Choosing the Best Snow Groomer for your application in Ontario and Manitoba.

If you are searching for a snow groomer (snowcat) for trail grooming applications, look no further. 

Since March 2020, Loch Lomond Equipment Sales has been an authorized dealer for Prinoth Snow Groomers renowned for their prowess in trail grooming applications. 

Buy a new Prinoth Husky, Prinoth Husky X, Prinoth Bison, or Bison X in Manitoba, Ontario, and Nunavut territories from Loch Lomond Equipment Sales and take full control of your trail grooming experience.

Why Choose Prinoth for Trail Grooming in Manitoba, Ontario, and Nunavut?

Prinoth groomers are tested and proven to be reliable. They also offer near-perfect snowmobile trails. At a glance, the snowcats also stand out for their incredible low ground pressure that prevents sinking in thick deep snow.

A customized Prinoth Bison Trail Groomer with the MTN Trail Drag attached.
This unit is headed out west.

Prinoth groomers also have a 0° turning radius allowing unmatched manoeuvrability. Most importantly, snowcats like the Husky X and Bison X are designed to handle the most extreme snowmobile trail preparation and maintenance tasks. 

Effective Trail Grooming

You need a snow groomer to groom snowmobile trails effectively. Traditional machinery like bulldozers won’t get the job done perfectly.  What's more, trail grooming isn't just about driving a machine down a trail. The process requires constant attention and manipulation of controls to get the smoothest, uniform, and firm outcome.

Effective trail grooming is about offering smooth trails that snowmobilers will enjoy. It’s also about creating and maintaining a firm trail base that withstands heavy traffic and offers extended riding opportunities. 

What's more, the best trail grooming requires a proactive approach. It's not possible to have a near-perfect outcome if you start late. Grooming should also keep up with the weather, traffic, and snowfall patterns.

Trail Grooming: Definition and General Principles

Trail grooming done by dedicated snowcats called snow groomers involves cutting and mixing accumulated snow. This is critical for levelling. The cutting and mixing creates a snow layer with the same temperature. It also reduces the snow chunks making it easier to bond and re-freeze in a preferred manner.

The process is guided by some principles i.e., new snowfall is composed of small low-density dry snow that has plenty of air in it. Such snow doesn't stick together adequately. Grooming helps to bond and shape the snow. By cutting, mixing, and compressing the snow together at extremely low temperatures, perfect bonds are formed, resulting in firm trails. 

What Factors Affect Trail Grooming?

Trail grooming is affected by many direct and indirect factors like snow type, temperature, depth of snow, terrain, use patterns, traffic, wind, and water crossings, etc. The frequency, time, and method also dictate the outcome.

Most importantly, you need a snow groomer like the Prinoth Husky or Bison specifically designed for trail grooming.

How to Trail Groom

A. Preparation

This is the first critical step to trail grooming. The process begins with creating a base layer that acts as a foundation for the trail during the entire winter season. The trail location must be well thought off. The size (width) also needs to be ideal. Trails shouldn't be too narrow from the onset because you can’t widen later into the season and expect to get a firm base.

B. Grooming During Winter

Trail grooming during winter when there is deep snow coupled with other characteristics i.e., high winds, can be a challenge. Snowcat operators must know where trails are supposed to be to get the best out of prior preparation that established a compact base. 

Most importantly, snowcat operators shouldn’t rely on snowmobile tracks to locate where a groomed is supposed to pass. What's more, a new compacted layer should be created if there is deep new snow. Operators should take their time compacting the new layer for the best results.

C. Trail Grooming in High Traffic Areas

Heavy snowmobile traffic can wear snow out fast. Heavy traffic translates to deep wear that should be kept under control. Snowcat operators should also be cautious to “arrest” the wear and re-establish firmness.

D. Trail Grooming Smooth Trails

If the trails are smooth or slightly worn, such trails need light maintenance only. This kind of maintenance involves minimal skimming of the trail surface and compacting. However, operators must be careful to avoid cutting deeper than necessary and destroying the compact base.

What’s more, smooth trails may need some snow to repair any unevenness created by snowcat tracks. Smooth trails can be groomed faster. However, too much speed can create unevenness making the trail worse than before.

Choosing the Best Snow Groomer for Trail Grooming Applications

The snowcat you buy for trail grooming should match your needs perfectly. You can follow all the above trail grooming guidelines. However, the guidelines don't mean much if you don't have the right snow groomer. Before you buy a snowcat or snow groomer, make the following considerations. 

Do all snowmobile clubs and cross country ski clubs use a trail drag?

1. Power

The snowcat you choose should be powerful enough to groom the trail you have in mind. Trail grooming applications demand a lot of power. Generally, anything above 200 hp (i.e., Prinoth Husky) is ideal for typical trail grooming applications. For heavy-duty trail grooming involving deep snow and sloppy trails, snowcats with 400 hp or more (i.e., Prinoth Bison) will get the job done.

2. Dimensions & Weight

The snowcat's length, width, height, and weight also matter. The snow groomer you buy should fit through the trails you plan on grooming. Ideally, snowcat width should match the width of the attachments to ensure high-quality trails. The weight of the snowcat should also be within the recommended vehicle weight limits.

3. PSI (pounds per square inch) Factor

Snowcats shouldn’t sink easily in deep snow. A low PSI ensures snow groomers remain on top of the snow as opposed to having excess weight that causes sinking and other problems like dispersing snow off during burrowing.

4.  Turning Radius

The best snowcats for trail grooming have a zero-degree turning radius. This feature is important for optimal manoeuvrability through tight trails that may not be very straight and flat. A zero-degree turning radius makes it possible to tackle hills and curves that demand the most challenging grooming.

5. Blade Features

The best snowcats for trail grooming have front blades that clear snow piles effectively from the trails. Front blades also stand out when working down curves filling depressions and creeks, moving new snow into trails, and more. Multiple blade movement is an added advantage in regards to efficiency, precision, and pushing performance. Snowcats with blade teeth also make it easier to break snow/ice.

6. Usability

The best trail grooming snowcat should also be incredibly easy to use. There should be obvious efforts to help an operator take control of the snowcat, diagnose errors, work at night with ease, and more. This calls for user-friendly control panels to simple controls, powerful lighting, superior cabin visibility, and more!

7. Simple Maintenance

Trail grooming demands reliable snow groomers. The best snowcats don't break down often. They are also easy to maintain. Spare parts should also be affordable and easily available when needed to reduce downtime.

8. Snow Groomer Cost

Cost factors should be considered last. In fact, if a snow groomer is capable of handling trail grooming perfectly, cost shouldn't be an issue. The focus should be on getting value for money. If you are buying the right snowcat (i.e., one that is dependable, doesn't break down often, and is fuel-efficient), the cost incurred buying a new machine is easily justifiable.

Prinoth Snow Groomers: The Best Snow Groomers for Trail Grooming

Prinoth Snow Groomers stand out for trail grooming applications in Manitoba, Ontario, and other parts of Canada.

Buy a new Prinoth Husky or Husky X for typical trail grooming applications. The Prinoth Husky and Husky X can handle many applications. Prinoth Husky snow groomers can prepare snowmobile trails, ski jumps, small sites, toboggan runs, ski lift tracks, and more.

Buy a Prinoth Bison or Bison X snow groomer for heavy-duty trail grooming requiring more engine power, higher-performance blades, perfect professional trail finish, and more!

Loch Lomond Equipment & Sales sells brand new Prinoth snow groomers perfect for any trail grooming application imaginable. Loch Lomond Equipment Sales can also facilitate operator training and preventative care maintenance training. 

We have snow grooming experts waiting to offer more information on trail grooming and the best Prinoth Husky or Bison based on your unique needs.

Give us a call and ask for Martin.