2003 Midwest Grooming Clinic Summary
2-12-03
Vendors that attended included:
- Pisten Bully by Track Inc with a PB 100 equipped for Nordic
- Bombardier by Aspen equipment with a BR180 and rubber tracks
- Tidd Tech with various groomers and new innovations
- Yellowstone Track Systems with the new Ginzu Groomer and gooseneck
- Alpina with the NEW dual-track Sherpa Snowmobile and new powertiller
- Ski-Doo by Ave's Sport Center
- Cragin Groomers
- KRC Snow Paver
- Snow Implements is a dealer for YTS, Tidd Tech, Alpina and Xcskigroomers
The heated "Race Building" had tables for vendor's displays, and had grooming video tapes playing during the 2 days. Vendors had over 80 pieces of grooming equipment on display and available for test drives.
What did we learn?
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Snowmobile grooming is expensive at $5.05/mile, make the most of it.
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Skiing across the parking lot is the most dangerous part of the trail (even though Doug Edgerton sets tracks across the parking lot every clinic)
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Grooming deep snow takes many passes with a snowmobile.
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Why is snow density important and how to measure it.
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Roll snow with a roller with ridges to farm snow blown across the trail.
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Snowmobiles have a wide variety of turning circles (demo).
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When do you roll or drag?
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Adjust your suspension so your machine turns (demo).
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When not to set a track on a curve, intersection or hill.
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How speed relates to the grooming operation.
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Conserve snow on the sides of the trail for when you really need it.
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Don't groom your snow too hard, too fast.
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A hardpacked icy surface can be groomed inot a skiable suraface (demo).
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How to set tracks in a thin base.
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The "Shovel" is your best friend when you get stuck. ("hands on" demo).
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How much weight is optimum for tracking.
The most dense part of the trail is where your groomers tracks go; alternate this position.
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How to know if your fan cooled snowmobile is hot.
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Wire actuators on your snowmobiles to optimize your implements efficiency.
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Safety is a top priority in grooming and trail design.
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When to groom... and when not to groom.
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What liquid cooled machines work for grooming and why?
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Mount your electric actuators switches in a convenient location and fused.
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Pull dry snow up from deep down when you have icy conditions.
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What a skier likes for a track position on the trail.
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An ugly shallow scratched in reset track is safer than an old icy, firm, pretty track.
Mark your calendars for next year's clinic Jan 14-15, 2004
A 45 minute highlights video is available from the 2002 Clinic
Call or email for details
906-932-3502
info@SnowImplements.com
SnowImplements.com