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Yamaha

The Yamaha VK Professional came out in 2006 to replace the Viking 540. This machine appears to be built with heavy-duty work in mind; it houses the Genesis 120 engine, which is a four-stroke, three-cylinder engine delivering 120 horsepower. The machine debuted in 2006 with a wide-ratio clutch and no low-range transmission. In 2007, a high-low range two-speed transmission was standard.

The four-stroke engine is carbureted. Even as an experienced groomer and snowmobile operator, I have found the carbureted engine difficult to start in cold and warm environments. Rookie operators will most likely have trouble with this feature. Yamaha has an electronic fuel-injected 1,000 cc engine, but it is not intended for this machine in 2008. The engine fell short in 2006 with poor cooling. The addition of the two-speed gear box may have improved cooling slightly, but the machine still overheated in testing. The combination of the 20 x 156 x 1.25 inch Camoplast Ripsaw track and the well-tuned suspension gave this machine plenty of traction and steering. The front and rear suspension were totally adjustable and provided the best traction/steering combination on the market for single wide-track machines.

The machine was comfortable to operate with the exception of it being very difficult to shift. The electric system was able to keep up with the grooming needs. The 2006 model was tested for a season and logged 800 miles. The 2007 was tested for one season and logged 700 miles. A few hard starts, spark plug changes, hitch failure and overheat issues were experienced, along with some frustrated shifts from low to reverse.

Polaris

Polaris
(Click on the photo for a larger version)
(See our photo gallery for more photos of the Polaris.)

We also tested a 2009 Polaris Widetrack IQ for about a month last spring. While this sled wasn’t tested in all the same conditions as the others, its outstanding cooling ability and the venerable IQ platform meant it couldn’t be ignored. The machine was also tested as a standard utility machine (hauling wood and pulling a sled) and in some late-season powder. The front suspension was up to all tasks, with ample amounts of ski pressure to facilitate good steering. However, the rear suspension was too soft, even at its stiffest setting, to facilitate good grooming. The bobbing motion of the rear suspension required constant readjusting of groomer teeth, which is tricky and annoying.

The low-end torque of the 80-hp four-stroke was comparable to the V-800. We found no issues with the tipped-rail rear suspension in grooming applications. The biggest and best feature of this utility sled, as far as grooming is concerned, is its exceptional cooling ability. The machine was run in some of the worst spring conditions, with hardpack snow and ice and warm temperatures, pulling the largest Ginzu groomer offered (nine feet), and it never once overheated. The motor was steady at 185 F compared to the SWT V-800 running at well over 230 F. If Polaris can get the rear suspension stiffened, this machine will be a very strong contender for trail groomers.

Alpina

Alpina Sherpa
Click on the photo for a larger version.
(See our photo gallery for more Sherpa photos.)

The dual-track Alpina Sherpa is the Hummer of grooming snowmobiles. This snowmobile, if you can call it that, has been hand built in Vicenza, Italy, since 2002. The machine houses a 1.4 liter electronic fuel-injected four-stroke automotive Peugeot engine. The 75-hp engine, coupled with its two-speed low-range transmission, can creep at the slowest grooming speeds without burning belts. The cooling system consists of an automotive radiator and dual electric fans and heat exchanger floorboards. The machine

ran relatively hot during testing, as indicated by the analog temperature gauge, but the temperature alarm never sounded during even the hardest chores (the factory explained the cooling system is designed to run hot for efficient engine performance and clean exhaust emissions). The combination of the catalytic converter, muffler and dual oxygen sensors created clean exhaust and a quiet operation.

The tracks are dual 20 x 156 x 1.2 inch and provided plenty of traction, compaction and floatation. The simple rear bogie suspension provided very little travel, which was perfect for pulling heavy loads. The telescopic front suspension steered the machine very well in all conditions except deep unpacked powder. The large work platform and running boards created a nice work area for operating the machine and hauling gear. The heated seat and heated floor boards provided operator comfort even in the coldest conditions (too bad they could not duct the hot air from the radiator up to the windshield and operator area).

The machine creates more snow dust, which collects on the operator since the machine has a large non-vented hood. The electronic dash has 13 alarms, four gauges and two computers to keep the operator in tune with the engine and operating systems. In addition to the automotive alternator with plenty of electrical capacity, the machine can be factory ordered with switches and rear connectors for grooming actuators and work lights. The machine comes with a heavy duty pintle hitch and an optional two-inch receiver. We have tested and groomed with the Alpina Sherpa for four seasons, logging over 2,000 kilometers on three machines, with no major problems pulling the largest groomers available on the market. The retail price on this machine is $32,500 and availability is limited.  

The author
Eric Anderson is the co-owner and operator of ABR Ski Trails in Ironwood, Michigan, and has a passion for grooming equipment. He is a licensed mechanical engineer from the automotive industry with several patents in drive train and hydraulic components. He has been operating and testing grooming equipment since 1994, when he and his father opened the ABR Ski Trails to the public, grooming with an Artic Cat long track and two Ski-Doo Alpines. Eric has been skiing and snowmobiling since the age of 10. He has been contracted as a groomer and consultant for several high level ski events throughout the Midwest.

The testers
Rick Slade participated as a tester and evaluator for this article. He has been a snowmobile mechanic for 29 years and has been an avid snowmobiler for 40 years. Rick has been grooming ski trails and skiing for the last seven years.

Kevin Balduc is a college student who has been snowmobiling for 10 years and grooming and skiing for two years.

Angela Santini, wife of Eric Anderson, assisted in data compilation and recording.

ABR Trails hosts the annual Midwest Grooming Clinic, which attracts 50 to 100 groomers from across the country and eight to 20 vendors of grooming vehicles and grooming implements. The 2009 clinic is scheduled for January 20-21. ABR tests groomers on a 55 km trail system from mid-November into April. ABR sells new and used grooming equipment and used grooming snowmobiles across the country. ABR has also created a one hour long instructional DVD on basic grooming. www.abrski.com.