Snowdog/track sled

[Karts of Kaos]

cool man, we are in a similar boat we both live in WI and both started working on snowmobile at a young age. I got mine this past summer and I am 13.

 

[Cwpwelwiz]

Ok, over the weekend I have finally got the front-end cut off. I took it to the car wash and power washed it and got the 38 years of sludge off from it. I am going to finish some cosmetic stuff this week then I will add some photos of it this week. Thank you for watching and commenting on this build.

 

[ThatTomGuy]

very interested in seeing how this build goes
I have been looking at the snowdog type build for a while now but haven't got to it yet.
A buddy dropped off a running 243 rotax from an 80's(?) snowmobile some months ago and i thought about trying to set that up. I question the reliability of an old engine while out on the ice a mile from the truck
Most of the track sled styles I see online are in the 200 pound range and for me that is too bulky and heavy but perhaps the weight is needed to keep good traction?
I'll start a thread when i get myself organized but I am also looking to build something like a snowdog that can pull me and my otter cottage sled out on the ice. I am disabled and it is getting far too painful to be pulling my gear by hand.

 

[vpd66]

very interested in seeing how this build goes
I have been looking at the snowdog type build for a while now but haven't got to it yet.
A buddy dropped off a running 243 rotax from an 80's(?) snowmobile some months ago and i thought about trying to set that up. I question the reliability of an old engine while out on the ice a mile from the truck
Most of the track sled styles I see online are in the 200 pound range and for me that is too bulky and heavy but perhaps the weight is needed to keep good traction?
I'll start a thread when i get myself organized but I am also looking to build something like a snowdog that can pull me and my otter cottage sled out on the ice. I am disabled and it is getting far too painful to be pulling my gear by hand.

Weight,length,center of gravity, and gearing seem to be very important in the the construction of these Track sleds. They are very new and nobody has determined the exact dimensions needed for an acceptable operating unit. There are so many variables in building these. Some of the problems people encounter are tippy conditions when turning ( to high of center of gravity), turning in general, and lack of pulling power ( these need to be geared very low and they are not a high speed vehicle 10-15 mph). That being said you can build a decent machine just keep these issues in mind when designing.

 

[Cwpwelwiz]

Well, it's been slow going due to working but here are a few more pics of the progress

 

[vpd66]

Looking good! I'm still in the pile of parts state! LOL

 

[Denny]

You might want to consider stepping up to a tav 2. I don’t think that clutch is going to work or hold up very well.

 

[Cwpwelwiz]

Denny, I am looking into getting a tav 2. After hearing the all bads about these clutches for the track sled.

 

[vpd66]

You might want to consider stepping up to a tav 2. I don’t think that clutch is going to work or hold up very well.

Those clutches can hold up if you understand how they work. You have to have your gearing right so the clutch slips just enough to get you going. So when your cruising or in the range where you use it the most the clutch is locked up.

 

[Cwpwelwiz]

Vpd66, do you have any suggestions on what gearing I would need to use my existing clutch? I did order a tav 2 clutch system but I would like to use my current clutch on another track sled.

 

[vpd66]

There are a lot of variables when it comes to gearing. You need to adjust that clutch to engage quickly and get it locked up before your working rpm range. I'd start with 9-1,10-1 range. Weight, engine size, how you use your machine, conditions, and etc all play into gearing. Just be prepared to do some experimenting.

 

[Denny]

Stick with the tav2 you will be much happier. And like a snowmobile carry a spare belt with you. You will have heavy load on that clutch (designed for a light weight go-kart on a relatively smooth surface) as opposed to what you will have in real life. Trying to turn a giant frozen Kevlar reinforced rubber band in the snow while poached in ice.

 

[Kartorbust]

The real snowdogs are geared for 10-20mph and weight 265lbs to 330lbs and can tow upwards of 1,100lbs (498kg). They use a 10hp or 13hp Briggs and Stratton with a stator for lights.

 

[Cwpwelwiz]

Denny, I am looking into getting a tav 2. After hearing the all bads about these clutches for the track sled.

I did buy the tav 2 so, thank you for your info. It has really helped.

 

[Cwpwelwiz]

Here are some updates to the track sled. It's beed awhile but work comes before play.

 

[Cwpwelwiz]

A little more complete.

 

[Denny]

Glad I could help! Looks good so far.

 

[Cwpwelwiz]

Working on the hood right now. Hope to have that done tomorrow. Then weld it all up.

 

[IsaiahRide]

It looks nice, I can't wait to see how this project will turn out.

 

[Cwpwelwiz]

Getting there, hope to be done in a couple weeks