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| G2 and Grizzly; testing G2 with 700 Grizzly | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 25 2009, 06:39 PM (684 Views) | |
| Steve.M | Jan 25 2009, 06:39 PM Post #1 |
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Today I installed the (newest version) gooseneck hitch on our '08 G2. Since the Grizzly has a receiver hitch and our skandic SWT is set up for a gooseneck, we decided to install it. Yesterday I had great luck pulling the Ginzu behind the Grizzly thru deep snow, so I really wanted to test this set up. I'll have to reverse the 4" drop hitch because the G2s frame is too low, even when using the top most pin hole in the gooseneck (I'll have to take some pics). As set up now, the G2s frame is just slightly low on front, and it should be higher to be sure the teeth cut properly. In any event, I took off as installed and tried pulling thru another ungroomed trail-this had probably 12"-15" of unpacked snow on it. I set the tracksetter down full pressure and cutting teeth up. The G2 has snow scoop blades and those kicked in a lot of snow to the center. As I groomed, the lowest part of the gooseneck and frame were actually plowing thru the deep snow. Suprised, I just kept going and the Grizzly kept truckin thru without a problem. It was something to see this un-groomed trail groomed to a perfect classic trail in one pass. I guess I'm just amazed what this thing will pull thru without getting stuck. Did some other grooming on another trail pulling just a Tidd tech TT with teeth down and that was no problem. As we continue to use the Grizzly and Ginzu and/or G2, I'll try to continue these reports and impressions. We will have a 2004 Ski-Doo Skandic SWT for sale soon (the forestry dept tells me) . WIll add it to the "for-sale" section here on Grooming Talk. |
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| air19 | Jan 25 2009, 08:32 PM Post #2 |
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Great reports. Keep them coming. You are in a truly unique position having the best tracked ATV (Grizzly with power steering) and the standard sled (Skandic SWT), and the two best groomers (Ginzu and G2). Please keep it coming. We are all reading your posts every day they pop up. THANKS. What is it like all day long on an ATV vs. a snowmobile? What issues do you have with the two tracks on the ATV that create a wider footprint to cover vs. the center tracked snowmobile? What about the snow spray on the ATV - are you able to do anything to reduce it? What about the gas mileage between the two? What about the speed of grooming you can do on the ATV vs. a snowmobile? |
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| Steve.M | Jan 26 2009, 08:49 AM Post #3 |
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air19-those are great questions and ones I seriously asked (or worried about) before the county bought the Grizzly-again, I thought these would be deal breakers and wanted another Skandic. All day grooming-well, our trail takes 3+ hrs, so it's not all day, but the seated position I love compared to the skandic. My legs and hips always got stiff/sore on the skandic because my knees are higher than my hips. Seriously, grooming on the Alpine II was more comfortable than our skandic as far as position. The Grizzly's position is upright, legs down and you're higher and can see very well, even to the rear at the groomer and how the snow is turning out. Arms are in a good position. Windshield is higher and wider (good hand coverage) so from that respect, there is more protection. Feet and legs are don't get that engine heat like on a snowmobile, but I just dress warmer there. The 2 tracks vs 1 track to cover? I thought that would be a problem, but there is equal to more on-snow surface area on the grizzly and the "hump" of snow between the tracks is in the middle of the groomer, so it flattens and fills in the track marks really well. Yesterday it was a bit more hardpack and I scrubbed out the ski and track marks by having the teeth set down 1/4" Snow spray-yep, still a lot of that in powder conditions. I looked at overfenders, which would help on the sides, but think I'll have to hang longish mudflaps down off the rear rack-still looking at that. Most of the snow spray ends up on the groomer.... in low powder days, it isn't an issue. Gas milage? I'd say right now the Grizzly is worse. a tank (5.3 gal)/3.5hrs. Maybe close actually-the skandic has a 10 gal tank I believe and I probably use 1/2 tank there. Pulling in low range 100% of the time just to be safe too. Now, I haven't run out yet, but it gets down to reserve. It also still has the break-in oil etc in it. I'd expect the milage to get better...it's at 25 hrs right now. The speed may be faster on the grizzly-hard to tell: the speedo usually is at 17-20mph, but that isn't correct with the tracks on...I think the tracks make the speedo around 40% off? It seems I am moving faster, but maybe it is just comfortable to do so. As we all know if the speed comes up to high, you don't get good results or nice looking corduroy. |
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| tolson | Jan 26 2009, 01:04 PM Post #4 |
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Thanks for all the great info Steve! I had all the same reservations you had about using an atv, but it sounds like the tracked atv is really the way to go. Everything you've described, and then you can put the tires back on it and use it in the summer. I realize the tracks are expensive, but it eliminates having separate vehicles for winter and summer. |
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| Steve.M | Jan 26 2009, 09:05 PM Post #5 |
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Thanks Todd- I guess after using the Grizzly for a while now, I am firming up some impressions. I really pushed for the county to buy a Skandic SWT four stroke, or even a skandic SWT fan as my choices before a tracked ATV...period. Of course, I made that opinion not having used a tracked atv. All of my reservations of the atv have proven not an issue and if I were buying a new unit, it would be a Grizzly 700 like we have instead of a snowmobile. No overheating issues and frankly, being able to turn anywhere at our intersections is a real blessing. Quiet, smoke free and comfortable to operate. Starting hasn't been a problem either now that it is broken in a little...and the fuel inj. engine has been strong. Traction pulling loads and thru snow that would have stalled the skandic SWT easily (or the Alpine) have been a breeze to work thru. Two thumbs up. Bottom line is I never would have guessed I would like the Grizzly as much as I do, and like most of you-I've been grooming with everything (except a PB) for 25 yrs and have been stuck, broke down and faced about everything while grooming, so I hope I can make a good opinion here about grooming equipment. As the winter goes on, I'm sure there will be plusses and minuses and will be glad to share.
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| couchsachraga | Jan 26 2009, 09:20 PM Post #6 |
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Thank you again for your continued comments. Though I'm not sure which would be more ideal - a Grizzly, or a Rhino! (particularly with a cab and heat ).Here's a question for you - what do you not like about the Grizzly? What could be better? From reading over your comments, the only issue I see is heat (at least with a snowmobile you have the engine heat blowing back over you). I know the answer is to dress warmer, and that's fine, but I have seen little else you didn't like about the machine set up. We're expecting 6-12" tues night- weds...I wish it would hold off a week so I could get things leveled out. Oh well...it will just give me more snow to work with! We'll see you the Trail Plane does in fresh powder (with that much snow I expect to roll or track pack first...but it will be fun to try!). And yes, I'll try and get images this time:) |
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| air19 | Jan 26 2009, 10:42 PM Post #7 |
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With this gas mileage comparison, are you comparing the Grizzly to your older 2 stroke SWT? I went from a 2 stroke SWT to a 4 stroke VK Pro and my gas mileage has about doubled. Just trying to compare apples to apples - Yamaha's Grizzly to any of the newer 4 stroke sleds for gas mileage. Thanks. |
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| Steve.M | Jan 27 2009, 08:46 AM Post #8 |
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Gas milage- yes, the 04 Skandic SWT is a 2 stroke and since the speedo is off on the Grizzly (tracks) I don't know what miles I'm putting on, just hrs. My best guess is that I'm getting close to the same milage on both-could be off here, but it seems that way on my full grooming sessions. My guess is that I could easily pull the G2 or Ginzu in Hi range most of the time without a problem and get better milage, but the county is requiring me to run only in Low. The feeling there is it will be easier on the machine. While testing the Grizz, I didn't notice any difference in power while in Hi. On the Skandic, if I tried pulling in Hi and the load was too great, you could tell-it would bog down. Usually we run the skandics in low 80% of the time. The Grizz is in the dealers shop right now getting the break in fluids changed. This is the first tracked ATV they have sold and are very anxious to know our impressions of it. I have to say, while just flyin around on it (not pulling anything) it is great fun and will go anywhere. What do I not like so far? (pause)....I'll have to get back to you on that....a little colder on the legs, but that's it as of right now. Oh, I'd rather have Red instead of Blue.
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and comfortable to operate. Starting hasn't been a problem either now that it is broken in a little...and the fuel inj. engine has been strong. Traction pulling loads and thru snow that would have stalled the skandic SWT easily (or the Alpine) have been a breeze to work thru. Two thumbs up. Bottom line is I never would have guessed I would like the Grizzly as much as I do, and like most of you-I've been grooming with everything (except a PB) for 25 yrs and have been stuck, broke down and faced about everything while grooming, so I hope I can make a good opinion here about grooming equipment. As the winter goes on, I'm sure there will be plusses and minuses and will be glad to share.
10:32 AM Jul 11