How does the Ski Dolly improve winter trail grooming?

Watch the suspension flex...

while the trail groomer remains unfazed!

Snowmobile Suspension/Steering Challenges: Utility snowmobiles suspension is becoming softer, engineered more like mountain riding snowmobiles. The softer, more flexible suspension is a problem when towing certain grooming implements because the cutting depth of the implement changes when the snowmobile suspension flexes. This creates inconsistent grooming and a lot of frustration for operators constantly needing to adjust the grooming implement. Snowmobile modifications can be purchased/installed (stiffer springs), but this creates an uncomfortable machine to operate.

Solution: The Ski Dolly is a simple solution that eliminates the need to modify each grooming snowmobile with expensive and time-consuming accessories that create an uncomfortable operation. The tongue weight of the snow grooming implement is transferred to the rigid Ski Dolly hitch, instead of the dynamic snowmobile bumper hitch. Significantly reducing tongue weight and providing a static hitch height creates more snowmobile ski pressure (better steering), enables a consistent groomer cutting depth, and allows operators to enjoy factory-set soft and comfortable suspension.

Snow Processing Challenges: Grooming Snowmobiles compact the snow before it enters the grooming implement with their track and also the snowmobile skis. There are two ridges of unconsolidated snow between the track and skis that are less firm than the rest of the groomed surface, and also can clog the grooming implement in certain conditions.

Solution: The Ski Dolly is designed to compact the two unconsolidated ridges of snow (between the track and skis) prior to the grooming implement processing the snow. The end result is a more consistently firm trail with significantly reduced implement clogging issues from soft unconsolidated snow.

Implement Handling Challenges: Snowmobile grooming implements are heavy and difficult for operators to handle when hitching and disconnecting to snowmobiles. Implement handling becomes exponentially more difficult if the snowmobile/groomer become stuck while grooming.

Solution: The Ski Dolly provides significant mechanical advantage to lifting/lowering the hitch of tongue-heavy grooming implements. The multi-directional hitch coupling allows operators to easily back close to the groomer and connect the dolly to the snowmobile hitch. If a groomer becomes stuck, the dolly system enables the operator to easily disconnect the dolly hitch from the snowmobile. Once the snowmobile is disconnected, the operator can manually swig the dolly around and pull out the grooming implement without having to directly lift the heavy tongue-weight of the groomer. This is a real back saver!

No Hitch Rotation: Many snowmobile hitch systems are manufactured with a non-rotating pintle hitch coupling, which will become damaged if a snowmobile is tipped on it's side.

Solution: The Ski Dolly has a rotating lunette ring that couples with common snowmobile pintle hitches. This allows the snowmobile to tilt without causing damage to the hitch coupling.

No Hitch Adjustment: Snowmobiles and many tracked vehicles for towing grooming implements do not come with adjustable hitches, and there is not a standard hitch height between manufacturers.

Solution: The Ski Dolly tow bar doesn't require a specific hitch height and will work with many different makes/models of tow vehicles. The adjustable hitch on the tow frame can accommodate a wide range of grooming implement coupling heights.

Winter Trail Grooming Solutions...

Ski Upgrade and Trade: The Trail Ready Hitch Draggin' comes with Simons Gen 3 Flexi-Skis. These high quality skis can easily be swapped out with the skis on your utility snowmobile (using the correct adapter). We found that the Flexi-Skis greatly improve turning at grooming speeds while pulling a load. The Ski Dolly will work well with just about any plastic snowmobile ski, or metal skis with plastic liners.

The patented Simmons Flexi-Ski has a wearbar on each side of the ski. The ski is concave between the wearbars giving you better control and flotation. This concavity on the front and middle portion of the ski also causes the ski to climb up on top of the snow faster than conventionally designed skis thus allowing your snowmobile to plane quicker and more easily in loose snow.

Our version of the Flexi-Ski comes standard with 4" of carbide for improved performance in icy conditions. Models without carbides are also available and are recommended for grooming environments where the ground surface beneath the snow must be undamaged, ie.: golf courses, asphalt, etc.

The Simmons Gen 3 Flexi-Skis are 8" wide and are well suited for light, fluffy snow conditions or hard-packed trails. The Gen 2 Flexi-Skis are 10" wide and work great in deep snow conditions.