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The ideal grooming snowmobile would come with a powerful four-stroke electronic fuel-injected (EFI) engine with a low geared transmission. It would have a large radiator and heated floorboards without under-tunnel heat exchangers, which can drop slush on the trail that can then be picked up by the grooming implements. The machine would also have ducts from the radiator and fan to the operator and windshield area. The dash would be equipped with a fuel and temperature gauge, tachometer, odometer and large digital speedometer.

An ideal machine would also come wired with a six- or eight-pin receptacle and a switched rear work light, since most grooming is done in the dark hours when the skiers are sleeping. The ideal grooming machine would have bogie wheels that do not require loose snow for lubrication like the slide systems, and a dash-adjustable shock for varying traction and steering, depending on snow conditions. The seat configuration would be a one-up seat with a backrest that would flip down for two-up capacity. Finally, it would have a factory installed heavy-duty pintle hitch and a large storage area.  

The testing at ABR included a combination of objective and subjective assessments:

  • Fuel economy was measured in various conditions with the majority of the time spent pulling medium-sized groomers.

  • Cooling was tested on hard snow conditions pulling a medium-size groomer on hilly terrain at various ambient temperatures.

  • Groomer Chart

    See the tests-at-a-glance in our comparison chart. Click here or on the chart above.

    Power was evaluated pulling groomers up hills.

  • Traction was measured with a force gauge in various conditions pulling a groomer.

  • Steering was measured on a level surface with a weighted rear suspension simulating a groomer.

  • Noise, odor and vibration were evaluated during the tests.

  • Cold starts were conducted at -20 F.

See our photo gallery for images of the machines.

Read more on the next page