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Simple Drag Groomer?

sheep_mtn

sheep_mtn

Well-known member
Anybody have any good pics or ideas for a simple drag groomer. I'm looking to build something very simple, 7' wide to cut and smooth out the soft whoops from snowmobiles.
 
Jon,

You might also find good info about grooming snowmobile trails here: http://s8.zetaboards.com/snowgroomingtalk/index/

They have a classified section, and lots of folks posting photos of their equipment.

If you're talking simple dirt-ass-cheap grooming, I've used a 2x4 with about 3' of chain link fence dragging behind that. But I think you'll need something more substantial than that to deal with hard bumps from sleds.
 
Thanks Undy. I've even thought about building a simple ladder frame out of 4x4's, and maybe cutting in some teeth on the bottom edges of the "rungs". Whatever I do, I need it to be less than about 300 lbs so we can turn it around by hand at the top of our road.
 
A series of simple steel boneyard pieces are chained together. Each section is light enough to manhandle. A series of bed frames works well.
 

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So I ended up building a simple grooming drag to maintain the road to our cabin, which sometimes gets hammered by snowmobile moguls. I made it out of 4x4's and it measures 7' wide x 10' long. It has three "cutting" cross members to cut, gather, and smooth the snow. It works pretty well, but I do need to make some modifications. I need a rigid tongue because it sometimes hits the tracks on steep downhills. Overall pretty pleased so far though.

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Looks like it does a nice job. Those long 4x4s should give a road grader effect to keep things level through the bumps. Have you had it load up to the point of stopping the machine. I've had to shovel out my drag a few times when the snow was wet and packing in hard.
 
caldonia said:
Looks like it does a nice job. Those long 4x4s should give a road grader effect to keep things level through the bumps. Have you had it load up to the point of stopping the machine. I've had to shovel out my drag a few times when the snow was wet and packing in hard.
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Yeah I purposely made it long for exactly that reason. It helps to bridge and cut/fill the bumps, instead of just riding up and down them. I beveled the leading edge to keep it from auguring, and haven't had any issues with it loading up too much or digging in. Our snow in Colorado is pretty dry and light, so I don't know if this same setup would work well in other places like the PNW with wetter/heavier snow. Days like today with some new snow it definitely works the machine a bit harder on the uphills and flats.
 
I've used a 2x4 drag for grooming for many years - still use it to quickly clean up a trail after use so the ruts don't freeze in place - I learned that the best trails are made while traveling 10 - 12 MPH when the snow is light and fluffy - when the snow is wet and heavy, traveling about 20 MPH is necessary to keep the snow from piling up on the groomer ( drag ) - when we get a heavy dump of snow or the trail is very icy , I use my 1344 Tucker pulling an 8' wide adjustable drag - I use my snowmobile to pull the 2x4 drag - wish I could post pictures, but my pictures don't have a URL
 
drag looks great.

don't be afraid to put a attachment point on the back end. I drag a lot and find when I get crossed up and all kinds of "special placement" stuck.... that unhooking the drag and either driving over it or around it is a really nice asset.

If your skills permit the creation of a stiff hitch, it will add the ability to set the drag to the snow/trail conditions. with an ability to raise and lower the front you can make it pull easier for the steep and deep areas.
 
sleddogracer said:
I've used a 2x4 drag for grooming for many years - still use it to quickly clean up a trail after use so the ruts don't freeze in place - I learned that the best trails are made while traveling 10 - 12 MPH when the snow is light and fluffy - when the snow is wet and heavy, traveling about 20 MPH is necessary to keep the snow from piling up on the groomer ( drag ) - when we get a heavy dump of snow or the trail is very icy , I use my 1344 Tucker pulling an 8' wide adjustable drag - I use my snowmobile to pull the 2x4 drag - wish I could post pictures, but my pictures don't have a URL
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This link should help you upload pics directly. No url needed.

How to upload attachments (ie: Pictures, word docs etc.)

http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=1312
 
I think what I might do is cut some Sch 40 PVC pipe to length and run the pull chains through the pipe. That way it won't run into the back of the cat on downhills, but it still has freedom of movement at the attachment points to allow the drag to follow the terrain. Seems like it could be a simple fix without having to fabricate a steel tongue. (I have to work within my capabilities - carpentry yes; welding not so much. :wink:).
 
jon o have the same sort of idea built out of 2x2 box and I beam salvaged from guard rails it does work well on our hard packed snow up here I haven't used it recently as we just haven't had much snow. like mentioned earlier a stif hitch would be preferred and I plan on one for mine I might use the Thiokol to groom between safety this year and nome It was a pretty good load or the snow trac for a long haul
 
In case anyone is interested, these are the dimensions I used to cut the teeth in the wood 4x4" cross members. It works really well and the teeth are stout.

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Jon, Thanks for idea of "notching" cross members. I've been trying to use pallets to DIY but can't get the snow to break up enough to fill the deep center grooves left by tracks of my 1404. Will try it out tomorrow.
-EE Steamboat, CO
 
The wooden drag works great in soft snow conditions (I.e. Colorado), but not so great on hard pack. For that you would prob need steel. I did add some angled knee braces which help move snow to the middle where I need it most.
 
funny you guys are posting I was grooming the trail to anvil mountain last night, getting ready for Iditarod tours. I should have taken some photos of mine working. mine also has a lot more bite as it is intended to chop the tops off hard packed drifts and they are hard this year with all the wind.
 
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