GUIDELINES FOR SNOWMOBILE TRAIL
           GROOMER OPERATOR TRAINING


A Resource Guide for Trail Grooming Managers and Equipment Operators:


Chapter 4 - Operating Grooming Equipment
      .
Grooming Basics

Chapter 4 Quiz:

1. The ground pressure and weight of a grooming tractor allows it to safely cross frozen bodies of water. True or False


2. The faster the grooming speed, the better the trail quality and durability will be. True or False


3. The amount of snow depth required to begin grooming operations will vary by area and is affected by the type of terrain and by the type of snow. Generally, there should be at least ____ of snow to begin grooming operations that are effective and worth the cost of grooming.
   a. 2 inches (5 centimeters)
  
   b. 6 inches (15 centimeters)

   c. 12 inches (30 centimeters)

   d. 18 inches (45 centimeters)    
 

4. The faster the grooming speed, the better the trail quality and durability will be. True or False


5. Groomer operators should pay special attention to curve berms and try to work down the high outside edges. True or False


6. It is okay to groom against snowmobile traffic on the left side of the trail if that side is rougher than the right side of the trail. True or False


7. The best temperature for grooming with a drag is between 5 and 25 degrees F (-15 and -4 degrees C). True or False


8. The most effective grooming speed with a drag is:
  a. 3 to 4 mph (5 to 6.5 kph)

  b. 5 to 7 mph (8 to 11 kph)

  c. 8 to 10 mph (13 to 16 kph)

  d. 10 to 12 mph (16 to 19 kph)


9. Grooming at night will generally produce the best quality trail because temperatures are typically colder so the snow will flow better and set up harder; traffic volumes are also typically at their lowest which helps provide set up time. True or False


10. Mirrors on a tractor are typically useless and aren’t important since there isn’t a need to see behind the tractor. True or False


11. It is okay to dump snow from the groomer on roads and driveways because it helps warn motorists and landowners that they are crossing a snowmobile trail. True or False


12. A tractor should descend steep hills in the same gear that is used to climb the hill. True or False


13. Normally, roads should never be groomed wider than twice the width of the grooming equipment. True  or False


14. If the grooming tractor becomes stuck:
  a) quickly give it more throttle and spin the tracks

  b) don’t spin the tracks

  c) gently rock the vehicle back and forth, packing the
      snow

  d) consider unhooking the drag – sooner versus later

  e) a shovel may be needed

  f) all of the above except a

  g) a, c, d, e, and f above


15. When backing up with a grooming drag on the trail, a pile of snow is often created. It is okay to leave this pile of snow on the trail since snowmobiles will knock it down. True or False


16. When grooming trails, always:
  a) stay on the trail with the grooming equipment

  b) feel free to pick new routes to provide variety since
      the groomer will go through anything

  c) turn around only where there is ample turning room
      and it is known that the snow base will support the
      equipment, preferably using areas where turn-a-
      rounds have been made before

  d) a and c above

  e) a, b, and c above


17. If there is a lack of new snow in the middle of the trail, the options could include:
  a) set the drag blades to pull snow in from the trail
      edges

  b) use the front blade on the tractor to pull snow in
      from the right edge of the trail

  c) don’t bother grooming – put the wheels down until
      you find snow

  d) operate the groomer on the outside edge of the
      trail

  e) a, b and d above

  f) b and d above


18. Never stop to remove rocks, logs, limbs or other debris that is lying on or in the trail surface because they provide a solid filler that helps the trail last longer. True or False


19. When snow is spilling out the side of a drag, it means that the drag is carrying too much snow, likely set too low, and is not working effectively. True or False


20. A groomer operator should be cautious about following a snowmobile track across an open area. True or False


21. Common operator abuses of tracked equipment include:
  a) going too slow

  b) spending too much time warming up the engine

  c) performing unwarranted pre-operation inspections

  d) unauthorized modifications

  e) none of the above

  f) a, b, c, and d above


22. Proper use of a tiller for snowmobile trail grooming requires:
  a) a tractor with sufficiently large horsepower

  b) a good front blade operator

  c) deep snow cover

  d) none of the above

  e) a, b, and c above


23. If groomer operators encounter poor visibility caused by high wind, heavy snowfall, fog, or a combination of these conditions when grooming, and it is difficult to see where to groom, they should:
  a) simply stop right where they are, leave all lights on
    with the engine idling
 
  b) contact their grooming manager or a dispatcher to
    advise them of the situation and location

  c) stay with the equipment and wait for visibility to
    improve

  d) get out and walk

  e) a, b, and c above

  f) none of the above


24. It is never a good idea to get out of the tractor and walk back to check the trail, particularly when alone at night. True or False


25. When using a tiller and parts of the trail do not look good, like they were not processed and finished okay, it may indicate:
  a) the tiller depth is set too high

  b) engine speed on the tractor is too slow

  c) the tiller isn’t engaged in the float position

  d) excessive groundspeed with the tractor

  e) the front tractor blade wasn’t used to cut moguls
    and create an even surface area on the trail, so the
    tiller is “open” over the moguls

  f) all of the above


26. If the tractor is driven too fast while operating a tiller, the tracks will throw snow out to the side and also over the top of the tiller onto the snow surface which has already been prepared. True or False




  Next Section - Chapter 5 Preventive Maintenance

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