Reconditioning Process
We recondition snow groomers to create a the ultimate
Winter Road Edition for First Nation Communities.
Snow Groomers for Winter Road Ice Construction
In this article, you learn what goes into all reconditioned equipment and how it benefits you.
In the past, First Nation Winter Road Builders used bulldozers or ploughs to build winter roads but they switched to a lighter, more versatile solution, namely tracked snow groomers (also called snowcats).
Taking that solution one step further, we crafted a machine perfectly designed for winter road building.
The result is a fully reconditioned, retrofitted, and fully tested tracked snow groomer.
The Transformation Process
How we take a used Prinoth or Bombardier snow groomers and customize them into a
Winter Road Snow Groomer.
Martin Antoniak, Sales Manager, discusses how snowcats found a use in Winter Road Ice Construction.
Martin introduces himself and shares his unique background that allows him to bring the best results for your needs.
Step 1: Selecting the best used snow groomers
The process of transforming a snow groomer into the perfect Winter Road Edition begins with sourcing quality snow groomers. For a snow groomer to be a candidate for reconditioning or refurbishing, the groomer must be in great condition i.e, have a strong engine and a lot of "life" left. We take time to select snowcats worthy of repairs.
All snow groomers are checked out thoroughly before being considered for reconditioning.
This step ensures the you get a solid Winter Road Edition Snow Groomer, as opposed to troublesome equipment with many issues.
Our refurbished snow groomers are reliable, safe, and efficient for the most challenging winter road construction applications because we take time to select snow groomers worthy of repairs.
Step 2: Assessing Possible Risks and Adding Extra Features
Step two begins with thinking about what can go wrong with snow grooming in winter road applications. Snowcats were made for snow grooming and aren't ideal for winter ice road applications in their original state.
Martin dicusses the extra features to help with cold weather starts.
We think of anything/everything that can happen to a winter road operator during winter ice road construction applications.
Our number one goal is to ensure a snow groomer doesn't fail, as this can pose serious safety risks. Many things can go wrong with snow grooming equipment.
Weather is a notable concern. Extremely cold conditions can make it hard to start a snow groomer. To solve such problems, our snow groomer refurbishment includes adding batteries and preheating systems to make it easier to start the snow groomer in the coldest conditions. They also improve usability.
One of the options Loch Lomond Equipment Sales adds to winter road snow groomers is including a Webasto heater. We install remote mount Webasto fuel-fired heaters with a simple on/off switch to aid in cold-weather conditions. We also fit in oversized four D batteries to ensure optimal cranking power available when starting in the winter.
Our snow groomer reconditioning also takes human error into account.
In their original state, snow groomers have many parts that are only needed for snow grooming applications. We remove unnecessary parts. Our goal is to make the final machine as simple as possible to operate.
To do this, we take out unnecessary things such as additional machine functions and mechanics that aren’t needed for winter road applications.
For instance, we take out tillers or snow processors whose function in a snow groomer is to reduce snow size. This function isn't necessary for winter road applications, so such parts and their supporting components have to be removed. Parts like rear frames that carry tillers aren't required, as well as, the hydraulic components that go with them.
The result is a snow groomer that doesn’t have unnecessary parts or functions capable of confusing an operator or adding unnecessary weight to the machine.
Martin explains components that are removed from traditional snowcats because they get in the way of Winter Road Ice Builders.
If required or requested, we can install safety features when refurbishing snow groomers.
We perform safety-related refurbishments such as adding a safety escape hatch on the top to allow operators an opportunity to escape with ease if the snow groomer breaks through the ice and starts to sink.
We can install Winter Road Snow Groomers with roof escape hatches, at your request, to allow an extra form of egress, should the machine sink in a swamp, or on a lake.
We install a Safety Escape Roof for operators to quickly escape the vehicle in the event the snow groomers starts to sink in a swamp or lake.
The refurbishment also caters to other unexpected problems.
A snow groomer in typical winter ice road applications won’t cover a large area with standard fuel capacity. To avoid running out of fuel, we can add supplementary fuel transfer tanks to ensure added operating time.
We can install a cargo deck capable of supporting a fuel transfer tank, additional pails of fluids, oils, and whatever else you need to haul or bring with you on the winter road.
Withstanding impacts from rocks and other objects
To prepare the snow groomers for impact, which is inevitable in winter ice road construction, we change front components such as pins, bushings, and other push frame components to make them incredibly strong. Besides installing new parts such as blades, we also ensure everything is tight-fitting with no play. This reduces the risk of a shock load.
We reinforce the frame to withstand the harsh environment.
Replacing components and reinforcing the frame
Generally, Loch Lomond Equipment Sales will replace any components that need replacing on the front end and add extra reinforcement on parts/areas that are prone to failure i.e., installing heavy-duty push frame mounts. The process usually involves installing bigger blade mounts and lots of welding on reinforcements. The result is a fully reinforced frame that makes the final machine capable of handling the harshest winter roads.
The BR350 backing up out of the testing track area.
Step 3: Testing and Delivery
All refurbished snowcats must pass through Loch Lomond Equipment Sales's test track before being sold to clients. The testing stage ensures everything is working well.
Testing includes hours of running the reconditioned snow groomer in simulated environments to ensure all hose connections and fittings are in perfect condition.
Martin discusses testing the machine before it gets sent to a customer.
After testing
After testing, the reconditioned snow groomer is ready for winter road construction applications in Ontario, Manitoba, and beyond.
We do not sell refurbished snowcats until we confirm they are in perfect working condition.
This stage involves a thorough inspection of all components, from the engine to structural and electrical components. Any issues are rectified at this stage.
Fully reconditioned snow groomers have what Loch Lomond Equipment Sales refers to as the "Winter Road Package" offering the best level of utilization and reliability.
Reconditioning is unique to each groomer and its needs.
This is an example of some of the work completed on a recent refurbishment.
- Rebuilding hydrostatic pumps
- Setting up of hydrostatic & drive systems
- Rebuilding pump drive & replacing drive coupler
- Removing tiller drive pump
- Rebuilding final drives
- Rebuilding brakes
- Replacing HP drive hoses, Hp hydraulic supply, & return lines.
- Replacing worn or tired hydraulic lines
- Inspecting hydraulic cooling fan motors & pumps
- Inspecting electrical systems.
- Inspecting/changing all-new wheel & suspension bearings
- Testing suspension flexitors & inspecting/adjusting suspension settings
- Inspecting snowcat frame & re-enforcing critical locations
- Inspecting front push frame, replacing worn bushings and/or cylinder spherical bearings
- Removing rear lift frame & hydraulic lines
- Engine valve and valve train inspection
- Inspecting injector connectors & fuel delivery system
- Inspecting new fluids & filters
- Selecting refurbished tracks (66” or 58” tracks)
Additional refurbishments could include:
- Installing 4 D size ungraded batteries for better cranking
- Installing remote boosting lugs
- Installing Webasto fuel-fired heater
- Installing forward-facing LED lights
- Installing roof escape hatch
- Installing rear cargo deck.
Impact/Outcome for you
Loch Lomond Equipment Sales’s reconditioned snow groomers offer many benefits. First and foremost, you’ll have a customized machine for winter ice road applications.
Reconditioned snow groomers offer many benefits over traditional bulldozers or plows in winter road construction. These benefits range from a lighter footprint to more efficient snow management.
A reconditioned snow groomer is also cheaper than buying traditional heavy equipment (like bulldozers) for winter road construction. A refurbished snowcat with an optional safety escape hatch and reliable heater is also more comfortable during grooming and safer during emergencies. A higher fuel capacity translates to longer operating range. A rear cargo deck increases utility.
You can enjoy all these benefits coupled with full service. You’ll also get direct access to our certified heavy equipment technicians to troubleshoot issues and deliver parts right to your community when you need them.
Visit or Contact us today to buy a fully reconditioned snow groomer (Winter Road Package) fit for the toughest winter road construction applications in Ontario or Manitoba.
Step One Is Giving Us a Call
If machine dependability and comprehensive product support are what you need, then a groomer from Loch Lomond Equipment Sales is your best choice. Our team will help you choose the right machine for the job.
Support Can Match your Needs When You Choose Loch Lomond
Our service team is there to provide you with advice, help you troubleshoot, and maintain your machine for the entirety of its life.
As a new customer, or a regular customer, you might have some questions or want training.
Ask about our optional Operating Training and Preventative Maintenance Instruction.
Operator Training and Preventative Maintenance Instruction
We can offer comprehensive operator training and preventative maintenance instruction as part of the delivery process of every winter road construction groomer we sell. We focus on providing winter road workers with the knowledge they need to be safe and productive operators.
On-Call Diagnostics
Dispatching a technician to remote locations can be a huge expense. That’s why we offer over-the-phone technical services. We can walk you through diagnosing the repair, assessing which parts we need to send you, and ensuring those parts are delivered in a timely manner.
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