Thats how I build every attachment I own! Look at my bone yard steel and then sketch something on a napkin. You're drawing looks similar to a drag my Dad built for behind his snowmobile in the mid 90's. Mostly used on the trails on their property that connected to the main trail, it worked well, but his smoothing section was probably a bit lighter and was made from a few pieces of discarded grader cutting edge. The sides were made from 2" by 1/8th galvanized channel. I should get him to take a picture for you.
that would be awesome! I plan to put the 8" channel flat side down and then weld 8" pieces of rebar to it every 6 inches to help keep the drag straight and to leave grooves in the trail like the pros do!
We had to watch the intro twice 😁, could only focus on Ranger the first time!! Love the idea of using your old steel to make something new. Best, David and Rachel
Hi Jason, Really looking forward to watching this project. I am no expert on fabrication but I really enjoy it, especially when it is a project I use regularly after and that it saves me time. Joe from ''Steel to Wood'' channel is the one that inspired me to try my hand at welding and fabrication. He even gave me advice when I started. Not sure if I sent you pictures last winter but I built my snow groomer with light-weight-considerations as some of our trails did not have an area wide enough to do a 180 at the end and I had to turn it by hand. On top of that, the heavier, the harder on fuel it will be. If you want it to be heavier, keep in mind that you can simply add ballast after the fact. Our groomer does a great job keeping the trails groomed and allows us access all winter long with tractor and log trailer. have fun
Great feedback! Joe is watching this build and I'll have to be sure to film my poor fitting and welding skills along the way! I like the idea of keeping it somewhat light as well... I was wondering about DC electric cylinders (gear driven) for a set of wheels to lift the unit up to back up and turn if needed, etc...
@@OakMountainAcotts I did use an electric cylinder that I bought at Princess auto when I fabricated a box-blade-type contraption to pull behind my ATV for when I wanted to fix the gravel road at the cottage. It is plugged into the 12V outlet. The cylinder is slow but does the job of raising the blade so that I can tow it on the wheels when turning around or getting to where I want to work.. While it works fine on hard surface, I'm not convinced that the wheels would do well in snow unless hard packed. But don't let my ideas limit you in your design. Looking forward to see the rest of the build. One simple thing that I find useful is to have a length of rope (5-6 feet) tied to the back end of the drag so that it is easier to swing around if necessary. Don't forget to always have a shovel handy 🙂
How's she goin'? This is going to be a nice project and it will be valuable for you to have this drag too. So that is incentive enough eh!! I always keep old scrap metal around too. You never know when a project will come up and look at you: with out this stair tread you would be buying material I'd say. Looking forward to the rest of this series!! Take care!!!
You are becoming a full fledged fabricator. I always found building something was way more fun and satisfying than buying it. If much more of this kind thing is in your future an acetylene torch would be a good investment.
The dog is stealing the show, I am laughing my life watching him! Upcycling metal is one of my specialty! You sure will go through many discs while working on old steel structure. I think you are on the right track. I've done a groomer using pallet rackings. They work just fine and had them for free. I am working now on a large snow roller... Thanks!
Building your own groomer can be very satisfying. Good for you for taking the project on! Jason, have you planned for a way to add or remove weight from your groomer, depending on conditions?
I haven't thought that far ahead yet Rick. Normally the snow load with the metal is enough to do the trick. Sometimes, they get too heavy for the machine which is what I have experienced with the snowmobile drag. I have been thinking about a way to put wheels on it with some type of DC powered electric cylinders...
Great start- That’s something I want to build for our logging roads. I’ve been plowing them in the past, but the wind row starts to become a pain to deal with by mid-winter.
We had so much snow last year, I started to lose the backhoe into the windrows once in a while and took quite a bit of time to get it back out (especially on sloped sections of the woods road).
Can’t wait to see the end result Those cut off discs from Canuck Tire don’t last long I find I buy better quality cut off discs at my supply store where I get my bolts etc Have had good luck with “Walter”brand disc and grind wheels
I never thought about that but it makes sense. I usually get a pack of them on sale for $10 so wasn’t too concerned. More of a pain than anything continuously stopping to change them out!
Great video . Your dog stole the show ! Be well !
He sure did! Labs need lots of exercise!!
Thats how I build every attachment I own! Look at my bone yard steel and then sketch something on a napkin. You're drawing looks similar to a drag my Dad built for behind his snowmobile in the mid 90's. Mostly used on the trails on their property that connected to the main trail, it worked well, but his smoothing section was probably a bit lighter and was made from a few pieces of discarded grader cutting edge. The sides were made from 2" by 1/8th galvanized channel. I should get him to take a picture for you.
that would be awesome! I plan to put the 8" channel flat side down and then weld 8" pieces of rebar to it every 6 inches to help keep the drag straight and to leave grooves in the trail like the pros do!
We had to watch the intro twice 😁, could only focus on Ranger the first time!! Love the idea of using your old steel to make something new. Best, David and Rachel
Thanks guys, he stole the show... crazy dog!
Hi Jason, Really looking forward to watching this project. I am no expert on fabrication but I really enjoy it, especially when it is a project I use regularly after and that it saves me time. Joe from ''Steel to Wood'' channel is the one that inspired me to try my hand at welding and fabrication. He even gave me advice when I started. Not sure if I sent you pictures last winter but I built my snow groomer with light-weight-considerations as some of our trails did not have an area wide enough to do a 180 at the end and I had to turn it by hand. On top of that, the heavier, the harder on fuel it will be. If you want it to be heavier, keep in mind that you can simply add ballast after the fact. Our groomer does a great job keeping the trails groomed and allows us access all winter long with tractor and log trailer. have fun
Great feedback! Joe is watching this build and I'll have to be sure to film my poor fitting and welding skills along the way! I like the idea of keeping it somewhat light as well... I was wondering about DC electric cylinders (gear driven) for a set of wheels to lift the unit up to back up and turn if needed, etc...
@@OakMountainAcotts I did use an electric cylinder that I bought at Princess auto when I fabricated a box-blade-type contraption to pull behind my ATV for when I wanted to fix the gravel road at the cottage. It is plugged into the 12V outlet. The cylinder is slow but does the job of raising the blade so that I can tow it on the wheels when turning around or getting to where I want to work.. While it works fine on hard surface, I'm not convinced that the wheels would do well in snow unless hard packed. But don't let my ideas limit you in your design. Looking forward to see the rest of the build. One simple thing that I find useful is to have a length of rope (5-6 feet) tied to the back end of the drag so that it is easier to swing around if necessary. Don't forget to always have a shovel handy 🙂
Thanks for the follow up… the rope and shovel sounds like a good plan to start! If I use them often I’ll investigate cylinders and wheels!
Should work fine
Thanks Larry. Can't wait to stick it together and test it!
How's she goin'? This is going to be a nice project and it will be valuable for you to have this drag too. So that is incentive enough eh!! I always keep old scrap metal around too. You never know when a project will come up and look at you: with out this stair tread you would be buying material I'd say. Looking forward to the rest of this series!! Take care!!!
Thanks Mike! My workmanship won’t rival yours but I’ll bubblegum this thing together!
You are becoming a full fledged fabricator. I always found building something was way more fun and satisfying than buying it. If much more of this kind thing is in your future an acetylene torch would be a good investment.
Yes a torch would have been helpful! I was surprised how quickly the discs cut through the 8” channel though…
The dog is stealing the show, I am laughing my life watching him! Upcycling metal is one of my specialty! You sure will go through many discs while working on old steel structure. I think you are on the right track. I've done a groomer using pallet rackings. They work just fine and had them for free. I am working now on a large snow roller... Thanks!
That old Ranger is a crazy dog! This project is outside of my wheelhouse but I kind of enjoy the metal work!
Building your own groomer can be very satisfying. Good for you for taking the project on! Jason, have you planned for a way to add or remove weight from your groomer, depending on conditions?
I haven't thought that far ahead yet Rick. Normally the snow load with the metal is enough to do the trick. Sometimes, they get too heavy for the machine which is what I have experienced with the snowmobile drag. I have been thinking about a way to put wheels on it with some type of DC powered electric cylinders...
Great start- That’s something I want to build for our logging roads. I’ve been plowing them in the past, but the wind row starts to become a pain to deal with by mid-winter.
We had so much snow last year, I started to lose the backhoe into the windrows once in a while and took quite a bit of time to get it back out (especially on sloped sections of the woods road).
Dog is distracting - Note Cute!
Oh he’s a good boy….
All I’d be grooming here is mud and rocks! If I were a bit closer- I’d bring a plasma cutter, torch and welder and give you a hand!
Yes, I know that you have all the right tools and the skills to boot! My design and finished product will be a "rustic" one!!! (and rusty....)
Can’t wait to see the end result Those cut off discs from Canuck Tire don’t last long I find I buy better quality cut off discs at my supply store where I get my bolts etc Have had good luck with “Walter”brand disc and grind wheels
I never thought about that but it makes sense. I usually get a pack of them on sale for $10 so wasn’t too concerned. More of a pain than anything continuously stopping to change them out!
Thank Jason, looks like you are on the right track, or you could have Ranger pull a tire around looks like he would have it done in no time. 😂
Now that is a good idea! I should hitch him up to a pick-up truck tire every time we go around the trails!