GUIDELINES FOR SNOWMOBILE TRAIL
           GROOMER OPERATOR TRAINING


A Resource Guide for Trail Grooming Managers and Equipment Operators:


Chapter 1 - Introduction To Trail Grooming
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Introduction to Snowmobile Trail Grooming:

A snowmobiler’s safety and enjoyment is greatly enhanced when a smooth, even layer of snow covers the trail they have chosen to ride. “Trail grooming” is the activity of producing a smooth surface of snow with a uniform high density through the use of mechanical equipment. Trails become rough primarily through the cumulative effects of snowmobile traffic. Weather can also have a considerable impact on trail quality,

           

Photo 1.1 Trail grooming is important to snowmobilers
as can the effects of other trail users, water movement, timber operations, etc. Snowmobile riders are very aware of the importance of trail grooming since it has a very fundamental impact upon the enjoyment of their ride. Consequently, the general interest in good trail grooming is high throughout the snowmobiling community, including businesses that cater to snowmobilers. At the same time, the actions of and the equipment used by snowmobile riders – fast starts or stops, powering through curves, carbide
runners, paddle tracks, and powerful engines – can combine to have great impacts upon

         

Photo 1.2 Aggressive riding styles like fast starts and powering through curves impact trails the conditions of snowmobile trails and can essentially destroy them in a very short period of time.

Trail grooming is typically the single greatest expense facing the operation of a snowmobile trail system, both in terms of capital costs to purchase expensive equipment as well as for the ongoing costs of operating and maintaining that equipment in harsh
winter conditions. In many areas, trail grooming is often the main focus of a snowmobile club or association’s activities. It can account for as much as 50% to 75% of total expenditures for agency or association operated snowmobile programs. It is big business.

 
Photo 1.3 Snowmobile grooming tractors share a history with Antarctic travel Snowmobile trail grooming equipment shares a common history with tracked vehicles originally developed for Antarctic travel and for the alpine ski industry. However, in the mid-1980s a number of changes began to evolve in snowmobile trail grooming tractors and drags that have greatly increased the effectiveness of today’s snowmobile grooming equipment. While there is still some crossover today between alpine ski and snowmobile
trail grooming equipment, snowmobile trail grooming equipment has evolved to be a specialty product that stands on its own.

 
Photo 1.4 Typical specialized modern snowmobile trail grooming equipment

The grooming tractor is a heavy-duty, two or four-tracked vehicle whose primary purpose is to provide the power to pull an implement (drag), power a tiller, or carry a compactor bar across the top of the snow. It may also be used to carry a front blade. Some areas also use farm tractors equipped with a track conversion to pull grooming drags.


       
Photo 1.7 Examples of modern snowmobile trail grooming equipment

The actual work of grooming the snow on the trail bed is performed by a front blade used in conjunction with implements like a drag or tiller that are either towed or carried behind the tractor. While a grooming drag is called a planer or a surfacer by some manufacturers, it will be referred to simply as a drag in this document. Tractors, tillers, drags, and other grooming implements will be discussed in depth in Chapter 2.
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      Next Section - Trail Grooming Objective

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