If you are a snowmobile enthusiast, you are probably aware of the history of the snowmobile. You know how the first ones were based on motorcycle technology. You may quibble about who “invented” the first one – A Canadian or an America, but there will be no disagreement that Joseph-Armand Bombardier from Quebec Canada is responsible for the first multi-track snowmobile. He also was among the very few who could see the vast potential for these vehicles when they could be made lightweight and fast.
Where snowmobile riders and historians will also agree concerns trails and trail maintenance. They all tend to feel that it is essential to have groomed tracks to increase the pleasures of snowmobile rides. Yet, only a few will have ever thought about – and even fewer actually know, the history of snowmobile trail groomers.
The Early Days
During the first days of snowmobiles, the need for trail groomers was not even considered. The whole purpose of snowmobiles, after all, was to get people to places during the winter when other forms of transportation – excluding do sleds, failed. It was for hunting, trapping and bringing in supplies. During these early days, snowmobiles were not perceived nor conceived as a recreational device.
First Snowmobile Trail Groomers
It is uncertain when someone got the idea to use snowmobile trail groomers. It was probably sometime after the move of snowmobiles from strictly practical to recreational. No specific year is a given but by 1967, snow mobiles were making their way into local parks and farmers’ fields. They were loud, noisy and, to non-fans, terribly annoying.
The first snowmobile clubs in North America were formed during this decade as well. In Canada, the first such club in North America was founded in St. Agathe, Quebec. In the United States, the Lancaster Snow Drifters formed in New Hampshire in 1964 and the Adams Sno Drifters came together in Massachusetts in 1966. At that time, the means of grooming trails was simple and non expensive.
The first snowmobile trail groomers required a snowmobile, some type of hitch and an old set of bed springs. The snowmobile simply dragged the bed springs along to create a smoother or more packed trail. They and “pipe drags” comprised the basic grooming tools during much of the 1960s and 1970s. These were not the most effective but they were not as expensive as many of the devices employed today.
The Next Step
The next step in trail grooming was a big one. It certainly was considered a step up. These first created trail groomers were single drag groomers. These devices possessed a single blade to help cut down, remove and smooth the snow. They continue to be used even though technology has since moved on.
Today
Today, snowmobile trail groomers are multi-blade drags. They create smooth paths or corduroy trails. While single blade drags are still employed, the riders and clubs now rely more on multi-bladed drags to accomplish what is required to produce the best snowmobile trails possible for everyone to use.
If you are in search for affordable and unique Snowmobile Trail Groomers, look no further than the products of HISS Groomers. We strive to make the grooming of trails easier for you, your friends and your family. Discover more how we can help you maintain your trails at http://hissgroomers.com/.
