POLL: What brand snowcat do you own?

[Snowcat Operations]

Look at you! Great picture! Now we need some action shots!

[Bulldog1401]

1976 Thiokol Imp. Running, but undergoing restoration.

[Melensdad]

Originally Posted by Bulldog1401

1976 Thiokol Imp. Running, but undergoing restoration.

Hey Bulldog, how about some pictures? Seems to me you visited here a couple months ago, has there been much progress on the Imp restoration or have you been spending more time driving it?

[NorthernRedneck]

Greetings all! This is my first post and though I don't actually own a vintage snowcat, I plan to sometime in the future so I look forward to researching all that is out there. I have been a groomer operator for our local snowmobile club since 1990 and currently operate a 2002 Lamtrac and a 1996 BR160. I appreciate what these machines can do and would like to get my own to do whatever I want with it other than just crawling down the trails smoothing out moguls. I plan on looking at a couple of old Bombardier B12's sometime in the near future. I look forward to all of the information I know you guys can provide.

[Snowcat Operations]

Welcome to the gang Groomer Guy! You need to get a Snow Trac. Stay away from all other wanna be snowcats!

[Melensdad]

Originally Posted by groomerguyNWO

Greetings all! This is my first post and though I don't actually own a vintage snowcat, I plan to sometime in the future so I look forward to researching all that is out there.

Hi Brian. You will find a lot of strong opinions around here. Most of them are wrong, but mine is always correct

There are lots of things to consider, and since you are experienced with snow grooming & equipment I'll just highlight some of the things that seem to matter to personal snowcat users.

• Price
• Parts
• Size/weight/trailerability

A basic small snowcat can be found for under $10,000 in decent condition, occasionally under $3000 for a unit that will run but requires work. Shopping around is your best bet to find a deal. Even a very good condition older snowcat will rarely go for more than $15,000 after it is restored. Some desirable brands would include the Aktiv Snow Trac and Kristi Snowcats. Both are VW powered and the engines are very easy to work on. Aktiv made over 2000 Snow Tracs, many made it up to Canada and you may find them in your area. Kristi only made a little over 100 KT3 snowcats, they are hard to find but nifty units. Thiokol IMPs are very common and were made in large numbers, there were a couple version. Thiokol Sprytes are also common, seem to be a bit more expensive than the Imp. Thiokol 601s are also reasonably common. Probably the most common would be the Bombardier B12/C18. Over 3000 of those were produced, many stayed in Canada.

As for parts . . . the best thing to do is find a snowcat that interests you and then ask about parts availability. Most have some proprietary parts that are difficult to find, and some common parts that are easy to get.

Grooming type snowcats typically weigh a lot more than some of the smaller cats, they are also wider. Weight and width make trailering them something that requires special trailers and larger tow vehicles. That may or may not be an issue for you.

[Bulldog1401]

Unfortunatly I work more than I play and the Imp is not progressing as fas as I would like. Wanted one all my life. Finally got one. No time for it. Go figure. I will get it where I want it eventually. Visiting this forum helps remind me that I should be working on it more.

[Snowcat Operations]

Nice IMP! What are your plans. Maybe another thread should be started for that? Anyway its nice.

[NorthernRedneck]

Bob- Too bad there aren't any more KT7's out there. I think that would suit me just right. I don't know wether I'm coming or going half of the time either.(just like the KT7)

Sorry Big Al, I've been studying/reading your thread on your restoration for the past few days and couldn't resist!

[Bulldog1401]

I plan on adding dual batteries, replacing the winch that was missing when I got it, adding a slide on passenger cab for a total seating capacity of 6, adding dual exhaust, and doubling up the cross axles that the leaf springs mount on for a 2 inch lift. when lifted, I believe that I could run cleats from a 1200 or a like cat which will give me more dig and also make the tracks asymetrical but wider for more floatation. 1200 cleats seem easier to find than 1400 series cleats.

[Snowcat Operations]

There are a few Imps on here that have been modified. I believe Teesoter (I may be wrong) has a friend who widend his tracks for great flotation. I would like to get an Imp and put some really wide tracks on it.

[Snowcat Operations]

There are a few Imps on here that have been modified. I believe Teesoter (I may be wrong) has a friend who widend his tracks for great flotation. I would like to get an Imp and put some really wide tracks on it.

[Snowcat Operations]

I also have plans to raise another Snow Master I will be working on next. I will be completely changing out the old suspension and should loose about 200 pounds in the process if not more. I was planning on modifying this one but time and money on this particular project just isnt there. My next one will sport a 225 HP Subaru WRX Turbo motor and about 6 more inches in ground clearance. BUT first I need to finish this guy. http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/show...8163#post88163

I feel the Snow Masters just look to squatey. They need some hieght at the track area to look right. I have never dragged the bottom of my snowmaster even in the DEEPEST Champaigne Powder! BUT there is always room for improvement and a bit higher would do it for me.

[Bulldog1401]

Can you give me contact info for bill guithrie? Are the snowcat parts in the background his? Thanks.

[Bobcat]

Originally Posted by Snowcat Operations

Welcome to the gang Groomer Guy! You need to get a Snow Trac. Stay away from all other wanna be snowcats!

-1 rep point for corrupting a newbie.

Just kidding, but I thought about it.

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

[Snowcat Operations]

Your reps earn or loose 1 rep point. Mine on the other hand earn or loose you 4. Typical Kristi owner! BUT maybe not typical. You actually thought about it and made the right decision.

[Grant H]

A 1970 Flextrac Nodwell FN15 with a 250 Ford industrial, an FMX automatic trans and an OC15 final drive.

[Snowcat Operations]

That should be one tough rig!

[Northerner]

'84 Bombi -running
'55 Muskeg -under restoration.

Northerner

[houlio]

I don't own a Snow Cat, but I think they would be quite the unit. I do have a 1949 Bombardier B12-CS.