WTB Spryte or simmilar

[bfunk850]

Hi all, I am new here and in need, seems like an addiction almost ;-) I even have those dreams.

I need the machine for cabin access, I have been using a sled but I just too old to keep this up so I am Looking for something warmer, dryer and able to carry my wife and dog and stuff about 7 miles up into the eastern Sierra's. It will be used at about 10,000 ft. alt.

This is to be my first, I am a definite newby here. I've been doing the research on the web and have narrowed my search down to a two track machine and Sprytes and whatever the newer versions are called seem to be in my $ range. I am looking for a ready to go machine as I don't have the time or desire to do a restoration.

I've found a couple of Sprytes that are somewhat near to my cabin and am wondering if any of you know anything about either machine or could recommend one that might work for me.

One is now listed on ebay (a red 5 passenger with bed) seems like a clean rig and the seller indicates that it is a good running machine.

The second machine is a 2 passenger "truck" with an auto transmission conversion and blade that is up in Tahoe and was on this forum 3-4 years ago. It has what looks like van seating in the rear. The owner says the motor has been replaced and it runs like new.

Both are wide track machines which I believe would be good for where I am planning to use it.

Sorry that I don't have pictures here, couldn't figgure out how it is done.

Any comments or advise?

thanks, brian

 

[Blackfoot Tucker]

I've never owned a Thiokol, so take this with a grain of salt.

If you look at the grouser bars they look to me (a Tucker guy) like they are in horrible shape. Every one I saw looks bent or damaged in one way or another.

I don't know how many grousers are on that machine, but its got to be over a hundred. If you decide to replace them it would be major bucks in parts, not to mention labor. For reference only: One new grouser bar (from Tucker) is about $170.00.

 

[mtnguyco1981]

Brian,

You could try searching for your snow cat using a service called Craig Look. I've been using it in the pursuit of a machine for myself. Since the market for snow cats isn't exactly "huge" this is a really handy site that lets you search across all Craigslist locales with one easy query. Hope its helpful.

Ben

 

[Blackfoot Tucker]

Brian,

After giving your situation some more thought I suggest you call Bill Guthrie at SnoTrans. [You can also check out their website: www.snotrans.com.]

They may (or may not) have what you are looking for right now, but their inventory changes fairly rapidly. Bill's been in business for something like 30 years and has a huge "network". If he doesn't have exactly what you want now, he may be able to locate one for you.

I've bought two machines from him and consider him to be a very good guy. I would buy from him again, and recommend him highly.

When you buy a snowcat on ebay it's very definitely a "buyer beware" situation. Considering you don't want a "project 'cat", I think it would be worth your while to deal with a knowledgeable professional rather than someone tying to unload their mess.

I've not bought anything from Brad (screen name "Boggie"), but he has an excellent reputation on here as well.

Safety One in Colorado has a bunch of snowcats for sale, I'm sure they have their supporters, but I've never talked with anyone who had a whole lot of nice things to say about them. I called them once about a Tucker 1643 and was flabbergasted at their asking price; about double what I thought it was worth.

Good luck!

 

[snowbird]

I've had experience buying from "Boggie" here on the forum and would recommend him highly. He not only helped me with a muskeg-SV200 trade, but has been a good reference since ("service after the sale"). I went to his place of business and was impressed with both his knowledge, his shop, and the fine work he and his crew do.

 

[bfunk850]

brian here

I want to thank you all for the pointers and opinions. I am learning a lot. I'll be getting in touch with some of the suppliers/dealers this week.

I am wondering about my decision for a wide track over the standard models. My concern is with being able to operate in 3-4 ft. of powder, if we were to have some kind of emergency and need to move during a storm or immediately after. Will a standard track machine be able to operate in these conditions? My concern is that I have a mile of twisty/sloapy (downhill) mostly unpacked to cover before I get to the road which is usually packed by traffic. I know this is hard to give advice on as you aren't there, but any thoughts are most welcome. Everyone else up there uses a tucker of one sort or another, but I am concerned with our ability to deal with loading (especially a large old dog) a machine that tall.

I am eager to begin..........

brian

 

[corky wood]

bfunk850 I have a 1970's 1202b Spryte for sale. Everything works and works good. It is a crew cab seating 5, wwith a 6' bed, and extra gas tank. I'm asking $11,000 for it. It is located in Idaho. Can e-mail pic.

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

if you want deep snow preformance you may want to look at a snow trac at 10k hills would be a 3rd gear assult but with its steering system they are hard to beat in the deep snow and they are under 8 feet wide so they can be trailered with out permits they also weigh about the same as 3 sleds i have a 1962 model and make trips out of town in excess of 50 miles.

 

[couchloafer]

Try Bill at http://www.snotrans.com/index.html

or Bill at http://www.trackvehicletech.com/index.html

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

if you want deep snow preformance you may want to look at a snow trac at 10k hills would be a 3rd gear assult but with its steering system they are hard to beat in the deep snow and they are under 8 feet wide so they can be trailered with out permits they also weigh about the same as 3 sleds i have a 1962 model and make trips out of town in excess of 50 miles.

getting in and out of the snow trac is easy for the older dogs but the back door entrance can be a drag if you are a big guy my 13 year old lab likes the low step to get in and out of .

 

[utahwilson]

As a Junior newb myself two years a got I bought a snotrack out of Las Vegas. Trackmaster will pretty much take you anywhere you want to go in deep powder. However, like DDS mentioned door in back...pain in the butt to get in and out. I'm love the iconic look of the trackmaster and keep riding the fence on fixing it up or selling it and buying something with more headroom.