Over-Snow Vehicles

But, for the real beginnings of a true over-snow work capability you have to go to Grass Valley, California, where E.M. Tucker and his sons developed the original Sno-Cat. By 1946, Tucker was offering six models from the new plant in Medford. They began with his Sport Roadster at $3025 and topped out with the soon-to-be famous “Freighter” double drive (no front skis) which was used in connection with the International Geographical Year at the South Pole.

During the next twenty years, numerous changes were made by Tucker. Also, during this time, Thiokol (Thiokol’s “Sprite” in 1964), Nodwell, Bombardier, and others had joined the race. It wasn’t until the late sixties, however, that trail grooming vehicles underwent major additions and changes. Thiokol introduced the award winning “Packmaster” which began a trend in design and operator comfort in which there has been no let up. Also, Tucker was offering their first rubber tracked vehicle while slowly phasing out the steel-on-steel pontoons which were so expensive to maintain on Eastern boiler plate. Coincidentally, Valley Engineering plugged a big hole in the attachment arena by offering their highly successful Powder-Maker.

Vehicles were now fancier, faster, and more powerful but were not being designed for the increased hours of use and heavy amounts of blade work being done by many areas. Thus, hydrostatics entered the picture in the form of Pisten-Bully, and another era emerged, not just in design but in gargantuan price tags. Forty thousand dollars for one piece of rolling stock seemed incomprehensible. Still, area operators soon learned that it was worth the bucks to be able to groom uphill as well as down. Then Thiokol brought forth their Hydromaster TM that sported a constant speed diesel. In the meantime, Bombardier had joined the “bigness” race and produced their humongous ‘302’. Not to be outdone, Tucker went mid-engine, dropped their dauntless slant-six, and graduated to the super cat class with big V-8 gassers. They also introduced a Detroit diesel powered 9700 pound work horse, the 2740.

This season showed improvements in the two newest entrants in the field; the Miller Kool Cat Hydrostat and White’s Trail Boss which sports a control console right out of “Star Wars.” Being editors of an up-beat publication, we at SAM decided the time has come for a summary of what’s currently available to the (hopefully, not-too-confused) area operator.

Engines

The most logical method of comparing engine size would seem to be cubic inch displacement and corresponding horsepower. This is OK for regular gasoline engines providing the horsepower is all measured by the same method. We (hopefully) show SAE horsepower at the flywheel. However, when an engine (diesel) is turbo-charged or “blown,” it no longer “naturally aspirates” or breathes and the number of “cubes” is no longer a valid comparison of power output. For that reason we have also listed the engine torque, which is a direct measure of the usable power, regardless of displacement.

Base Price

“Price isn’t everything.” Just as the base price of a car doesn’t always include white sidewalls, neither do those shown include all accessories available, and there are a bunch of them. Generally, the figures are for a basic vehicle which may include hydraulics for attachments but none include the attachments. When preparing your shopping list, be sure to keep a sharp pencil handy. You may find that air conditioning, heated mirrors or FM radio are thrown into the base price. Other more important items such as track adjusters, tilt cab and various engine combinations should be discussed with your dealer.

Dry Weight

This should be the vehicle weight in pounds without fuel, passengers, driver or attachments.

Dimensions

Without accessories unless indicated otherwise.

Ground Pressure

The method of measurement varies somewhat between manufacturers but is a good indication of what the empty and loaded pressure would be at the belts with O penetration. Tuckers are shown first at “O” then at 7” penetration.

Clearance

The minimum under-carriage ground clearance on a level surface.

Fuel Consumption

Most of these figures are the text book type. Your best bet is “ask a man who owns one.”

Cab Noise

Noise level measurement is becoming an ever increasing concern of all types of people and agencies. There are established limits for noise intensity based upon the number of hours of continuous exposure one may experience. We will have more to say on that topic in a future issue. Those shown do meet OSHA standards.

Fuel Capacity

The gallons of fuel that can be carried in the tank supplied. In most cases, extra capacity is available at additional cost. Look for at least 8 hours operating time on one filling.

Turning Radius

This is another item of general non-concurrance but should be the distance in feet from the center of a circle circumscribed by the outer edge of the outside track. Ideally then, twice the radius would be the least width trail of parking area a bare vehicle could be turned around in.

Tires

All tires are 6-ply unless otherwise shown.

Hydraulic Capacity

This is pump capacity in gpm on the hydrostatic drive machines.

OTHER FEATURES

Thiokol has upsized their old 1404 IMP to the new 1450. By stretching the overall length by 15 inches and increasing ground clearance by 2½ inches, the larger cargo deck can carry an additional 1000 pounds. Engine horsepower was dueced to 104 via six cylinders.

With Tucker’s introduction of the ME (mid engine) series 3 seasons ago, they now show 32 different models. The ME series is taking over in popularity within Tucker and comes with 360 cubes and an Allison 4-speed automatic as standard equipment. Generally, the ME’s will cost you 10% more at the checkout counter and add another 1000 pounds at the scales. Bombardier has added a fourth model with its entry into the hydrostat race. Essentially the same as their ‘302’ the hydro features electric 2-speed shift, insulated front windshield and of course, diesel power. Millers’ Kool Kat hydrostat has made several changes in axle bushings and bearings plus increased leg room in the cab. Their ‘soft’ steering controls, heated mirrors and cab-controlled track adjusters are worth checking out.

Europe’s Pisten-Bully is the lightest machine in the class which is easily handled by their Mercedes 6 diesel and 2-speed hydrostat. The electronic steering, controlled through an adjustable height steering wheel, adds to numerous creature comforts in their deluxe cab. The White year ’round Trail Boss is an excellent application of an already proven mid-west farm tractor. The current model 150, four wheel drive, is about to be upstaged by its cousin the ‘210’. This higher horsepower snow tractor will feature 4-wheel lockup to provide even greater traction and climbing ability.

Prinoth intends to offer various models of European origin for the next season. We’ve listed what is currently available in their home territory for comparison.

	NO. CYL	HP	DRY WT. #	BASE PRICE1	L IN.	W IN.	H IN.	PAYLOAD #	TRK WIDTH	GROUND PRESS	CLEARANCE	ENGINE CID	TORQUE	TRANSMIS.	FUEL CAP GAL	FUEL CONSUM GPH	STEERING	CAB NOISE DBA	TURN RAD.	TIRES	TOP SPD MPH	HYDR. CAP. GPM	PRESS. PSI
COMPACT
BOMBI	4	57	2375	12,000	8’6	5’10	6’3	1000	23”	.87/1.23	12’2	1600 CC(98) F	81	4 SPD MAN	11’2	N/A	DIFF.	NA	4’	4.6×108	20.5
PRINOTH P4 P 15	4	42	1320	–	9’10	6’8	6’0	660	–	–	–	850 CC (52)	–	4 SPD MAN	–	–	DIFF.	–	–	–	–
INTERMEDIATE	8(2×4)	60	2310	–	8’2	11’7	4’9	–	–	–	–	1300 CC (79)	–	2 SPD AUTO	13.2	.50	DIFF.	–	–	–	17
IMP 1450 P15	6	104	3050	19-21,000	11’4	7’0	6’3	2400	31’2	.56/.86	9	200 F		3 SPD AUTO	24	N/A	DIFF.	N/A	10’	4.80×810	24
SNO CAR 1342	8	135	5760	22-25,000	15’1	8’0	7’5	1900	28×68	1.05/.77	12	318 C		5 SPD MAN (3-AUTO)*	44	2.5-3	AUTOMOT	N/A	18’6	SOLID
STANDARD
SNO CAT 1542	8	135	5970	26-29,000	15’5	8’0	7’5	1900	28×76	.95x.72	15	318 C		5 SPD MAN ••	44	2.5-3	AUTOMOT	N/A	18’6	SOLID
SPRYTE 1200C	6	132	6550	29-33,000	12’10	9’10	7’0	3000	45’2	.74×1.0	11	300 F	238 @ 1800	3 SPD AUTO	42	2-5	DIFF.	N/A	15	4.50×1210	6.9
SNO CAT 1642	8	135	6270	29-32,000	17’7	8’0	7’5	1900	28×92	.75/.63	15	318 C †		5 SPD MAN ••	44	2.5-3	AUTOMOT	N/A	18’6	SOLID
SKI DOZER SV252	6	132	7260	31 →	13’1	9’8	7’7	2000	41	1.19/1.56	14’2	300 F	238 @ 800	3 SPD AUTO ••	23	3-4	DIFF.	N/A	12’	5.30×1210	21.5
PACKHASTER 2100	6	132	6130	30-34,000	14’10	12’3	6’72	3000	57	.57x.69	11	300 F ††	238 @ 1800	4 SPD MAN ••	45	2-5	DIFF.	N/A	15
SNO CAT 1742	8	135	6670	35-42,000	18’2	8’0	7’8	2300	28×92	.82/.66	14’2	440 C †		5 SPD MAN ••	34	3	AUTOMOT	N/A	20’6	SOLID
PRINOTH JR TURBO	4	100	5060	–	12’6	12’6	7’5	1550	60	–	–	–	–	1 SPD	22	2.1	HYDROST	–	–	–	16
SUPER				37 →
SKI DOZER SV302	8	245	9100	37 →	13’1	11’8	7’7	3000	53	.93/-	11’2	460 F	366 @ 2600	3 SPD AUTO ••	49	5-6	DIFF.	N/A	12’	4.50×1210	16
SNO CAT 27	8	240	8700	40-44	18’2	11’1	7’9	2300	46×92	–	14’2	440 C †		5 SPD MAN ††	44	–	AUTOMOT	N/A	28’6	SOLID
HYDROSTATIC SUPER
KOOL CAT	D	225T	11,600	47 →	13’8	12’11	7’11	NA	60	.67	13	466A JD	589 @ 1400	1 SPD	55	4-7	HYDRO	86		4.50×1210 8 PLY	12+	65	3-4000
WHITE TRAIL BOSS	8D	175	14,500	48,000	19’10	12’6	9’6	6-10,000	43	5 ±	19	636 CAT		3×6 POWER SHIFT	94	4-5	AUTOMOT ARTICUL.	85	15’2	43.0×67	19.2	20	2200
HYDROMASTER 3700		200	10,000+	52 →	14’11	12’5	8’42	3000	57	.86	16	426 AC	488 @ 1700	2 SPD SUNSTRAND	45		HYDRO	N/A	–	4.50×12 8 PLY	11
PISTEN BULLY 39.1700	6	186	9260	55-60	13’9	12’9	8’9	3300	61	.51	13	346 MB		2 SPD + REVERSE	74	2-3	HYRDO	N/A		6.00×1310	13.7	45
BOMBARDIER	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	13’1	11’8	7’7	3000	53	N/A	11’2	N/A	N/A	2 SPD	49	N/A	HYDRO	N/A		4.50×1210 8 PLY	N/A	N/A	N/A
PRINOTH BIG TURBO	6D	160	7040	–	15’5	13’2	7’5	2200	67	–	–	6120 CC (375)	–	–	22	3.2	HYDRO	–	–	–	16