Pisten Bully 400 service and operations

[ArlyA]

The tracks on the 2nd PB-400 were dropped today so as to service the hubs and replace one torsion spring and its idler arm.. In the 1st photo you can see its up on blocks and the tracks are lose. The operator has used this machine for two years and this was the 1st suspension grief he'd had. As stated earlier, this machine has over 8000 hours on it. First thing was to replace the gear oil in the planetary drives. These are two speed type drives.

I'm kind of surprise in the interest of these machines here. The PB-400 are considered "mid" in size built by Kässbohrer.

 

[Amvcane]

Any pics of what the machine is dragging behind it with all those hydro lines?

 

[ArlyA]

Here is two. If I miss a question someone asks, just PM me to remind me..

Any pics of what the machine is dragging behind it with all those hydro lines?

 

[Thunder chicken]

Thanks for sharing your experiences Arly. You’ll be having sone fun this winter once the snow comes! Our club just ‘lost’ our Trail Bulley (not sure of the model number, looks similar to yours). We also had a BR180. I actually liked the BR better, some of our tight trails were hard to steer through with the PB. There were a few tricks using the drag to help it steer. This winter we have a Prinoth which is just a BR180 in a new paint job I guess. We’ve also had several drags, Mogul Master and Sur-Track. The surtrack does an awesome job but required a lot more operator attention. It’s hard to believe the science in grooming snow! Most snowmobilers Do not know the hours that go into maintenance, trails and grooming time to make a decent trail. Our area is 99% volunteer. Thank you for your time in helping to make the trails!!

 

[TCowner]

Rough snowmobile trails make a 150 mile ride a bit of a challenge even with today's high tech snowmobile suspensions. A smooth trail makes 150 miles doable by lunch time. My hat is always off to these angels of mercy who keep our trails in tiptop condition. Many, if not most, snowmobilers today don't appreciate what it takes to get landowner permission, permits signed, bridges installed, along with pounding in countless trail marker, caution, stop ahead and stop signs so that we have a trail system. And as ArlyA has demonstrated, the countless hours involved with keeping the grooming equipment in top shape so the trails can be in such nice shape. We used to rely entirely on volunteer groomer operators but have since moved to paying a modest wage to those who are willing to give up their nights (best time to groom) and weekends to keep the trails nice. We also wanted to have a bit more control on who was operating a piece of grooming equipment that can cost well over a hundred grand.

So again to ArlyA and your colleagues, thank you for keeping the trail system in such nice working order. My back, knees, hips and shoulders at the end of the day are the true beneficiaries of your work.

 

[LouNY]

I'm amazed at the huge output of money and time spent to establish and maintain the snowmobile trails of today.
Started using one in 64, a single cylinder 250 cc Arctic Cat Panther (we all most got the Briggs and Stration engine).
There was no trail network we actually used it for work then it got used for fun, then the farmers started riding to other farms,
and even to town. The sleds got faster and improved mechanically and especially in reliability.
Then I moved to Idaho and got to ride in deep powder, went thru a Pantera and an El Tigre 5000 liquid, amazing riding back (mid-late 70's) then in the high country.
Then no riding for a long time and then back to the northeast and a few more Arctic Cats amazing the suspension and ride quality,
but just putter around once in awhile now no serious riding.

But it still amazes me the amount of money being spent for other people to ride these groomed trails.

 

[ArlyA]

I've got many, many years of experience grooming ski trails but this snowmobile stuff is rather new to me. A few things I've learned follows. These Bully's (we have five at 250K each) are owned and purchased by the state of MI via trail pass sales. We groom over 35,000 miles per year and operators are paid via the club. We have 230 miles of trails and the most miles in state of Michigan. The snow is compacted so much that broken machines out on the trail can sometimes be rescued by truck. Not towed, but repaired, they can only be towed by another Bully. We do receive snow here and some trail locations average well over 300" per year and this is not western, "no moisture" snow.

Hope that helps. :laughing:

 

[eagle628]

whatever you do do not break the front glass, it is expensive and if you look closely has hundreds of tiny defroster lines in it. we had an operator put a functioning snow cannon through one once. what a surprise.

At the end of the season where I was last year there was a Prinoth with a cracked windshield; the rumor I heard was $7k to replace it.

The farm I work at bought a new tractor this summer with a heated windshield, so that number definitely sticks in my mind whenever I'm running it.

 

[ArlyA]

All the glass in these Bully's is heated and I'd guess its the same in Prinoth made machines as well. Operators within our organization have broken windshields and side glass.

At the end of the season where I was last year there was a Prinoth with a cracked windshield; the rumor I heard was $7k to replace it.
The farm I work at bought a new tractor this summer with a heated windshield, so that number definitely sticks in my mind whenever I'm running it.

 

[ArlyA]

Tracks went back on one machine while the other is having its hubs rebuilt and planetary hub regreased.
All that while a nice snow fell outside.