Finally getting more snow so I can resume testing and some more break in runs.
I tested my cold weather gear (mostly Klim) Sunday eve with temps well below zero and windchill in the -20 to -30°f range. Took my Deere 3720 tractor and 3pt snowblower out to try to groom a bit. I have the skid shoes set up high and a hydraulic top link so I can just drive forward with top link at full extension using the blower housing to lay down the snow. Exaggerated example /---
The Keweenaw bibs were awesome as were the Adrenaline BOA boots even wearing regular tube socks. I know from experience that my Mickey Mouse boots would not have been as warm. The Klimate Parka was a concern when I bougt it and it still seems bit light, (wish I had done Keweenaw) but I was lacking my base layer. The Arctic Balaclava is excellent, and my Bell Star helmet with newly added chin curtain worked well, just no place to plug in the heated visor on the tractor. 15+ yr old Cat leather gloves did OK, waiting for new FXR leather gauntlet gloves to land. This was a pretty decent test because I am on an open station compact utility tractor. While I can't go fast, the wind was whipping and on the tractor you are very inactive. No heated grips etc. I was out for probably 45 minutes to an hour, I lost track. I made several loops and the tractor speed was probably 3-5mph at best. Field is probably 300 yds long
Here is a pic from inside the house out the patio door across the porch. You can see where I was dragging. The combine ruts are also quite obvious as well as the washout midway down the field. I have it mostly filled at this crossing. If you look down by the big pine tree that is where the trail runs. Just to the right and behind you can just make out a blazer. The trail runs to the left of this tree and comes across a raised levee across the swamp. This is the white glow between the big pine and the small pines/bush. The trail turns to the right of the picture just before the field.
I tested my cold weather gear (mostly Klim) Sunday eve with temps well below zero and windchill in the -20 to -30°f range. Took my Deere 3720 tractor and 3pt snowblower out to try to groom a bit. I have the skid shoes set up high and a hydraulic top link so I can just drive forward with top link at full extension using the blower housing to lay down the snow. Exaggerated example /---
The Keweenaw bibs were awesome as were the Adrenaline BOA boots even wearing regular tube socks. I know from experience that my Mickey Mouse boots would not have been as warm. The Klimate Parka was a concern when I bougt it and it still seems bit light, (wish I had done Keweenaw) but I was lacking my base layer. The Arctic Balaclava is excellent, and my Bell Star helmet with newly added chin curtain worked well, just no place to plug in the heated visor on the tractor. 15+ yr old Cat leather gloves did OK, waiting for new FXR leather gauntlet gloves to land. This was a pretty decent test because I am on an open station compact utility tractor. While I can't go fast, the wind was whipping and on the tractor you are very inactive. No heated grips etc. I was out for probably 45 minutes to an hour, I lost track. I made several loops and the tractor speed was probably 3-5mph at best. Field is probably 300 yds long
Here is a pic from inside the house out the patio door across the porch. You can see where I was dragging. The combine ruts are also quite obvious as well as the washout midway down the field. I have it mostly filled at this crossing. If you look down by the big pine tree that is where the trail runs. Just to the right and behind you can just make out a blazer. The trail runs to the left of this tree and comes across a raised levee across the swamp. This is the white glow between the big pine and the small pines/bush. The trail turns to the right of the picture just before the field.
Ok the trip to Muni is cancelled and we are all going to ride at TD's house! Just kidding but man you have a snowmobilers paradise there.
It's a lot of farm fields around here. I'm more of a woods guy. I wish we'd get some snow so our trails would open. I'd like to set myself up with a nightly ride for an hour of exercise. If I don't get to Muni I'll have to go to Hazelhurst:
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Oh I see. I thought that was Hazelhurst. I just have a ditch for testing. So still very nice.
