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WANTED: Thiokol Super Imp or Similar

montanatech

Member
SUPER Site Supporter
I'm in the market for a Thiokol Super Imp or similar tracked unit. I saw a 601 on CL a few weeks ago but the owner wants $20k +!!! I'd like to stay with something easily trailerable and lightweight. Would consider DMC/LMC 1200 type unit if reasonably priced. Would also like to be in the 12k price range. Paying CASH. What's out there??? I'm located in Montana. :thumbup:
 

montanatech

Member
SUPER Site Supporter
Hey thanks! Neat unit. I'm really looking for something with a carrier cab to pack some equipment. It looks to be a tricky market right now on these older cats. :smileywac
 

Blackfoot Tucker

Well-known member
GOLD Site Supporter
Hey thanks! Neat unit. I'm really looking for something with a carrier cab to pack some equipment. It looks to be a tricky market right now on these older cats. :smileywac

I'm not sure what a "carrier cab" is. I'm guessing you're looking for a full cab, as opposed to a two-door, pickup truck like cab setup?

I don't know that the market is any "trickier" now than it's been for years. If you know what you want, and you are patient, you can usually find a nice machine at a fair price. Occasionally, there are good deals that pop up, but they're rare, and if you dilly-dally - it will be gone. This time of year is pretty much the worst as far as buying a snowcat....

While I certainly understand the concept of a budget, In my opinion, the cheapest snowcat is rarely the best deal. Though you might find a machine within your price range, it may be a hollow victory if you have to turn around and spend significant money on maintenance and repairs. And then your budget is out the window....

My semi-educated thought is your budget is too low for a reasonably nice machine. This is outside your budget, and it's not close by, but it would be worth considering.

https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=2666973&trackId=1608

Note: This was mentioned in this same forum just a few days ago. Credit for finding this goes to CFS.

http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=87235

Here's another machine (outside your budget) that may be worthy of your consideration. The seller, Dan, is I believe one of the owners of Snowcat Service (http://www.snowcatservice.com/)

I don't know if he owns it, or is selling it for someone else. I've never bought anything from him, but my impression is he's a good guy, as opposed to some others who sell used snowcats.
 

montanatech

Member
SUPER Site Supporter
Hi thanks for the reply. Full cab is what I'm after. Thanks for sharing the info on the other units. The one in AZ I've been told has a discrepancy with the meter and you also have to have an account for 30 days just to bid. I'm amazed it's bringing over $14k so far... Again thanks for the info - I'll keep looking.
 

Cidertom

Chionophile
GOLD Site Supporter
I'll second the concept of initial vs true cost to buy. $20K is a more reasonable figure for planning. There have been great buys, there also have been some great disappointments. That site in AZ has been showing a few cats lately, I suspect a fleet replacement. So a register now....



As to meters. One of the members here summed up the hour meter accuracy well: It shows how long the hour meter has been running. They are a great tool to know maintenance intervals but as to total machine time???? Some maintenance shops are great about making them correct, but for many, the hour meter is the last thing to be repaired.
 

Blackfoot Tucker

Well-known member
GOLD Site Supporter
As to meters. One of the members here summed up the hour meter accuracy well: It shows how long the hour meter has been running. They are a great tool to know maintenance intervals but as to total machine time???? Some maintenance shops are great about making them correct, but for many, the hour meter is the last thing to be repaired.

I think Tom is right. About hour meters and that the state of Arizona recently auctioned off a similar machine. That was also mentioned on the forum, courtesy of Sno-Drifter: http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=87066

You can't access the photos in that now closed auction listing, but IIRC there was a photo that showed several very similar Super Imp/DMC 1450 machines. So perhaps a good idea to sign up now for a possible future auction...

Some snowcat owners/operators try to be honest about the actual hours on the machine, but others, not so much. Our Snowzilla project Tucker was originally owned by Pacific Gas and Electric. Here's a pic of the hour meter when I bought the machine.

View attachment 131103

If you look closely at the auction listing, as-in click on the enlarge option on the photo, look at photos nine and six in the auction listing. It's not easy to make out, but I read "Add 302 hours". Okay, so it's apparently 417 (assuming that's right). Not a lot of time for a roughly 40 year old machine.

That's a tilting trailer, and that adds additional value to the package. A month or so ago there was a similar trailer listed on ksl.com and the asking price (IIRC) was $4,500. That seems high to me, but I mention it as a data point.
 

rdynes01

Active member
If you are looking for a full cab unit to check all the boxes on your wish list you better think about doubling your budget....Bob
 

montanatech

Member
SUPER Site Supporter
Thanks all for the responses. You weren't kidding on the prices! That unit in AZ went for over $19k!!! Could this be due to high demand or is there a market for collectors? Do these tend to appreciate over time? Could COVID be driving up demand? So many questions. Anyhow - I have my eye set on another unit... going to pick it up soon. I'll let you know what I end up with. Again, thanks for the help.
 

BearGap

Active member
GOLD Site Supporter
I recently bought a very used 1450 for $14k. It looked a lot like the unit on the govt site. The only saving was the drive train has only 2000 hours and runs great.
The undercarriage was completely shot and cost me $4k to fix. The wasted tracks cost $7.5k to fix. 1450s are notorious for having crap tracks. Sprite belts with Imp grousers. The wheel guides are worth gold. No one makes them and when they do you’re talking 128 at about $150 each. I was able to save most of mine and found a few used.
Even if you find a low hours unit, and the $35k to buy it, you’re getting 35 year old metal parts and rusty track bolts. Good luck trying to maintain them.
The only good news is they are great fun and you’ll learn a lot of semi useful information about outdated 80s technology. Cheers :)
 

rdynes01

Active member
I recently bought a very used 1450 for $14k. It looked a lot like the unit on the govt site. The only saving was the drive train has only 2000 hours and runs great.
The undercarriage was completely shot and cost me $4k to fix. The wasted tracks cost $7.5k to fix. 1450s are notorious for having crap tracks. Sprite belts with Imp grousers. The wheel guides are worth gold. No one makes them and when they do you’re talking 128 at about $150 each. I was able to save most of mine and found a few used.
Even if you find a low hours unit, and the $35k to buy it, you’re getting 35 year old metal parts and rusty track bolts. Good luck trying to maintain them.
The only good news is they are great fun and you’ll learn a lot of semi useful information about outdated 80s technology. Cheers :)
There is a Thiokol 1404 W/T IMP in the Syracuse Craigslist for 12k
 

wade2367

New member
I'm in the market for a Thiokol Super Imp or similar tracked unit. I saw a 601 on CL a few weeks ago but the owner wants $20k +!!! I'd like to stay with something easily trailerable and lightweight. Would consider DMC/LMC 1200 type unit if reasonably priced. Would also like to be in the 12k price range. Paying CASH. What's out there??? I'm located in Montana. :thumbup:
I have a 1200c that I picked up to restore. I would sell it for $8500 if you are interested. Wade 801 450 8143
 

montanatech

Member
SUPER Site Supporter
I ended up with a 1200c. Picture attached. Overall it appears to be a solid unit. It does have some wheel guides and grousers that will need attention. I'll post more info as I get into it. If anyone has a good handle on parts please let me know. Thanks all for the comments and advice.
 

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GMoose

Well-known member
GOLD Site Supporter
I ended up with a 1200c. Picture attached. Overall it appears to be a solid unit. It does have some wheel guides and grousers that will need attention. I'll post more info as I get into it. If anyone has a good handle on parts please let me know. Thanks all for the comments and advice.
Thiokol parts, snowcat services in SLC Utah, Dan Gates is owner.
 

montanatech

Member
SUPER Site Supporter
I have a 1200c that I picked up to restore. I would sell it for $8500 if you are interested. Wade 801 450 8143
Wade - Thanks for reaching out - I was literally driving back with this other 1200c when your message showed up. I would have been very interested! You may want to restore it and make some money as they seem to be commanding a pretty penny!
 

LelandEOD

New member
Triple locked too!!! Yeah well turns out the DMC's tracks were in much worse shape than I imagined. Might have to sell the 80-series just to get these tracks in order ;(
Don't get rid of that 80. They are getting harder and harder to find.

I'm a 40 guy but I've been looking for an 80 to replace my daily driver 4Runner for a good long while now.
 

Mike imp 1404

New member
Just picked up a imp 1404 with 750hrs on it with the Ford v4. First time snow cat owner who wasn’t in the market for one just a hobby collector and when I saw it I knew I had to make an offer. Paid 8k curious on any thoughts of value and what year it is as it isn’t listed on the machine or bill of sale. Looking to make it reliable for snow camping with the fam. Also if anyone would be willing to let me pick there brain who knows something about this machine it would be appreciated. I have it running great at this point with all the basic engine maintenance but before I take it off the trailer was hoping to get some advice on operation. Previous owner only used it a couple of times over the past 5 years and really didn’t know to much about it other than it worked last time he drove it and the guy he bought it from restored it.
thanks
541-699-8491
 

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alryA

Well-known member
Glad to hear you found something Mike! The photos you posted are rather large and some won't open them, becase of that. :(
 

Cidertom

Chionophile
GOLD Site Supporter
Mike, Welcome to the insanity. Start a new thread on your machine in the repairs, parts and problems. someone there will know the age, and perhaps the machine!
 
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