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LatuExpert XC Groomer; XC Groomer
Topic Started: Dec 30 2009, 10:30 AM (3,648 Views)
walstib
Advanced Operator
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I recently purchased an older "Latuexpert" XC groomer / tracksetter that was manufactured in Sweden, i believe. It's a very simple machine that has no electical or hydraulic components, it has a 42" drum up from fitted with 3" spikes that aerate or breack up crud, behind which is a roto-tiller type tyne which is driven off of the front drum. At the rear of the machine are two tracksetting skis that will cut through hard pack and finally a large roller with rubber tracksetters wrapped around the drum. It's a very cool machine and does a great job. Obviously, it's old school and weighs a lot, and is hard to move around vs. the new lightweight groomers.

Does anyone know anything about these machines? I've searched the net with no success, and I need the drive chain between front two drums and can't seem to find the correct fit.

Any info or advice would be great!

TX,

John Krebs
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Sherpa-man
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I know someone who had one of those, in NH. There can't be too many around, maybe yours is the same one? ... but if you send me a PM I'll forward you his contact e-mail and maybe he knows where to look?

Post a picture of the beast, they were pretty cool!
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Grizzly
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Latue-expert was made in Finland. It was a very common tracksetter over here in Sweden 20 years ago. Now most of them rest in barns or in worst case under open sky. Most clubs that had money to by that expensive machine use a PistenBully now. I used one to set the training ski tracks around the camp when I was in the army. Heavy beast. We used a tracked personel carrier to tow it...

I think all the chains on it was standard roller chains, but probably in a metric standard as it is made in Finland. Try to find some good chain catalog.
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tolson
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Please post some pictures!!! This sounds very interesting!! :pics:
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twinpines
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At the Corsair Ski Trails we use our Latu for early season low-snow grooming. Basically, we disengage and lift the tiller and shoes, and roll the trail with the drum. The two rubber "bands" around the drum function as track setters, pressing a nice imprint into the snow.
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mntrails
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Here's a couple pictures I was able to get hold of. I haven't seen this machine first-hand or ever used one but from the pictures, it sure looks heavy!
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Attachments: track_roller.jpg (273.58 KB)
Attachments: track_roller_in_action.jpg (98.15 KB)
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walstib
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I haven't been able to take / post photo's of my Latu, but mine has several additional components bringing it up to a hefty 350 lbs!.

Since learning to use it....and with advice from John Chiarella, former owner of Norsk in NH (he owns 1 and a half... of these), I have learned to love it for it's ability to manage a variety of snow conditions and set amazing tracks. I don't like moving it around, but once I get it headed in the right direction, it works very well.

Mine has a 'shield' that is affixed to the roller axle and is typically covering the top half of the roller, but to wipe out tracks, or back up, I pull a lever and the shield drops down and over (under, really) the roller. Mine also has a metal frame a plastic sheet on top of the two front tyned bars probably for both safety and to keep snow from flying into the air.

Again, for such an old machine, it is very well designed and perform great.
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