Trail permit dollars at work.

[groomerdave]

Just took delivery of a new Arrowhead drag for our groomer today. Our old 2001 drag has over 55,000 miles on it, rebuilt a few times, and about ready for another. It is nice to be able to upgrade.











Think Snow! -Dave

 

[jr37]

Nice set-up you have there. I am curious as to how well that big John Deere works for grooming. Many years ago they had a similar set-up with a Cat Challenger in the Bergland area. When we talked to the groomer that time he said that it was to easy to get stuck, and that they were not real happy with it. It sure is a sharp looking unit you have.

 

[Polarice]

Hopefully you can use it soon!

 

[groomerdave]

The John Deere works well for the terrain we have (rr grades / Forest Service Roads). We have over 2700 on that tractor, and had a Cat Challenger before it. Does get stuck if your not careful on what you are doing, but would take the Deere over the Cat anyday. I would look at a Soucy track setup in the future, but really want to put a few thousand more hours on this one first.
Think Snow! -Dave

Polarice - Got that right!

 

[catalac]

She looks pretty! Need a couple more good feet, so you can work her real hard!
Think snow!

 

[indiana]

I am fascinated by groomers. If I lived in big snow country I would totally volunteer. What I want to know is what makes one club decide to go with the tractor type groomers and another go with the sno-cats? Is that antenna for a two way radio?

 

[groomerdave]

I am fascinated by groomers. If I lived in big snow country I would totally volunteer. What I want to know is what makes one club decide to go with the tractor type groomers and another go with the sno-cats? Is that antenna for a two way radio?

Anytime your in the Marquette MI area email me and I'll take you out for a ride. Type of trail is the main reasoning behind what type of machine you want. Tuckers are much lighter than tractors, and do well with swampy areas. The newest option out there is Soucy 4 track system on a smaller tractor. This I personally think is the way to go. Lighter than this hog of a tractor, better built than a tucker. The tuckers we have had in the past had around a 5000 hour life span before big financial repairs were needed. I am hoping that this Deere will be closer to 10,000 hours before that point.
There is a 2way radio in there, a stereo, and of course a satellite radio (must have!!). We are lucky to have about 95% cell coverage on our trail system, so there isn't a cell booster in there.
Think Snow! -Dave

 

[jr37]

I am fascinated by groomers. If I lived in big snow country I would totally volunteer. What I want to know is what makes one club decide to go with the tractor type groomers and another go with the sno-cats? Is that antenna for a two way radio?

Our club runs a Tucker and a fat tire tractor. The Tucker is a do-it-all type machine, good for crossing swamps, and rivers(we have 3 river crossings). But it is very high maintenance. The tractor we have has big,wide tires and chains on all four of them. It will go through alot of snow with all 4 chains, but it is a little to heavy for the swamps and rivers for the first few times out grooming (until they freeze up good). The tractor is low maintenance. Our club uses the tractor more then the Tucker, because the tractor has a better view of the drag, where as the Tucker kicks up alot of snow dust and makes it more difficult to see what you are doing. And by using the tractor more, we should keep maintenance costs down.

 

[indiana]

Thanks groomerdave! And thanks for the explanation. Had to youtube the Soucy 4, are you gonna go with that for the next machine? Looks like the best of both worlds. How much longer do you anticipate keeping the Deere? Does the two way get used much with cell reception being so good? sorry for the 20 questions!

 

[indiana]

JR37, What kind of issues do you run into with the Tuckers maintenance wise? I have always wondered how they hold up compared to tractors. What tractor does your club have if you don't mind me asking? Thanks!

 

[groomerdave]

Thanks groomerdave! And thanks for the explanation. Had to youtube the Soucy 4, are you gonna go with that for the next machine? Looks like the best of both worlds. How much longer do you anticipate keeping the Deere? Does the two way get used much with cell reception being so good? sorry for the 20 questions!

Probably, still a long way out on the next machine. I kinda want to see how long the old Deere will last. 2ways don't get used much, Not always somebody on the other end, as where my cell phone can ring at 2 am any night were out grooming... Just part of the gig.
Think Snow! -Dave

 

[groomerdave]

When we used to run them had many track issues, drivetrain, and a few suspension problems. Cummins motors in them are dependable. Will never have one again. Just my $.02, other people have had better luck. Gotta remember we are out in some of the worst of working conditions, expectations are very high on what equipment should be able to do.
Think Snow! -Dave

 

[groomerdave]

Here's a look at the Soucy set up. Few years old, there is a better model setup now, way more fuel efficient than what we have.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFR9DlIEaxA
Think Snow -Dave

 

[jr37]

JR37, What kind of issues do you run into with the Tuckers maintenance wise? I have always wondered how they hold up compared to tractors. What tractor does your club have if you don't mind me asking? Thanks!

Because of it being a steel track, there are a broken cleat once in a while, need to grease many wheel bearings and check and repack them every year. For our Tucker, we have totally rebuilt the tracks (new belts, rebuilt cleats, all bearings checked or replaced), the rear end has been rebuilt, and others that just don't come to mind right now.

We are a few years away from replacing it yet, but hope to demo a unit with the Soucy tracks this year. I don't foresee replacing the tractor at all. We have a Case/IH 5130, big tires all around, chains front and back, front winch, brush guard, etc. The chains on them big tires on the rear give it an incredible amount of traction.