GUIDELINES FOR SNOWMOBILE TRAIL
           GROOMER OPERATOR TRAINING


A Resource Guide for Trail Grooming Managers and Equipment Operators:


Chapter 4 - Operating Grooming Equipment
      .
Grooming Basics

Tips on Avoiding Equipment Damage:

Always Follow the Manufacturer’s Recommendations
Always check and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for operation and maintenance. The fact is it’s easier to preserve what you have than to restore what you’ve lost.

Proper Track Tension:
There is always potential to have a track come off any tracked vehicle. This most commonly occurs during aggressive side hill operations or from hitting the edge of a stump, rock, or ditch with the track. Proper track tension adjustment is particularly important and can help prevent loosing a track.

Warm Up the Engine:
When starting a turbocharged diesel engine, use the hand throttle to run it at just above idle for a few minutes before beginning to work the machine. (A diesel engine will not warm up properly at just idle, so ensure it’s just above idle.) Never go from cold start to high power immediately. Also, always allow the engine to operate at an idle for ten minutes before turning it off to allow the turbocharger bearings to be cooled by the circulation of the engine’s oil. Also allow the engine to operate at a fast idle, without lights and electrical load, before shutdown to recharge the batteries.

Respect the Torque:
Tracked vehicles are designed to be as lightweight as possible to maintain correct ground pressure. However, they also produce a substantial amount of torque in order to pull the required loads. The availability of significant torque must be respected as it is quite possible to overstress the unit and create hairline fractures or misalignments.

Be especially careful when stuck or when moving rocks or trees off the trail. (Remember – the tractor is not a bulldozer so this is NOT recommended. If it is necessary to do this, use extreme caution to ensure the tractor is not damaged.)

Don’t Run Hydraulics Over the Relief Pressure:
Do not keep hydraulics running over the relief pressure during normal operations. If the hydraulics squeals, back off the control. Running hydraulics past the limit (exceeding relief pressure) causes excess heat and can lead to various mechanical problems.

Come to a Full Stop Before Shifting to Reverse:
Do not shift from forward to reverse while still in motion. This type of shifting can cause failure of the transmission, driveline, U-joints, tracks, or differentials. Always allow the engine RPM to return to idle before shifting from forward to reverse.

Manually Shift Automatic Transmissions:
Don’t lug the tractor engine. For best performance, it is best to operate at the peak of the horsepower and torque power curves. One way to ensure this is to manually shift automatic transmissions so that an engine RPM of at least 2000 to 2200 is consistently maintained.



Next Section - Use It, Don’t Abuse It! – Ten
                         Common Operator Abuses
 

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