A snowmobile with two tracks: what is it and how is it different from a regular one?

Russian snowmobiles

The new 2-track snowmobile “Shikhan”, like the “Buran” known to compatriots, is focused on the purely Russian characteristics of climate and landscape.

This is a snow all-terrain vehicle for work, recreation, hunting and fishing in the most difficult natural conditions.

Its design feature is one spring swivel ski plus two tracks 38 cm wide and 287.85 and 368.65 long in 1- and 2-seater models.

Its side trusses are open, and its high and spacious cargo compartment allows you to go on long and long journeys.

Description of the model range

Currently, the Shikhanov model range is represented by the following models:

K-1/K-1E. A 1-seat super all-terrain snowmobile with an improved short frame, the snowmobile quickly cleans itself and allows for quick inspection of the undercarriage thanks to its open trusses.

1 ski provides excellent maneuverability among bushes and small trees

K-2/K-2E . Short, improved frame with a wide 2-seater seat, traditionally open side trusses.

It is especially popular among hunters and fishermen who like to hunt in winter and early spring.

Because stuck snow and ice are removed quickly and easily from such a frame, if you need to inspect the chassis on the road, then this is no longer a problem. During movement, the frames self-clean.

D-1/D-1E . The total area of ​​2 tracks is 3686.5 millimeters - this guarantees an increased support area, which reduces the pressure on the ground, and therefore increases the cross-country ability of the snowmobile.

It easily moves on fresh snow even with a loaded sled weighing 350 kilograms.

1 ski provides easy maneuverability among any forest obstacles. The wide 1-seater seat has a large luggage compartment underneath, which is appreciated by hunters and winter fishing enthusiasts.

D-2/D-2E . The 2-seater extended frame with a wide, comfortable seat and large luggage compartment is especially attractive for long-distance travel enthusiasts.

Open side trusses ensure easy self-cleaning of adhered snow and ice; the increased track area provides little pressure on the ground, be it loose fresh snow or swamp porridge.

A 1 ski increases the maneuverability of the snowmobile. Even if a load of 350 kilograms is attached to it.

We present to your attention a video of a Suzuki Hayabusa where an experienced driver wedges himself into a dense line of cars, in some moments it even takes your breath away.

What types of waterproof DVRs for motorcycles are available, read our article.

Differences from a regular snowmobile

The single-ski snowmobile differs from conventional snowbikes in:

1. Transmissions. This type of bike has a reduction gearbox, which is responsible for pulling heavy loads without uneven load.
2. Weight. It is several times heavier than sports snowmobiles.
3. Rear suspension. For easy reversing, track-type snowbikes have a break-away rear.
4. Front suspension. “Gorniki” are owners of different types of pendants. Or telescopic, which improves maneuverability between trees and has high maneuverability. Either lever, bikes with such suspension have a wide distance between the skis. The suspension adds stability and comfort, as it is not susceptible to unevenness, but noticeably loses in maneuverability.
5. Caterpillars. These snowmobiles have long, strong tracks that handle snow easily.
6. Number of places. Tracked representatives are always equipped with one seat and a small trunk.

Manufacturer

The Shikhan snowmobile has been produced by Yaroslavl Off-Road Equipment since 2013.
Rania this model was called Irbis. All products of this enterprise are equipment for hunters, hunters and fishermen who need reliable modern equipment at reasonable prices.

The Shikhan snowmobile performed well both in the tundra and in the Siberian taiga.

The peculiarity of the new development of the enterprise - Shihan snowmobiles - is a modern design based on a reinforced chassis, wide seats that have a backrest and are 45 centimeters wide, which allow you to place spacious cargo compartments underneath.

Power steering and a single ski contribute to the unrivaled maneuverability of Shihan snowmobiles.

Yaroslavl Off-Road Equipment has a developed dealer network, so its products can be purchased throughout almost the entire territory of Russia.

Track dimensions

Tracks are one of the most important in the overall design of snowbikes. They are responsible for the quality of cross-country ability on certain surfaces.

There are several standard width sizes for tracks. These are 380 mm, 600 mm and 500 mm, there are other formats, but most snowmobile models are designed for these. For a mountain worker, 380 mm is quite suitable, but for a utility worker, you need to choose a wider size.

The length also varies, but generally it is 15 inches for narrow tracks and 20 inches for wide versions.

For heavy, massive bikes with one ski, the stability of the track on the snow and the even pressure exerted on it are important. The length can be from 3900 to 4100 mm, and the width from 410 to 600 mm.

Maneuverable mountain snowmobiles with two tracks and two skis often have long tracks from 3811 mm and narrow tracks up to 400 mm with high lugs. Due to this, such control and flexibility of transport is achieved.

The height of the lugs is very important; to choose it correctly, you need to decide where it will be used. The looser the snow, the greater the height of the lug should be. Available on sale from 28 to 77 mm.

Specifications

What is a snowmobile, its structure and principle of operation

A snowmobile is a vehicle for traveling on snow and ice.
Structurally, a snowmobile is the same motorcycle, only instead of wheels there are tracks and skis. Most modern snowmobiles have one track at the rear and a pair of steering skis at the front. This three-point design provides maximum stability and greater maneuverability than a one-ski, two-track design.

Main components of a snowmobile

• Engine. Gasoline, injection, 2 or 4 stroke, air or water cooled;
• Transmission.
• Housing (with air intake, head light, mudguards, reflectors), windshield, seat, controls. Body material - steel, aluminum alloys or fiberglass.
• Track and rear suspension. The track is a one-piece lug belt made of rubber or composite materials, sometimes with Kevlar cord.
• Skis have a handle and a skate. A handle on the nose to pull the snowmobile out or turn the skis in the snow. Skate - improves handling, cuts dense snow and ice. The ski material is elastic, lightweight, high-strength plastic.
• Front suspension (wishbone or telescopic).

Estimated cost

The approximate cost of Shikhan snowmobiles models K-1/K-1E, K-2/K-2E in most stores is 172,000 rubles at the beginning of 2021.
Models D-1/D-1E, D-2/D-2E - 183,000 rubles. As you can see, the amounts are quite affordable and accessible.

Used Shirkhan snowmobiles can traditionally be purchased for half the price if they are in good condition. Equipment that requires repair can be purchased for mere pennies.

We bring to your attention a video of Kawasaki Vulcan, this is an excellent Japanese cruiser, which is made in the American classic style.

The main advantages of mini snowmobiles are their price and compactness.

Making a snowmobile on caterpillar tracks with your own hands

Before starting work, decide on the tool. We can say with 100% certainty that you will need: various screwdrivers, a hammer, welding, a pipe bender (if you don’t have a ready-made frame).

Before preparing a drawing for making your own snowmobile, familiarize yourself with the standard configuration.

1. Frame.
   Every snowmobile has a frame: the more complex the design, the more reliable and stronger the frame should be. The best option is to take it from an ATV, scooter or motorcycle. If you don’t have such a part, you can weld it yourself from pipes with a diameter of at least 40 mm.
2. Seat.
   The seat on the snowmobile must be durable, since the structure itself is quite low.

Mandatory condition: the seat must be made of waterproof material.

1. Engine.
   When choosing an engine, pay attention to its power. If you want a powerful snowmobile, then the engine should be like this.
2. Tank.
   A container with a volume of 10-15 liters, made of metal, is perfect for a fuel tank.
3. Skis.
   If you don’t have ready-made skis that can be adapted for a snowmobile, you can make them yourself from wood. It is better if it is at least nine-layer plywood.
4. Steering wheel.
   When choosing a steering wheel, think about your comfort. It is best if it is borrowed from a two-wheeled unit.
5. Caterpillars.
   Making the tracks is perhaps the most difficult part of the entire self-propelled vehicle.
6. Drive unit.
   In order for the tracks to rotate, you will need a drive - it is best in this case to use a chain from a motorcycle.

Frame

If you don’t have a ready-made frame, you can easily weld it from a profile pipe and shape it using a pipe bender.

If you can’t make calculations and draw up a drawing yourself, then use the drawing from our website as an example.

Once the frame is assembled, treat it with an anti-corrosion compound and cover it with high-quality paint that will withstand both moisture and frost.

Caterpillars

Everyone who has previously designed a caterpillar walk-behind tractor on their own notes: making tracks is the most difficult process in a homemade project.

The easiest way to construct them is from car tires. This option is the most advantageous - high quality and low budget. The part is manufactured in a closed circle, so a tire rupture cannot occur.

Snowmobile tracks made from tires

Instructions for making caterpillars:

• From a car tire: take the tire and cut off the beads (it’s better to do this with a sharp knife). You need to cut so that the flexible part with the protector remains.

Tire caterpillar

• From a conveyor belt: cut the tape to the required length;
• sew the edges with fishing line;
• close it into a ring, sewing the ends together;
• We will attach lugs to the resulting canvas. As lugs we use plastic water pipes with a diameter of at least forty mm (cut lengthwise).
• We fasten the pipes to the canvas with screws.

Caterpillar made of conveyor belt and PVC pipes

How to make a caterpillar with your own hands is written in more detail in a separate article. You may be interested in other homemade accessories for the walk-behind tractor.

Skis

Skis are the simplest part that can be easily made. Again, for manufacturing you need a drawing that shows all the parameters. Below is a drawing according to which you can make skis for a snowmobile.

Ski

If you decide to make a snowmobile based on a walk-behind tractor, we hope that all the information provided above will be useful.

Photo gallery

The photo below shows a powerful domestic unit, which is currently the leader in cross-country ability in forest conditions. Confident movement in deep snow provides unsurpassed maneuverability in both snowy forests and swamps.

Article on how to choose a snowmobile

This feature sets snowmobiles apart from other vehicles. Skis are the most convenient means of moving on snow, and this applies not only to equipment, but also to people. They tried to attach them to cars and airplanes at the very beginning of the 20th century. Military equipment was also not spared; skis were attached to snowmobiles, which had high maneuverability and high speed. As for motorcycles, they have been equipped not only with skis, but also with tracks for many decades. Similar experiments were carried out with bicycles. Thus, the scope of application of skis is limited only by the imagination of the designers.

Caterpillars.

Two skis provide better maneuverability. However, many hunters prefer snowmobiles with one ski. The reason for this is that when driving on a road with small obstacles, there is a risk of getting stuck, and when an obstacle gets between the skis, you have to reverse, and the car may finally get stuck in the snow.

The shape and size of skis affect performance. It takes about 24 hours to make one ski; the only differences between them are the shape of the skate and the width. A shorter blade allows for better control of the snowmobile on uneven surfaces. A longer skate gives better handling on loose snow. Otherwise, the skis installed on snowmobiles are almost identical and, most importantly, they are versatile.

The snowmobile contacts the snow with skis (most models have 2 skis) and a track. Thus, there are three points of contact. There are exceptions, for example, “Buran” has two tracks and one ski.

The character of a snowmobile is largely determined by the type of track. Its choice depends on the purpose of the specific model. For some, speed and controllability are important, while others strive for better cross-country ability. Most often, a 38 cm wide track is used. It provides good controllability, because the wider the track, the more difficult it is to change the trajectory.

The next type is tracks with a width of 50 cm. Snowmobiles with such a part are designed to overcome difficult trails.

For deep snow, snowmobiles with tracks 38 or 40 cm wide are most suitable. It turns out that the width parameters determine the vehicle’s maneuverability.

This indicator of a snowmobile is important only if you suddenly get stuck. The lighter the car, the easier it is to pull it out of the snow alone.

Engine.

The displacement of most engines starts from 500 cm3. If an engine breakdown occurs far from civilization, it can lead to serious consequences. There are different types of motors for different tasks. Due to the nature of snowmobiles, motors may only be designed for snowmobiles and cannot be used on motorcycles or other vehicles.

The main requirement for the motor is maximum reliability. After all, sometimes it’s not only about the condition of the car, but also about the life of the driver. There are two main types of engines: two-stroke and four-stroke. From the point of view of ease of maintenance and repair, two-stroke engines are considered more preferable, but only the four-stroke version can provide better performance. This type is becoming increasingly popular and is used on most models. Two-stroke engines today are used only on utilitarian machines, where maintainability is more important than dynamics.

An air two-stroke engine consists of two cylinders, two spark plugs and a carburetor; this is the simplest, and at the same time quite reliable type of engine. The four-stroke engine is not inferior to its “younger brother” in reliability. And sometimes even superior, but it is more difficult to repair and maintain. Only a true specialist in this field can cope with these tasks. But not every person, especially if he lives somewhere in the Far North, has the opportunity to turn to a professional.

In some cases, the engine performance characteristics include only the volume, there is no information about power, as, for example, in Yamaha snowmobiles.

Transmission.

All snowmobile models use a CVT transmission. They are somewhat similar to the options that are equipped with scooters, but there are also significant differences. The main feature of CVT repair is the need to quickly change the belt. Transmission settings on snowmobiles are also different from scooters.

The greater the load on the skis, the better the car listens to the steering wheel. If the bulk of the weight falls on the caterpillar, then cross-country ability increases. The best option is to distribute the load evenly; in this case, the unit behaves in the most balanced way. If a snowmobile gets buried in the snow, then with an even weight distribution it is very easy to rescue it with the help of a lever. A larger turning radius indicates that the center of gravity is correctly adjusted.

However, this does not mean that perfect snowmobiles exist. Leading manufacturers are constantly releasing new, more advanced equipment, and competitors have to come up with something unique in order to get ahead, this is the law of the market. All improvements are made in much the same way as in the automotive world. Drivers express their wishes, manufacturers draw up a certain concept and implement it, taking into account an analysis of the shortcomings of the existing model.

The most striking new product of the season from the Yamaha manufacturer was the APEX XTX model, which was developed from scratch. It tested technologies that were previously used only on cars, for example, electric power steering. However, the main function of the amplifier is not to help the driver control, but to neutralize the force of impacts when driving over bumps and other irregularities. And if the driver is just beginning to learn the basics of driving a snowmobile, then he can simply let go of the steering wheel.

Another innovation is a computer-controlled exhaust valve. Thanks to it, backup is created at medium and low speeds. The power curve and torque curve become absolutely flat, without any dips.

The front suspension geometry, the riding position, the engine, the design - all of this was revised during the creation of the new Yamaha model. In particular, the engine has become more powerful and a knock sensor has appeared.

Movement.

Most snowmobiles can reach speeds of up to 170 km/h. When driving, the driver experiences a special feeling of speed that cannot be compared with cars. Even at 70 km/h there is an incredible adrenaline rush.

The handling of a snowmobile is also different from that of a car. Avoiding obstacles on the highway is not so easy, so you shouldn’t strive for speed records, especially on unfamiliar routes. And don’t forget to wear protective equipment before your trip.

Work with the body and head is what is required of the snowmobile driver. Movement occurs in an unlimited space, so you need to carefully monitor the condition of the snow. Snowmobiles are controlled by the body and the steering wheel, but in some situations, such as when driving in deep snow, steering wheel movements are simply useless, the machine is controlled only by the body.

The most powerful snowmobiles require no more than 3 seconds to reach 100 km/h. So snowmobiles are a type of high-speed machine.

There are no universal recipes for gas management. Sometimes you have to squeeze the gas all the way, despite your instincts. This is especially true for deep snow, when stuck in which it is almost impossible to pull the car out without outside help. Reverse gear will only “bury” the snowmobile even deeper in the snow.

There is nothing more important than experience, which suggests the desired position of the body at one time or another, allowing you to feel your car and determine situations when you need to press the gas with all your might.

Of course, in terms of mileage, snowmobiles are inferior to cars and cannot cover millions of kilometers.

Service.

In order for a snowmobile to serve you faithfully for many years, it must be handled very carefully and repaired or maintained in a timely manner. Before the start of the season, the car is necessarily mothballed, and at the beginning of the season it is de-mothballed. Maintenance is no different with motorcycles. Thus, minimal attention to your car and a head on your shoulders can solve any problem that arises. If you fall in love with technology, it will definitely love you back.

When climbing the Petrelius Pass, all participants experienced new sensations and also understood the danger of this place for tourists. Due to the hurricane wind, the comments of the brave people were not heard. To protect ourselves, it was decided to immediately descend along the same road.

It is unlikely that after this trip there will be people who will say that the Russian Mechanics company does not make high-quality snowmobiles. In 2 days a distance of more than 200 km was covered. After overcoming climbs, steep descents, spring streams and hurricane winds, only one thing becomes clear - the production of simple, inexpensive and high-quality equipment in Russia must develop at a high pace!