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| ATV groomer recommendations; How big an ATV do we need? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 20 2010, 03:37 PM (1,601 Views) | |
| dmcnair | Jan 20 2010, 03:37 PM Post #1 |
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Newbie
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Ok, I think we are done with sleds, burned up to much money keeping them going. We are looking for an ATV set up to pull a 6' Ginzu. We run big cats most the time but need something in the shoulder season to groom on minimal snow pack. We would also use it to touch up skate lanes now and then. So, my questions are: how much power do we need? 500 cc, 600 , 700, 800? What other options should we consider? Sounds like a windscreen and heated grips for starters. Automatic or manual trany? Gooseneck or bumper hitch? Any other advise not solicited is surly welcome too. Thanks. |
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| pablo | Jan 20 2010, 04:39 PM Post #2 |
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Hack!
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Hi, Although new to the scene, we're using a Polaris 800cc to pull our 84" Ginzu - see New Setup We're using a 2" trailer hitch on it. At the moment, no windscreen but I'm only grooming 1.4KM. ![]() Cheers, -pablo |
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| air19 | Jan 20 2010, 05:10 PM Post #3 |
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Advanced Operator
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I have seen 500 ccs pulling TiddTech 6 foot tenderizers quite successfully. They have two of them at the Saratoga Biathlon Center that have been in use for about 4 years. But a 6 foot Ginzu is more weight and with the teeth down a lot more resistance. If you want to do this once and get it right then I would go for a 700 or 800. Beyond engine size I think one of the nicest ATV features to get would be power steering. I have driven a 500cc without the power steering and after two hours it was quite a workout. There are a couple guys on this forum that have the Yamaha Grizzly with power steering and it's getting very good reviews. The other model with power steering available is the new Polaris Sportsman 850. Those would be my two choices. I'll let the regular ATV users chime in with their list of how they have accessorized their models. |
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| couchsachraga | Jan 20 2010, 07:08 PM Post #4 |
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In researching it quite a bit I'd go with the Grizzly 700 with EPS (power steering). Transmission setup (continuous tension belt) is apparently the best drivetrain wise, and EFI makes starting in cold weather a lot better. I've seriously thought about the 550 too though.... Tatou tracks seem to be the winners. |
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| Steve.M | Jan 20 2010, 08:18 PM Post #5 |
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A 6' TT could be pulled with a lower cc rig I'd think, but the 700, has gobs of power. I recommend it, and we're pulling the large G2 and med Ginzu w/o a problem. Remember, the tracks do suck up some of the power too. More power= better. We always run in low range also on the Yamaha Grizzly. That tranny seems to be holding up very well after 2 yrs of 3X/week grooming. Id' say we are very happy with this rig. Our Skandic...in the shop again...won't start. I highly recommend the power steering also-those 4 wheel drive atvs turning tracks require a bit of turning force, but with the power steering-no problem. Cold starts? Press the button, the EFI works great. We have yet to have an issue with starting....even at -18 (we don't have a heated building). The Tatou tracks have been great too. I may not be the best person to recommend an atv grooming machine because I have not used other makes or engine sizes, but I know we really have been happy with this set-up over sleds. (and I so love sleds!). The older skandic SWT still gets a work out as does an Alpine II on my home trails. |
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| semntrails | Jan 20 2010, 11:05 PM Post #6 |
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Just played with a Yamaha Grizzly 660 today at the ABR grooming clinic - it doesn't have power steering. With the Tatou 4s tracks I had no problem driving along with one had and weaving all around - it was a lot easier to turn than our Skandic. Having said that I'd probably still get the power steering option. Other than playing today, I can't offer much, other than wow they have lots of power, turn nice and will go places I wouldn't have dreamed about with our snowmobiles. I took a Rhino UTV with the 84" Ginzu on the back up an unpacked trail with a steep hill, made it 3/4 of the way up before I had to stop, back up 5' then finish the climb. In comparison I think our 550 would have gotten stuck without the Ginzu and our 800 Skandic would have probably only made it 1/4 of the way up with the Ginzu. I don't know about the current models out but ABR has a CanAM ATV that the exhaust melts the bottom of the seat because it get's to hot - not sure what year it is but it's a few years old. Another guy has a 2005 Polaris Sportsman that was melting some of the plastic - newer models of both units might be different. |
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| pablo | Jan 21 2010, 09:47 AM Post #7 |
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Hack!
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Howdy, Our 2006 Polaris 800cc has/had heating issues. The person we bought the bike from said Polaris sent out a bulletin and his shop put in a heat shield. My mechanic thought it'd be wise to put a heat-shield near the seat so he fashioned one out of sheet metal. He fastened it with bailing wire. It seems to be fine. btw, I've been grooming in High gear. Low gear seems way too low on my rig. I'm at about 3,700 to 4,000 RPM's. The bike doesn't seem to be lugging. Does that sound right to others who are using a similar sized machine? Cheers, -pablo |
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| spinbad | Jan 21 2010, 12:01 PM Post #8 |
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New to this forum and darn glad I found it. Recently purchased Camoplast Traxion+ tracks and an 07'Grizzly 700 power steering and EFI. I have been pulling the YTS compaction drag, teeth all the way down and weights on. I can drive as slow as 4mph, set nice comb and not bog down. As smeurett stated(and I like how it sounds) it has gobs of power. The Scandics at the park cant do that. We are grooming manmade snow so it is pretty hard after a few days of skiing it in. All in all I think it was a sound investment. I have yet to pull the ginzu. Hopefully this weekend after some fabrication. |
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| mtntopper | Jan 21 2010, 01:37 PM Post #9 |
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We own a 2008 Yamaha Rhino with the Tatou 4S track system that we use along with snow machines, mattrack truck and full size snow cats to access our home in the wintertime. I was skeptical of the ability of the tracked Rhino until I actually put it to the test in snow. I have run full sized snow cat groomers for several years in the past and currently groom my private drive with a Bombardier SV200. The Rhino with the 4S Tatou tracks has climbed hills in snow where I thought it would not and is able to easily go through considerable powdered snow in most terrain. The ability of it to pull a small type groomer should not be a problem as it has lots of flotation and plenty of power. Ours has the full hard cab with heater and wiper. The wife uses this to commute about 6 miles round trip daily at 8400 foot elevation in the mountains to her 4X4 vehicle and then drive the additional 28 miles to her work. It is very economical on fuel and maintenance once setup. I would think one of these set up like ours would really simplify your grooming job and make it much easier to get out there when it is cold and miserable. The pics are for those who have not really seen one set up for over snow usage. |
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My1200 LMC | |
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| couchsachraga | Jan 21 2010, 02:11 PM Post #10 |
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Nice Rhino!!! What is the noise level like inside the cab? That is the one complaint I've heard from some folks... but those are older machines. |
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| mtntopper | Jan 21 2010, 05:50 PM Post #11 |
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Not bad if you turn up the stereo and use the stereo headphones..... Running at about 12 to 18 mph, you can talk across the cab. Higher rpms produce more noise as should be expected. I would guess top speed in high range with the tracks at max rpm to be about 28 mph and you will not be able to hear anything but engine/drivetrain noise at that speed but you will stay warm and out of the weather for the most part. |
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My1200 LMC | |
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