DIY ski module for motorized towing vehicle

What to look for when choosing

Suspension

The greatest load during off-road driving falls on this element. The suspension distributes the weight of the equipment and cargo onto the track, while the force can change dramatically. The suspension is:

roller (this type is considered to be all-season) - the tracks move on rotating rollers: not suitable for driving on melted or loose snow;
slick - an ideal option for moving on snow, since the design features involve the sliding of the caterpillar track along the slicks (skis), in addition, heating occurs due to friction, and the main components cool under the influence of snow;

Important! Vehicles with this type of suspension stand out from the rest due to their excellent cross-country ability and economical fuel consumption, however, it is not recommended to operate such motorized towing vehicles without snow. Certain types of equipment are equipped with springs for better comfort during movement.

pneumatic - made specifically to overcome swampy terrain (units with such a suspension are characterized by a smooth ride, which makes the ride as comfortable as possible).

Motor

The latest generation of motorized towing vehicles, as a rule, have 4-stroke gasoline engines with a power of 5-15 horsepower. Honda (Japan) and Briggs&Stratton (USA) have proven themselves to be excellent. Their worthy rivals are Lifan and MTR from China. Experts advise giving preference to high-power models, because only such a motorized dog can cope with the most difficult tasks.

Transmission

For ease of controllability, manufacturers equip their units with an automatic clutch or a CVT. The most favorable solution, according to experts and buyers, is a transmission with a Safari variator, which has proven itself excellent in the harsh Russian climate.

Application area

The equipment is selected taking into account the specifics of the territory, the cargo that is planned to be transported, as well as the type of road surface. For fans of winter fishing and hunters, a small-sized device that perfectly overcomes ice and snow would be an excellent option.

To operate motorized dogs in the fall and spring, experts advise taking a closer look at units that are capable of crossing swampy terrain.

Helpful information! Motorized towing vehicles with roller suspension ride well on grass and mud.

Load capacity

To have a pleasant time outdoors with friends, you should focus your attention on the traction capabilities of a particular model. If the user loves speed, then it is worth giving preference to lightweight and high-speed equipment

A sled's carrying capacity of about 200 kg is enough for one fisherman, and if a group of several people gathers to hunt, then it is worth purchasing a model that can handle 500-700 kg of cargo in a hitch.

Manufacturer

The final criterion is the manufacturer, since the Internet presents a large number of primitive equipment assembled by amateurs.

Man K2 - 18.5M

The “heart” of this axlebox is a 4-stroke engine with 15 horsepower. The unit is equipped with a 2-bearing transmission and a safari variator. A metal hood is used to protect the engine compartment. The frame material is durable 3mm steel. The drive shaft maintains a constant horizontal position thanks to self-aligning, serviceable bearings.

The length of the motorized dog is optimal for products of this kind and is 1450 mm. Track width – 500 mm. Thanks to the increased angle of attack, the pressure on the snow is reduced. This allows the motorized towing vehicle to pass through even 1.5-meter snowdrifts without problems.

Advantages:

high level of load capacity – up to 0.75 t;
thoughtful design (all units are reliably protected from external contamination);
good lighting;
increased angle of attack.

The disadvantage of the design is that it is somewhat prone to collapse.

Pomor 500 S15 (1450 mm)

The best option for multifunctional use. In addition to the standard functionality, the kit is rich in additional accessories: mounts for snowboards/skis, a removable rack, hand protection from the wind. The manufacturer did not focus on the design of the towing vehicle, devoting more effort to ergonomics and convenience. But this did not in any way affect the maneuverability of the vehicle.

The choice of roller or skid suspension smoothes out uneven terrain in wilderness areas, preventing rollovers. Deep snow is no problem for a motorized towing vehicle. The wide 50 cm double-sided caterpillar will prevent you from digging in or falling through.

Advantages:

Heated handles;
Storage case;
High quality brakes;
Navigation materials;
Engine noise insulation;
Develops a speed of 50 km/h.

Flaws:

Weight 120 kg.

When transporting large quantities of cargo, the steering wheel is adjusted to a vertical position. This allows the driver to drive while standing and have a better view of the road. For these purposes, users are advised to give preference to AI-95 gasoline.

What is the disadvantage of a high angle of attack?

When your angle of attack is too high, the area of support decreases. The caterpillar has a length of 2820 mm. If the angle of attack is zero, this is a huge plus, because cross-country ability in deep snow is better, because the support spot with a length of 1400 mm lies directly on the snow and this is good, this is a plus. But the disadvantage of this design is that you collect all the stumps, ice cubes under the snow with a star, a chain, and there is a possibility of hitting an obstacle - a stone or something else. You can bend the sprocket or frame, break the chain, etc.

The angle of attack affects the maneuverability, and the better it is, the higher the speed. With a large support area, it is easier for a motorized towing vehicle to drive in the snow, and it goes faster - this is a plus. And the minus is the likelihood that you will bend your star or break the chain. The probability is very high: 70 percent out of 100. We are driving through a forest, some pond, where there is ice and hummocks sticking out and you can hit. The angle of attack partly affects the speed.

The smaller the angle of attack, the larger the footprint. The larger the footprint, the easier it is for the towing vehicle to move through deep snow.

To increase speed, you need to reduce the angle of attack, but this creates a lot of problems. The star will hit all the bumps. If the angle of attack is too high, we eliminate the impact of the star on the ground, but we get a reduced footprint. This leads to the fact that we will fall more into the snow and the likelihood that we will bury ourselves is very high. Therefore, the best thing is to have an optimal angle of attack. This is the golden mean - when the star is not very raised and not very lowered, somewhere at the level of 10 cm from the ground.

Basic elements of a motorized dog

The most important piece of equipment is the engine. Typically, a single-cylinder carburetor gasoline engine is used to create motorized dogs.

An equally important part is the rubber-metal track - the propulsion unit with suspension. With the help of the caterpillar you can drive on snow, ice, soft ground in warm weather

It is worth taking a closer look at all the components of a motorized dog.

Car engine

The motor from the Sh-58 moped, designed for manual gearbox shifting, is considered popular. Scooter engines can also be used. The main thing is that the product has good traction characteristics, a power of at least 6 hp. With. This is enough to transport one person and a load of 30-50 kg on a motorized dog. For a trip of two people and a load of 150-200 kg, it is better to choose an engine with a power of more than 9 liters. With. A chain tensioner is often used as an engine tuning element.

Motorized dog support frame

The frame must be of excellent quality, because on the road it experiences high loads, especially when driving off-road. This design is made entirely with your own hands, welded from rectangular metal pipes. Usually a pipe thickness of 3 millimeters is enough; thinner metal is not suitable, it quickly deforms.

You can see how to make a frame with your own hands in the photo and video. Take two pipes with a cross-section of 20*20 mm, add two more sizes of 20*40 mm, and form a frame. Two 40 mm corners are welded into it, and a protective frame for the engine is welded on top, which will prevent it from being damaged when the equipment rolls over. It is also advisable to attach a galvanized sheet to the frame with rivets to cover the track.

Motorcycle dog suspension

The suspension serves as an important indicator of the performance of the chassis. By design, it can be skating or sliding. The skating rink performs worse in the snow, but is ideal for movement in the warm season. The suspension on skids prevents the tracks from clogging, but is used only in winter: it needs snow to cool the system (ski module).

To make a motorized dog at home and travel in any season of the year, you should choose a modern roller suspension, but not with a rigid one, but with a spring support for the rollers. Such a motorized dog will move more smoothly on a frozen road. When driving, you will have to avoid too loose snow.

Everything is on foot, the fisherman is on skis

In Russia, on average, seven months are quite cold. To drive on snow, assemble a ski module for a motorized towing vehicle. The equipment created with one’s own hands has one undeniable advantage - the designer knows all the weak points and promptly determines the location of the problem.

The ski module is a frame on skis, with springs, and the structure is attached to the motorized towing vehicle with four bolts. The control levers of the towing vehicle are located on the steering wheel of the module.

For loose snow, the use of a ski module is justified by the low specific pressure on the ground.

Tselina MB-509VB

Powerful and reliable engine Country: Russia (manufactured in China) Average price: 71,500 rubles.
Rating (2020): 4.2 The powerful motorized towing vehicle TSELINA MB-509VB takes a worthy place in the list of the best low-speed models of motorized dogs. The device is perfect for both household needs and for recreation and entertainment. One of the features of this model is that a drag sled is supplied with it. The weight of the motorized dog is 105 kg, which is relatively small. The total permissible load on the equipment is no more than 150 kg, including the driver. At the same time, the highest speed that the motorized towing vehicle will develop will be 20 km/h. The manual starting system will make starting the engine much easier, even in severe frosts.

The main advantages of using this model in customer reviews include convenient controls, a robust body and a reliable engine. A 4-stroke single-cylinder unit with a capacity of 9 liters is installed here. pp., which is powered by AI-92 or AI-95 gasoline. Maximum fuel consumption is 2.8 l/hour. A distinctive feature of this model is the presence of heated handles, which is especially important for winter use. The steering wheel folds, making storing equipment much more convenient. A strong LED headlight is installed at the front. Weaknesses include high cost and low carrying capacity.

When purchasing a motorized towing vehicle, we recommend paying attention to the following important characteristics:

Engine. The more powerful it is, the faster the motorized dog will move, and the larger the load can be placed on the drag sled. As a rule, single-cylinder four-stroke units with a power of up to 15 hp are installed. It should be remembered that greater engine power implies increased consumption and requires a larger fuel supply. Load capacity. Most motorized dogs have their own trunk, which is most often used to transport tools and an additional canister of fuel. In addition, the motorized towing vehicle is capable of pulling sleds with a load of 150 to 500 kg, depending on the design and engine power. Transmission. There are 2 types: automatic and CVT. The first type provides the greatest traction force, but is less reliable due to the large number of parts in the assembly. The CVT is somewhat more expensive than the automatic, but it lasts an order of magnitude longer. Track and chassis design. Here it is necessary to take into account the surface on which you plan to move on a motorized dog. For snow, devices with large hooks are better suited, but on hard ground they will only get in the way. In addition, some motorized towing vehicles can be equipped with replaceable ski and wheel modules. Frame. This is the main power element of a motorized towing vehicle.

It is necessary to pay attention to the profile of the frame and the thickness of the steel sheet from which it is made. Recommended thickness – at least 3 mm

This thickness will ensure that shock loads are received harmlessly for the overall structure and will not allow deformation. Fuel tank volume. It should be selected based on how voracious the motorized towing vehicle is. Optimally, it will be 2-2.5 hours of constant work. It should be remembered that carrying a large supply of fuel with you is not always convenient.

Replacing the top sprocket on the driven shaft

For those raiders who have already traveled, for experienced riders on motorized towing vehicles, who move along a reservoir or along a well-worn road, speed is partly important, because you can accelerate and get there faster.

It’s possible to make such a motorized towing vehicle. Put the 30th belt and the 11th (11 teeth) top sprocket on the driven shaft, and your speed will increase if the transmission is set up correctly and the engine is running correctly at the right speed. In general, the towing vehicle can accelerate with a 15 horsepower engine, with a 30 belt and 11 top sprockets on the drive shaft and a 26 on the driven shaft - it will accelerate from 40 to 50 km per hour.

If this is not enough for you and you still decide to tune your motorized towing vehicle and make it as fast as possible, what should you do? If you have a classic transmission from a Buran snowmobile - this is a Safari variator with movable and stationary transmission discs, what should you do? The driven disk is removed, 4 mm washers are placed there so that the 33rd belt fits there perfectly. It all comes back together - the driven transmission. It turns out that the gap between the slave and master disks has become larger and increased. Accordingly, the variator itself is designed for 33 belts from the very beginning, there is no need to adjust anything there. And that's it - put on the 33rd belt.

To be even more sure that it will start watering at all, you need to replace the standard 11-teeth upper sprocket on the drive shaft with 13 teeth, and accordingly the speed will increase.

And your towing vehicle, with proper tuning and good components, will probably accelerate to 60 km per hour. But we must not forget that this is very dangerous, because a person, as a rule, does not have any means of protection - neither motorcycles nor snowmobiles - a sheepskin coat, a winter suit and that’s it.

And even at a speed of 30 km per hour, falling from a sled onto rolled snow is tantamount to hitting the asphalt. But if there are uneven spots or stumps, it’s unsafe. A person who understands will never do this, because with a standard belt, if everything is correctly configured at the factory, 40 km per hour is a good, decent speed.

Moreover, if you set your motorized towing vehicle to 60 km, where can you drive at that speed? The motorized towing vehicle is designed for driving in snowy areas, where walking on foot is inconvenient due to the great depth, and skiing takes a long time and you get tired. On virgin soil, on snow, a motorized towing vehicle will not run 60 km per hour, the speed is still lost.

How to choose?

The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing a motorized towing vehicle and its components is the dimensions. Compact models can be placed in a car, while standard-sized units are transported in a trailer.

Goose and its cross-country ability

Considering the size, we should not forget that the larger the tracked transporter of a motorized towing vehicle, the better.

Engine and its power. The more people ride a motorized dog, the more horsepower the engine should have. It is worth remembering that Chinese manufacturers actually have “horses” that are not as powerful as those of the Americans. That is, the American engine is 13 liters. With. will work more productively than the Chinese 15 hp. With.

Workmanship. You must immediately carefully examine the accuracy and evenness of the seams, the uniformity of the coating of the parts.

Drive - front or rear. With rear-wheel drive, driving a loaded motorized towing vehicle is easier, since the center of gravity is located near the steering wheel, but an empty unit will rear up or bury itself in the snow instead of moving. In front-wheel drive vehicles, the track contact with the surface is better and maneuverability does not depend on the load.

CVT or gearbox, as well as suspension type.

Ease of system adjustment. Any motorized towing vehicle requires periodic inspection of its structural components; an important criterion is the simplicity and convenience of these operations. When choosing, you should pay attention to the casing - it can be plastic and can be easily removed or made of a special material with fastening flaps.

Accessories. Here you can do without restrictions, according to the principle “the more, the better” thanks to all kinds of modules, ski track builders, and wheeled carts. The motorized towing vehicle will become an indispensable assistant with many options for any time of year.

Additional accessories

Accessories for such devices include the following:

A pusher module, which makes it easier to control the cross-country ability of a motorized dog. Typically, these devices are equipped with two seats.
A sled made of dense sheet plastic, the thickness of which is 8 mm, a metal frame and protective lining on the bottom (height - 13 mm, width - 5 cm). The sled has the ability to transport a pusher.
Slip-type suspension, with which you can improve the cross-country ability of a motorized dog in melted or deep snow.
A cover that will protect vehicles from the negative effects of wind and precipitation. The presence of a cover allows you to reduce wear on the motorized towing vehicle and increase the time of use of the vehicle.
Muffs that protect the user from frost, wind, snow and rain. They are made from several layers of fabric. The upper one, as a rule, is characterized by high density and moisture resistance. The inner layer assumes the presence of polyurethane inserts and a soft lining. The clutch quickly warms the driver's hands and eliminates the possibility of moisture or wind getting in.

Advantages and disadvantages of a ski module for a motorized towing vehicle

Purchasing and maintaining motorized towing vehicles is cheaper than repairing a snowmobile. For this reason, they are so popular among hunters and fishermen. However, driving a motorized dog from a drag sled is not a very convenient experience. Of course, you can try installing a seat on the sled, but even such driving creates some discomfort: a homemade chair is inconvenient to remove, and drag sleds quickly wear out at the attachment points due to the uneven distribution of weight. Therefore, it is much more practical and convenient to use a ski module, which you can make yourself.

The ski module is a metal frame with a seat, steering wheel and sprung skis, which is attached to the motorized towing vehicle with four bolts. Installing a ski module allows you to turn the towing vehicle into a kind of mini snowmobile. The design weighs about 10 kilograms and does not take up much space during transportation. To control the mini-snowmobile, all the necessary switches are installed on the steering wheel: ignition, gas lever, etc.

Among the advantages of installing a ski module are the following:

increasing the capacity of drag sleighs,
increasing the speed of the motorized towing vehicle,
ease of control,
better contact of skis and tracks with the surface and reduced fuel consumption due to proper weight distribution,
Due to the wide arrangement of the skis, the stability of the structure increases, which prevents the towing vehicle from turning over.

The main design advantage, undoubtedly, is the versatility of the ski module. Thanks to its simple design, it can be attached to almost any domestic or imported motorized towing vehicle.

The disadvantages of the additional module include the following:

the need to have a license to drive a newly formed vehicle, since the module-towing hitch is equivalent to a mini snowmobile;
poor passage of a motorized towing vehicle in deep and loose snow;
additional load on the towing vehicle frame, its chassis and suspension, which can lead to frequent breakdowns (unlike the ski module, the creators of mini-snowmobiles take such loads into account more).

How to make a ski module with your own hands

In order to make a ski module, you first need to understand its structure. To do this, you can view photographs or drawings of popular models on the Internet. As you will see, there is nothing complicated in its design. Therefore, if you have all the necessary parts, tools and skills, then it is better to make the module yourself. This will cost much less, and with the right approach the structure should be stronger.

As mentioned above, the ski module consists of a frame, saddle, a pair of skis, handlebars and shock absorption. You will need to weld the frame yourself, and the remaining parts can easily be obtained from the store. The principle of the steering wheel is the same as in a regular snowmobile: paired skis from below move together with the steering wheel. However, for a smooth ride, you need to install shock absorption of proper rigidity. Springs can be removed from an old Izh-Planet or another motorcycle or car.

This is how you can easily turn your motorized towing vehicle into a mini snowmobile. As we have seen, there is nothing difficult about this.

What is a motorized towing vehicle - description and purpose

A motorized dog is understood to mean a mini snowmobile (mini-all-terrain vehicle) with an engine. This vehicle is a coupling of a caterpillar towing vehicle with a sleigh or drag sleigh. The driver of the motorized dog sits in the sleigh, and any cargo is placed there. Some dog models have a special cargo area on the tractor. Engine power is usually from 6 liters. With. up to 13 l. s., speed is 30-40 km/h. The motorized dog does not have a brake, which the driver must always remember.

Motorized towing vehicles are popular among fishermen and hunters. They can also be used in agriculture and forestry for transporting small loads. Unlike wheeled vehicles, skis on a motorized dog sled allow you to move even on loose snow and winter off-road conditions, which makes the vehicle resemble a snowmobile. The only difference is the driver’s position: he sits outside the platform with the motor, which reduces the weight of the motorized dog and increases cross-country ability. Also advantages in comparison with a snowmobile are the simplicity of the design and lower price.

You can use motorized dogs to move along the frozen surface of a body of water - a lake, a river. They are ideal for ice fishing enthusiasts and have been designed specifically for them. The machine can be easily transported in a car using a cover, unloaded on shore, and then used for its intended purpose. On a motorized dog it is possible to transport cargo over rough terrain, replete with descents and ascents. They use the equipment for traveling in summer, spring, and autumn along swampy meadows and forest paths.

Why is it worth making a motorized dog - reasons

Both purchased equipment and homemade equipment are unpretentious, compact, and do not require much space for transportation and storage. But some hunters prefer to make motorized dogs themselves, using improvised means. The main reason is cost-effectiveness: a homemade version will cost an order of magnitude cheaper. For no more than the cost of the simplest towing vehicle from China, you can also build a reliable, durable pusher towing vehicle.

Many models of motorized dogs, especially those made in China, have a lot of design flaws. For example, the caterpillar can often become clogged with snow, which is associated with mistakes by the developers. Other possible problems are the motorized dog rearing up, burying itself in too deep snow, throwing snow into the sled. All these troubles can be avoided if you build the vehicle yourself.

With a front-mounted motorized dog engine, which is almost always planned in home-made models, the operation of the machine will be much more efficient. Here are the obvious advantages:

fuel savings and overall reduction in design costs;
higher driving speed;
the ability to make additional compartments for gear.

How to choose a motorized towing vehicle

Suspension. The suspension experiences the heaviest load when driving off-road. It transfers the weight of the vehicle and luggage to the track, and the force can vary significantly. There are several types of pendants.

The roller suspension is considered an all-season suspension, in which the tracks slide on rotating rollers. This design only works poorly in deep, loose or melted snow.

On the contrary, the slick type of suspension is recommended for driving on snowy expanses. In this design, the caterpillar track slides over skis (slides). In this case, heating occurs from friction, and the parts are cooled by the snow mass. Motorized towing vehicles with skid suspension are characterized by high maneuverability and low fuel consumption. But you can’t use equipment without snow. Some models are equipped with springs for a more comfortable ride.

The air suspension is designed to overcome marshy areas. It is soft, which makes moving especially comfortable.

Power unit. Modern motorized dogs are most often equipped with four-stroke gasoline engines with a power of 5 to 15 hp. With. Japanese (Honda) and American (Briggs&Stratton) engines have a good reputation; Chinese products (Lifan, MTR) provide serious competition to them. Experts recommend choosing the most powerful units only when the motorized towing vehicle will perform complex tasks.

Transmission. To make it easy to control a motorized dog, manufacturers equip the equipment with an automatic clutch or variator. The best option, according to experts and users, is a transmission with a Safari CVT. It has proven itself well in the Russian winter.

Scope of application. The motorized towing vehicle is selected taking into account the nature of the terrain, the weight of the luggage being transported and the type of road surface. Fans of winter fishing and hunting will benefit from a compact model that travels well on snow and ice. In the spring-autumn season, preference should be given to equipment adapted to overcome swamps. Roller models move better on mud and grass

Load capacity To relax outdoors in the company of loved ones, it is important to pay attention to the towing capacity of a motorized towing vehicle. If the owner enjoys high-speed riding, then it is better to opt for light and fast models. For single fishermen, a sled carrying capacity of up to 200 kg will be sufficient.

But when a team of 3-4 people gathers to hunt, then you will need a motorized dog capable of pulling 500-700 kg of cargo in a hitch.

We have selected 17 of the best motorized towing vehicles for review. They can be purchased in the trading network of our country. When compiling the rating, expert opinions and consumer reviews were taken into account.

Tofalar 500 Pusher

A pusher motorized towing vehicle in fact performs not only this function. Depending on weather conditions, terrain, type of cargo, it transforms into a “tractor”. The manufacturer claims that the transport can even cope with the passage of sand embankments. For this purpose, 2 types of seats have been designed. When attaching the ski module, Tofalar turns into a snowmobile with a capacity of up to 3 people. Small dimensions do not affect the power in any way, so the drags can easily be filled with 500 kg of the required load.

Advantages:

Electric starter;
Soft suspension;
Compact size;
Headlight 3 amp.

Flaws:

Front-wheel drive.

Buyers are advised to choose routes with compacted snow, as there is a possibility of falling through. And pulling out 180 kg, and even with a load, on your own is not a pleasant thing.

In harsh climates with long winters, an assistant device is simply necessary to cope with movement and transportation of goods through deep snowdrifts. To make the choice easier, more than 120 models were compared. The best motorized towing vehicles are represented by the following 5 options.

Factory or homemade snowmobile skis?

Experienced snowmobile pilots do not recommend reinventing the wheel; they unanimously insist on giving preference to factory options. Only in case of a lack of funds or the impossibility of finding a specific model of skis, you need to develop your own “version” of skis for a snowmobile. You don’t need to be an expert to understand one simple thing - factory skis are made specifically for a snowmobile, developed by experienced engineers and undergo more than one test that confirms the quality of the final product. Moreover, if your snowmobile is not cheap, then it is better, if the standard ones break down, to buy the same model of skis in a specialized store. For example, it will not be difficult to purchase skis for a Dingo snowmobile. But, in the end, the choice is individual for everyone - to purchase in a store or develop homemade skis.

Wheel modules for motorized towing vehicles

The principle of operation of a motorized towing vehicle, or, as they are also called, motorized dogs, and their traditional design suggest that the motorized team drags the rider behind it either in a drag sleigh, or on skis, or in a cart, but if the driver is placed on horseback on a mini-all-terrain vehicle, the towing vehicle will turn into already, rather, into a mini snowmobile or compact all-terrain vehicle. That is, if you sit astride a dog, then it is no longer a dog, but a deer or a horse. Some owners of motorized towing vehicles are already actively using wheel and ski modules, installing them on their motorized towing vehicle in summer and winter. The design of such modules significantly expands the scope and scope of year-round use of a traditional towing vehicle. The wheel or ski module is quickly and easily detached from the motorized dog and disassembled, which allows you to easily transport it in a car.

A ski or wheel module for a motorcycle towing vehicle is a metal frame with a pair of sprung skis or wheels, a motorcycle handlebar and a seat. All the necessary control levers of the towing vehicle are displayed on the steering wheel of the module. The frame is attached to the motorized dog platform using four bolts.

The manufacturer states that a motorized towing vehicle, for example, with a ski module creates a minimum specific pressure on the ground, which allows such a mini-snowmobile to more effectively overcome loose snow, and a towing vehicle with a wheeled module has greater maneuverability in wetlands and sand. Together with the module, any motorized towing vehicle weighs several times less than any snowmobile or ATV; moreover, a towing vehicle with a ski or wheeled module is much more compact.

How to make a ski module with your own hands

The main thing to remember is the design features of the frame itself. The skis should be approximately 90 cm apart from each other - this will give the structure stability, and there should be places on the frame for attaching the module to the towing vehicle (usually four nuts).

This is how you can easily turn your motorized towing vehicle into a mini snowmobile. As we have seen, there is nothing difficult about this.

Comfort and safety

The more a manufacturer thinks about the ergonomics of the equipment they produce, the more convenient it will be for you to subsequently own and use it. These are the “little things” that you can do without, but which will ultimately determine how happy you will be with your purchase. The steering wheel should be folding. This simple idea has not yet been picked up by all manufacturers - but in vain: screwing or unscrewing the steering wheel in the cold is a very dubious pleasure (otherwise you won’t be able to load the motorized towing vehicle into a vehicle). The correct folding steering wheel, among other things, has a height lock. It will not fall under the driver’s feet, is adjusted to the driver’s height, and most importantly, it will be convenient to press on it in order to lift the front part of the track and quickly move over an obstacle. Gas handles and control unit. Here, manufacturers use different options, from cheap Chinese crafts to serious ATV designs. You will have to pay extra for quality, but the ride will be more pleasant and there will be fewer breakdowns. An electric starter is a nice thing, but by and large it is not very necessary. It’s a matter of taste and wallet: if you want to start a motorized towing vehicle with a button on the steering wheel, sitting comfortably in a sleigh, take an electric starter; ready to pull the manual starter and get into the sled a little later - you can save money. Reverse gearbox, or reverse gearbox. You can do without it, but it is a useful thing, especially if you drive through the forest and periodically climb into impenetrable windfalls. Turning a motorized dog around on a narrow spot is not an easy task; the included reverse gear will allow you to easily drive back along the already laid track. Ideally, the reverse gear is activated on the steering wheel, and not on the motorized towing vehicle itself. The safety check is a very important element; wear it every time you ride your motorcycle dog. An accidental stump under the snow, an awkward movement - and now you are already lying in the snow, and your motorcycle friend is cheerfully trotting away from you across the snow field at a speed of 30-40 km/h. The check is designed to prevent such situations: it breaks when the driver falls, which instantly stops the engine

Some manufacturers offer it as an additional option; In our opinion, every motorized towing vehicle should be equipped with this device, so pay attention to whether this part comes “stock”. Headlight, socket, electrical accessories. You can't drive in the dark without a headlight; Without a cigarette lighter socket you won’t be able to recharge your navigator away from home

On high-quality motorized dogs, an “electrical package” with a relay-voltage regulator, which allows the use of various electrical devices, is included immediately, as well as a headlight. The brake with parking mode is a very useful thing: you can safely warm up the motorized towing vehicle without fear that it will drive away from you across the field. Not available in all models and not all manufacturers, so please pay attention.

Sources

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https://bagorik.ru/aksessuari/motobuksirovshhik-dlya-rybalki.html
https://fermersadovod.ru/otdyh-i-dosug/tehnika/luchshie-motobuksirovshhiki-dlya-ohoty-i-rybalki/
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Criteria for choosing a motorized towing vehicle from experienced fishermen

Users who have been able to test a purchased motorized dog can provide useful recommendations. The tips below will help you approach the purchase of a car wisely:

The most favorable power is considered to be 6.5 hp. This unit is suitable for transporting small loads, as well as several people. For driving through difficult terrain and transporting large loads, experts recommend buying a motorized towing vehicle with a power of 10 horsepower or more.
Even before purchasing a machine, you need to determine what kind of drive is needed. Models with front-wheel drive differ from cars with rear-wheel drive in having better cross-country ability and, on the contrary, motorized towing vehicles with rear-wheel drive are faster than their “brothers”.
Experts advise conducting a thorough inspection of the motorized dog to ensure that the main components are protected from corrosion. It would also be useful for the seller to consider the level of strength of the case.
To drive at night, you need to buy a car with a powerful headlight.
The heated grip option allows you to drive long distances.

Types of motorized towing vehicles

All tracked towing vehicles are divided into 2 versions - front- and rear-wheel drive. Both types of drive have their supporters. Objectively, the difference is as follows.

The main advantage of rear-wheel drive motorcycles is maneuverability and controllability due to the fact that the center of gravity is shifted closer to the hitch point. They go great loaded. However, an empty motorized towing vehicle constantly rears up, capsizes on the rise, and simply buries itself in the snow.

In front-wheel drive motorized towing vehicles, the center of gravity is shifted to the front, which increases the contact patch of the track with the surface. The cross-country ability of such motorized towing vehicles is practically independent of the load, which generally provides better towing capacity and driving characteristics.

High loads on the stern of the towing vehicle lead to more frequent failure of drive parts. Most often, the springs of the balancer bogies burst, which immediately cuts the caterpillar in a circle. Even replacing the chassis bearings causes problems, which requires serious dismantling and adjustment work. It is necessary to remove the engine and adjust the lateral and longitudinal displacement of the variator, while repairing a front-wheel drive layout does not face such difficulties.

Thus, front-wheel drive dogs are more capable, require less maintenance, are easier to control and move faster.

Razgulay-18.5 comfort

Powerful, collapsible motorcycle dog with rear-wheel drive. Able to pass through even the most dense places, including icy reservoirs and viscous swamps. Uneven landscapes are smoothed out thanks to high-quality shock absorption. You also don’t have to worry about the track and bearings, because the engineers have thought out special protection for them.

The maximum permissible weight for transportation is 500 kg when attaching a drag net. The 18.5 horsepower Lifan engine, together with electric start, copes with such loads perfectly. The front of the body boasts a bright LED headlight, making driving at night a breeze.

Advantages:

Economical fuel consumption;
Rear drive;
Good maneuverability;
Easy to disassemble;
Compact dimensions;
Easy to find additional accessories.

Flaws:

No engine cover.

It was not without reason that the name “comfort” was added to the name. Users love the soft leather seat that comfortably seats two people. For this model, you can separately buy a windshield and a plastic case for the necessary small items.

What are they?

You can turn a motorized tug into a vehicle that resembles a snowmobile using a ski-wheel module. With it, ease of use increases several times. The driver no longer sits on the sled, but in front of the motorized dog, and makes the steering wheel turns himself. The most convenient device for driving on snow; in summer it can be replaced with a similar wheel module.

The entire system weighs about 20 kilograms and also does not take up much space when transporting it. You can use a single-ski module or with two skis in front.

The advantages obtained by installing the steering module are an increase in the capacity of the drag sled:

the driver no longer controls the vehicle from them;
the speed of the motorized towing increases because the weight is distributed evenly;
ease of control;
also, due to proper load distribution, the contact of skis and tracks with the surface increases, and fuel consumption decreases;
the stability of the system due to the wide arrangement of the skis, that is, the motorized towing vehicle will not tip over at an unexpected moment.

In addition to the advantages, there are also a number of disadvantages:

you will have to obtain a driving license, since the new design is comparable to a mini snowmobile;
it is difficult to drive through loose snow;
frequent breakdowns due to heavy loads on the frame and chassis of the motorized dog.

The pusher module looks like a sled with metal runners and a plywood bottom. Its main function is to compact the snow in front of the tracks. The transforming pusher can be located both in front of the motorized towing vehicle and behind it.

Their name comes from an ancient design - “drag”. A regular sled moves through the snow with the help of two runners, while a drag sled does this with the help of a bottom. They can be divided into 2 subspecies - transport and fishing, the differences are only in size. In addition, special 8 mm thick pads can be attached to the bottom of the sled, which will protect the plastic from abrasion.

Mukhtar 15

Innovative 2021 model. The new product is positioned as a towing vehicle that can be used all year round in a variety of conditions, including complete off-road conditions. The motorized dog is equipped with a 15-horsepower Zongshen unit with a capacity of 420 cm3. A special feature of the model is wide 500 mm tracks. Thanks to the snow hooks, the structure moves through loose snow without any problems. The equipment set includes:

rollers with seals made of rubberized material;
towbar;
Ruben belt 3.3x1.4x112 cm;
roller-slide suspension;
skis measuring 1010x150 mm;
disc brakes;
powerful LED headlight that allows you to move in the dark.

Such a rich supply set makes it possible to assemble different modifications of the axle box. The optional ski module turns the classic tug into a snowmobile. When equipped with wheels, you get an all-terrain vehicle with increased cross-country ability.

Advantages:

versatility due to modular design;
good level of traction;
headlight included;
reliable durable bearings.

The disadvantage is the high price. However, it is more than compensated for by its versatility.

Motorized towing vehicle price

The cost of a motorized dog is 39,500 rubles with 2 carts (without the middle one) or 41,000 rubles with 3 carts. At the same time, its cost was about 33,000 rubles. Let me remind you that the construction of our previous towing vehicle, which was built on wooden slides, cost us 25,000 rubles.

The higher cost of a new motorized dog is due to the use of a roller suspension; a more powerful, reliable and, accordingly, expensive engine, i.e. Lifan instead of Forza and, of course, a general increase in prices for all components.