Prinoth Groomers

[thetrailboss]

So Burke just bought a new Prinoth Groomer. Word has it that these are very different from other conventional groomers because the tiller is more flexible (and can groom different pitched terrain better) and has a midbody engine mount, which translates into better grooming capability on steeper terrain.

Does anyone know any other specs or can confirm these features?

 

[drjeff]

So Burke just bought a new Prinoth Groomer. Word has it that these are very different from other conventional groomers because the tiller is more flexible (and can groom different pitched terrain better) and has a midbody engine mount, which translates into better grooming capability on steeper terrain.

Does anyone know any other specs or can confirm these features?

Probably it's their new Bison model, which basically is Prinoth's answer to Pisten Bulley's 600 model(tough to tell from th angle in that pic). Both of these machines are IMPRESSIVE, with engines that have another 75 to 100 HP over their more traditional groomers, and very flexible tillers/blades that work great not just on the groomers, but also for park shaping features.

I had the pleasure last February when the NSAA (National Ski Areas Association) eastern show as at Mount Snow to watch groomers from various mountains demo bu the Bison and the 600 side by side and they can both move ALOT of snow in a hurry, but also with the appropriate operator behind the joy stick do some incredible shaping.

If you get a chance, take a look at the cockpit, it looks more like something you'd expect to see in a fighter jet than a "glorified bulldozer"

 

[SIKSKIER]

Cannon just got a new Prinoth winchcat also.Very nice machine.We'll see if they use it.

 

[thetrailboss]

Cannon just got a new Prinoth winchcat also.Very nice machine.We'll see if they use it.

Maybe they will only use it on days which are not M or F. :wink:

 

[BushMogulMaster]

I believe Mt. Ellen is equipped with a new Bison winchcat this year. I'm not sure that I'll have the opportunity to operate it this season, but I'll most likely at least have a ride-along or two. I'll let you know what I think.

Prinoth now owns Camoplast, who bought Bombardier a couple years back. I believe the Bison is an improvement on the BR-350. For more info + specs, check out http://www.prinoth.com/content.asp?L=3&IDMEN=666

Anyone see the new company? Ohara snowcats (www.snowcats.com). Japanese company. Clear rip-off of the older LMC machines. Still cool, though.

 

[SIKSKIER]

Maybe they will only use it on days which are not M or F. :wink:

HaHA.So far they have not used it on days that end in y.

 

[mountainman]

Nice tractors. Little on the fast side for grooming. But very nice. Steve will enjoy the tractor. Heard Mt. Snow bought the PB 600. My all time fav was the PB 320. Groomer here for over 25 years.

 

[davidhowland14]

I believe Mt. Ellen is equipped with a new Bison winchcat this year.

Whats a winchat? I've always wondered.

 

[Hawkshot99]

Whats a winchat? I've always wondered.

Groomer that has a winch on it. It is for very steep trails. the attach the cable to something up at the summit then go down the trail. There to help the cat up and down.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Yep, it's just a very powerful winch mounted to a very powerful snowcat. The winch can be hooked up to a number of things, but typically concrete pads with a large eyelet, another snowcat, or trees (although that can be disastrous!).

Here's a pic of a Pisten Bully 600 W (winch):

 

[mountainman]

Bush that pic makes me excited. Thats the best of the winch tractors.

 

[thetrailboss]

Yep, it's just a very powerful winch mounted to a very powerful snowcat. The winch can be hooked up to a number of things, but typically concrete pads with a large eyelet, another snowcat, or trees (although that can be disastrous!).

Here's a pic of a Pisten Bully 600 W (winch):

Is that what Win just bought SB?

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Is that what Win just bought SB?

Nope. That's a PB. New cat at Mt. Ellen is a Prinoth.

 

[thetrailboss]

Nope. That's a PB. New cat at Mt. Ellen is a Prinoth.

What is the PB winchcat I saw parked at LP today?

 

[drjeff]

Nice tractors. Little on the fast side for grooming. But very nice. Steve will enjoy the tractor. Heard Mt. Snow bought the PB 600. My all time fav was the PB 320. Groomer here for over 25 years.

Yup, MS has a sweet new 600 cruising around the hill this year. I kind of thought they'd buy the Bison over the 600 since last year after NSAA East, the demo Bison hung around a little longer than the demo 600. Peak though did "spread the wealth" as they got a Bison for Attitash this year.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

What is the PB winchcat I saw parked at LP today?

Probably a 300. I'll check while I'm out today.