NORTH AMERICA’S ONLY PUBLICATION CONNECTING THE ENTIRE SNOW GROOMING COMMUNITY
March 2016 | Volume 3 | No. 2
WINTER GOES FROM WHITE TO GREEN VISIT US ONLINE
For articles, events, product catalogue and more! snowgroomingmag.com
ISSN 2369-3886
Changes to emissions standards are good for snow grooming
SUPER ACCESS PEAK Warm temperatures. White snow.
A reco+
S u fag+
Snowstar
= SUFAG, a company of
MND America - 063 Eagle Park East Drive - Eagle Colorado - 81631 USA Tel. : +1 970 328 5330 - Fax : +1 970 328 5331 - mndamerica@mnd-group.com One partner, many solutions
TABLE OF CONTENTS
March 2016 | Vol 3. | No. 2
NORTH AMERICA’S ONLY PUBLICATION CONNECTING THE ENTIRE SNOW GROOMING COMMUNITY
Cover Story
March 2016 | Volume 3 | No. 2.
Winter Goes From White to Green WINTER GOES FROM WHITE TO GREEN VISIT US ONLINE
For articles, events, product catalogue and more! snowgroomingmag.com
Changes to emissions standards are good for snow grooming
Changes to Emissions Standards are Good for Snow Grooming
04
ISSN 2369-3886
10 14 20
HKD Snowmakers This Massachussetts-based company helps counter the unpredictability of snow
10
Zuidberg is On Track Planning for North American growth
LiteTrax Unveils MuddTrax The maker of SnowTrax snowcats has boosted its product line of lightweight, multipurpose tracked machines with a new all-season, all-terrain vehicle
20
24
24
Striving for Diversity
28
Partners in Snow Innovation
Owners look to diversify what one Quebec-based company offers
Leica Geosystems and Prinoth yield new analysis with the iCON alpine system
28 SNOW GROOMING
1
A legend is reborn.
PRINOTH Ltd Granby, Québec 450-776-3600 - PRINOTH LLC Grand Junction, Colorado 970-242-7150
The NEW HUSKY.
The all-new 228 bhp Tier 4 engine delivering optimal performance while reducing emissions & maintenance. A first in trail grooming vehicles! Redesigned cab featuring upgraded visibility, spacious working environment and most of all … comfort! User-friendly controls provided by the ergonomic joystick and the functionpacked 7” HD display. Four track widths available with adjustable hydraulic track tensioning. Nighttime trail grooming made easy and safe due to improved lighting and featuring optional LED.
The NEW HUSKY; a combination of power, maneuverability and efficiency, supported by the all new Tier 4 final 228 bhp clean engine plus user-friendly controls and cabin comfort features. www.prinoth.com
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Published by
140 Broadway, 46th Floor New York, NY 10005 Toll-free phone: 866-953-2189 Toll-free fax: 877-565-8557 www.lesterpublications.com President, Jeff Lester Vice-President & Publisher, Sean Davis EDITORIAL Editorial Director, Jill Harris Editorial Assistant, Andrew Harris ADVERTISING Book Leader, Quinn Bogusky DESIGN & LAYOUT Art Director, Myles O’Reilly Crystal Carrette, Jessica Landry, John Lyttle DISTRIBUTION Nikki Manalo © 2016 Lester Publications, LLC All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher. Publication Mail Agreement #40606022. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 701 Henry Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 1T9
Changes W
elcome to the March 2016 issue of Snow Grooming magazine! The cover story of this issue is all about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s emissions standards, which became mandatory for most engine manufacturers in 2015. Tier 4 regulations require changes to exhaust after-treatments, which sets these regulations apart from their predecessors, most of which demanded reductions through in-engine refinements. The changes have a dramatic effect on the snow grooming industry; however, these changes are a positive for the community. It’s true that the changes are driving the costs of most groomers up by 15 to 20 percent; however, for an industry that is so closely tied to the wonders of the great outdoors, becoming more environmentally friendly is a natural fit. Read the cover story for an in-depth look at what these regulations mean to the snow grooming industry, starting on page 4. This issue also celebrates different companies from across the snow grooming community. On page 10, you’ll read about HKD Snowmakers, who strive to develop products that improve snowmaking energy efficiency. Turn to page 24 to read about Équipements Plannord ltée, celebrating 40 years in business in 2016 and who are on their second year of new own-
ership. We also got a hold of LiteTrax so they could tell us about their new tracked vehicle, the MuddTrax, which can travel in water, mud and in snow, as well as across uneven surfaces. You can read about MuddTrax on page 20. Read these articles and more by flipping through this issue. Be sure to let us know what you think! Also, watch your emails for our annual buyer’s guide specification request forms. If you would like to appear in Snow Grooming’s buyer’s guide and have not done so, please shoot me an email so I can add you to our list and request your equipment specifications and include them in the magazine. Lastly, if you’re interested in having an article about your company in the magazine or if you have ideas that you think we should cover, reach out to me any time. My direct contact information is below – don’t be afraid to use it! I’m still learning about the snow grooming industry, and I appreciate your insights and thoughts. I hope you enjoy this issue of Snow Grooming. Cheers,
Jill Harris 866-953-2182 jharris@lesterpublications.com
Volodymyr Goinyk / Shuterstock.com
March 2016 | Vol 3. | No. 2 www.snowgroomingmag.com
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the authors and/or editorial sources contained in Snow Grooming magazine are those of the respective parties and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the publisher. Printed in Canada. Please recycle where facilities exist. SNOW GROOMING
3
Winter Goes from
White to Green
Bohbeh / Shutterstock.com
Changes to emission standards are good for snow grooming
4
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
TIER 4 EMISSIONS
By Jim Timlick
W
hite has traditionally been the color most often associated with winter but it might soon be forced to make way for green – and experts says that bodes well for the snow grooming industry. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced new Tier 4 emission standards for non-road diesel engines on Jan. 1, 2011, aimed at reducing particulate matter (PM) by 90 percent and oxides of nitrogen by 45 percent from the previous Tier 3 standard. The new standards were phased in over a four-year period and became mandatory for most engine manufacturers in 2015. Canada’s OffRoad Compression-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations were amended to align with the new U.S. standard in November 2011. While most of the reductions in previous emission standards were
achieved through in-engine refinements, the Tier 4 regulations required changes to exhaust after-treatments. The changes have had a profound impact on many players in the snow grooming industry, particularly manufacturers who supply the equipment used to service the needs of ski areas, cross-country groups and snowmobile enthusiasts. Although he acknowledges meeting the new standards was something of a challenge for manufacturers, JeanClaude Perreault of Prinoth’s Canadian-based operation says it will ultimately prove to be a good thing for both the industry and outdoor enthusiasts. “It’s not something that is a negative in terms of the [the industry’s] evolution,” said Perreault, vice-president of sales for Prinoth’s Granby, Que.-based operation. “On the contrary, going from Tier 3 to Tier 4 on a vehicle is
PistenBully asked ther engine manufacturer to design a fuel tank wrapped with a coil filled with coolant to prevent freezing Image courtesy of PistenBully
SNOW GROOMING
5
TIER 4 EMISSIONS
John Meilicke of Tucker Sno-Cat estimates the changes drove the cost of most groomers up 15 to 20 percent Image courtesy of Tucker Sno-Cat
almost like taking a thousand diesel trucks off the road. What you save in terms of emissions is a huge step for the environment and I think the ski industry is very conscious about the environment.” John Meilicke, sales manager for Tucker Sno-Cat, says one of the biggest challenges for manufacturers in meeting Tier 4 standards was increased costs and justifying the increases to customers. He estimates the changes drove the cost of most groomers up by a minimum of 15 to 20 percent. And even though customers didn’t like the increase, Meilicke says they weren’t surprised by it after witnessing similar developments in the automobile industry. Although the benefits to the environment are obvious, the adoption of the new emission standards have resulted in some changes under the hood that are a little less conspicuous. One of the most notable ones is that the new Tier 4-compliant engines require the use of a diesel emission fluid (DEF), known as AdBlue in Europe. DEF is an additive that is injected into
6
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
the exhaust system to help it meet EPA standards.
Meeting the challenge
Dennis McGiboney, vice-president of sales and marketing for Kassbohrer All-Terrain Vehicles, the parent company of PistenBully, says one of the challenges with DEF is that it has a tendency to freeze in extremely cold temperatures. As a result, PistenBully asked their engine manufacturer to design a fuel tank wrapped with a coil filled with coolant to prevent freezing. Tucker’s Meilicke cautions groomers to be aware that DEF has a limited shelf life and it should be used in a timely fashion or they risk it losing some of its efficacy. Something else groomers should be conscious of, according to Meilicke, is the type of fuel they use in Tier 4-compliant engines. Unlike Tier 2 or Tier 3 machines that could operate using kerosene or “jet” fuel, Tier 4 engines require the use of ultra-low sulphur fuel. “That’s probably going to be the biggest challenge for some clubs…just
because ultra-low sulphur doesn’t respond to the cold weather quite as nicely as kerosene. They’re going to have to [use] some kind of anti-gel additive to prevent that,” he said, adding there are several different types of additives available. While everyone will eventually be using Tier 4 machines, the question for many ski areas and other winter operations is whether they should invest in the new technology now or try to get one or two more seasons out of their existing equipment. Perreault says two questions that operations managers should ask themselves are: how much are they gaining by maintaining or repairing old equipment if they end up having to replace it in the near future; and could that money be better spent on investing in a new machine that is likely to be of use for a considerably longer period of time? Engines on new Tier 4-compliant machines will likely require far less maintenance “because the whole injection system is different and is more reliable than what was on the Tier 3
TIER 4 EMISSIONS
“Going from Tier 3 to Tier 4 on a vehicle is almost like taking a thousand diesel trucks off the road.” – Jean-Claude Perreault, Vice President of Sales, Prinoth
version,” he said. “And when you look at the Tier 4 add-ons to the equipment, the engine manufacturers have to guarantee this equipment for four or five years that it will continue to work and meet the emissions levels.” John Glockhammer, Kassbohrer’s marketing manager, says that while the new technology comes at a price, customers can recoup a significant portion of the cost through lower fuel costs, fewer operating hours and less frequent repairs. Meilicke cautions that there is little that can be done to make older Tier 2 or Tier 3 models compliant with the new Tier 4 emission standards. The only way to upgrade a machine would
be to repower the engine and install new aftermarket emission components but that still wouldn’t make it Tier 4 compliant and the engine data tag would remain the same.
Roll ‘em out
The EPA only began issuing Tier 4 Final certification in January 2014, so many manufacturers only began rolling out their new compliant models this past year with a number of other new versions scheduled to be released later this year or next. Prinoth boasts it was the first manufacturer to introduce a complete line of Tier 4-compliant grooming machines, which includes the New
Husky trail groomer for snowmobile and cross-country trails [Editor’s note: For more on Prinoth’s New Husky, read the January 2016 issue of Snow Grooming magazine], the New Bison alpine groomer and Leitwolf, a 530-horsepower behemoth that is the largest of its T4 models. Perreault says the new models offer more torque than their predecessors and significantly more horsepower. In the case of the New Bison, it provides 400 horsepower compared to the 350 HP its forerunner offered. Because it can operate at lower RPMs, it requires less fuel to operate. All three models also feature new cabs that offer increased comfort and
SNOW GROOMING
7
TIER 4 EMISSIONS
There is little that can be done to make older Tier 2 orTier 3 models compliant with new standards Image courtesy of Tucker Sno-Cat
visibility for the operator, Perreault adds. “Prinoth decided that since the engine transformation was so major we…[would] completely revamp [them] to not only incorporate the Tier 4 technology but also add some other features to the vehicles that
8
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
bring even more innovation and performance…to the customer,” he said.
Parts compatible
PistenBully recently introduced its PistenBully 400 4F groomer for slope and snow park preparation. The company plans to release its 100 4F model
for Nordic grooming in the next year and follow that up with the release of its 600 4F alpine groomer the following year. McGiboney says the new models will require less fuel to operate but adds it’s too early to say what the exact fuel savings will be. In addition, they will offer significantly more torque (1,627 newton metres in the new 400 4F compared to 1,520 in the previous model) as well as additional horsepower, from 370 HP to 400 in the 400 4F. “And it’s the same size engine. There’s been no increase in the size or weight,” said Glockhammer. Another advantage with PistenBully’s new T4-compliant machines, McGiboney says, is that 90 percent of the parts are compatible with older models. “If the [customer] runs a fleet and right now he has ten 400s and next year he buys a Tier 4, 90 percent of his parts are going to fit his older models. That’s a huge selling point for us,” he said.
TIER 4 EMISSIONS
More horsepower
Meilicke says Tier 4 standards have now been adopted on all of the company’s groomers, including its Model 2000 series, its most popular grooming unit. It offers a wide selection of blades for plowing snow including six, eight and 12-way blades. The new model features similar horsepower to its predecessor while offering increased torque and improved fuel efficiency. It burns about 3.5 gallons per hour compared to 4.0 in the older model, which Meilicke says can add up to a noticeable savings when you consider a groomer can typically burn between 50 and 80 gallons a day.
One of the advantages of PistenBully’s new T4-compliant machines is that 90 percent of the parts are compatible with older models Image courtesy of PistenBully
The question for many ski areas and other winter operations is whether they should invest in the new technology now or try to get one or two more seasons out of their existing equipment.
ǀ ^ƉƌŝŶ Ăŝů Ő Ăď Wƌŝ ůĞ ĐŝŶ ůů Ő zĞ Ăƌ͊
^ƵƉƉůŝĞƌ ŽĨ ŽƌŝŐŝŶĂů ĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ĂŌĞƌŵĂƌŬĞƚ dƌĂĐŬďĞůƟŶŐ͕ ZĂŝŶďŽǁ ďĞůƚƐ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ͗
ͻ ͻ ͻ ͻ ͻ
ŽǀĞƌĞĚ ĚŐĞƐ ZĞƐŝƐƚĂŶƚ ƚŽ ͲϳϬΣ & >Žǁ ůŽŶŐĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ^ƚƌĞƚĐŚŝŶŐ ŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƟŽŶ ƚŽ ZĞƐŝƐƚ ^ŚĞĂƌŝŶŐ WƵŶĐŚĞĚ ĂŶĚ WƌĞͲ^ƚƌĞƚĐŚĞĚ
͞tĞ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ĞůƟŶŐ džƉĞƌƚƐ͊͟ Rainbow Rubber & Plastics, Inc. 113 Dries Road, Reading, PA 19605 (phone) 888.438.2446 (fax) 610.685.7574 www.rainbowbelts.com
SNOW GROOMING
9
HKD
Snowmakers
10
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
This Massachussetts-based company helps counter the unpredictability of snow By Jim Chliboyko
S
now can be a fickle business partner. It certainly has been during the winter of 2015-16, an El Niño year. Some areas of North America have been experiencing great bare patches, others early winter snow, and blizzards are hitting places like Washington, D.C., the Carolinas and Kentucky. But the unpredictability of snow is exactly why companies like HKD Snowmakers exist. The Massachusetts-based company is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2016. Charles Santry and his father-inlaw Herman K. Dupré, the man initially behind Pennsylvania’s Seven Springs Mountain Resort, started the company in 1991. “The primary objective of the company was and still is to develop products that improve snowmaking energy efficiency,” said Ian Jarrett, HKD Snowmaker’s vice president. “Seven Springs makes snow on 500 acres of terrain. Being located in western Pennsylvania, they don’t necessarily get the temperatures that are conducive to making snow. So Herman knew that he had to do it at a very high production rate but also at a very low cost, if possible. That’s what pushed him to develop an effective and more energy efficient method of making the snow. Consequently, the age of ‘Low-E’ snowmaking was born.” Of course, from its ski hill origins, HKD products are mostly used by the alpine market, but that’s not to say that other industries aren’t catching on. Of course, certain snowmaking product lines are better than others for either Nordic or snowmobiling clubs, but HKD tries to cover a variety of snowmaking scenarios with their various product lines.
“All of our equipment is modular,” said Jarrett. “We have different style snow-gun heads that mount onto a common platform. So, if you’re making snow in a narrow piece of trail, we have a couple of snow-gun heads, the fourflow Laser and the five-flow Phazer. And if you’re on a more wide-open area, we have the four and five-flow Impulse. And so we try to make all of our equipment universally functional whether it’s a fixed mount or portable piece of equipment.” If an association or group is thinking of purchasing snowmaking equipment, there are a few things to consider first, says Jarrett. “Considering the volatile energy costs of today, the difference between the operating expense of older, conventional snowmaking equipment and the low-energy snowmaking alternatives, there’s literally a one-to-three-year return on investment,” said Jarrett. This rate of payback is based on the expense of making snow and the equipment’s utility. If your facility does not make the volume of snow that a typical alpine ski area makes, you must also evaluate the opportunity costs of not being open for business – the revenue side. But Jarrett says that not every product that HKD manufactures is appropriate for every situation. “For example, if you’re making snow in a big open area and you’re going to run a piece of equipment for a large number of hours, the fact that a typical fan gun can cost between USD$25,000 and USD$35,000 is not an issue, because you’re getting utility out of the equipment both from performance and from the number of hours you run it. But if you take that same piece of equipment and you put it into a small
SNOW GROOMING
11
HKD SNOWMAKERS
“It’s definitely a financial decision that the facilities have to evaluate and make on their own terms, but the ones that have invested in snowmaking, large or small, there’s always a benefit to it.” – Ian Jarrett, Vice President, HKD Snowmakers snowmobile trail and run it for only 50 hours, it’s a lot of capital investment for a very small window of opportunity. “It’s definitely a financial decision that the facilities have to evaluate and make on their own terms, but the ones that have invested in snowmaking, large or small, there’s always a benefit to it.” Of course, winter is the busy time for the Natick, Mass., company; Jarrett figures that the company employs over 40 people, all in North America, when things are “fully loaded.” It’s also an easy company to follow, as they’re very active on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. They generally post several photos per week on Instagram, for in-
stance, and have a digital media manager specifically dedicated to that side of the company. HKD also has fun with marketing other ways. For example, they created their “I Am a Snowmaker” campaign. HKD recognizes a number of North American snowmaking teams with the I Am a Snowmaker distinction. At the end of the year, one of the snowmaking teams will be chosen as the winner by the ski industry.
Tackling international
HKD already has an international profile; the company is active on five continents. Jarrett says that at one time, HKD sold more to Europe than they did
to North America, though the European market has recently become much more competitive. They also do business in Asia, and have a few units operating in South America and Australia. And there’s a Canadian connection. Back in 2011, the company’s 20th year in operation, they merged with Quebec company Turbocristal, located in Boischatel, near Quebec City, an outfit that had something that HKD particularly needed – the technology of the fan gun – in order to be a complete snowmaker. “Both the low-energy air/water equipment and fan gun equipment have very similar operating costs per acre-foot of snow,” said Jarrett. “But each snowmaking method has its particular strength.
Model 20SG
HAVE IT
12
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
HKD SNOWMAKERS
And, really, the application dictates which one is most beneficial. It has certainly proved to be a tremendous merger of two solid snowmaking companies – one in Canada and one in the United States. I don’t believe there’s another snowmaking manufacturer that is so committed to the North American ski industry and the associated economies.”
Moving toward the future
And, like any good company, HKD has also branched out into other areas. “Because our primary focus has always been energy efficiency, simplicity and the utility of the equipment, it lends itself to various other snowmaking applications. For example: ice road con-
struction, forestry, dust suppression, evaporation and also waste-water treatment,” said Jarrett. Certain advances have also made snowmaking more portable. HKD has products like the sled mounted Viper. The snow-gun does require the necessary infrastructure to operate the snowmakers – water lines and power – but Jarrett says there’s one machine in particular that is better for, say, the trailmaking side of things. “One product that is really well suited for the snowmobile market and markets that don’t necessarily have a central snowmaking plant or area is called the HKD Super Blizzard. It is a self-contained unit. We’ve used it for ice
road construction. It has a pump, a fan gun and a generator, all on a trailer, so that if you had a water source but you didn’t have a power source and a pump house, you could bring this in and make snow at a very high rate of production and then move on. As long as you have accessibility to water, you can use this tool. “That’s the product that’s really targeted to the snowmobile industry,” he said. “It’s one of those years where you just want to give people who just bought brand new snowmobiles an opportunity to put them on snow.” Photos courtesy of HKD Snowmakers
SNOW GROOMING
13
Zuidberg is On Track Planning for North American growth By Jim Timlick
A
Netherlands-based manufacturing company with an established history in the snow grooming industry is looking to expand its footprint here in North America. Zuidberg, a family-owned business established by founder Henk Zuidberg, has been selling its front linkage and power take-off (PTO) systems in more than 42 countries for over 30 years. Although Zuidberg products had been distributed in North America for some time as part of a deal with a Canadabased importer, company officials decided to take control of their fortunes
14
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
in this part of the world by establishing their own North American branch in Cedar Falls, Iowa in 2014. While Zuidberg’s three-point hitch and front PTO solutions for tractors allow users to attach a blade to push snow in winter or brooms to clear trails in the summer, it’s the company’s track conversion system that has caught the attention of the snow grooming community in this part of the world. The system allows users to attach a rubber track to virtually any type of tractor and make it more manoeuvrable in almost any winter conditions. The latest iteration of the company’s
track technology is being unveiled at a number of trade shows this winter and is expected to be available on the market during the 2016-17 season.
One cool customer
Zuidberg North America president Rudolf deJong says the new track system will feature several improvements aimed at helping make snow grooming equipment operate better in sub-zero temperatures. Perhaps the most noteworthy change, according to deJong, is a new and improved suspension system designed to significantly reduce vibra-
ZUIDBERG TRACK SYSTEM
tions and provide optimal operator comfort in the cab. Operators will notice the difference as soon as they take their seat, he says. “If you operate tracks, it can be a potential risk that the vibration from the tracks goes into the cab,” he said. “With this new suspension system, we eliminate the risk as much as you can [and] prevent those vibrations from coming into the cab.” deJong says another benefit of the improvements to the suspension system is that the reduced vibrations will help to extend the life of the rubber belts used in the track system, mean-
ing they won’t have to be replaced as frequently. Another development that will be welcomed by snow groomers is that the new track system uses oil rather than grease, which tends to work poorly in cold weather. “That’s especially [useful] in snow grooming applications because it’s always cold,” deJong said. “Grease gets very thick and the viscosity gets very high [in extremely low temperatures]. We believe that oil is a way better system than grease track systems, especially in winter applications.”
Oil-filled tech a real boon
An additional boon of the oil-filled technology is that it features fused glass hubs that operators can easily check to ensure there is sufficient lubricant for the track system. In most older, grease-filled systems, operators have to essentially guess how much lubrication is in the system, deJong says. “All the snow grooming people I’ve talked to so far say they like the oilfilled hubs. The reason for that is oil has a lot higher viscosity than grease so that gives a way better greasing of the final components of the track system,” SNOW GROOMING
15
ZUIDBERG TRACK SYSTEM
he said. “It’s also a lot more reliable than the grease. If you have thick, thick grease in it you can never really see how much grease is in it. People who grease their track system do that based on guessing. This is way easier and much more reliable.” Zuidberg offers four different types of track systems that are adaptable for use with any brand of tractor or agricultural vehicles, regardless of whether it’s
self-propelled or towed. Those systems include: • C-frame: Features two, three or four bogie wheels and is available with rubber tracks 61, 76 or 92 cm wide. This generic track set can be mounted to combines and self-propelled forage harvesters and is interchangeable with wheels. • OC-frame: Features three bogie
•
wheels and 61, 76 or 92 cm wide rubber tracks. This generic track set can be mounted to articulated tractors and is interchangeable with wheels. E-frame: Features three bogie wheels and 61, 76 or 92 cm wide rubber tracks. This machinespecific track set is self-propelled and can also be towed behind equipment.
Extreme Winter’s Peak Performer. Extreme pressures and temperatures in today’s fuel injection systems can plug fuel filters and foul injectors unless you rely on the right additive: Schaeffer’s CarbonTreat™ PREMIUM.
Typical areas where carbon deposits are found in common rail injectors It prevents gelling in cold weather and is the only premium fuel additive specifically designed for high-pressure common rail systems. CarbonTreat™ Premium cleans existing deposits and prevents injector deposits from forming – in winter or summer. If you rely on your equipment to get the job done, count on CarbonTreatTM to be the season’s top performer.
Schaeffer_SnowGrooming_1/2 page.indd 1
16
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
Run Tier 4 equipment at peak performance. 102 Barton Street St. Louis, MO 63104 (314) 865-4100 • (800) 325-9962 www.schaefferoil.com
2/1/16 1:55 PM
ZUIDBERG A WINNING TRACK SYSTEM TEAM
“If you operate tracks, it can be a potential risk that the vibration from the tracks goes into the cab. With this new suspension system we eliminate the risk as much as you can [and] prevent those vibrations from coming into the cab.” – Rudolf deJong, North America President, Zuidberg F-frame: Features two, three or four bogie wheels and 30, 40, 61, 76 or 92 cm wide rubber tracks. This machine-specific track set has a sub-frame that can be mounted to front wheel assist tractors and is interchangeable with wheels. A sub-frame remains on the tractor.
Wider rollers a plus
One of the major differences between Zuidberg tracks and other similar systems currently available, according to deJong, is that his company’s offerings
feature large, lightweight rollers which cover the entire width of the track system rather than just part of it. That’s especially useful in snow grooming applications where operators might have to deal with ridges of snow and ice because the extra width of the rollers offers support across the entire track belt. deJong says one of the most important benefits of using a track system is the versatility it offers. Whether you are using it on a tractor, harvester or some other kind of agricultural vehicle, it can turn virtually any piece of equipment into an all-season unit that can oper-
Endless power for endless expanse
ate in mud or snow while leaving the ground beneath its tread unaffected. That can mean significant savings for ski areas and trail operators because they need far fewer vehicles to attend to their grooming needs, he says. Zuidberg’s parent company was founded in the Netherlands in 1982 by Henk Zuidberg, who had been looking at ways of making the tractor more efficient for his brother and other farmers. His research led to the development of an “adapter” that allowed implements to be used on both the front and rear of a tractor which in turn led to the creation
2015 sons.
•
TrailBully
Perfectly customized for your purposes. Powerful Perfect traction with 10 wheels Mercedes Benz diesel Longer track length for stability and pulling strength 2 speed motors
Comfortable Full size cabin with lots of space Great visibility Superior climate control A smoother ride courtesy of torsion bar suspension
Functional Robust rear hitch for pulling trail drags Generous platform deck Versatile 12 way blade with hydraulic controllable wings www.pistenbullyusa.com/trailbully Cruise control
SNOW GROOMING
17
ZUIDBERG TRACK SYSTEM systems, which allowed the company to continue to expand its growing line of snow grooming products.
Stepping up its presence
Zuidberg North America was established to allow the company to be closer to its customers here and take more control of its efforts in this market
of an entire line of frontline linkage system of products with combined sales of nearly 30,000 units annually. Zuidberg’s son, Jeroen, took over the company in 2004 and about five years ago determined it was in the company’s
best interests to diversify and continue growing its interests outside the agricultural sector. One of his first orders of business was to acquire West Track, another Netherlands-based company that specialized in rubber track conversion
While the company already had a solid presence in both Canada and the U.S., including sales to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like John Deere, New Holland, Case, Massey Ferguson and Buehler Versatile, the younger Zuidberg wanted it to have a more visible North American presence. As a result, Zuidberg North America was established to allow the company to be closer to its customers here and take more control of its efforts in this market. “We had already done business for a long period here [in North America] but we didn’t have our own presence,” deJong said. “We think it’s good to be closer to those customers to better serve them.” deJong says the company has been pleased with the results of its steppedup efforts here in North America to date, adding there is still considerable room for it to grow in this market. Photos courtesy of Zuidberg
20th Annual Groomer Show Hosted by Arrowhead Groomers February 1 & 2, 2017 Wednesday 9 am - 4 pm Thursday 9 am - 2 pm
18
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
GAME CHANGER Get the most out of your snow conditions and delight winter sports enthusiasts.
Leica iCON alpine
Sustainable
Real Time
Intelligent
Lower fuel consumption
3D snow depth visualization
Targeted slope management
Fewer vehicle hours
Snow groomer position
Environmentally concious
Precise snow making for neuralgic locations
Super imposed snow production analysis
And much more... Contact Doug Brown for more information: 202 - 567 - 1253 / doug.brown@leicaus.com
Enhanced data for fun park models, slope edges, water taps, anchor points and shafts
LiteTrax Unveils
The maker of SnowTrax snowcats has boosted its product line of lightweight, multipurpose tracked machines with a new all-season, all-terrain vehicle
By Mark Halsall
T
here have been lots of changes lately at LiteTrax, maker of the lightweight SnowTrax line of over-the-snow vehicles. Since Snow Grooming last checked in with LiteTrax in 2014, the company has grown to 20 people (adding a fulltime engineer and CFO, among others) and rolled out a new, mobile-friendly website. It’s also added some new implements that help boost the snow grooming capabilities of the SnowTrax commercial model, the 1100 TD.
20
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
But the biggest change is the introduction of a whole new line of tracked vehicles called MuddTrax. Able to travel in water, mud and snow as well as across uneven surfaces, MuddTrax machines can be used year-round and in most environments. It’s the latest in the LiteTrax line-up of lightweight, low-pressure, all-terrain vehicles designed to be priced within the reach of every cabin owner, ski or snowmobile club and small business. According to Litetrax general man-
ager Greg Nielsen, MuddTrax is a natural extension of the company’s line of SnowTrax snowcats, which have been manufactured since 2000 at LiteTrax headquarters in Centerville, Utah. “Our SnowTrax models are primarily snow vehicles. They can drive across dry ground, even some heavier mud…but they weren’t designed to go through creeks and marshes and things like that,” said Nielsen. He adds MuddTrax, which comes in three models, is ideal for people who
LITETRAX
One of the new implements from LiteTrax is a utility sleigh that’s lightweight but is capable of hauling a full snowmobile
The track frame design on SnowTrax models have been upgraded so that more snow flows through and isn’t caught up in the track assembly MuddTrax vehicle bodies are completely sealed, enabling the machines to float and propel themselves through water without fear of leaks
want to be able to get around in a vehicle that can handle mud and water as well as tough obstacles like deadfalls in the middle of trails. “It’s really an all-season vehicle,” said Nielsen. He describes MuddTrax as a “great trail maintenance type vehicle. You can get down a trail in the spring or the fall when it’s really muddy, without leaving a bunch of big ruts behind.” Like the SnowTrax snowcats, MuddTrax vehicles feature a hydrostatic drive system that doesn’t have any
SnowTrax snowcats have been manufactured since 2000, and LiteTrax has more exciting changes in store
SNOW GROOMING
21
LITETRAX
“It’s really an all-season vehicle. [With MuddTrax], you can get down a trail in the spring or the fall when it’s really muddy, without leaving a bunch of big ruts behind.” – Greg Nielsen, General Manager, LiteTrax
chains, belts or sprockets that require maintenance. As a result, the system is very efficient and has a long life expectancy. MuddTrax vehicles also feature 16 inches of suspension. That means more track on the ground and lower ground pressure, resulting in a more comfortable ride. The highly dynamic track suspension system uses solid wheels and bearings and has no pneumatic wheels that can go flat. Another important feature is a tall
22
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
lead angle on the tracks, which enables MuddTrax vehicles to navigate over large objects such as logs, rocks and steep banks. This can be shifted to a shallower angle when needed during normal travel, reducing power requirements and providing a smoother ride. “You can drive this vehicle up and onto a trailer without ramps,” said Nielsen. “That gives you an idea how agile the machine is.” In addition, the bodies of MuddTrax vehicles are completely sealed with
no axles, bolts or hoses going through them (with the exception of a boat drain plug). This allows the MuddTrax to float and propel itself through the water without the fear of leaks. According to Nielsen, MuddTrax vehicles have a two-person hard cab option and come equipped with a twoinch hitch at the back, enabling them to pull snow grooming drags or cargo sleighs. The MuddTrax towing capacity of 1,500 pounds is the same as that of the SnowTrax 1100 TD.
LITETRAX Nielsen says LiteTrax is taking pre-orders for MuddTrax vehicles, which were unveiled around U.S. Thanksgiving.
New blade and drag implements On the snowcat side, there’s been an upgrade on the SnowTrax models for this season. “We have changed our track frame design just a little bit, to allow the snow to flow through the track and not get caught inside the track assembly,” said Nielsen. In addition, there are new implements available for the SnowTrax 1100 TD, which features a beefy 1,100 cc, 45-horsepower turbo diesel engine that’s designed to deliver power and performance for heavy-duty towing and use in high elevations. According to Nielsen, new blade and drag offerings enhance the 1100 TD’s effectiveness for clearing snow and grooming trails. “We’ve got a six- and an eight-way blade, all hydraulically actuated, and we’ve got a new drag for the back end,” he said. The blade attachment, Nielsen
added, has a 60-inch straight edge, but different wing attachments can be added on both sides to allow for different uses. The rear groomer, he notes, weighs about 400 pounds and is six feet wide by 13 feet long. Nielsen described it as a levelling-type drag that’s not only great on snowmobile trails but also useful for other applications. “The drag has got adjustable blades in it that are either hydraulically or electrically actuated,” said Nielsen. “It’s designed to span across the moguls and break those down and fill in the valleys on the trails.” LiteTrax also offers a four-foot-wide by eight-foot-long utility sleigh with flexible, articulating skis that conform smoothly to the trail surface. “It’s lightweight but it’ll haul a full snowmobile,” said Nielsen. “For people who want to get gear and stuff to their cabin, or even up to a utility site, it’s a great feature.” Nielsen said there are more exciting changes in store for the SnowTrax 1100 TD itself.
“We’ve put a new design together that’s going to be released for next season,” he said, adding the new SnowTrax Turbo Diesel model will feature more power as well as greater visibility and other improvements. There have been numerous equipment enhancements at LiteTrax over the years, Nielsen noted, “and it was time to do a complete redesign to incorporate all of our changes into one design.” An improved hard cab option will be among the new design features. “Typically, it’s just been available as just a two-person hard cab. We’ve had a lot of interest in a four-person hard cab, and we’ve built a couple of custom hard cabs to make it a fourperson unit,” said Nielsen. “That’s part of why we’re redesigning [the SnowTrax 1100 TD], to make the hard cab option available as more of a production model. It will come as a two-person and a four-person unit with the option of a jump seat for smaller individuals or children.” Photos courtesy of LiteTrax
SNOW GROOMING
23
Striving for
Owners look to diversify what one Quebec-based company offers By Jim Chliboyko
W
hile it’s been a 40-year run in business for Plannord, it’s only been twoplus years for the company’s current owners. Though Max Jutras and Simon Paquet will have co-owned Équipements Plannord ltée for about two-and-a-half years this spring, they also happen to be the overseers for the company during its 40th anniversary. Jutras says there aren’t any big plans for a celebration as of yet. As it turns out, in the past
24
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
year they’ve made a few big changes. While Paquet’s family has a background in owning their own business, Jutras is no stranger in working with big firms; he previously worked in food production, specifically with Frito-Lay, a division of the multinational food and drink giant PepsiCo. “I have a degree in mechanical engineering; Simon is a chartered accountant with a family business dealing in petroleum distribution,” said Jutras. A Quebec man named Normand
Plante (the “Plan” in Plannord) created the company in 1976 in the historic town of Château-Richer (said to be the location of one of North America’s firstever roads, in the 17th century). It was initially a snow grooming equipment company that also sold snow removal equipment to municipalities. It still does that, specializing in snow grooming vehicles, as well as tracked vehicles and other kinds of municipal-use vehicles. Plante is no longer in the picture,
PLANNORD
but his company has since grown into a 25-employee business, with two locations close to the province’s two biggest cities. One location is in Laval on Corbusier Boulevard just north of 440, serving the Montreal area, and the other location is in Lévis, just south of the St. Lawrence and southwest from Quebec City itself. The company also has four mobile service units out in the field, which travel across Quebec and the Maritimes. “We have one specific mechanic
who’s mobile; he’s based out of Mont Tremblant,” said Jutras of their relatively new experiment. “He works out of a service truck. It’s something that we had in the past but not specifically based out of that area.” Jutras says that historically, the company grew slowly over the years. According to Plannord’s own account, they purchased the Bombardier dealership (prior to their arrival back in the ‘80s) from Clement and Freres, a dealership in the town of Louiseville,
near Trois Rivieres. It was the oldest Bombardier dealership in operation at that time, having been around since the 1940s. When Jutras and Paquet eventually took over Plannord in September 2013, the previous owners had sold them what Jutras calls “a wellorganized company.” And that company keeps growing. Prinoth decided to outsource its maintenance and parts last year, and leave that to guys like Plannord. “Prinoth is located in Granby. AnySNOW GROOMING
25
Background photo: my nordic / Shutterstock.com
Diversity
PLANNORD
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Plannord, an equipment company specializing in snow grooming
SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE
218-683-9800 877-436-7800
$6,998
SEE IT ALL AT MATTRACKS.COM
THE
MAXIM 26
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
thing related to service and parts for their alpine division would be transferred out to dealers. From September onwards, we are the representative of Prinoth equipment for Quebec and the Maritimes,” said Jutras. “We offer full service for maintenance and parts.” Plannord also recently started carrying the Panther line of T-6 and T-8 utility vehicles, a pair of notable additions and something that Jutras says Plannord hadn’t carried before. “It opens up a certain market, more like the contractor side,” said Jutras; it’s one of the moves that positions the company to be a year-round performer. “Also, the Panther is intended for yearround use. We’ve done some demos already with contractors, electrical lines and power lines. We felt that we needed to carry the complete line of Prinoth.” The firm also deals with Camoplast for their transporter and municipal division. It’s not just new equipment that the company sells. Because they deal in exchanges with groups like snowmobile clubs and similar organizations, Plannord also deals in some used equipment. Jutras figures the breakdown is
PLANNORD
Jutras and Paquet had spent a lot of energy in the last few years looking for something to occupy their company during that time between April and November, and were also looking to diversify their business. two-thirds new equipment and onethird used equipment. Of course, North America has its share of winter-based businesses, businesses that usually feel a bit of a strain or downturn while they are waiting for winter to arrive if they don’t have anything else in place. Jutras and Paquet had spent a lot of energy in the last few years looking for something to occupy their company during that time between April and November, and were also looking to diversify their business. Their mission statement even speaks to their attempt to diversify: “Équipements Plannord ltée wants to be rec-
ognized as the leader in terms of sales and service for snow groomers, municipal vehicles, in addition with off-road transporters.” “But even Prinoth said not just to rely on the one line,” said Jutras. “We were trying to find lines not represented in Quebec City.” And recently, after attending conventions and otherwise scouring the landscape for an appropriate business, they got their wish. They found their solution within the pages of a local economic business journal and stumbling upon a posting regarding a Bobcat dealership opportunity.
“Summertime was slow,” said Jutras. “We were focusing on [something for] summer. We got our hands on a Bobcat dealership in Quebec City. This makes [Plannord] more of a complete offering.” After their third winter at the helm of Plannord, Jutras figures that their biggest challenge (except for the low snow of an El Niño winter) so far has been, in fact, their attempt to diversify. But with the Panther and Bobcat lines, they may have stumbled on a solution. Said Jutras, “The one challenge was not relying on just the one line.” Photos courtesy of Équipements Plannord ltée
TUCKER SNO-CAT ® TUCKER TERRA 2000
NEW
and USED
RELIABLE SMOOTH RIDE GREAT TRACTION
TRACK INCORPORATED
952-888-7372 MAKE YOUR TRAIL
WWW.TRACKINC.COM
- A TUCKER TRAIL!
SNOW GROOMING
27
PARTNERS IN SNOW INNOVATION Leica Geosystems and Prinoth yield new analysis with the iCON alpine system
By Jon Waldman
F
or 200 years, Leica Geosystems has been a leader in technology, and now they’re bringing their experience to the snow grooming industry thanks to a partnership with Italian company Prinoth. The announcement came in April 2015, with Prinoth promoting that the new opportunities from the partnership will not only bring about technological advances but also new efficiency for the industry. “We are proud to announce this strategic partnership, and are convinced that this system is the best solution available on the market compared with other snow depth measurement systems,” said Prinoth head of program and product management, Andreas Muigg, in a release. “The accurate sen-
28
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
sors transfer the height information below blade in real-time to the display in the cab, thus enabling snow groomer operators now to act – and not just react.” From Leica Geosystems’ side, the partnership is highlighted by the technology that will lead to better efficiency. “The collaboration provides more efficiency in grooming slopes, dramatically reducing fuel emissions and considerably reducing costs,” said Doug Brown, sales manager for special machines in North America for Leica Geosystems. The result of this partnership is the iCON alpine system, which Brown describes as a “complete management solution for ski slope infrastructure.” “The system allows the exchange of all snow height infor-
LEICA GEOSYSTEMS
The partnership between Leica Geosystems and Prinoth has already proven extremely successful
mation and current working status of the ski slope simultaneously among all snow groomer operators in real-time,” he said. “With accurate, real-time data in hand, the snow production managers and drivers are all able to operate more efficiently and effectively.”
Background
Leica Geosystems’ long history began nearly 200 years ago, and continues today as part of Hexagon, which, as Brown says, provides design, measurement and visualization technologies, particularly in the construction industry (where the “iCON” – intelligent CONstruction – label comes from). “In construction,” said Brown, “the company has become
known for tailor-made iCON solutions. These include hardware and software solutions that streamline positioning and measurement tasks, as well as powerful machine control solutions that communicate seamlessly with iCONstruct sensors on the site and in the office. iCON solutions also provide easy data transfer from office to site and machine, remote support for operators on the machine, and basic fleet management functionality.” Prinoth, meanwhile, has roots dating back to 1951 when racecar driver Ernst Prinoth opened a garage. In 1961, Prinoth’s attention turned to snow grooming and one year latContinued on page 31
SNOW GROOMING
29
THE MOST VERSATILE GROOMER Soucy’s track systems are the most versatile grooming option out there. With our ingenious four-track system, your tractor will get the traction, flotation, and comfort you need for grooming your trails.
TM
www.soucy-track.com
TUCKER
SNO-CAT ® ___________________
CORPORATION
Building Quality Since 1942.
30
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
LEICA GEOSYSTEMS
Leica Geosystems and Prinoth have more plans to innovate together in the future
er, working out of his garage, the fledgling company rolled out the prototype of its first snow grooming machine. Since then, the company was purchased by the Leitner Group (circa 2000) and now operates as a subsidiary of the parent company. Prinoth has grown itself, acquiring Canada-based Camoplast in 2005. All the while, Prinoth has built a reputation for being an industry leader, which makes the marriage with Leica Geosystems so perfect.
LIF-TRACK
The “All-Vehicle” Lift Improve your maintenance program, lower your costs and increase worker safety... and productivity.
Prospects
What exactly are the prospects for the snow grooming industry? They’re undeniably strong, as has already been demonstrated. Brown reports that a ski resort in Switzerland using the iCON alpine solution experienced a 15 percent reduction in water usage, 10 percent less electricity, 15 percent less diesel fuel consumption and 10 percent lower operating cost. This includes 130,000 fewer cubic yards of snow being produced and 4,000 fewer hours of machine operation over the duration of their season. “Snow – especially man-made snow – is a valuable raw material. Being able to maintain and use it in the most efficient way until the end of the season, and perhaps even extending the season, provides a tremendous potential for cost savings,” said Brown. “The Leica iCON alpine 3D can make the snow sport industry more productive and profitable by providing efficient slope management.” That efficiency comes from specific abilities of the iCON
Three Rivers
Welch Village
Perfect North Slopes
9 of our last 13 LIF-TRACK’s went to Small to Medium Size Resorts (4 machines or less, 1000 vertical feet or less)
liftechequip.com
518.463.3243 / gpavlick@liftechequip.com
SNOW GROOMING
31
LEICA GEOSYSTEMS
“The Leica iCON alpine 3D can make the snow sport industry more productive and profitable by providing efficient slope management.” – Doug Brown, Sales Manager for Special Machines, North America, Leica Geosystems Inc. that set it apart from the competition, namely in its ability to measure the capacity of snow in a particular area in real-time, giving the ability to make changes on the fly as necessary to allow for repairs to be made to an area any time needed. “This enables operators to immediately respond to snow conditions and prepare slopes perfectly,” said Brown. “Groomers equipped with Leica iCON alpine can detect weak points and low snow depths early on and identify locations with extra snow, allowing a ski resort to optimize its snow production. This not only saves time and costs and adds safety to slopes, but also reduces water and energy needed for slope preparation, dramatically decreasing the customer’s ecological footprint.” The relationship between Leica and Prinoth may begin with iCON alpine 3D, but it certainly won’t end there. With innovation continuing from both sides, expect more from these two industry leaders in the future.
The display
Photos courtesy of Leica Geosystems and Prinoth
Do you know where your equipment is at all times? AtlasTrax will give you live data on any equipment from groomers to snowmobiles. Our self-contained tracking units operate for a full season without the need for wiring, battery replacement or operator attention. Customizable reports and maps are available through a web portal.
The Leader in Satellite Tracking of Groomers
Track grooming equipment by satellite anywhere…anytime. • GPS location
• Paperless reporting
• Simple installation – no wiring required
• Low cost
• Trail condition reports to your members
• Track online
USA & Canada Toll Free 1.888.640.1GPS (1477) | Depuis le Québec 1.514.613.5885 | International +1.613.604.0222
For more information visit us at atlastrax.com
32
March 2016 | snowgroomingmag.com
INTRODUCING: The MuddTrax
AN AFFORDABLE SOLUTION TO YOUR GROOMING NEEDS The SnowTrax 1100 series snow grooming vehicles by LiteTrax provide the comfort and flexibility of a large grooming vehicle as well as agility that is second to none. • Compact – 78” wide x 90” long x 76” high • Low ground pressure – .39 to .43 PSI • Powerful – 44HP Kubota Turbo Diesel • Comfortable – Our new 2016 models feature a roomy 62” heated cab • Reliable – New Direct Drive Hydrostatic Transmission with no chains or sprockets • Versatile – 2 or 4 person models, plus many accessories available • Affordable – a fraction of the price of a full-size snow grooming vehicle
Phone: 1-435-753-TRAX (8729) | Email: Sales@LiteTrax.com www.litetrax.com | 1301 W. 50 S. Centerville, UT 84014
2015 sons.
400 4F
Transformance Seamless transition to Tier 4 technology. Increased perfomace Super clean air More horsepower
www.pistenbullyusa.com
More torque Better fuel economy