Building a "mini ice cat"

What happen to the good old days when all you needed was an ice auger, a 5 gallon pail, some bait and a hand powered ice auger. Nowhere near 400-500 lbs.

Easily enough to walk out on a lake.

But if you don't care about being a good Steward, go ahead.

If they ever ration energy will you give this sport up??

When I lived in Finland we used a snowmobile and pulled a sled full of crap, nets, food, the dog, 2-3 extra people. Good for ice, snow, ice/snow, and water also if you keep the speed up. We would chain saw our hole, very fast and simple with using a giant spike to chop out the 25 inch round hole when done with the saw (20 inch bar took two depth cuts in 1 meter thick ice) on the sea between Finland and Sweden. We put 30 meter long nets 2 meters tall under the ice between 4 holes for 90 total meters (maximum allowed) and came back in a week and hauled up all the fish. Now that's fishing !

Hey jimmymac28,

Personally I like the idea. 6-8 hp is a small eco foot print compared to a snowmobile or 4 wheeler.

The trick (in my opinion) is to distribute the weight in all directions. Wide tracks as well as long. Like a snow cat. Hydraulic drive will make some parts easy.

Unless you have pressure ridges, on the lakes, the suspension travel can be short and soft.

Are you thinking of using sprockets or tires to drive the tracks?

You could cage the tires and use that to drive the tracks. (metal cage is put on tire with low air and aired up)

If you worry about thin ice mount some oil barrels (empty of course).

Are you going to articulate or steer front and maybe rear?

I'm a believer in the KISS principle. Articulation might be easiest if you can get the parts cheep.

Small half cab (wind block).

Just had a thought: rear drive tracks front skis or ski. Like a small half track. Not so many drive and steering issues.

Our lakes rarely freeze anymore or I would build one for my Dad.

Brad

See the wikipedia article on "sno cat" at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sno-Cat The kitten model might be a good starting place. It runs on a 10 hp motor.

With modern materials you might be able to save some weight and get away with something smaller.

Post a picture when you get it built!

So by saying "avid ice fisherman" you're admitting that you're an alcoholic... JUST KIDDING!!!

You might want to take a look at this for ideas.

Maybe able to rob parts of commercial walk behind mower or zero turn model from used mower store as they are available in hydro and belt drive versions

I was at a sports show in Denver a few years back and there was a guy there from Hendley Ne. that built a track vehicle from scratch (it was very impressive). He used tractor tires for the tracks, cut the sidewalls out, etc. He has a video on how to build his machine for about $150. You might get some good ideas from his design.

Yes it's fun to "one off" something cool (It's all I do in my spare time.) But for the time and investment in what you're looking to do I will recommend getting on Craigslist come the end of the season and buying some old beater snowmobile.

A quick google search gave me the following for $400. I know nothing about it.

http://hartford.craigslist.org/rvs/520097318.html

Keep your eyes peeled!

I used to buy old broken down 6 wheel amphibious all terrain vehicles and rebuild them. After a year or two of fun with them I would sell them for a profit. It seems to me that for the 'safety' aspect, having a lightweight vehicle that can tow a water tight trailer would give you everything you need.

The model I found to be of a good base to start with was 'Argo' made by Ontario Drive and Gear in Ontario Canada. You may do an internet search for similar amphibious designs for used vehicles and thereby recycle and reuse!

Good luck!

Sounds like a fun project.

I think rummaging through local junk yards would be a good place to start. Just see what small engines you can find. You might even get lucky and find something with tracks.

Ever thought about using air, like an Air boat. Three skids a engine facing the rear an old airplane prop and away you go. No Traction problems. Be great for Ice, cause some problems on dry ground. But very little would be needed to make an "Air Ice Buggy". Use an old boat bottom, if it falls through the ICE you have an instant air boat. Just an Idea. Good luck and what ever ya idea you come up, Have fun.

DaGoose

I like the idea! i also like the idea that you are not in such a rush and are not too concerned with going fast

My son is nagging me to death to buy him a leaf blower to build a hovercraft he saw on youtube!

I wonder you could modify a rototiller some way and articulate it to steer?

sled or wagon - snow or no?

just a thought

please let us know if you build or create a design!

Many thanks to all who have contributed to my little project. Lots of ideas for me to chew over.

I am indeed fortunate in that my location puts me just a couple of miles from the store that any guy driving a pick-up truck would just die for. Yes Princess Auto, my home from home. Get this - they are selling a brand new, it could be a 6 but I think is 8hp gas engine for $124!! Or they have a diesel 10hp for $499! I plan to talk to some guys there - they have a "project book" which shows all the weird stuff guys have done in the past with them. Keep the ideas coming and I will keep you all posted. Thanks again.

Jim...