I have been following this forum for some time. I am a non-owner who wants to buy a machine. What machines are <102" wide, will carry 4 people, are dependable with parts available, and can travel with moderate speed. I would like to purchase a machine this spring for <$20,000. Thanks for any advice.
-
Please be sure to read the rules and adhere to them. Some banned members have complained that they are not spammers. But they spammed us. Some even tried to redirect our members to other forums. Duh. Be smart. Read the rules and adhere to them and we will all get along just fine. Cheers. :beer: Link to the rules: https://www.forumsforums.com/threads/forum-rules-info.2974/
Best bang for a buck snow cat. WTB
- Thread starter robydean
- Start date
I absolutely buy a Snow Trac !!! and or buy the undervalued Kristi...
Last edited:
not true
far more Snow Trac s are available then a tuckers, Snow Trac built about 3 times as many pontoon tuckers
buy a Snow Trac and or buy the undervalued Kristi or even a thiokol imp, all worthy of consideration
parts and knowledge is plentiful for both, and I know the Kristi is more straight forward to work on and best of, both are easy to trailer about...
Last edited:
PJL
Well-known member
Imp. Thiokol, DMC or LMC.
Or https://www.snow-trac.com/for-sale.htm
"Dependable with parts available available" is going to be kind of tough. Snowtracs and the above mentioned machines are long out of production. Engines and transmissions are not too tough to source parts for. However some parts are made of a material known as Unobtanium. Being handy with tools and having the ability to fabricate some parts will be a huge asset for whatever machine you buy.
And one more thing. Snowcats are like stray dogs. They tend to multiply. You will need a big garage.
1979 Thiokol Super Imp For Sale
Buy a Hagglund BV206 machine today! Great vehicles for industrial purposes in the field, or fun for the family. We have many machines for sale today!
www.trackedoutdoors.com
Or https://www.snow-trac.com/for-sale.htm
"Dependable with parts available available" is going to be kind of tough. Snowtracs and the above mentioned machines are long out of production. Engines and transmissions are not too tough to source parts for. However some parts are made of a material known as Unobtanium. Being handy with tools and having the ability to fabricate some parts will be a huge asset for whatever machine you buy.
And one more thing. Snowcats are like stray dogs. They tend to multiply. You will need a big garage.
Last edited:
Going to throw my 2 cents in. $20K is on the low side of what you can expect. Yes you can find the occasional unicorn out there where it's only been driven by a little old lady to church..... More likely you find one where the advertisement says "rebuilt", Rebuilt can mean they sprayed on fresh paint over the caked on mud and .... Some custom imps can carry 4.
Yes, her Pontooness is correct that the SnowTrac has it's following. The engine ,in most, is VW so that;s not an issue. But that's not the issue in many of our cats. it's the custom castings, weldments etc.
Yes, her Pontooness is correct that the SnowTrac has it's following. The engine ,in most, is VW so that;s not an issue. But that's not the issue in many of our cats. it's the custom castings, weldments etc.
vintagebike
Well-known member
You might also keep your eyes peeled for a Bombardier SV 2XX. They are solid machines and don't seem to command the same price point as other brands. This one recently sold at auction for ~$9000:
www.forumsforums.com
Bomb Skidozer 252 at Reinland auction
http://nebula.wsimg.com/b595fc724ab1969efe6678cb1206e4df?AccessKeyId=AB21646DACA3A248A4C7&disposition=0&alloworigin=1 http://www.reinlandauctions.net/12.04.2021-equip..html
First, Welcome to the forum!
Unfortunately for buyers, snowcat prices have come up significantly over the last few years. AlryA's comment is sadly accurate.
You used the phrase "moderate speed". I'm not sure what that means to you but compared with snowmobiles for example, snowcats are slow. You also didn't mention where you live, or more importantly, where you plan on using your snowcat. That's an issue because elevation and snow conditions can make a big difference in snowcat performance.
The SnowTrac definitely has its following, and the SnowTrac mafia is strong on the forum. CiderTom is a "made man" within the mafia and to me his comments about the difficulty of getting some proprietary parts is worth noting. Disclaimer: I've never owned one.
Without knowing where it will be used I'm going to hold off on my thoughts for a recommended machine. I think for just about every first-time snowcat buyer there is a learning curve. You should plan on spending some money on maintenance/repairs on just about any machine you buy.
This forum is a great place to get knowledge and answers. Don't be shy about asking....
Unfortunately for buyers, snowcat prices have come up significantly over the last few years. AlryA's comment is sadly accurate.
You used the phrase "moderate speed". I'm not sure what that means to you but compared with snowmobiles for example, snowcats are slow. You also didn't mention where you live, or more importantly, where you plan on using your snowcat. That's an issue because elevation and snow conditions can make a big difference in snowcat performance.
The SnowTrac definitely has its following, and the SnowTrac mafia is strong on the forum. CiderTom is a "made man" within the mafia and to me his comments about the difficulty of getting some proprietary parts is worth noting. Disclaimer: I've never owned one.
Without knowing where it will be used I'm going to hold off on my thoughts for a recommended machine. I think for just about every first-time snowcat buyer there is a learning curve. You should plan on spending some money on maintenance/repairs on just about any machine you buy.
This forum is a great place to get knowledge and answers. Don't be shy about asking....
Try to look for them all over in the country, shipping is not a problem, uship what I was using and made few friends with those bumper pull truckers and use their service in the future without middle man.You might also keep your eyes peeled for a Bombardier SV 2XX. They are solid machines and don't seem to command the same price point as other brands. This one recently sold at auction for ~$9000:
Bomb Skidozer 252 at Reinland auction
http://nebula.wsimg.com/b595fc724ab1969efe6678cb1206e4df?AccessKeyId=AB21646DACA3A248A4C7&disposition=0&alloworigin=1 http://www.reinlandauctions.net/12.04.2021-equip..html
Thanks for your input. I will take a closer look at
them.
I live in Asotin, WA. I plan on exploring the mountains in my area.
No offense intended, but a Kristi would be my last choice for a first snowcat purchase. Affordable because they are quite scarce, spare parts are almost non existent and the track system would probably have to be re fabricated. Just my 2 cents....Bob
vintagebike
Well-known member
No offense , but how does that make them much different from any other ancient snow cat? #126 Kristi KT3 owner here.
Last edited:
Owning both a snow trac and Kristi, the Kristi is not a scarce as one might think, next, the Kristi is easier to work on, the the drive train is straight forward and can be repaired and or parts can be fabricated in just about anyones garage, the side hilling system is not all that complicated, Kristi sadly has been the blunt of every snow cat joke and with that, lots of bad info, do not be afraid of a Kristi, you may find it is a good cat, there are several Kristi's out there, proving their worth and doing with great confidence
lets be honest here for a minute or two, every snow cat has issues, no cat is a prefect design and or can do it all in all conditions and prices are all over the map, unless you have unlimited money and resources, and are able to buy a nearly new and or a fully restored cat, you will work on any cat you buy and pretty much everyone tries their best to make it as reliable as it can be sometime reinventing the whole machine, and finally, putting their personal taste into the build.
something to consider, you could build your own cat from scratch, many have and built some pretty good machines
so, take a little time and find the best cat you can afford, meanwhile, talk with cat owners and learn all you can, hopefully taking out personal prejudices as to the best cat and don't listen to the Kristi jokes, they are just as good as any cat out there
and vintage bike does make a very good point, about all ancient snow cats and tuckers may be the worst offender, no new grousers, no new pontoons, no new fifth wheels, no new transfer cases and lots of rust
Last edited:
A quick upside/downside of the Kristi snowcat, IMO.
Pro: VW motor; Oliver diff (shared by lots of cats and tractors); internal hydraulic system to raise and tilt chassis; light (about 2K lbs); fiberglass body; fairly broad track (good weight to snow contact ratio); fairly small number of parts/components unique to Kristi; comparatively fuel efficient; design and style = undeniable cool factor.
Con: VW motor; smallish (four adults w/ gear); transmission unique to manufacturer; clamshell housing and sprocket components largely unique to manufacturer; width usually entails deckover trailer; a bit noisy and “herky-jerky” unless you invest in neoprene vulvanized sprockets and muffled exhaust system.
I like ‘em. I have recently seen three KT3/KT2 project units for sale in lower Michigan for about 10K together. Get there before I do.
Pro: VW motor; Oliver diff (shared by lots of cats and tractors); internal hydraulic system to raise and tilt chassis; light (about 2K lbs); fiberglass body; fairly broad track (good weight to snow contact ratio); fairly small number of parts/components unique to Kristi; comparatively fuel efficient; design and style = undeniable cool factor.
Con: VW motor; smallish (four adults w/ gear); transmission unique to manufacturer; clamshell housing and sprocket components largely unique to manufacturer; width usually entails deckover trailer; a bit noisy and “herky-jerky” unless you invest in neoprene vulvanized sprockets and muffled exhaust system.
I like ‘em. I have recently seen three KT3/KT2 project units for sale in lower Michigan for about 10K together. Get there before I do.
vintagebike
Well-known member
This little guy looks like it needs a loving new owner. $16,000 in Utah.
www.facebook.com
Log into Facebook
Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.
www.facebook.com
let's not beat around the bush, you are hosting a gathering and Kristis' will be featured at your snow cat show, McCall'n all Kristis', a Kristi only show, in McCall Idaho 2023,
calling all Kristis', come to McCall, Idaho 2023,
calling all Kristis'
Last edited:
luvthemvws
Active member
I am ALL for a snowcat gathering that features Kristi's!!
Let's make that happen!!
Let's make that happen!!
luvthemvws
Active member
How about: Kittens and Kristi's, the Kute Kat Korall!!
so where have you been, February 26 and 27th, 2022 at Wagnoga snow park, Bend, Oregon, kitten only gathering, "kitten love in"
Last edited:
fyi, to the best of my knowledge, every snow cat gathering, jamboree, jubilee, happening, clowder, have been open to ALL SNOW CATs, again all SNOW CATS, and this has been true since the very first event,
this year and only a one time event, there is a gathering of tucker snow cat "kitten" in bend oregon
pretty sure the works starts now, he needs to scour the want ads, through out the country...and he will find one that fits his needs, desires, and hopefully his budget
wish him luck and looking to seeing him on the snow soon
wish him luck and looking to seeing him on the snow soon
I am sure you have already done this, but just in case you haven't here is something to think about. There are a lot of restrictions in different areas/states/counties/etc that do not allow the use of snowcats. If you haven't already looked into it you might see if the areas you want to explore allow snowcats. I know there are many WA members on the forum that may be able to help with that. Just a thought, it would suck to dump 20K into a cat and then find out you can't even use it where you want to explore. Good luck.