tolson
Newbie
Thanks for everyone's comments. Now when's it gonna snow???
air19
Pro
Welcome everyone
Hey Everyone,
Back in action for another grooming season. We are off to a good start in Vermont. We've had three storms move through this week. Six inches of snow for each of the first two storms, and over twelve inches for the last one.
I've been out with the VK Pro and my roller all day trying to keep ahead of the storm. I was able to get the roller around all my trails with about eight inches of fresh powder. In previous years under similar conditions with my 1999 Skandic SWT, I would have had to ride solo first to pack it down once. So the VK is saving some grooming time. Torque is a good thing.
Of course I did get stuck a couple of times today, but never needed to pull out the shovel. Just rocking back and forth to get going again. I'm having better luck this year getting into reverse. If it doesn't pull out of low gear easily, then I've tried Eric's technique of tapping the throttle a bit to move the clutch while holding the brake. Doing this once or twice usually works to release the shifter, and I don't have to shut the engine off instead.
I think my cooling issues are finally behind me. As most of you know I bit the bullet (with the help of my dealer) and got the second radiator up front with a second fan. I just run it all the time now and everything is working. And today was a great test - 4 hours of hard riding pulling the six foot wide roller through eight inches of fresh snow.
With all this snow I'm thinking about bigger skis. Big snow dumps and early season conditions make for exciting rides with lots of tip corrections. I think I've got a buyer for my old flexi skis to allow me to swallow the price of the new wide ones. The Yamaha wide skins probably won't do it for me because I need all the steering help I can get.
Still working on the gooseneck hitch setup between me and TiddTech. I'll post pictures when I finally get it setup.
Glad to be back on the snow.
Hey Everyone,
Back in action for another grooming season. We are off to a good start in Vermont. We've had three storms move through this week. Six inches of snow for each of the first two storms, and over twelve inches for the last one.
I've been out with the VK Pro and my roller all day trying to keep ahead of the storm. I was able to get the roller around all my trails with about eight inches of fresh powder. In previous years under similar conditions with my 1999 Skandic SWT, I would have had to ride solo first to pack it down once. So the VK is saving some grooming time. Torque is a good thing.
Of course I did get stuck a couple of times today, but never needed to pull out the shovel. Just rocking back and forth to get going again. I'm having better luck this year getting into reverse. If it doesn't pull out of low gear easily, then I've tried Eric's technique of tapping the throttle a bit to move the clutch while holding the brake. Doing this once or twice usually works to release the shifter, and I don't have to shut the engine off instead.
I think my cooling issues are finally behind me. As most of you know I bit the bullet (with the help of my dealer) and got the second radiator up front with a second fan. I just run it all the time now and everything is working. And today was a great test - 4 hours of hard riding pulling the six foot wide roller through eight inches of fresh snow.
With all this snow I'm thinking about bigger skis. Big snow dumps and early season conditions make for exciting rides with lots of tip corrections. I think I've got a buyer for my old flexi skis to allow me to swallow the price of the new wide ones. The Yamaha wide skins probably won't do it for me because I need all the steering help I can get.
Still working on the gooseneck hitch setup between me and TiddTech. I'll post pictures when I finally get it setup.
Glad to be back on the snow.
eric3793
Pro
Glad the VK is working out better this season. I had a tough time getting mine to start two weeks ago and all it needed was clean plugs. Too much choke! At least I learned a bit more about this engine and how to take the plugs out...quite a project.
So you are going to get a pair of the wide Simmons skis, eh? I thought about the Yamaha skins but maybe I will hold off to see if you like them. Big money but with all the snow it would be nice not to have the front sink in so deep. We are heading up to the Eustis area next week so I'll get a first hand view of the 40" dump last Sunday night. More coming today.
So you are going to get a pair of the wide Simmons skis, eh? I thought about the Yamaha skins but maybe I will hold off to see if you like them. Big money but with all the snow it would be nice not to have the front sink in so deep. We are heading up to the Eustis area next week so I'll get a first hand view of the 40" dump last Sunday night. More coming today.
air19
Pro
I've got another groomer interested in my regular flexi-skis so I'm about half way there with the price. The new wide flexi-skis won't be as hard to swallow that way.
I've also got my front end adjusted on the heavy side to help with the steering pressure, but of course that means it really can sink easier. But good steering is so important for grooming. So I don't want to give anything up that helps me there. Therefore the interest in the wide flexi-skis.
After working through many issues last year and solving most of them, I'm down to three areas that I'm trying to improve:
1. Better front end floatation
2. Better shifting
3. And stopping the snow from freezing up the track after a day's ride
The wide flexi-skis will help with the first. If it's not enough then I might play with my front weight distribution.
For the shifting I'm having better luck when it's stuck by adding throttle. Works even better when I add throttle and hold the brake at the same time. Maybe someone can explain why. Doesn't work as well when I'm on a slope which of course happens quite often.
For the freeze up, I've finally moved enough stuff in the barn to get it into the area by the furnace to thaw it out each night. I didn't like having to bang the ice away each morning and worrying what I would hit underneath.
Otherwise it's running fine, and really enjoying the rides this year.
I've also got my front end adjusted on the heavy side to help with the steering pressure, but of course that means it really can sink easier. But good steering is so important for grooming. So I don't want to give anything up that helps me there. Therefore the interest in the wide flexi-skis.
After working through many issues last year and solving most of them, I'm down to three areas that I'm trying to improve:
1. Better front end floatation
2. Better shifting
3. And stopping the snow from freezing up the track after a day's ride
The wide flexi-skis will help with the first. If it's not enough then I might play with my front weight distribution.
For the shifting I'm having better luck when it's stuck by adding throttle. Works even better when I add throttle and hold the brake at the same time. Maybe someone can explain why. Doesn't work as well when I'm on a slope which of course happens quite often.
For the freeze up, I've finally moved enough stuff in the barn to get it into the area by the furnace to thaw it out each night. I didn't like having to bang the ice away each morning and worrying what I would hit underneath.
Otherwise it's running fine, and really enjoying the rides this year.
waynes
Veteran
Just a bit of advice about leaving your sled in the heat overnight after being out in the cold all day. A few years ago I tried doing the same thing and had all kinds of condensation problems. I ended up taking the tank out and drying it out completely to get rid of the water. (and leaving my sled in the cold)
I have had two vk pros and although I know the ice is there underneath it has never caused me any problems other than a clunk every now and again. Not being critical just some advice from my experience
I have had two vk pros and although I know the ice is there underneath it has never caused me any problems other than a clunk every now and again. Not being critical just some advice from my experience
eric3793
Pro
I agree with Wayne. I do try to get most of the slush and snow out of the track area before putting the VK away. This is mostly to reduce the amount of ice inside the trailer which creates another little job...cleaning ice out of the trailer. However, you cannot get it all out so I usually just ride it and eventually the ice drops and works its way out. When I'm at camp, I say screw it. I'm careful to park the VK pointing down a slope so moving it in the morning is much easier on the belt.
air19
Pro
Thanks Wayne and Eric. Good comments about the ice buildup. This is why I post what I'm doing on this forum. I remember now last year that I ran into a situation where I thought I had bad gas. I got some de-icer and it solved my problem. Now I'm beginning to wonder if it came after I had stored the sled inside and that caused the tank compensation, not the gas being bad from the beginning. Interesting...
YETI
Extreme
air really curious on the Simmons Flex skis Will that be the Gen II's if yes let us know how they work out I really would like to try a set.
air19
Pro
Yeti,
Yes they will be the "wide body" 10 inch gen IIs. I've had a pair of gen Is for many years. They started on my Skandic SWT and when I switched to the VK Pro, all I needed to do was order a new set of mounts from Simmons.
Yes they will be the "wide body" 10 inch gen IIs. I've had a pair of gen Is for many years. They started on my Skandic SWT and when I switched to the VK Pro, all I needed to do was order a new set of mounts from Simmons.
Jack_Shaft
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
air19, did you do much grooming over the Holiday Season? I will be heading out over the weekend no doubt but we have been having frequent 2", 4", 6" snowfalls with higher winds which erases a trail in no time.
Did you ever finish the passenger seat-mounted gooseneck hitch? I swear I'll post pics of our set-up shortly...!
Did you ever finish the passenger seat-mounted gooseneck hitch? I swear I'll post pics of our set-up shortly...!
air19
Pro
I've groomed 8 times so far this year here in Vermont. Not a bad start. Last year was our record year when I got out 32 times over the season. We had a couple of good 6 to 12 inch snow falls early this year to get a quick base, but then we had our first thaw for a couple of days that re-opened up all the wet areas.
Last couple of days I've done lots of shoveling to cover the wet areas. Actually first I usually cut a small fir tree nearby and place all the branches in the wet area to build it up and then lots of snow and finally packing with the VK and a groomer.
My wide flexi skis are on order - that's just a swap out when they arrive. I'm looking for more floatation in the deeper snows and mostly I'm trying to cut down on the tippy nature of the VK. While grooming I'm always out there on the edge of my packed trail. Many times I want to widen the trail farther and when I go beyond the packed area, my outer ski just dives down in the powder.
So I have another idea for a hitch - maybe this is why I don't get some things done - working on too many things at once. But the gooseneck is a known quantity. I've had all the welding done that was needed on my end. I'm just waiting for the top half from TiddTech, the grooming vendor I help out here in Vermont.
The second hitch idea is what I'll call a swing hitch. You might have seen them used on pull behind mowers they sell for ATVs. The swing hitch allows the mower to track outside the wheel base of the ATV. So I got to thinking that this could help me work my trail edges. If I had a swing hitch that got my groomer out a couple feet beyond the tracking path of the VK, then I could pack the outsides safely while riding the VK down the middle. Just imagine a three part hitch that has a one foot section going straight back from the VK, then a four foot section that can be set out at different angles depending on the amount of offset desired, and another one foot section going straight back to the groomer. I have no idea if it will work, but while I'm waiting on TiddTech I thought I would weld this together and try it out. Of course pictures will follow when it is assembled and ready for a test run.
Last couple of days I've done lots of shoveling to cover the wet areas. Actually first I usually cut a small fir tree nearby and place all the branches in the wet area to build it up and then lots of snow and finally packing with the VK and a groomer.
My wide flexi skis are on order - that's just a swap out when they arrive. I'm looking for more floatation in the deeper snows and mostly I'm trying to cut down on the tippy nature of the VK. While grooming I'm always out there on the edge of my packed trail. Many times I want to widen the trail farther and when I go beyond the packed area, my outer ski just dives down in the powder.
So I have another idea for a hitch - maybe this is why I don't get some things done - working on too many things at once. But the gooseneck is a known quantity. I've had all the welding done that was needed on my end. I'm just waiting for the top half from TiddTech, the grooming vendor I help out here in Vermont.
The second hitch idea is what I'll call a swing hitch. You might have seen them used on pull behind mowers they sell for ATVs. The swing hitch allows the mower to track outside the wheel base of the ATV. So I got to thinking that this could help me work my trail edges. If I had a swing hitch that got my groomer out a couple feet beyond the tracking path of the VK, then I could pack the outsides safely while riding the VK down the middle. Just imagine a three part hitch that has a one foot section going straight back from the VK, then a four foot section that can be set out at different angles depending on the amount of offset desired, and another one foot section going straight back to the groomer. I have no idea if it will work, but while I'm waiting on TiddTech I thought I would weld this together and try it out. Of course pictures will follow when it is assembled and ready for a test run.
Jack_Shaft
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Interesting. The concept is great, just be conscious of the higher offset forces of towing a drag off-center from your sled (compared to a mower deck) which could pull you down into a ditch or produce gobs of torque on the connection point to the sled which will require a robust design to withstand.
Not being negative, just trying to help you be prepared for the challenges you will face when trying to implement what could prove to be a very useful tool for you.
Not being negative, just trying to help you be prepared for the challenges you will face when trying to implement what could prove to be a very useful tool for you.
tolson
Newbie
The swing hitch sounds like a neat idea, but I don't think it will work. It works with a mower because it's on wheels and will tend to roll straight ahead.
But I think the G2 will find a 'straight line of resistence' from the hitch point back thru the center of the G2 and pull slightly jack-knifed. The tracking disc's will help, but I don't think they will keep the G2 tracking straight ahead.
I might be wrong (wouldn't be the first time!!) and I'm still running this thru my head, but I don't think the G2 would pull straight ahead...
But I think the G2 will find a 'straight line of resistence' from the hitch point back thru the center of the G2 and pull slightly jack-knifed. The tracking disc's will help, but I don't think they will keep the G2 tracking straight ahead.
I might be wrong (wouldn't be the first time!!) and I'm still running this thru my head, but I don't think the G2 would pull straight ahead...
air19
Pro
I was also thinking my G2 would over power the hitch.
I have an old 4 foot tenderizer that I'm thinking about for this. I could also swap out the old tracking plates on the tenderizer and put in some bigger ones to help keep it in a straight line. I think my biggest problem is going to be at the pintle hitch connection. That area is going to have a lot of play and I might need to redo it with some type of rigid plate. If there is even a remote chance of this working, then it's worth a try. So I'll just put something together and see if it works, or try improving it from there.
I have a simple goal to make the outer edges of my trails safer for traveling on later with the VK. If this works then I would do a couple of passes, leave it overnight, and come back the next day with the VK riding on this packed edge area pulling the G2 to make it good for skiers.
One of the biggest areas that my skiers would like to see improvement is with their pole plants on the outer edges. This is true at many ski areas, especially as they start catering more to skaters. The classical skiers are relegated to the outside of the trails where the surface is the least packed where they need it the most for their pole plants.
I have an old 4 foot tenderizer that I'm thinking about for this. I could also swap out the old tracking plates on the tenderizer and put in some bigger ones to help keep it in a straight line. I think my biggest problem is going to be at the pintle hitch connection. That area is going to have a lot of play and I might need to redo it with some type of rigid plate. If there is even a remote chance of this working, then it's worth a try. So I'll just put something together and see if it works, or try improving it from there.
I have a simple goal to make the outer edges of my trails safer for traveling on later with the VK. If this works then I would do a couple of passes, leave it overnight, and come back the next day with the VK riding on this packed edge area pulling the G2 to make it good for skiers.
One of the biggest areas that my skiers would like to see improvement is with their pole plants on the outer edges. This is true at many ski areas, especially as they start catering more to skaters. The classical skiers are relegated to the outside of the trails where the surface is the least packed where they need it the most for their pole plants.
tolson
Newbie
Another option would be to build something similar to the Extension Wings and Super Flaps that TT makes for the Trail Tenderizer. All you would need is 3-4 feet of comb with a steel frame on one side of your Trail Tenderizer to gain the added reach.
