Rider Snodog

[papadarv]

Was thinking of building a SnowDog to pull my gear out early ice. Didn’t feel safe with my 2 wheeler UTV at 1200# on less than 8” of ice. Opportunity knocked when someone wanted to get rid of a old ’74 Prowler Indi, frozen engine but track in great shape.

 

At 475# way to heavy to re-build, stripped it down to bare frame, cut off excessive steel.

 

Removed all shocks, springs, excess steel from suspension and welded tubing to make a light weight fixed suspension.

 

Rebuilt the front end to fix mount skies. Also sold all excess parts, engine, shocks, exhaust, clutches etc. on craigslist for $150.

 

Minnesota DNR law states engine over 125cc needs license and registration. I have an older 122.9cc, 5.5HP engine 3500 RPM I decided to use. Geared it down to run max speed of 15 MPH and added a reverse gear box. Neighbor and couple friends commented 5 HP way too small to pull machine and 200# sled. My torque calc. said different.

 

Yesterday my SnoDog ‘Rider" ready for test run. Still need a seat, hood and a couple final touches, but was surprised at the power an achieved speed. I also put 200# of weight on my Smitty sled and pulled it around the yard with ease. Now starting build on my “drop down" 2 man flip sled. Plan is to trailer to lake access, SnoDog sled to fishing spot, push a switch to drop sled to ice, flip shanty to fish. My SnoDog weight is 164# quite a weight reduction quite safe for early ice. BTW total cost to build is -$14.00.

 

 

[Rick]

Nice...very nice.

[Wanderer]

That’s pretty awesome that you even conceived the project, then built it so well!

[leech~~]

papadarv, I'm not sure what I could use more your skills, time or your money!    Even thought this project cost you nothing!  

[leech~~]

On 9/28/2019 at 10:38 AM, papadarv said:

 

Removed all shocks, springs, excess steel from suspension and welded tubing to make a light weight fixed suspension.

 

 

Minnesota DNR law states engine over 125cc needs license and registration. I have an older 122.9cc, 5.5HP engine 3500 RPM I decided to use. Geared it down to run max speed of 15 MPH and added a reverse gear box. Neighbor and couple friends commented 5 HP way too small to pull machine and 200# sled. My torque calc. said different.

 

 

Yesterday my SnoDog ‘Rider" ready for test run. Still need a seat, hood and a couple final touches, but was surprised at the power an achieved speed. I also put 200# of weight on my Smitty sled and pulled it around the yard with ease. Now starting build on my “drop down" 2 man flip sled. Plan is to trailer to lake access, SnoDog sled to fishing spot, push a switch to drop sled to ice, flip shanty to fish. My SnoDog weight is 164# quite a weight reduction quite safe for early ice. BTW total cost to build is -$14.00.

 

 

 

Once suggestion I would have if you didn't already.  Since you may be running on some early glare ice, but not racing to the bar across the lake at 60mph.  Studs add a lot of weight to your track that your motor has to spin.  You might think about pulling half of them out keeping a good pattern left to keep you grounded to the ice for traction. And may be a coat of paint on the bottom of your skis to cut down on the Rust drag!   

Edited September 30, 2019 by leech~~

[papadarv]

Imagineering kicked in dragging my sons Frabill 2 man flip sled half mile on 4 inches new snow on early ice. Overwhelming physical labor for this older body. Second half of this project is a power lift/drop 2 aluminum ski sled. Thinking 10" clearance should be sufficient clearance with SnoDog skies & sled skies same width and snow pack under track. Plan on including a flop ocer insulated floor. Here's my very rough sketch.

[papadarv]

Great idea leech. Por15 + enamel should help. Your right on studs, at 12 mph top speed I can probably take 50% to 60% off. 

[leech~~]

2 hours ago, papadarv said:

Imagineering kicked in dragging my sons Frabill 2 man flip sled half mile on 4 inches new snow on early ice. Overwhelming physical labor for this older body. Second half of this project is a power lift/drop 2 aluminum ski sled. Thinking 10" clearance should be sufficient clearance with SnoDog skies & sled skies same width and snow pack under track. Plan on including a flop ocer insulated floor. Here's my very rough sketch.

 

Here's another idea. If your going to chance all this wonderful engineering to 4" inchs of new ice.  Increase your life insurance so your son can buy a bigger porty!  

[smurfy]

that's some slick enginnering. you musta been a union guy!!!!!!!!

[Wanderer]

If your going to chance all this wonderful engineering to 4" inchs of new ice.  Increase your life insurance so your son can buy a bigger porty!

 

Put a Nautilus on it.

Edited October 1, 2019 by Wanderer

[papadarv]

I believe I said early ice, I never mentioned 4”. Early ice must have multiple meanings. I didn’t make it to 75 being stupid.  My early ice is confirmed 6” to 15”. I feel safe with my Dakota At 15 and thicker. 4 to 6” I’ll walk out with a bucket and spud bar.

Edited October 1, 2019 by papadarv

[leech~~]

3 hours ago, papadarv said:

Imagineering kicked in dragging my sons Frabill 2 man flip sled half mile on 4 inches new snow on early ice. 

 

 

Auu, here's where I misread!  Cancel the additional life insurance!   

[papadarv]

1 hour ago, Wanderer said:

If your going to chance all this wonderful engineering to 4" inchs of new ice.  Increase your life insurance so your son can buy a bigger porty!

 

Put a Nautilus on it.

Not sure putting one of these little dude's is going to greatly improve performance, floatability, or quality. I suppose I could toss it in a pot of seasoned oil and call it Escargot

Edited October 1, 2019 by papadarv

[papadarv]

1 hour ago, smurfy said:

that's some slick enginnering. you musta been a union guy!!!!!!!!

Nope never been in a union. I was part of the generation that invented the tech stuff we use today. My test engineering team actually created a CPM based PC Computer 8" Floppy a year before Steve Wozniak from Apple invented the Apple IIC. Almost got fired over it so I made it disappear in one of my tech's basement. Went too far "out of the box"

[smurfy]

23 minutes ago, papadarv said:

Nope never been in a union. I was part of the generation that invented the tech stuff we use today. My test engineering team actually created a CPM based PC Computer 8" Floppy a year before Steve Wozniak from Apple invented the Apple IIC. Almost got fired over it so I made it disappear in one of my tech's basement. Went too far "out of the box"

Well you got some darn good steel working skills. Will I see that on sand lake if I drive by.

[papadarv]

8 hours ago, smurfy said:

Well you got some darn good steel working skills. Will I see that on sand lake if I drive by.

Good chance, I really like the monster Sunney's and Crappie that lake holds. Lakewood Bay, the Boot and structure going into the Bowstring are my Favorates. Haven't ice fished the lake in 40 years but this fall's success got me interested.

[leech~~]

1 hour ago, papadarv said:

Good chance, I really like the monster Sunney's and Crappie that lake holds. Lakewood Bay, the Boot and structure going into the Bowstring are my Favorates. Haven't ice fished the lake in 40 years but this fall's success got me interested.

 

You know I took the name leech for a reason.  But, a 40 year old fishing report I may have to pass and wait for an updated one this winter! 

[gunner55]

52 minutes ago, leech~~ said:

 

You know I took the name leech for a reason.  But, a 40 year old fishing report I may have to pass and wait for an updated one this winter! 

 The last month has been 1of the slowest for panfish for me on the lake in the last 4 or 5  years IMO. Just got home last Monday  (9/23) & going back up tomorrow as we still have our gear in the water. Might have to follow him around this winter if I see that machine out there.

[leech~~]

32 minutes ago, gunner55 said:

Might have to follow him around this winter if I see that machine out there.

 

Me to!  I fish pan fish more in the winter.  I think I may be able to keep up with him on my Cat!

[papadarv]

1 hour ago, leech~~ said:

 

You know I took the name leech for a reason.  But, a 40 year old fishing report I may have to pass and wait for an updated one this winter! 

Actually the fishing report from 2 weeks ago. 3 limit Blue Gill went home + on site fish fry. Couple smaller 7's, most > 8 1/2 - 9 3/4, over 10 still swmming. These guys love Zebras high in protene. Sand on year 5 or 6 with Zebras.

[papadarv]

22 minutes ago, leech~~ said:

 

Me to!  I fish pan fish more in the winter.  I think I may be able to keep up with him on my Cat!

I'll be on Ottertail 2nd week Jan using machine chasing Walleye mid day 60 - 150 FOW Balmoal Flat area and to NorthWest.

[gunner55]

I don't chase the sunnies as much as I should but do run into some looking for the crappies & your right there's isome really nice ones in there. I too let the bigger ones , > 9 1/2, go as well as the bigger crappies. Think you might be off a year or 2 on the Zeebs though as the 1st report I know of was on a dock that was pulled in the fall of 2012 when it was going in the next Spring. Our stuff had quite a few too that Spring so they probably were already well established. The DNR has said the Zeebs #'s are down some & we noticed the same as early as last fall when we pulled our equiptment.

Edited October 1, 2019 by gunner55

[leech~~]

Off topic. 

Are you guys saying that Sunfish are eating the Zebs?  That would be great. I wonder why the DNR is not saying that?

[smurfy]

You guys need to keep an eye on that Gunner guy, he is from Iowa after all. He's really fishing for bulkheads.

[papadarv]

3 hours ago, leech~~ said:

Off topic. 

Are you guys saying that Sunfish are eating the Zebs?  That would be great. I wonder why the DNR is not saying that?

I did a bit of research on Zebras. Female lay 1,000,000 eggs annual. Each zebra filters 1 quart water per day. Primary food is algae. After 2 to 5 years population siginificant decline (food supply deminish). Weed lines encroach to deeper water due to clear water providing greater sun penetration - which I have noticed with desirable weeds out to 11/12 FOW. Nocturnal feeding walleye change habit so we need to change if we still desire to catch them. And yes sunnys love zebras. 

 http://iaglr.org/jglr/release/31/31_4_397-404.php

 

[Wanderer]

On 9/30/2019 at 9:19 PM, papadarv said:

Not sure putting one of these little dude's is going to greatly improve performance, floatability, or quality. I suppose I could toss it in a pot of seasoned oil and call it Escargot

 

Try Nebulous then.  https://nebulusflotation.com/products/nebulus-emergency-flotation-device

 

*Looking for classes on proof reading auto corrects before submitting... *

Edited October 2, 2019 by Wanderer

[leech~~]

2 hours ago, Wanderer said:

 

Try Nebulous then.  https://nebulusflotation.com/products/nebulus-emergency-flotation-device

 

*Looking for classes on proof reading auto corrects before submitting... *

 

I was wondering what the heck you were talking about too.  I thought may be I was just out of the loop on some joke? 

[papadarv]

43 minutes ago, leech~~ said:

 

I was wondering what the heck you were talking about too.  I thought may be I was just out of the loop on some joke? 

The Nautilus I know about is the USS 571 first nuke submarine, but making my SnoDog go underwater was not real desirable so I googled  and found the shell and commented in a joking manner. I now know wanderer was talking about a float which may not be a bad idea. Thanks Wanderer for clearing this up.

[Wanderer]

Good! Glad everyone is settled back down.

 

[papadarv]

Got my seat done and mounted. Used combination of old and new foam. Found Ottertex canvas vinyl coated water proof. Also built my SnoDog hood frame 1/4" steel rod. Found a 29" x 29" canvas grill cover in my shed looks like it's going to work well with a bit more sewing.

 

 

Blew my "$0.00" planned out of pocket budget, didn't have an available sewing machine. With a bit of search & price negotiation found a '71 Kenmore 38# solid steel unit claimed last used in '75 - $20.00. Super heavy duty. I'm now at +$6.00 out of pocket spend. Not sure about thread so tried some left over 8# Spider Wire. Wow does it work well and should last a long time.

Edited October 4, 2019 by papadarv