The onset of winter and the fall of deep snow radically change the logistics of movement in many regions. Where in summer you can drive an ordinary passenger car, in winter the road turns into impassable virgin soil or a dangerous snow drift.
The question is what do they drive in the snow?, becomes critically important for residents of remote villages, hunters, fishermen and emergency services. The choice of vehicle depends on many factors: snow depth, air temperature, terrain and the owner’s budget.
The modern market offers a wide range of solutions, from classic tracked all-terrain vehicles to modified ATVs. Each type of equipment has its own unique characteristics of cross-country ability, comfort and maintainability, which must be taken into account before purchasing.
Classification of snowmobile equipment
All transport for moving on snow cover can be divided into several key categories. The first group consists snowshoes and motorized towing vehicles, which are often called “motorized dogs.” These are lightweight, maneuverable devices, ideal for hunting and fishing, where speed is not important, but the ability to deliver cargo or a person to a hard-to-reach place.
The second category is represented by full-fledged tracked snowmobiles. They have high speed and are designed to cover long distances on groomed trails or dense snow. The design of such machines allows them to develop significant speed, but their cross-country ability on loose virgin soil is limited by the specific pressure on the ground.
The third group is all-terrain vehicles on low-pressure tires or a combined tracked-wheel drive. Cars like TREKOL or Sherpa are able to swim and pass through windfalls, making them a versatile tool for expeditions. However, their dimensions and cost often do not allow the use of such equipment for personal purposes for short trips.
⚠️ Warning: When choosing between wheeled and tracked, remember that tracks provide better traction, but significantly reduce top speed and increase fuel consumption.
Adaptation of passenger cars to winter conditions
Not everyone has the opportunity to purchase specialized equipment, so many drivers try to adapt their passenger cars for winter use. The main element here is the tires. The use of winter tires with studs or Velcro is a mandatory minimum, without which driving on the road is dangerous.
To increase cross-country ability, snow chains are often used. They are put on the drive wheels and allow you to get out of a deep snow drift or climb an icy slope. It is important to choose the correct size of chains for the profile of your tires, so as not to damage the arches or suspension elements.
There are also various inflatable ladders and shovels that should be in the trunk of every motorist planning trips outside the city in winter. All-wheel drive systems (4WD) make life much easier, but do not make an ordinary crossover an all-terrain vehicle. Ground clearance and body geometry often become a limiting factor.
Always check tire pressure in severe cold - it drops faster than in summer, which reduces the contact patch and worsens handling.
If you plan to frequently drive your car in the snow, you should consider installing a pre-heater. This device will allow you to start the engine in any frost without the risk of damaging the battery or starter, and will also provide a warm interior immediately after landing.
Technical features of crawler tracks
The crawler is the gold standard for driving in deep snow. The principle of its operation is to distribute the mass of the equipment over a large support area. This reduces specific pressure to the surface, allowing the car to “float” through the snow without falling through.
Structurally, the caterpillar consists of a rubber-metal belt and support rollers. The most important parameter is the track pitch and the presence of lugs. High lugs are necessary for driving on loose snow, while for compacted roads a lower profile is preferable, providing less vibration.
Track maintenance requires constant attention. The tension of the caterpillar must be strictly in accordance with the regulations: over-tensioning leads to increased wear of the bearings and cord breakage, and loosening leads to the caterpillar falling off the rollers.
| Propulsion type | Benefits | Disadvantages | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crawler | Highest cross-country ability, low ground pressure | Low speed, high flow, difficult to maintain | Deep snow, virgin soil, swamp |
| Wheeled (4x4) | High speed, versatility, availability of spare parts | Risk of getting stuck in loose snow, depending on the terrain | Paved roads, light snow |
| Aerodrome | Independence from the surface (snow, water, ice) | Huge fuel consumption, noise, difficult to control | Expeditions, rescue operations |
Why do caterpillars squeak in the cold?
At low temperatures, the rubber-metal mixture of the caterpillar becomes tanned. The squeak occurs due to the friction of hard rubber against metal rollers and snow crumbs. Lubrication with a special spray temporarily eliminates noise.
Motorized dogs and motorized towing vehicles: public transport
Motorized towing vehicles, affectionately referred to as “motorized dogs,” have become especially popular in Russia and the CIS countries. These are compact tracked platforms that pull drag sleds with a driver and cargo. Their main advantage is compactness and relatively low cost of ownership.
The design of such machines is simple: an engine (often from a walk-behind tractor), a variator and a caterpillar track. They fit easily into the trunk of a station wagon or pickup truck, making them ideal for last-mile transportation. You can use a motorized dog to get to a fishing spot that cannot be reached by car, but it is expensive to travel by snowmobile.
However, this type of technique has its limitations. The driver's comfort on a motorized dog is minimal: he is in a sled that can shake violently on bumps. In addition, the speed rarely exceeds 40-50 km/h, and maneuverability is inferior to that of a snowmobile.
- 🛠️ Maintainability: the simplicity of the design allows you to repair breakdowns in the field with a minimum set of tools.
- ❄️ Patency: Due to the wide caterpillar, the motorized dog feels confident in deep snow, where an ordinary ATV would get stuck.
- 💰 Economical: the small engine volume ensures low fuel consumption, which is critical for long expeditions.
⚠️ Attention: When operating a motorized dog, always check that the sled hitch is securely fastened. Disconnecting the skid plates while moving can result in personal injury or loss of load.
Preparing equipment for the winter season
Before setting off to conquer the snowy expanses, any technique requires careful preparation. Winter operation means extreme loads on all components and assemblies. First of all, it is necessary to replace all technical fluids with winter analogues.
Engine and transmission oil must have the appropriate SAE viscosity grade. Using summer oil at temperatures below -5°C can lead to oil starvation of the engine at startup and subsequent major overhauls.
The battery is another critical element. In cold weather, the battery capacity drops, and the starting current is required much higher. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before the season and keep it warm if the equipment is located in an unheated room.
☑️ Winter preparation checklist
Don't forget about the cooling system. Antifreeze must be rated for temperatures significantly lower than expected in your area. Freezing of liquid in the radiator threatens to rupture the cylinder block or pipes.
Safety rules and equipment
Driving in snow carries increased risk. Low temperatures, poor visibility and difficult terrain require maximum concentration and proper equipment from the driver. Clothing should be multi-layered, windproof and waterproof.
If you fall from a snowmobile or motorized dog at high speed, there is a high risk of frostbite or injury. Therefore, having a helmet, safety glasses and quality gloves is a requirement, not a recommendation. Hypothermia (hypothermia) occurs quickly if you get wet in icy snow.
It is also important to have a repair kit, spare spark plugs, fuel and communications equipment with you. In the remote taiga or tundra, equipment failure can be fatal if you have no way to call for help or get warm.
- 🔦 Light: An additional light source (flashlight, spare batteries) is required, since it gets dark early in winter.
- 🔥 Fire: A supply of dry fuel or a lighter in a sealed container can save lives in an emergency.
- 🗺️ Navigation: paper maps and compass must duplicate electronic navigators, which may run out of power or lose signal.
The main rule of winter operation is to never travel alone on an unfamiliar route without a supply of fuel, communications and warm clothing.
Is it possible to drive on summer tires on packed snow?
Absolutely not. Summer tires harden at low temperatures, losing their grip properties. Even on compacted snow, the braking distance on summer tires increases significantly, which makes driving uncontrollable and life-threatening.
What temperature is considered critical for starting a gasoline engine?
For most modern engines without preheating, temperatures below -20...-25°C are considered critical. At such values, the oil thickens and the battery loses a significant part of its capacity, which makes starting difficult or impossible.
Do I need to warm up my snowmobile before driving?
Yes, definitely. A cold engine and transmission are not ready for the stress. It is necessary to let the engine run for 3-5 minutes at idle speed so that the oil disperses throughout the system and the rubber elements of the variator and tracks warm up.
What to do if your equipment gets stuck in the snow?
You should not accelerate sharply - this will only sink the car deeper. It is necessary to clear the snow around the mover, put branches, boards or special ladders. If you have an assistant, you can try to gently swing the equipment or pull it out with a cable.