DIY Snowcat build

[chim]

Very impressed with that!

 

[trackhead]

Finished hydraulic six way blade. Tilt function to improve Nordic skiing surfaces to flat.
Six way snowcat blade.

 

[trackhead]

First snow at home, careful test of blade on our lawn.

 

[TractorTYMe]

YOU, Sir ARE a professional fabricator. You certainly impressed me.....NICE JOB.

 

[Snobdds]

Nice job. That is a lot of work.

But it proves, break something down to it's parts and solve for each thing. The combine it all back together.

I need to buy a snow cat one of these days.

 

[trackhead]

YOU, Sir ARE a professional fabricator. You certainly impressed me.....NICE JOB.

I’m a hack who wishes he had better tools. But thx

 

[Richard001]

What? no defroster for the windshield?

Richard

 

[trackhead]

What? no defroster for the windshield?

Richard

Radiator now diverted to cab for heat. Has a diesel heater, too. But this was start and go before snow melted

 

[trackhead]

Slow to non-existent winter, but recently had success grooming for Nordic skiing. Built a six way hydraulic blade and groomer this fall.

 

[nyone]

Did you just weld essentially a cover over an axle carrier with spider gears in it to make the dif for this? Could it really be that easy? Is it filled with oil or grease or anything?

 

[trackhead]

Did you just weld essentially a cover over an axle carrier with spider gears in it to make the dif for this? Could it really be that easy? Is it filled with oil or grease or anything?

Chevy diff from 1 ton vehicle. Used sprocket as ring gear. Made a cover for the spider gears out of steel. Filled with grease. Done.

Google "chain drive differential" for other examples.

Works reasonably well but not as good as purpose built planetary diff from a real snowcat like Thiokol, etc. When you brake one side, the other side spins at double speed which makes for lower torque transfer and kinda jerky steering. But for a "budget" snowcat build it works well enough.

 

[Rustyiron]

Great video
Great build, and just all around impressive!

 

[airbiscuit]

I love the sound of that Yamaha engine. It sounds like a gas version of a Detroit diesel!

 

[trackhead]

I love the sound of that Yamaha engine. It sounds like a gas version of a Detroit diesel!

It’s certainly odd to have an engine revving at 6-7k and only moving 6-10mph….