I've only discovered the Japanese mini trucks within the last few months and have recently seen some equipped with tracks. I wish I had found out about these neat little rigs sooner because it might have saved me a ton of work. I spent 11 months building a compact twin track snowmobile trail groomer (and a drag). I'm very happy with the end result, but I'm left wondering if a mini truck with tracks would have done the job for way less money and time spent. Here's video showing my 54" drag being pulled by my machine. Ideal grooming speed is approx 8-10 mph, though I was probably zipping along a wee bit faster than that in the video. Do you guys think a Jap mini with tracks would be up to the task? If so, would there be any long term durability issues......clutch probs, blown engines, differential problems etc? How much fuel would they burn pulling this sort of load? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2t0RnVGtXs
I can't comment on the pulling power of a tracked Mini Truck. However I would like to ask you about your drag. Do you have any closer pics of it? I have my own XC ski trail on our property. I use an old Alpine to groom in the winter and I use my Mini Truck in the summer to access the trail and work on them. I have thought of using the Mini Truck to pull the grooming equipment as well but decided that a narrower machine (like the Alpine or Skandic SWT) would be better because of their wide foot print for packing the trails. Post more vids of the groomer! Cheers!
The Crawler is an all wheel drive 4X4 with an exrta floating axle on a Dieon tube. It is available with or without the add on track. They are also extremely RARE to find.
I looked through some of my pics and these are about the only ones I have that show the drag. If you want some more close ups of the drag, let me know and the next time I go to my farm, I'll take some more pics of it. I have to build a x-country ski trail groomer attachment for it this fall because a couple of ski fanatics here in town have asked if I'd consider grooming a 4 mile course for them to use. I figured if I did that, I might actually strap on some skiis myself and get some much needed exercize. As far as more videos are concerned, rather than me posting a bunch....you can just click on the one I already posted and then click on the part where it says "see other videos from 2500VTG. I think I have a total of about 8 or 9 videos of the twin track (I named it the Sojourner). I've never heard of an ACTY Crawler. That sounds very interesting and I'd sure like to see one.
Here is a link to another Tracked Honda that would do great in the snow. And its for sale!!! http://www.terra2imports.ca/import-japan121315054259474.htm Very cool looking beast!
grooming trails I also am interested in the pulling capacity with tracks. I will try it in N. WI if I can find a County that will let them be my testing ground. I'll post a picture of the truck in the pic. section. Dan woodysminitrucks.com
how heavy is the drag? the trucks without tracks are capable of pulling 1500lbs. i dont see why tracks would make much difference esp at low speeds. Dont know about cost differences. You need a 4x4 mini probably with locking diffs, then you need a lift kit and then the tracks which cost almost as much as if not the same as the truck. The only benefit being you could take the tracks off in the spring and put some mudders on and still use it. I dont know what trucks go for in the states so my guess for everything if you found a good deal on a truck would be $8-10k. (tracks alone are $5-7k)
My drag itself, is not heavy.....likely under 400 pounds. However, when you are cutting at any significant depth and have a large snow load build up on the drag, it would likely be equivalent to somewhere approaching 2000 pound. Perhaps even more depending on conditions.
