GUIDELINES FOR SNOWMOBILE TRAIL
           GROOMER OPERATOR TRAINING


A Resource Guide for Trail Grooming Managers and Equipment Operators:


Chapter 4 - Operating Grooming Equipment
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Grooming Basics

Use It, Don’t Abuse It!

Ten Common Operator Abuses:
The following are ten common operator abuses of tracked snow grooming vehicles that can lead to premature equipment wear and equipment failure:

1. Failure to Perform Proper Warm Up.
Neglecting warm up procedures can impair control responses and cut down on the life of the engine and transmission. Start the vehicle and check the steering, hydraulics, brakes, tracks, frame, attachments, etc. while it’s warming up for at least 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Failure to Perform Walk-Around Inspection.
There is no replacement for an operator’s daily start up inspection. The operator must be very familiar with the machine. With daily inspections, the operator has the opportunity to check for loose fittings, bolts, oil leaks, and other problems that can be easily corrected and help prevent a major problem from developing. Have a checklist for each unit. Also stop each hour during operation and walk around the machine for a general visual inspection.

3. Operating When Repairs are Needed.
If a vehicle is operated with known problems, even minor ones, it unnecessarily risks the vehicle’s integrity and the operator’s safety.

4. Operation Without Proper Training.
Untrained operators, or even experienced equipment operators who are unfamiliar with the vehicle, may overload the equipment which can cause stress and damage the vehicle. An important part of every operator’s training should be to read and understand the operator’s manual before operating the equipment. Operators must always be attentive to odd sounds and the vehicle’s response to controls.

5. Misapplication of Equipment to Job.
All too often, tracked vehicles are used for purposes they were not designed for. A grooming vehicle is not a bulldozer and should not be used as one. Knowing and respecting the limits of the vehicle’s capabilities is important to protecting the life and usefulness of the tractor, as well as the safety of the operator.

6. Going Too Fast.
Tracked vehicles are designed to pull heavy loads at relatively low speeds. Operation at a high speed over rough terrain can damage the tracks or drive train and can also cause excessive vibration that can harm the tractor’s frame and components. Additionally, working in too high of a gear overworks and overheats the transmission. It also generally produces a poorly groomed trail. Operators who chronically groom too fast should be replaced since they put the equipment at risk and produce poor quality trails that do not stand up well to traffic.

7. Unauthorized Modifications.
Some operators believe that modifications to their equipment, like resetting hydraulic pressures or recalibrating the fuel pump for more horsepower, are smart moves. In reality, unauthorized modifications like these will often stress the vehicle beyond its limits. This can result in warranties being voided if a failure occurs or shorten the normal life cycle of the vehicle. Always check with the manufacturer before making any modifications to grooming equipment.

8. High Temperature Shutdown.
Not allowing the engine temperature to stabilize before shutdown can damage turbochargers and cause premature engine wear. Always allow the engine to idle for 5 to10 minutes before shutdown. This also provides an excellent time to perform a walk-around “shutdown inspection,” as well as a time to warm up the operator’s vehicle for the drive home.

9. Unfamiliarity with the Trail.
Operators who are unfamiliar with a trail can run into sudden hidden dangers such as rocks, trees, wet areas, and steep grades that can pose a threat to themselves and the vehicle. Operators who helped construct the trail or who performed summer maintenance on the trail are a valuable asset since they know what the area looks like without snow cover. They are also the best people to have set the outer edges of the groomed trail at the beginning of the season. Know the trail and stay on it. Groom with a plan and stick with the plan. Operators should follow the trail signs and NEVER follow snowmobile tracks through open areas unless they’re absolutely certain that is exactly where the trail is located. Snowmobilers often shortcut bends in the trail and can get the groomer into extreme trouble if it follows them off-trail.

10. Using Attachments Improperly.
Even if the front blade can remove a large drift in one pass, make several passes and do it in smaller, less stressful cuts. Saw limbs into several small pieces before pushing them off the trail with the front blade. Use it, but don’t abuse it!



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