Atv/ Utv trail grooming equipment

goofy600

Well-known member
With all the Atv/ Utv clubs and trails now days would anyone here know what some clubs are using to groom/ grade their trails during the summer? My area usually has the professionally graded every year but by end of season they are really torn up which makes getting them ready for winter an issue. Would like to find something that I could use right about this time of year to take the whoops out before it starts snowing. Something that could be hooked up to our tractor like a groomer. Thoughts, pictures, websites, any help appreciated. Thanks
 

SledTL

Active member
I see a lot of posts on facebook from some group in northern lower michigan called Kalaska sand and snow. They appear to have a dirt groomer drag and it looks like it smooths things out really well. I would imagine since dirt doesnt set up like snow overnight this is nearly a fruitless endeavor, but whatever floats their boat.....
 

mezz

Well-known member
I wish they had some spring/summer maintenance here in the Keweenaw particularly with the restoration of trail 3 from Dollar Bay to Lake Linden, some of the trail was shifted to adjacent rail grades and the base was not properly prepped with sand & gravel between Tamarack & Lake Linden & as such is now a potholed mess.
I realize this restoration project was a huge undertaking, but, the rerouted areas should have a better base than what is there. Naturally, this will not be a huge issue once packed with snow for the sledding season, but, we all know what areas start to turn to crap first with heavy traffic or thawing. Who is responsible for this when it is a shared trail with the ATV/UTV & Snowmobile Clubs? They should try to collectively get the rough areas graded to benefit the shared use by each.
 

goofy600

Well-known member
I wish they had some spring/summer maintenance here in the Keweenaw particularly with the restoration of trail 3 from Dollar Bay to Lake Linden, some of the trail was shifted to adjacent rail grades and the base was not properly prepped with sand & gravel between Tamarack & Lake Linden & as such is now a potholed mess.
I realize this restoration project was a huge undertaking, but, the rerouted areas should have a better base than what is there. Naturally, this will not be a huge issue once packed with snow for the sledding season, but, we all know what areas start to turn to crap first with heavy traffic or thawing. Who is responsible for this when it is a shared trail with the ATV/UTV & Snowmobile Clubs? They should try to collectively get the rough areas graded to benefit the shared use by each.
Agreed completely. Problem I see is western UP has one atv club that covers multiple snowmobile clubs area. So unfortunately there isn’t a lot of working together. I’m still learning everything about what can be done and how to get it done, but really wish atv and snowmobile clubs could work together better. Atv club paid big money to have everything graded in early summer but now they are trashed and need grading before winter.
 

heckler56

Active member
I see a lot of posts on facebook from some group in northern lower michigan called Kalaska sand and snow. They appear to have a dirt groomer drag and it looks like it smooths things out really well. I would imagine since dirt doesnt set up like snow overnight this is nearly a fruitless endeavor, but whatever floats their boat.....
Kalkaska just smoothed the trails this last week, prior to hunting season start. So they should be untouched by season opening.

This last fall I took my dirt bike up to the Manistque/Munising areas. I haven’t been on those trails in the summer since the 70’s. I Completely understand why Alger Sorva has some issues. Pure deep sand from Shingleton to Buckhorn! On the bike I might get 1/4 mile then whipped around by the sand. It took me 5 hours from Manistque to Buckhorn.. took forest roads back in 2 hours….
 
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