" parts used on Snow Trac's.
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=4132
Snow Trac Parts ID Lesson
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=3825
Snow Trac Fuel System
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=3814
So for that 999th or 1000th person that said: "You should write a Book", well, we're half way there.
Now for the Suprise. Part 2 is called:AND THE AWARD GOES TO:... and it will be it's own new"THREAD".
 

mtmogs

New member
Fantastic Lyndon! Thanks for your ongoing contributions. They make for great reading and I always learn something new.
 

pixie

Well-known member
SUPER Site Supporter
Lyndon, you've created a great resource here and Snow-Trac and Track-Master owners should be very appreciative.

Thanks for sharing your photos and insights with us :clap::clap:
 

Lyndon

Bronze Member
GOLD Site Supporter
I really screwed up! I left out Mikey! Probably our single biggest contributor at the snow cat forum is Mike, of Snowcat Operations. He's generated some outstanding material. It may take awhile, but here's one important one for ST4 Exhaust:
Snow Master/Snow Trac Exhaust
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=8503
There are about 200 to sift thru, but in time we'll get them all. I need to find the ones on the starter because his thread is more comprehensive and it's an item that get's asked about alot.
 

Knoydartstag

New member
Ive been loving reading all of what Lyndon has to say about all these machines & adventures, what a guy. I have had to convince the wife that this is not a dating chat site as i've never been off it since i joined!!
can someone advise please, Lyndon earlier in this thread said
"All in a 1963,(31 year old!) ST4 with the original 1192 CC "40 Horse"
i have #660 & based on brochures i have seen assumed that all ST4's came with a 1600cc? the little aluminium name plate is missing on mine but i have no reason to believe that the engine has been replaced as it has only covered 760miles (148.7 hours) which is genuine, the engine No is 122-146927 can anyone advise what that means & what capacity? thanks
 

Snowtrac Nome

member formerly known as dds
GOLD Site Supporter
most likely your engine was changed to get more horse power and fresh air heat lyndon sent me a book i will check your numbers and tell you what you have
 

Knoydartstag

New member
Thanks for the quick reply Don, looking forward to any info you may dig out, Ive looked through your profile sure looks like good country you have out there, i was asking Melensdad about the use of a ST in heather & boggy soft ground? i thought that these tools were only used on snow but it looks like thats not the case, do use yours on open hill ground much & if so do you have any issues? Cheers
 

Snowtrac Nome

member formerly known as dds
GOLD Site Supporter
i know i recognised that prefix i had a motor off a dredge in the shop it was a 1500 out of a early bus it also could be an austrailian built block for 1500 and 1600 engines shoot me a photo and i will do some more research and see if i can't come up with any usefull info
 

Knoydartstag

New member
Don, i'm pulling my hair out trying to navigate this forum,(my first forum) i have taken some crap pics & had to add them to my profile, cant seem to drag them onto this thread.I will try to get better pictures at some point but its pitch black outside just now. I will look forward to any info you may find. If i dont reply for a while i appologise beforehand, i work in the North sea on an oil production installation for a great Houston based oil company, because of the nature of my job i seldom get the chance to go online but my chopper flight is not till Wed morn, cheers for now
 

Snowtrac Nome

member formerly known as dds
GOLD Site Supporter
i went and looked in your album the numbers don't show up in any of the automotive charts and the fan housing is missing the blower ducts for the heater so i'm guessing it's an industrial 1500 or 1600 it's a verry nice instalation but heater boxes and a fresh air heater would be nice to have hope this is some kind of help. also all the early model snow tracs had a smaller 36 to 40 horse motor in them usualy when the conversion is done they swap out the carb yours looks to have the pict 30 wich is what is supposed to be on it
 

Knoydartstag

New member
Don thanks for that, interesting stuff. There is heater boxes installed at the rear of the engine they are controlled from the cabin maybe a really good retrofit? when i come home from offshore & complete tarting up the paintwork i will take a rake of pictures that will show everyone everything, thanks for your help, i'm enjoying being an ST owner & forum member, Cheers
 
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