• Please be sure to read the rules and adhere to them. Some banned members have complained that they are not spammers. But they spammed us. Some even tried to redirect our members to other forums. Duh. Be smart. Read the rules and adhere to them and we will all get along just fine. Cheers. :beer: Link to the rules: https://www.forumsforums.com/threads/forum-rules-info.2974/

Rebuilding a snowcat for Search and Rescue

S

skeddy

New member
Just wanted to share some before photos of our 1983 DMC 1200 that we use for search and rescue on Flagstaff. We hope to replace the entire electrical system with a more robust marine type as it will have support a lot of auxillary and emergency lighting. We have gleaned a lot of info from other restorations about sound deadening and hope to completely line the cabin and intall a cabin wide intercomm as well.. much like you would see in a fire engine. Thanks very much for all the suggestions thus far and any in the future. Our department is the original owner of this snowcat and it is currently in outstanding condition with no body damage. It is just in need of some modernization for better reliabilty. On a recent rescue at the Grand Canyon, our electrical system shorted in -5 temps and the headlights went out. Thanks to my trusty 3 watt LED headlamp and frozen fingers were were able to complete this mission well after midnight...
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0010.jpg
    DSC_0010.jpg
    75.5 KB · Views: 642
  • DSC_0012-1.JPG
    DSC_0012-1.JPG
    184.3 KB · Views: 646
  • DSC_0013-1.JPG
    DSC_0013-1.JPG
    181 KB · Views: 664
  • DSC_0015-1.JPG
    DSC_0015-1.JPG
    202.8 KB · Views: 653
  • DSC_0016-1.JPG
    DSC_0016-1.JPG
    189.2 KB · Views: 630
That is a nice cat and in very good condition. Thanks for the pictures. Welcom and good luck with the electrical upgrades!
 
Search and rescue units could certainly be glad for such machines. Thanks for the pictures. I've thought of volunteering to help with my snowcat in the county in case of snow emergencies, but it's only got the two seats in front.
 
I've certainly ridden in the back or bed of a cat on several operations. I'm sure your county would appreciate your help, especially if they don't habe their own snow machine..
 
SAR can be gratifying. I once hauled a snowmobiler out of St Regis Basin (Lookout Pass, ID) that had broken his leg. The ski patrol had him bundled up in a sled and it fit so neatly through the back door of my 'cat between the seats. The guy was comfortable and grateful for the smooth warm ride to the ambulance. The Patrol was happy as the victim was getting shocky bouncing around behind their snowmobile. I was happy to do it. I just happened to be in the area.
-Pat
P.S I like your raised exhaust stack, I would think it helps keep the nauseous exhaust gases out of the way.
 
Pat
It cetainly helps keep fumes out of the cabin. However, we have had several people burn their hands while getting in the cat because it looks like hand hold in the dark. Yesterday we had a heat shield installed over the vertical section to prevent this from occuring again..Good observation. We are expecting 4-5 feet of snow this week and will put this into full use for evacuation im sure.

Vic
 
"several people burn their hands while getting in the cat"
Sounds a bit like the exhaust of the heater in the M113, everybody used that to climb up and burnt themselves. It was only in the late 90s that they started to install a cage over them.
"we had a heat shield installed"
Smart move and nice rig.
 
nice to know i'm not the only one who has had 2 much time in the 113 548 and 578's they never trhow a track on the hard ground.
 
Speaking of time. I thought you guys mike to know that we only have 406 original hours logged on our 1983 dmc 1200. It has lived in our SAR building when not in use. As we just received a ton of snow this week. In fact the second largest snowfall ever to hit flagstaff. We might put another four hundred on her this week alone.
 
Skeddy, Dont for get the pictures if you go out in the snow with that cat!!! At least you have snow. Good luck and be safe.
 
If anyone is stranded, I bet they'll thankful for your SAR snowcat.:clap:
Would you be willing to send some of the snow our way?:mellow:
Once I become more comfortable that I've got all the "bugs" out of my snowcat, I plan to contact the county sheriff's office to volunteer for any snowbound emergency.
 
Snowbird.

That is very generous of you. Several people have now mentioned their interest in SAR and how their snowcats might be of service to their community. I applaud all of you for thinking of others first.. I am sure your local sheriff would be glad to have a snowcat posse on standby :clap:
 
skeddy said:
Snowbird.

That is very generous of you. Several people have now mentioned their interest in SAR and how their snowcats might be of service to their community. I applaud all of you for thinking of others first.. I am sure your local sheriff would be glad to have a snowcat posse on standby :clap:
Click to expand...
mine has been out al ready this year so far its been a slow year but thats a good thing.last year we had several s&r 's pus a plane crash used the gaurd rigs on those but we have no more gaurde personell here for them so they just sit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top