GUIDELINES FOR SNOWMOBILE TRAIL
           GROOMER OPERATOR TRAINING


A Resource Guide for Trail Grooming Managers and Equipment Operators:


Chapter 4 - Operating Grooming Equipment
      .
Grooming Basics

Proper Use of the Front Blade:

Don’t Over Use the Front Blade:
When using a drag, the front blade of the grooming tractor is best used to level drifts or to pull new snow into the trail. Snow worked by the front blade is then processed, compressed, and leveled out by the drag.

Operators are cautioned to not “over groom” by continually raising and lowering the front blade which can lead to accentuating dips and rolling trail surfaces. Rather, trail leveling is best accomplished by the planer effect of a drag pulled behind the tractor.

When using a tiller, the front blade must perform the important process of removing moguls, so the front blade needs to be in use nearly fulltime. Still, overworking (too frequently raising and lowering) the front blade can lead to uneven trail surfaces and should be avoided. Try to use the tilt adjustment instead.

Beware of Hazards:
Be extremely careful to watch for rocks and tree stumps when working with the front blade. Hitting these hazards can put a great deal of stress on the tractor, particularly on the steering mechanisms of some units. If the vehicle’s blade or tracks hit something, let go of the steering wheel momentarily – this can reduce stress on critical parts by allowing some give in the steering system.

Cutting Tracks across a Side Hill:
The front blade on a tractor can be used to cut a new track across deep snow on an inclined slope. The most effective method is to approach the upper steeply inclined slope transversely and to use the laterally swiveled blade to push snow, thereby creating a flat track in front of the tractor. Start by using a small amount of snow and then use more and more snow as the tractor progresses. The snow pushed downhill will broaden the track and provide greater safety.

Blade Use at Grooming Speed:
While operating the tractor at grooming speed when using a drag, it is recommended to run with the bottom of the front blade set about 4 inches (10 cm) above the bottom of the tracks, not at ground level. This can allow it to be used for day-lighting out finger or pillow drifts, while at the same time keeping it a safe distance above the trail bed and away from rocks, stumps, and other hazards.

Watch behind the front blade to monitor the blade height in relation blade height relative to track location
to the bottom of the tracks.


       
Photo 4.1 Watch behind the front blade to monitor

Photo 4.1 Watch behind the front blade to monitor
If there is a need to use the front blade for heavy dozing or for building trail across a drifted side slope, slow down and operate with caution.

When using a tiller, it is recommended that the front blade should always have snow in it since it must cut the moguls away. The blade then feeds snow to the tiller for processing. It is important to know the trail and the snow depth. If snowfall is low or if there is uncertainty about the trail location or potential hazards, slow down and operate with caution.

To flatten low moguls or ripples, the vehicle should be driven with the front blade in what is commonly known as the “float” position. In this position, the blade is open with its own weight on the ground and hydraulic down pressure is not created.

Larger moguls should be approached at approximately half the mogul height and not in the float position so that snow falls forward into the dip behind the mogul. If possible, the cutting depth should be set using the tilt cylinder on the blade and preferably not using the up and down motion of the blade.

The former method will help produce a smooth surface while an “up-down” adjustment can contribute to rough or undulating surfaces.

Using the Front Blade to Assist with Climbing
When working with fresh, deep snowfall, the front blade can be important to obtaining good weight distribution, particularly if using a tiller, as well as to obtaining good contact pressure on the snow with the grooming unit.

The front blade can be used as a climbing aid when traveling up steep slopes when the operator stops just before the unit digs itself in. The operator then drives backwards with the blade lowered which helps smooth out the step. When starting off again with the blade raised, the driver can typically get a little further thereby helping to overcome uphill gradients that might otherwise be difficult to handle.

When descending steep slopes, the front blade may also be useful as a braking device.



     Next Section - Tips for Grooming With a Tiller

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors.
Please Let Our Sponsors Know You Found Them On AbsoluteSnowmobile