NOTICE TO ALL KRISTI SNOWCAT OWNERS: The ForumsForums has free copies of the KT-2 / KT-3 Operators Manual as well as some Supplimental Information. These Manuals are given away FREE to any member of the Forums who requests them. They are in digital form and we will ship them out on CD-Rom disks. If you need a copy, simply send me a PM and I will make sure you get a copy. If you have any additional information, manuals, suppliments or even pages you have made up to document repairs or operations, we would appreciate it if you would share them with us so we can distribute them to other Kristi owners.
"Caroth" posted that there were something like 300 Kristis built, and something like 180 of them were KT3s when he was a member in good standing here. Later he posted on The Samba website that 110 Kristi KT3s were built and the total production was about 180. I'm not sure if that was for both Kristi Colorado and Kristi Washington.
For information about KRISTI SNOWCATS, there is a nice WIKIPEDIA page worth reading, it should be noted that BigAl, one of the biggest contributors of Kristi information here at the forums deserves much credit for the Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristi_SnowcatSafety One has several Kristi bits of information posted. Their site is probably well known by all who own a Kristi, but I figured I would post their pages here for all to see.
Certainly a visit to the Safety One website would be a good follow up to anyone interested in any brand of Snow Vehicle.
"Caroth" posted that there were something like 300 Kristis built, and something like 180 of them were KT3s when he was a member in good standing here. Later he posted on The Samba website that 110 Kristi KT3s were built and the total production was about 180. I'm not sure if that was for both Kristi Colorado and Kristi Washington.
For information about KRISTI SNOWCATS, there is a nice WIKIPEDIA page worth reading, it should be noted that BigAl, one of the biggest contributors of Kristi information here at the forums deserves much credit for the Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristi_Snowcat
Kristi Snowcat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A small personal SNOWCAT called the KRISTI was commercially built in Colorado between the years 1956 and 1968. The company changed ownership and moved to Washington and continued production. Production was always on a small scale, and the products were very innovative. The most refined of the Kristi Snowcats was the last produced and the least successful commercially. The total number of KRISTI SNOWCATS made is in dispute, one source claimed over 300 but then recanted that and revised it to less than 200 when he responded to an inquiry. The company was innovative but not successful and appears to have struggled. Of the total production snowcats, the most popular model was the KT3, of which approximately 110 were built (but again, that source has revised his own numbers). Production numbers are further muddled because of the change in ownership of the company and the moving of the production facilities). A slightly smaller version of the KT3 was called the KT2. Both the KT2 and KT3 were powered by VW air cooled 4 cylinder engines, it is reported that a small percentage may have been powered by Porsche engines. The KT2 and KT3 shared mechanicals and even shared the same operators manual. The VW engine developed 32 horsepower.
Various different sales brochures make different claims about the transmissions used. It is therefore possible to find a KT3 with either 8 or 9 forward gears, and either 4 or 3 reverse gears. The units with 8 forward/4 reverse had a High-Low range ratio of 7:1. All used joystick controls in a V shaped arrangement that were centered under tachometer.
Specifications for the KRISTI KT3 stated that it was 11' long, 7'4" wide and had a height of 5'9" with an empty weight of 2095 pounds. The KT3 was configured for 5 passengers and imparted 0.46 PSI of pressure onto the snow. It had a maximum cargo/passanger capacity of 1,500 pounds and a towing capacity of 2000 pounds. With a fuel capacity of 20 gallons of gasoline, it claims 15 to 18 hours of operating time and a top speed of 20 mph.
The KT3 claimed the ability to climb a 100% grade with full load when not on the snow. It claimed the ability to climb a 70% grade in snow conditions with a full load and in soft snow it claims the ability to traverse a side slope with a 60% grade. The Kristi action adjustable track suspension will hold the cabin level on slopes with up to a 25% grade.
Kristi also manufactured tilt bed trailers that could carry the KT3 model. One of these trailer is currently in California in disrepair and appears to have been modified to carry hay. The current owner intends to restore the trailer. Curiously, the trailer uses the same tires as the KT3 uses.
A large Kristi, designated the KT4, was built as an amphibious machine and was built in small numbers. It was powered by a modestly sized 6 cylinder Chevrolet Corvair automobile engine. Reportedly less than 20 of these KT4 units were built and they were offered in 2 series between the years 1961 and 1965. KT4s were designed for snow, sand and general ground use, while some units were built with the amphibious configuration and were designated as KT4A models. The KT4 was available with a fully enclosed fiberglass cabin, while the amphibious KT4A model had and open top configuration. There are no reported KT4s currently in Europe and no records of them have been found in either Arctic or Antarctic expeditions or research. It is possible that only 2 or perhaps 3 of these units exist. An un-restored open top version is known to be in Idaho, at least one enclosed version is reported to exist.
A small percentage of the total production of the KRISTI snowcats are known to have survived to this date. Many are in disrepair. They show up at various farm auctions and for sale from time to time and sell for very modest prices. It appears that they have no collector value. At least one KT3 is known to have been recently exported to Switzerland and the owner reports that it will be restored.
The Kristi company effectively fell apart do to the untimely death of its founder in an airplane crash. Further, loan documents from 1962 show the company was in debt to the Jefferson County Bank of Colorado.
An early operators manual for Kristi KT2 and KT3 units provides the following information in its introduction and contains no copyright marks (the original punctuation and spelling errors are retained for authenticity):
Eventually the KRISTI company was sold to 7 Boeing engineers who attempted to revive the company in Washington state. There are 2 known address for the Washington state location. One early brochure provides a Post Office Box location in Levenworth, Washington while some later information shows it located in Redmond, Washington.
While based in Washington a new model was developed as an improved KT3 but was later called the KT7. The KT7 was a mid engine Ford powered snowcat, of which only 4 were built. The KT7 was tested by the US Air Force for use but failed to meet the 20mph speed requirements. The company ceased operations shortly thereafter. Of the 4 known units, only body #004 is known to have been modestly successful and currently operates in California and Idaho and is owned by a retired rancher who is restoring it, while also upgrading its components. There were many design flaws reported in this unit and have been corrected during the upgrade. According to the owner of the KT7, the length is 12'1" while it is 8'2" wide to the outside of the tracks. The fiberglass body is 4'1" wide. Its height (lowered) is 5'6" and (raised) is 6'4" providing a ground clearance (raised) of 16". The weight is 3225 pound empty with a payload capacity of 1800 pounds. The Ford Industrial engine, being 104 cu.in., developed 80hp. An early sales brochure stated a V-6 engine would be available as a special order. The KT7 carried 21 gallons of gasoline.
KRISTI failed to compete successfully with the Tucker Sno-Cat Corporation, which was also American based in in production at the same time. Tucker Sno-Cat is currently one of the most successful snowcat manufacturers in the world today. Other notable snowcats of the same era were the Aktiv SNOW TRAC, which, like the KRISTI KT2 and KT3 were powered by VW and Porsche engines. The SNOW TRAC was successfully used in explorations in the Antarctic and the Arctic and attained production numbers of 2000 units and only ceased production in 1981 when VW discontinued the European production of the engines used to power the SNOW TRAC machines. BOMBARDIER, of Canada, was also wildly successful and is still in business today making aircraft, snowmobiles, ATVs and watercraft. While Kristi was generally unsuccessful, it did outlive and out produce other companies that developed "snowplanes" largely because early in the life of the company they switched production from snowplanes to snowcats. Kristi Washington's KT7 model likely would be a viable snowcat today if it was still in production. It has reasonable capacity for passengers and gear and enough hydraulic output to operate grooming implements.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A small personal SNOWCAT called the KRISTI was commercially built in Colorado between the years 1956 and 1968. The company changed ownership and moved to Washington and continued production. Production was always on a small scale, and the products were very innovative. The most refined of the Kristi Snowcats was the last produced and the least successful commercially. The total number of KRISTI SNOWCATS made is in dispute, one source claimed over 300 but then recanted that and revised it to less than 200 when he responded to an inquiry. The company was innovative but not successful and appears to have struggled. Of the total production snowcats, the most popular model was the KT3, of which approximately 110 were built (but again, that source has revised his own numbers). Production numbers are further muddled because of the change in ownership of the company and the moving of the production facilities). A slightly smaller version of the KT3 was called the KT2. Both the KT2 and KT3 were powered by VW air cooled 4 cylinder engines, it is reported that a small percentage may have been powered by Porsche engines. The KT2 and KT3 shared mechanicals and even shared the same operators manual. The VW engine developed 32 horsepower.
Various different sales brochures make different claims about the transmissions used. It is therefore possible to find a KT3 with either 8 or 9 forward gears, and either 4 or 3 reverse gears. The units with 8 forward/4 reverse had a High-Low range ratio of 7:1. All used joystick controls in a V shaped arrangement that were centered under tachometer.
Specifications for the KRISTI KT3 stated that it was 11' long, 7'4" wide and had a height of 5'9" with an empty weight of 2095 pounds. The KT3 was configured for 5 passengers and imparted 0.46 PSI of pressure onto the snow. It had a maximum cargo/passanger capacity of 1,500 pounds and a towing capacity of 2000 pounds. With a fuel capacity of 20 gallons of gasoline, it claims 15 to 18 hours of operating time and a top speed of 20 mph.
The KT3 claimed the ability to climb a 100% grade with full load when not on the snow. It claimed the ability to climb a 70% grade in snow conditions with a full load and in soft snow it claims the ability to traverse a side slope with a 60% grade. The Kristi action adjustable track suspension will hold the cabin level on slopes with up to a 25% grade.
Kristi also manufactured tilt bed trailers that could carry the KT3 model. One of these trailer is currently in California in disrepair and appears to have been modified to carry hay. The current owner intends to restore the trailer. Curiously, the trailer uses the same tires as the KT3 uses.
A large Kristi, designated the KT4, was built as an amphibious machine and was built in small numbers. It was powered by a modestly sized 6 cylinder Chevrolet Corvair automobile engine. Reportedly less than 20 of these KT4 units were built and they were offered in 2 series between the years 1961 and 1965. KT4s were designed for snow, sand and general ground use, while some units were built with the amphibious configuration and were designated as KT4A models. The KT4 was available with a fully enclosed fiberglass cabin, while the amphibious KT4A model had and open top configuration. There are no reported KT4s currently in Europe and no records of them have been found in either Arctic or Antarctic expeditions or research. It is possible that only 2 or perhaps 3 of these units exist. An un-restored open top version is known to be in Idaho, at least one enclosed version is reported to exist.
A small percentage of the total production of the KRISTI snowcats are known to have survived to this date. Many are in disrepair. They show up at various farm auctions and for sale from time to time and sell for very modest prices. It appears that they have no collector value. At least one KT3 is known to have been recently exported to Switzerland and the owner reports that it will be restored.
The Kristi company effectively fell apart do to the untimely death of its founder in an airplane crash. Further, loan documents from 1962 show the company was in debt to the Jefferson County Bank of Colorado.
An early operators manual for Kristi KT2 and KT3 units provides the following information in its introduction and contains no copyright marks (the original punctuation and spelling errors are retained for authenticity):
The development of the KRISTI snow vehicles began in early 1947 in the form of a very unique snow plane. This propeller driven vehicle utilized a control by which the operator could tilt the machine from side to side in effect raising one ski and lowering the other to negotiate up to 45 degree side slopes and permit high speed turns without skidding. This tilting and edging of the skis after the manner of a skier was called "Ski-Action". Since it could do a "Christi" up or down hill, the trade name "KRISTI" was adopted.
Because of the demand for a higher capacity machine with the ability to cope with mud, rocks and general off-the-road terrain conditions the KRISTI track machine was developed. The present KRISTI track models still retain the "Ski-Action" now hydraulically controlled. They also keep the light weight and the trouble free operation afforded by an air cooled engine and a very compact drive system. The tubular steel frame and fiberglass body allow maximum functional design for ruggedness with capacity and beauty. The unique suspension and track system gives full contact over extreme terrain with maximum flotation and traction for operating over the most difficult terrain conditions of snow, mud and swamp.
Because the KRISTI is primarily used to travel into inaccessable areas, where an hours' ride may be equivalent to a days' walk, dependability is extremely important. The KRISTI has been designed and built with dependability of primary importance; however, it is advisable, as in aircraft, to do preventative maintenance as may be found necessary by periodic checks; especially before long trips. The operator should ahve a working knowledge of the KRISTI machine as well as know the basic operating procedure for the best results.
A model KWT was built using a Chevrolet 1/2 ton pick-up truck chassis and a 6 cylinder engine with a 4 speed transmission. It was proclaimed as a vehicle which can be used on the road as a wheel vehicle or off the road as a track vehicle for snow, mud and sand travel by farmers, ranchers, utilities, ski areas and sportsmen. While one prototype was built, this unit never saw commercial production and is a commercial failure. The prototype exists in storage to this day.Because of the demand for a higher capacity machine with the ability to cope with mud, rocks and general off-the-road terrain conditions the KRISTI track machine was developed. The present KRISTI track models still retain the "Ski-Action" now hydraulically controlled. They also keep the light weight and the trouble free operation afforded by an air cooled engine and a very compact drive system. The tubular steel frame and fiberglass body allow maximum functional design for ruggedness with capacity and beauty. The unique suspension and track system gives full contact over extreme terrain with maximum flotation and traction for operating over the most difficult terrain conditions of snow, mud and swamp.
Because the KRISTI is primarily used to travel into inaccessable areas, where an hours' ride may be equivalent to a days' walk, dependability is extremely important. The KRISTI has been designed and built with dependability of primary importance; however, it is advisable, as in aircraft, to do preventative maintenance as may be found necessary by periodic checks; especially before long trips. The operator should ahve a working knowledge of the KRISTI machine as well as know the basic operating procedure for the best results.
Eventually the KRISTI company was sold to 7 Boeing engineers who attempted to revive the company in Washington state. There are 2 known address for the Washington state location. One early brochure provides a Post Office Box location in Levenworth, Washington while some later information shows it located in Redmond, Washington.
While based in Washington a new model was developed as an improved KT3 but was later called the KT7. The KT7 was a mid engine Ford powered snowcat, of which only 4 were built. The KT7 was tested by the US Air Force for use but failed to meet the 20mph speed requirements. The company ceased operations shortly thereafter. Of the 4 known units, only body #004 is known to have been modestly successful and currently operates in California and Idaho and is owned by a retired rancher who is restoring it, while also upgrading its components. There were many design flaws reported in this unit and have been corrected during the upgrade. According to the owner of the KT7, the length is 12'1" while it is 8'2" wide to the outside of the tracks. The fiberglass body is 4'1" wide. Its height (lowered) is 5'6" and (raised) is 6'4" providing a ground clearance (raised) of 16". The weight is 3225 pound empty with a payload capacity of 1800 pounds. The Ford Industrial engine, being 104 cu.in., developed 80hp. An early sales brochure stated a V-6 engine would be available as a special order. The KT7 carried 21 gallons of gasoline.
KRISTI failed to compete successfully with the Tucker Sno-Cat Corporation, which was also American based in in production at the same time. Tucker Sno-Cat is currently one of the most successful snowcat manufacturers in the world today. Other notable snowcats of the same era were the Aktiv SNOW TRAC, which, like the KRISTI KT2 and KT3 were powered by VW and Porsche engines. The SNOW TRAC was successfully used in explorations in the Antarctic and the Arctic and attained production numbers of 2000 units and only ceased production in 1981 when VW discontinued the European production of the engines used to power the SNOW TRAC machines. BOMBARDIER, of Canada, was also wildly successful and is still in business today making aircraft, snowmobiles, ATVs and watercraft. While Kristi was generally unsuccessful, it did outlive and out produce other companies that developed "snowplanes" largely because early in the life of the company they switched production from snowplanes to snowcats. Kristi Washington's KT7 model likely would be a viable snowcat today if it was still in production. It has reasonable capacity for passengers and gear and enough hydraulic output to operate grooming implements.
Certainly a visit to the Safety One website would be a good follow up to anyone interested in any brand of Snow Vehicle.