Deep powder, not too steep slopes - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

micahsmith · 11-02-2009, 04:48 PM

Hi there,

I am in the process of researching sleds. I have been tasked with buying one for the company I work for. I work for a hydro company which has an intake at a high elevation (1500m), accessible by logging roads at a max of 35% grade. During the winter months we may need to go up to the intake from time to time. During a heavy snow season we may have up to 4 meters of snow. No one here has any experience riding snowmobiles, but we are familiar with ATVs.

I am wondering if I could get some suggestions on what sled I should get. Are there certain brands which are better for mountain applications? I hear that longer tracks are better for powder, but also harder to control. We may need to use one snowmobile for two people too. So, I guess we should get one with adequate power for that too.

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Micah

TwinsofMLB · 11-02-2009, 05:05 PM

I'd go for a mountcat/bearcat or a ski doo summit. Were you planning on buying new or used?

micahsmith · 11-02-2009, 05:24 PM

I would like to get a used one, in the $3000 range

xc sp 500 rider · 11-02-2009, 05:37 PM

polaris switch back or rmk 600 or 700 with a 144in track would work. check craigslist for sleds,all brands make a good sled or they wouldnt be on the market but i only ride polaris, if you need two people to ride you cant get a mtn sled and youd need a touring. once you find a sled you think is ok run it by on here and youll here everything there is to know on that sled!

micahsmith · 11-02-2009, 05:51 PM

Thats funny that you suggest that paticular sled. I actually went to see a polairs rmk 800 with a 144" track. My boss had a friend check it out, and apparently I was off the mark. He said that I need a longer track and a sled that is made for mountain riding. But I thought it was...

dalton5989 · 11-02-2009, 06:00 PM

another vote for a RMK 144-151

**BC_Dan** · 11-02-2009, 06:27 PM

I have a friend that does service at microwave relay stations, mostly located in remote hilltops. He is able to access his work areas using a newer Polaris IQ RMK 600 with a 155" track. The 144" 800 RMK is a very capable machine and can go very well in deep powder, I had my 2002 800 in powder that was over the hood many times and seldom got stuck. Longer tracks (151", 156", 159") in the Edge chassis will do even better in the deeper powder, but not so good at turning.

The Edge 700 may be a better sled to look for, the 800 engine has issues with crank failure. The 700 shares crankcase and crankshaft design, but because it's a bit smaller with less torque, it doesn't break as frequently. You should be able to find an Edge RMK 700 in great shape within your price range.

The Edge is a pretty good sled if you need to put two people on it. A better option would be to get two sleds, that way if you have a malfunction, you have immediately available transportation.

Walking in deep powder sucks, even with snowshoes!!

TwinsofMLB · 11-02-2009, 08:56 PM

For 3k you can get a fairly older sled and put a powder track on it- that's the way I'd go. I've heard a lot of good things about mountain cats, those 900s are beasts! But I guess If dan agrees with them though I'd be leaning to an RMK in your position

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**BC_Dan** · 11-02-2009, 10:53 PM

Mountain Cats are great sleds, I used to try to keep up with a couple of 'em. The 900 is a beast, the Thundercat 1000 is OMG fast. Just don't get stuck!! But it seems to me the bigger HP sleds are not near as forgiving and require more maintenance and repair... An AC M7 or RMK 700 would do you nicely with less maintenance. Both are really dependable.

micahsmith · 11-03-2009, 04:20 PM

Is it feasible to double on an RMK 800?

I found this posting locally:

Black/Red '02 RMK Vertical Edge. 151 track, low Km's, 2" bar riser, heated bars, 2' paddles, cover. Bought this sled spring '08 and haven't riden it that much. It is clean, very good condition and I have had absolutely no problems with it. I am only selling it to pay off some vet bills! Kills me to see it go, but man's best friend takes priority in this case. I live just outside of Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast. I will be adding more pics later today. Reasonable offers considered, low-ballers don't bother.

What do you guys think?

**BC_Dan** · 11-03-2009, 04:27 PM

The Edge seat is a bit bigger than the newer mountain sled seats out there, but is still only designed for one rider. You will be able to put two on it, but it won't be as comfortable as a sled designed for two. You may be able to buy a 2-up add-on to give more comfort... And if you can ditch that guy on the back, you can have a BLAST riding the sled one-up

You may want to do a search on the Polaris 800 engine, it has had it's issues. The 800 has lots of power and some of 'em run a long time wth no problems. But some break the pto end off the crank...