the snowmobile thread

[Bob_Skurka]

Hi Bob,

Are you sure about that 90 degree grade in reverse? That is straight up.

Well I just took that right off an original sales brochure.

But I have seen a photo of one climbing a slope on the side of a mountain that I would have been afraid to ski down.

I've never tried to climb backwards, but I have some steet spots along a river bank that I've had absolutely no problem climbing by driving straight up the banks.

 

[scott_vt]

Hi Bob,

Are you sure about that 90 degree grade in reverse? That is straight up.

Hey Bob,
I wondered about that too ! They probablly meant 88 or 89 degs, right ?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

It says "90 degree grade" on the brochure. I don't know how to interpret that other than to simply repeat it. Is it possible that grade and angle are two different things and that a 90 degree grade is not the same as a 90 degree angle?

 

[JimR]

I think it may climb a 90 degree wall and rest on its nose. But I doubt very much that it can go up it. It is just not possible. The law of physics wouldn't allow it.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

OK I went to Wikipedia and looked up slope. It says a 45 degree slope is 100%. So now I am more confused. But as I said, I just posted the claimed numbers. I still suspect that there is a difference between grade, slope, angle, etc in the terms being applied.

All that said, the Snow Trac is a blast to drive, no matter what it is capable of climbing in reverse?

 

[Jstpssng]

OK I went to Wikipedia and looked up slope. It says a 45 degree slope is 100%. So now I am more confused. But as I said, I just posted the claimed numbers. I still suspect that there is a difference between grade, slope, angle, etc in the terms being applied.

All that said, the Snow Trac is a blast to drive, no matter what it is capable of climbing in reverse?

A 100% slope is 1 foot vertical, 1 foot horizontal; or 45 degrees.

If it was a roof it would be called a 12/12 pitch; 12 over 12 is 1.0, or 100%.

66.6667 degrees is 2 feet up, 1 foot over; 2/1 = 2.0 or 200% slope

 

[JimR]

OK I went to Wikipedia and looked up slope. It says a 45 degree slope is 100%. So now I am more confused. But as I said, I just posted the claimed numbers. I still suspect that there is a difference between grade, slope, angle, etc in the terms being applied.

All that said, the Snow Trac is a blast to drive, no matter what it is capable of climbing in reverse?

Ok, so your machine can climb a 40.5 degree in reverse and a 31.5 degree slope going forward. That is still pretty awesome. I'm sure there must be a safety factor in there also. I would think somewhere between 10-20%. If you added in the 20% it would be another 9 degrees on both. Now that is some serious climbing. That would be almost 50 degrees in reverse and 40.5 in forward.

 

[DK35vince]

Finally getting some snow here also..
I forget just how fast these sleds are since its been a while since I've ridin it..

 

[JimR]

Finally getting some snow here also..
I forget just how fast these sleds are since its been a while since I've ridin it..

I think we are getting that storm on thursday. How much snow did you get?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Vince that blue one on the right looks like it is faster than the orange one on the left! Both look like a lot of fun in the snow

I'm heading outside in a little while to go for night drive in the farm fields.

 

[scott_vt]

Ok, so your machine can climb a 40.5 degree in reverse and a 31.5 degree slope going forward. That is still pretty awesome. I'm sure there must be a safety factor in there also. I would think somewhere between 10-20%. If you added in the 20% it would be another 9 degrees on both. Now that is some serious climbing. That would be almost 50 degrees in reverse and 40.5 in forward.

Good Evening Bob,
Now that someone explained all that for me, I am still duly impressed with those climbing abilities !!! Thats still awesome in my book, and I have a vision of that vehicle climbing a snow swept slope, of course Im driving

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Good Evening Bob,
Now that someone explained all that for me, I am still duly impressed with those climbing abilities !!! Thats still awesome in my book, and I have a vision of that vehicle climbing a snow swept slope, of course Im driving

I've just installed something that I now find out is worthless! I installed a lighted Clinometer on the dash of my Snow Trac next to my GPS system. It measures the slope I am crossing and the slope I am climbing. This particular Clinometer is from a Jeep and it only goes to 30 degrees each way. Apparently I need to find one that goes to at least 41 degrees fore/aft.

 

[JimR]

Make a weighted one using a degree wheel. As it swivels you will see what the incline is.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Jim, that would be hard to see in the dark while driving. I did max out my Clinometer tonight on a short 5 or 6 mile drive around the area. I tried to take a photo of it but couldn't manage to drive down the slope and take the photo at the same time. The Snow Trac easily climbs a slope that I have gotten my tractors stuck on

Here are a couple photos from tonights ride.

 

[1948berg]

Video: BV 202 swimming
http://folk.uio.no/kristaga/bilder/bv202-bading.avi

http://folk.uio.no/kristaga/bilder/bv202-bading2.avi

 

[escavader]

Heres some pics from a ride i took today in WESTERN ME.Started in EUSTIS,went to a place called GRAND FALLS,rode on to THE forks and JACKMAN AREA.On the return trip I detored to climb a mt well off the beaten path.It is called FLAGSTAFF MT .It has an old abandoned fire tower at the top.After a steep climb i reached the top,peeled off my heavy clothes.shimmeed up the tower to snap some photos of the lake and the BIGELOW mt range.I remember the tower to be easyer to climb 10 years ago and with 25 pounds less muscle I got a bunch of scenic pics here ,so enjoy!!!
ALAN

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evening Alan,
Wow those shots are beautiful !!! Thanks for burning all those calories to take those shots for use !

 

[JimR]

Great shots of the Great White North. Enjoy it now while you can. Spring is coming this week.

 

[WayneB]

Nice pictures Alan. We were out yesterday too and it is getting closer to the last days around here. Had a bit of rain last night but today they are talking in the high 40's so the snow won't last too many more days for us.

wayne

 

[escavader]

Nice pictures Alan. We were out yesterday too and it is getting closer to the last days around here. Had a bit of rain last night but today they are talking in the high 40's so the snow won't last too many more days for us.

wayne

HI
I went again todayWITH THE KIDS.,and yes the sun is working on some spots.With a warm week predicted ,i dont think there will be any more long distance rides unless we get snow.I do believe I will get to ride into APRIL ,because there is alot of snow pack.The traffic from all the sleds and the groomer take it away from the trails quick.Last weekend My friends and i were riding in the backcountry and there was at least 5 ft of snow,I think we have alot more play time,just you have to truck em a little more and cant go long distances.Iam not saddened by spring ,iam a diehard atver too,a couple weeks off for properly storeing my sled,and spring prep on the 4 wheelers.Maine has 5 seasons,one of them being mud season.THANK GOD,OR NOTHING WOULD GET DONE
ALAN