Which SnowCat, Recommendations???

[Mike8623]

ok folks getting ready to move full time to a mountain state with a lot of snow. In the winter we will need some type of snowcat to get in and out of our place. We will have to traverse about two miles of unplowed, snow covered road. The road has about a 6% grade for about 1 mile of it. So what make and type of older machine should i be looking for. Got about a $10,000.00 budget, would like to spend a lot lower but don't want to get stuck with a lot of problems. The simpler the machine is to work on the better. looking at about 2-3 foot of snow on top of a dirt road for 3-4 months continuously, but the machine needs to be able to get through any amount of fresh and frozen snow. need something with room for more than 2 folks. have to haul in the grocieries and our two large dogs plus a few family or friends once in awhile. We will leave one of our cars at the end of the road at the point the county quits plowing and use the cat to get to the car and then back to our house once we have done what we want to do in town. have already lived in a snow state most of my life, just not where we have had to use a snowcat to get and out.

What would you folks recommend??

 

[Melensdad]

Snow Trac will seat a family and leave room inside for groceries. They are simple to keep running.

Thiokol Imp, depending on the cab will seat 2 to 10. Larger cabs cost more but you can probably find an Imp in your price range.

Thiokol Spryte, heavier duty than the Imp, again cab size varies. Probably find one in your price range but may require some work.

Any of those three will do you just fine.

 

[Blackfoot Tucker]

Welcome to the forum.

I get the impression that during the winter months this will be your only form of transportation from your house to where your vehicle is parked. In addition you indicated mechanical simplicity and reliability are concerns. If the machine is down for mechanical reasons, you'll be walking on snowshoes.

I'm not trying to start a battle but you should be aware the manufacturers of the three machines recommended above (Thiokol/DMC/LMC and Activ) are no longer in business, and haven't been for awhile. So to me that means parts availability is "iffy". Some parts can probably be sourced relatively easily, but depending on what's needed, rather than being able to call a dealer or manufacturer you'll be in the position of trying to find NOS parts or serviceable used parts.

So in that regard I'm going to recommend a Tucker Sno-Cat. They've been in business for over 50 years continuously and the company is still owned by the Tucker family. Tuckers of the 1300, 1500 and 1600 series of the 1970's and 1980's generally used Chrysler Industrial gasoline engines (most often the 318 V-8), and manual transmissions made by New Process such as the NP-435 and NP-540. The axles are Dana 60s. The transfer cases are a Tucker unit, but virtually the entire machine is made from parts readily available at a decent auto parts store.

Tuckers of this vintage were available with different length tracks and different cab configurations. Deeper snow is suited to longer tracks. Cabs were available in two door (think regular cab pickup), four door (think crew cab pickup) and three door models. The three door has two doors in front, a fully enclosed cab with a third door at the rear. Rear seating is on opposed benches.

While I recognize your budget, condition of the individual machine is paramount and a low price may not be a good value if the machine needs work.

You'll get lots of opinions on here and there's a wealth of knowledge. Don't be afraid of asking questions... Good Luck!

 

[NorthernRedneck]

Good advice Blackfoot. Like you said, parts availability is key! No matter which machine you but, parts will break. Reliability is a priority here especially for dependability for access. If this is going to be a vital part of your main transportation during the winter, you may want to increase your budget to accomodate a slightly newer more reliable machine.

 

[Melensdad]

While I won't disagree with anything that others have stated, I will point out that the reason there are so many Thiokol and Aktiv snowcats still running is because parts can still be pretty easily found.

On the Aktiv Sno-Trac the engines and transmissions are very common Volkswagen parts from the local AutoZone or NAPA store. The "variator" is an exclusive part, its hard to break in normal use and if broken would be difficult to replace. Sprockets can be found or fabricated. Most Thiokol units use Ford engines and OC drives, again parts can be found pretty commonly too. Belts, hoses and chains for all these units are available.

The beauty of all the old snowcats, including the very rare Kristi brand, is that they used simple parts. Hydraulic hoses, common engines, simple belting, etc. that are all easily sourced or have suitable substitutes that are available.

And I will totally agree, a newer more expensive unit will probably be more reliable and more comfortable too.

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

I would tend to disagree with BFT all most all the older machines are put together with off the shelf wear parts bearings and engine parts can all be sourced at a napa store. all the rigs are going to have a certain amount of vehicle specific parts. yes tucker parts are available they are also expensive especially the road wheels. the plus side for the tucker is they are still in business making service information readily available this can be important if you are not doing your own service and repair to it. if you are a handy sort of person an older rig may be more your style where you could than tailor it to your needs. Bob suggested snow trac's and imp's they are a good and can be configured for your loads . tuckers are nice machines but considerably larger and will also drink more gas something to consider if you are fueling out of 5 gallon cans. Piston bully and bombardier make some nice machines they may be priced out of your range unless you are looking at an older skidozer piston bulleys bombardier products seem to have more dealer specific parts like bearings and glass some of the newer rigs are nice with heated wind shields and quiet cabs. hope I added to your snow cat fever

 

[Mike8623]

I want to thank all for responding so far, lets keep it coming.

So, what about tracks, from what I've read so far it seems the wider tracks are better for deeper snow. my road is not going to be plowed or groomed and i want to make sure i can get over any snow drifts that may occur so anyone out there with thoughts on track width????

My location is Montana and I've had to walk in many times in the past years. It gets pretty hard carrying all your stuff in by foot, takes a lot of trips to haul dog food, clothes, food, propane by just one person. You know take one step and sink in up to your knees and have to use your first tracks for all subsequent trips. Before, when i got to my place i've got my atv out and if the snow is real frozen the atv will usually go over the top of it but when it starts to melt a little the atv will sink and is not an option. i think a lot of you folks have been there before its just that i'm 64 and having a harder time getting through the snow. so now i'm moving in full time and really going to enjoy what time i have left so a snowcat would really help and i don't have to worry about ending up like a froze popsicle when walking in. Those dang Grizzlys would just love to find me froze along the road when they first wake up in the spring.

 

[Melensdad]

Generally WIDER and or LONGER tracks are better for deeper snow. It really amounts to a Pounds Per Square Inch issue. The more the unit weighs, the more surface area of the track you need to spread out the weight of the machine. The more weight you spread out, the easier the machine "floats" on the snow.

But there are disadvantages to some track designs too.

Wider tracks may be great for deeper snow but are worse if the snow is sparse and you run the risk of encountering grass as they can get too much traction on that type of surface and you may "drive out" of your tracks. I don't know your snow conditions, but here in the Midwest where I live its an issue.

By the way, if you need to tow the snowcat you are buying on a trailer then some machines are both wide and heavy. Something else to consider.

 

[Blackfoot Tucker]

I think the vast majority of us on this forum are "snow cat enthusiasts" and our machines are, for the most part, used for fun, or accessing a weekend cabin. They are "project vehicles" and not our sole source of transportation, and to me that's a HUGE difference.

If (perhaps when) the cat breaks down you need to get it fixed fast. One issue is parts availability. The other may be the mechanical expertise needed to make the repair. If you personally don't have the knowledge how far do you have to go to find someone who does?

I'll use the Activ variator as an example. Bob said: "The "variator" is an exclusive part, its hard to break in normal use and if broken would be difficult to replace."

So where exactly are you going to get parts? If you're not familiar with it, where are you going to get information on repairing it in a timely manner. Or if you still can't fix it, when you try and get a mechanically inclined neighbor or local mechanic out to look at it, is he likely to have experience repairing one or will he shrug his shoulders and say "never seen one of these"?

Don I think you've very kindly helped out a ton of Snow Trac owners with mechanical advice, and in some cases parts such as this thread: http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=67338&highlight=variator+pulley

But look at the dates. The OP posted the problem on 3/15 and while he was able to source a used part from you, it took nine days not including shipping time (and from Nome I'm guessing that's fairly slow). Back to this thread, that's roughly two weeks the OP would be on snowshoes, maybe pulling a sled behind him with groceries, etc.

Over the past few years on this forum we've read of the trials and tribulations of a particular Snow Master. Here's a link: http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=61714

A month or so ago there was a cracked casting on a drive sprocket. How easy was it to replace that one part? (I'm not sure, has a replacement been found yet?)

For me following these stories do a great job illustrating why I'd rather have a Tucker.

 

[utahwilson]

I think the vast majority of us on this forum are "snow cat enthusiasts" and our machines are, for the most part, used for fun, or accessing a weekend cabin. They are "project vehicles" and not our sole source of transportation, and to me that's a HUGE difference.

If (perhaps when) the cat breaks down you need to get it fixed fast. One issue is parts availability. The other may be the mechanical expertise needed to make the repair. If you personally don't have the knowledge how far do you have to go to find someone who does?

I'll use the Activ variator as an example. Bob said: "The "variator" is an exclusive part, its hard to break in normal use and if broken would be difficult to replace."

So where exactly are you going to get parts? If you're not familiar with it, where are you going to get information on repairing it in a timely manner. Or if you still can't fix it, when you try and get a mechanically inclined neighbor or local mechanic out to look at it, is he likely to have experience repairing one or will he shrug his shoulders and say "never seen one of these"?

Don I think you've very kindly helped out a ton of Snow Trac owners with mechanical advice, and in some cases parts such as this thread: http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=67338&highlight=variator+pulley

But look at the dates. The OP posted the problem on 3/15 and while he was able to source a used part from you, it took nine days not including shipping time (and from Nome I'm guessing that's fairly slow). Back to this thread, that's roughly two weeks the OP would be on snowshoes, maybe pulling a sled behind him with groceries, etc.

Over the past few years on this forum we've read of the trials and tribulations of a particular Snow Master. Here's a link: http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=61714

A month or so ago there was a cracked casting on a drive sprocket. How easy was it to replace that one part? (I'm not sure, has a replacement been found yet?)

For me following these stories do a great job illustrating why I'd rather have a Tucker.

Hey, but the kids love the TM and do PRETEND they are going to cabin.
Don found me sprockets, however, the owner of the sprockets is busy at the moment to pull of their parts vehicle. With the exception of the variator the Track Master is essentionally a VW beetle on an aluminum cab on a steel frame. Very easy to work on. However, if the Variator goes, I probably am in trouble locating a new one. Weight is another bonus of the TM. I believe it weighs around 3500lbs and pretty easy to tow on a trailer.

If I was purchasing again... Tucker. Overkill for what I would use it for, but boy they are some serious eye candy. Looking forward to next year driving up the backside of Powder Mountain sky resort and have someone ask me how I got there and point north and say..."that way"

 

[JimVT]

$10,000 for what your asking may not happen.
Maybe a set of tracks on a pickup or side x side

 

[Melensdad]

$10,000 for what your asking may not happen.
Maybe a set of tracks on a pickup or side x side

Good point and good suggestion.

I'll use the Activ variator as an example. Bob said: "The "variator" is an exclusive part, its hard to break in normal use and if broken would be difficult to replace."

True enough but breaking a variator would be like breaking a transmission housing on a car. It can happen. But how often and how likely? There is a reason that most of the Aktiv Snow Tracs and Aktiv Trac Masters ever produced are still in use, they are dead simple to keep running and very reliable. The fact that they are small enough to fit onto a car hauler, and lightweight, are simple bonuses.

I'm not specifically advocating that brand, just pointing out that they, along with many others, are very reliable and very easy to keep running. Heck, if I can keep a Snow Trac in good repair then ANYBODY can do it!

 

[cloudcap]

Regarding reliability, if my permanent residence was a two mile cat ride from the plowed road I'd be purchasing *two* machines. Even if I can get the parts at the local 7-11 it is going to be a long day toting that new battery (or rebuilt transmission) over the snow to the broken down cat. Maybe a cat of some type for hauling groceries and visiting friends and a snow mobile with a sled as the backup.

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

good point cloudcap one of the reasons I purchased Brutis .how ever when Brutis broke on the beach yesterday it was the little red snow trac that could, that came to the rescue with tools and parts to fix 5 sheared studs . I have made runs up to 60 miles out of town in a day which translates to 120 to 130 miles in a day also a long ass day.my machines take a beating when a weak link is found I usually try to find a way to fix it. a lot of stuff on these older machines are simple to fix that is why I run them I also spend a lot of hours doing maintenance and testing in order to tailor my machines to the environment I work in.10 k usually gets you in to a good project do expect you will have to do some work to it. on the plus side you are only running 2 miles at a time so your trips are a lot shorter than the all day trips I make.

 

[humpmaster]

I have to agree as well, some of the older models are hard to find parts for and on the other hand where built so as you could get parts at local auto stores etc.. I have to correct the man who stated tucker has been in business for 50 years that's true but try more like 70 years and you wont find them listed anywhere in equipment catalogs, listing of filter etc.. and that is really weird all these years, American built but not shown or listed in auto parts catalogs and or heavy equipment books, just in the last few years have they started to list any of the new tuckers, I have a 1985 1742 v6 Cummins Diesel, two man cab and 8 way blade and this thing is a brute! but I have had my share of break downs just the same (depending on how and what you use it for? do you have snowmobiles as well? a must for a cabin in the woods and with such a short trip would it not be cheaper to invest in a newer sled with a trailer? of course then you have to haul them to the site and you stated your car, so you dont drive a pickup up there in the winter,? where is this located? do you have any drifting on the road? are you going to need a blade for heavy drifts etc... well here is a guy at Tucker I would like you to call, Dan Dressler one of the most helpful honest sales persons you could meet, tell him Terry Van Scotter (alias) humpmaster sent you, he will work with you to find what you need and taylor to you needs and your budget, he is very competent and has worked with tuckers for years, I bought my machine from him before he worked for tucker, super nice guy and cant say enough good about him! American made that's my motto! I like riding snowmobiles as well and it is refreshing and fun and a good work out and also I am thinking of retail value and the fact if your place dont work out or you move again would be easier to sell than a snow groomer! but I have no idea what your thought are on that, If I can be of any other advice assistance let me know, I have many lines on tucker repair and quality shops around that sale and service these machines, give Dan A call and see what he has to say, or email him, you can find him on the sno-cat tucker site! good luck! and be safe!

ok folks getting ready to move full time to a mountain state with a lot of snow. In the winter we will need some type of snowcat to get in and out of our place. We will have to traverse about two miles of unplowed, snow covered road. The road has about a 6% grade for about 1 mile of it. So what make and type of older machine should i be looking for. Got about a $10,000.00 budget, would like to spend a lot lower but don't want to get stuck with a lot of problems. The simpler the machine is to work on the better. looking at about 2-3 foot of snow on top of a dirt road for 3-4 months continuously, but the machine needs to be able to get through any amount of fresh and frozen snow. need something with room for more than 2 folks. have to haul in the grocieries and our two large dogs plus a few family or friends once in awhile. We will leave one of our cars at the end of the road at the point the county quits plowing and use the cat to get to the car and then back to our house once we have done what we want to do in town. have already lived in a snow state most of my life, just not where we have had to use a snowcat to get and out.

What would you folks recommend??