Ski Grooming Implements of the Past

[Track Addict]

Looking to try and collect some pics and information on early ski grooming attachments. Here in the east we pioneered many of these grooming methods. Here is a link to some of the timeline:http://newenglandskimuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ski_grooming_timeline.pdf

Many were homemade and some factory built. I have seen lots of different Valley Engineering Gray, ME attachments. I am sure just like the cats this group has a wealth of knowledge.

Here is a find from the weekend. I was told it still existed so the boys and I did a little prospecting and found this tucked away in the woods at Cranmore. This road grader was fitted with skis and used as one of the early methods seen in the picture here. The skis are most likely long gone but I assume would have been tuckerish wood style.

Still looks to be in pretty good shape and I bet did some parking lot duty as well. Curious what make/model road grader this is.

Would love to get some of these back on the hill for show one day. How about being to ski on a vintage groomed run for charity?

 

[Track Addict]

Our resident Tucker experts can hopefully tell us what year that 443 was there. That should ball park the age of the grader.

 

[Pontoon Princess]

would need a better photo, maybe of the front end, at this moment, my GUESS is mid 50's

 

[DAVENET]

Bigger:

 

[Pontoon Princess]

okay, IMHO, the tucker shown in the picture is a '56, and, again, IMHO, this is the classic tucker and the most beautiful of all the 443's built, and either serial #156469 or #156473, the hunt is on...

 

[sno-drifter]

My guess is the grader was made up of old parts. Here are a couple of Russell Graders which used the same type of left/ right gear boxes. This company was manufacturing graders in the early 1900's and later. I have a book which tells you where to find the ser. no. The name of the company is cast into the gearbox. Did you notice this Mr. Addict?

 

[PJL]

My money says the Princes has hands on the 443 within a week.

 

[Track Addict]

Didn't look that close but will next trip up few weeks . Great info as usual.

All the implements in that picture exist except for the magic carpet. Will look around for that also.

 

[Pontoon Princess]

My money says the Princes has hands on the 443 within a week.

the sno cat in question exists...