2012 Montana Conditions, Stoke and Whatev Thread

[Trackhead]

Have snowcat, will travel. Thankfully it fits on my trailer (barely).

[byates1]

So cash..

[byates1]

I'm rolling south out of Spanish Creek this weekend. The spirit realm of Taos calls. Have a great season MT Mags.

See you all at the Beaver MTN Summit end of February!

[byates1]

.

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

[S_jenks]

Jenks you back in MT?

Briefly, and mostly for family stuff. Looking to swing some time in after thanksgiving though.

[swimmy]

Just found out that I have another photo being featured in the upcoming Winter edition of Outside Bozeman!

1/2 pager…pretty stoked!

[yeahman]

Happy trails byates. Have a safe winter.

Saw this on a history sign up Canyon Creek and it make me think of Trackhead.

[Bunion 2020]

Nice work Swimmy

[yeahman]

Nice work Swimmy

+1, can't wait to see it.

[Upinsmoke]

Have snowcat, will travel. Thankfully it fits on my trailer (barely).

Such a cool home build. As someone who operates cats for a living, you might want to think about metal grousers that are an inch or more tall. Without a blade, if you start sliding on hardpack/ice it will be exciting.
I also don’t see any windshield wipers? Those are important

[lifelinksplit]

Aha, nice.

Would like to meet ya this year, dood.

Definitely man. Ugh, woke up to rain today. Prob still go dink around for a few laps 2moro.

Nice job swimmy! I still pick up OB whenever I'm running around in the bozone.

Like everyone has said that thing is rad Trackhead! I'm trying to think of some places around here that would work.

Sent from my SM-S236DL using Tapatalk

[Trackhead]

Such a cool home build. As someone who operates cats for a living, you might want to think about metal grousers that are an inch or more tall. Without a blade, if you start sliding on hardpack/ice it will be exciting.
I also don’t see any windshield wipers? Those are important

Considered taller grouser (currently are 1.3” square) but all that adds significant cost and also huge stress on already over-burdened home built skid steer drive train. Intended use is in generally low snow areas in Montana. I’m weighing it this week, I’m sure total weight is sub 2,000lbs which puts PSI ridiculously low. I share concerns about sidehilling/slipping.

Fabricating a light blade is in progress. Windshield wipers-motors will be added. All this stuff is $$ so that gradual approach is considered. Had to prove it works first.

Thx for input.

[Upinsmoke]

The issue with square tubing is it won’t bite ice. I’d strongly recommend something angled/sharp. Ice cleats also make a large difference. No judgment here, super impressed with the work you have done! Just stating from experience, the first backwards spinning slide will make you check your shorts.

Low snow is the issue. Melt/freeze and the conditions that come with it are far more scary than soft snow/powder

[Trackhead]

Good points. Much appreciated.

The grousers are bolted on with 3/8” bolts with heads above grousers acting as “ice cleats”. There are four per grouser. I’ve considered adding material to grousers to prevent/reduce side slip. Honestly exhausted at the process and intend on just trialing as is next week if snow keeps coming. I fully expect issues/failures, but proof of concept it works so motivation to continue is still there.

I weighed it today. 1800lbs dry. Ground pressure will be under 0.5psi.

[S_jenks]

Had planned to take the skis for a walk up Belmont as well, but the freezing rain changed plans.



Went and helped the old man survey Christmas tree candidates on the property. Won’t cut until the matriarch makes the final call.

[Trackhead]

Even your dog looks disappointed

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Looks like Trackhead has this shit figured out. Good insp/guidance may come from YTs "Matts Off-Road" Bombi build if you haven't seen that.

[Trackhead]

Looks like Trackhead has this shit figured out. Good insp/guidance may come from YTs "Matts Off-Road" Bombi build if you haven't seen that.

Ha! Yes have studied their success and failures in depth. Also mostly studied Russian builds as they have less resources and equal or more success than Matt. Russians have been building DIY tracked gizmos for generations, out of scrap.

[Trackhead]

Looks like Trackhead has this shit figured out. Good insp/guidance may come from YTs "Matts Off-Road" Bombi build if you haven't seen that.

Ha! Yes have studied their success and failures in depth. Also mostly studied Russian builds as they have less resources and equal or more success than Matt. Russians have been building DIY tracked gizmos for generations, out of scrap.

[Norseman]

off-season now but this is a nice little film released a few days ago -

[yeahman]

Opening day Challenger laps are somewhat rare.

[lifelinksplit]

A little rough sliding conditions today but it did start snowing when I popped inside for a bloody.

Sent from my SM-S236DL using Tapatalk

[lifelinksplit]

And just because everyone loves a tucker.

Sent from my SM-S236DL using Tapatalk

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Opening day Challenger laps are somewhat rare.

Filled in Tram laps my first season 17/18.

[yeahman]

Filled in Tram laps my first season 17/18.

That was definitely one of the best starts in memory.

Whatever wintry mix was falling from the sky at GD today made for some fun, soft turns. Way better than expected for WROD. Probably turn to shit by tomorrow. [emoji28]