Modifications to regular body shape

[grfishmaker]

Here's a couple of pictures of bombardiers that have had some interesting modifications done to their regular body shapes. The pictures are taken off of a video, so the photo quality is lacking but still gives a good example of what some people are doing in the way of body modifications.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/Quebecflatbeck.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/Redflatbeck.jpg
These three following picture have a smaller motor cover than the above photo and also a very ingenious rear suspension adaptation. Who needs rims?
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/quebecsuspension.jpg
Notice only one tire and one sprocket per side.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/twotires.jpg
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/twotiresuspension.jpg
This machine uses two tires per side.

[grfishmaker]

Here's one more flatdeck.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/grfishmaker/blueflatdeck.jpg

[the old trucker]

Grfishmaker I wonder if that suspension is fixed or flexible. I was thinking if it is fixed , wouldn't it make for a stiffer ride? What if each end were tied into the stub axles? Think it would ride softer? More flexibility!!

[grfishmaker]

I think that they would most definetly have to be flexable or they would snap in half on crossing ice cracks or rough going. It's too bad we cannot get a clear shot of the system they used. It appears the both the machine with one tire suspension and the one with two tires both still use the bogie, so they must be some give. But you cannot have any give if the slider is all one piece. Maybe the slider itself is some sort of spring steel?
It's a head scratcher!
All in all, they sure have some interesting machines out there. I would never have thought it possible to remove all the wheels without at least having small idler wheels like on snowmachines. These machines appear to just have one long continual slider.

[the old trucker]

I think the slider may be one piece, but it looks like it pivots on the stub axle. Like the wheels would go up & down, the slider would too by using the stock suspension, giving you some flexibility. That's my thoughts about it.

[the old trucker]

   Do anyone remember what model & year this one is ?? What is the purpose of the three glass sections in the windshield ?? I noticed that in the first pic there are drums on the differental.

http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/IM001422.jpg

http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/IM001421.jpg

http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/IM001420.jpg

[the old trucker]

          Got this email from a friend in Quebec yesterday. Thought you might like to have a look at this arrangement
.
  I guess there is some way that this setup is flexible...Anybody got any thoughts about this ??

http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/IM001425.jpg

http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/IM001426.jpg

http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/IM001424.jpg

  Notice the bogies in the second pic. The front one & the third one back are pointing back with the middle one pointing ahead. Looks like it has good flexibility.

[kpm]

..OT
        the reason it has drums on he diff,is because it has the track brakes for each side...as well as regular brakes...the levers would be one on each side of the drivers seat for the track brakes...then the regular brake pedal on the floor for the driveshaft brake..
   as for the three peice glass the wide woodies had that style until 49 I believe.
                                           kpm

[the old trucker]

   Do anyone remember what model & year this one is ?? What is the purpose of the three glass sections in the windshield ?? I noticed that in the first pic there are drums on the differental. 



Grfishmaker I was looking through the memorabilia section & saw the one that your father had. This one looks similar to it. Do you remember the year of it ??
                                                                                             OT.

[48bomber]

Hi All,
  The modification of wood sliders will be poor in hard snow, ice conditions. I own a Hus-Ski 444 snowmachine with the oak sliders and needs good lubrication .The one thing I did was to drill a series of holes in the bottom of the slider, snow packs in them and melts out when you are in low snow area.
  The wood framing in the pics is really good, note how well the top side frame board , and the top roof frame board fits together. The side board would be cut out , and the top roof piece steamed to fit. Looks like ash wood .
  48bomber

[the old trucker]

   http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m366/theoldtrucker/IM001426.jpg

  48bomber I think this setup would have Teflon on the areas where the wood meets the track. I can check with Alain Bosa @ AB Metals to find out for sure. Also note how the unit mounts to the machine. Just pop off the wheels & pop the sliders on. You will still have the stock suspension in place, working the same way.
   I can only give my thoughts about this, as I haven't rode in one yet.... Not quite sure but I think you can buy the wood frame as a kit. I'm checking it out now.

                                                                                     one nosey old trucker.

[48bomber]

OT,
  Our snowmobile club had a John Deere tractor groomer with a sliderail with idler wheels along the rails.
 The bottom of the rail had a plastic compisite made to fit the machine . The system of sliders totally sucked in low snow conditions .The sliders would wear out between the idler wheels . and sliders would stick. The heaver machine did contribute to the problem , The Hus-ski does the same thing.
  I like the way the b12 has all wheels with no issues with slider sticking.
  The sliders probably work well in good snow all the time.
 Its difficult enough with the b12 skis to cross , and turn on any road  surface or ice without track sticking.
  48bomber

[fisher]

I know of a few guys would like an old skidoo elan style to get away from the slide rail suspension.

[kpm]

I agree with Neil,the boogie wheels were hard to beat,you could drive right on gravel if need be and no worries...
                  kpm

[marcdds]

hi guys the slides are made for deep snow they improve ur machine buy a100%.for example a steel body willmake a woody look bad in very deep snow.there are some places were we go its slides only because the rest get stuck. yes the ride is compremised i  have a pair like alain there a bit smoother.havent heard any sticking issues yet but made for deep snow the solution is to have 2 snows one on wheels on slides  !!!!!!!