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Pricing Curiosity
- Thread starter PGBC
- Start date
I would think less, but with the Biden economy and inflation what it is... who knows?
I'm decidedly biased in favor of four track machines. But in all fairness, I have not driven a current generation two-track snowcat with hydrostatic drive.
I place value on simplicity, which also translates to ease of repair and the cost of repairs. Some of the lesser known brands are here today, but what about next year, or in ten years? How hard is it to get parts for them? Where do those parts have to come from? What happens in ten years?
Many people purchase snowcats to access their remote cabins. They need these machines to work, and to be reliable. When your fancy Italian made machine breaks down over the Christmas holiday, and parts have to come from Italy? The shipping cost alone would have me gagging and choking, and who are you going to get to fix it?
Conversely, take an eighties Tucker with its less glamorous, but simple and effective drive train. If something breaks, just about any reasonably competent mechanic can figure out what's wrong. Special tools? Not needed. Proprietary diagnostic equipment? Hah.. it doesn't exist. You need parts? Many can be found fairly easily at larger auto parts stores.
I hammer on Tucker for quality of workmanship issues, but I've found they have pretty decent parts inventory AND they ship quickly and don't treat their shipping department as a profit center. Maybe your neighbor's Pisten Bully is sexier, but classic vehicles that work have an attraction all their own.
I'm decidedly biased in favor of four track machines. But in all fairness, I have not driven a current generation two-track snowcat with hydrostatic drive.
I place value on simplicity, which also translates to ease of repair and the cost of repairs. Some of the lesser known brands are here today, but what about next year, or in ten years? How hard is it to get parts for them? Where do those parts have to come from? What happens in ten years?
Many people purchase snowcats to access their remote cabins. They need these machines to work, and to be reliable. When your fancy Italian made machine breaks down over the Christmas holiday, and parts have to come from Italy? The shipping cost alone would have me gagging and choking, and who are you going to get to fix it?
Conversely, take an eighties Tucker with its less glamorous, but simple and effective drive train. If something breaks, just about any reasonably competent mechanic can figure out what's wrong. Special tools? Not needed. Proprietary diagnostic equipment? Hah.. it doesn't exist. You need parts? Many can be found fairly easily at larger auto parts stores.
I hammer on Tucker for quality of workmanship issues, but I've found they have pretty decent parts inventory AND they ship quickly and don't treat their shipping department as a profit center. Maybe your neighbor's Pisten Bully is sexier, but classic vehicles that work have an attraction all their own.
Bennyboy1337
Active member
"Powerful diesel engine"
Unless you're grooming slopes or hauling a 16p cab in the backcountry, a diesel engine IMHO is overrated. Gas powered motors on average tend to be much less expensive and have lower service costs and upkeep schedules. At 250k you're looking at buying a brand new PistenBully 300-400 with a custom cab, that's a lot of money to throw around.
Like BF said, you can purchase a 70-80s cab Tucker that will be more capable of doing whatever you want and haul a crew + blade in good condition you could find some really great options for 50-100k range. For the same price range you can get a excellent LMC1500 cab or well maintained Spyrte, or a LiteFoot.
2 or 4 track? My honest option, Tuckers are unmatched for uneven terrain backcountry access and performance, but PistenBully makes the most powerful groomers in the world, so if raw HP and snow gripping power is what you need that's the route to go. There is also something to be said for the comparative cab space in a LMC1500 or IMP compared a Tucker of equal size, there is just way more room for people and gear in most 2 tracks. 2 tracks can also do cookies, which a tucker can only dream of doing
Unless you're grooming slopes or hauling a 16p cab in the backcountry, a diesel engine IMHO is overrated. Gas powered motors on average tend to be much less expensive and have lower service costs and upkeep schedules. At 250k you're looking at buying a brand new PistenBully 300-400 with a custom cab, that's a lot of money to throw around.
Like BF said, you can purchase a 70-80s cab Tucker that will be more capable of doing whatever you want and haul a crew + blade in good condition you could find some really great options for 50-100k range. For the same price range you can get a excellent LMC1500 cab or well maintained Spyrte, or a LiteFoot.
2 or 4 track? My honest option, Tuckers are unmatched for uneven terrain backcountry access and performance, but PistenBully makes the most powerful groomers in the world, so if raw HP and snow gripping power is what you need that's the route to go. There is also something to be said for the comparative cab space in a LMC1500 or IMP compared a Tucker of equal size, there is just way more room for people and gear in most 2 tracks. 2 tracks can also do cookies, which a tucker can only dream of doing