An overview and rundown of the SNOWDOG B13ME. Unsolicited, unpaid. I bought this in December and have given it a couple months of hard use. I hope this helps if your researching a purchase on one of these units.
Great video - very useful commentary on what the machine can do and its limitations. I made one this winter from an old Polaris Indy 650 chassis, a 6.5hp Predator motor and a small Comet style CVT - cost a few hundred bucks to build. It doesn't have the pulling power of a Snowdog but its great for hauling my ice fishing gear. Here in Ontario you don't need a licence, insurance or registration to operate these machines on public land so that is another big advantage over a snowmobile.
Thank you for the video. I am considering buying one of these. I was curious if the maker made a plow mod and was surprised that they didn't advertise one on there website. In your opinion would your snowdog module make a good walk behind plow for light to moderate accumulation?
John Grytbakk it’s a nice little machine! Especially this winter with the snow restricting even 4x4’s to the roads, it gets me out where I really want to be. Definitely a cure for the “Cabin Fever”!
good review, thanks...apparently a slide system needs snow for lubrication so bogies are good for summer...i am putting together parts for a build, your review helped...Creator bless...doug
Needed a machines like this for Long time. Thought about building one haha. It’s still just a bit too expensive. I know ppl got to make a living but 3000-3400 seems about the area for affordability not 45-5
Just picked up a lightly used one (compact 10hp) and can't wait to try it this weekend. Curious what you think of the seat? Mine didn't have one and I was debating if it was worth it. Awesome overview video!
Thank you! I purchased the seat with the machine right out of the gate. I took it off 3 days later and haven't used it since. I don't regret owning it, just hasn't filled a need as of yet.
I was worried about my thighs, but I think when the bars are set to the correct height, you stand in a more natural position and my thighs have been fine. The steering of this machine varies considerably between packed trails and deep snow. It is actually much easier to control in deep virgin snow as it just takes down pressure to turn the machine. On hard-pack, it is more a complete upper body endeavor to control. There is a surprising learning curve, especially when transitioning from hard-pack to deep snow regularly.
I have the same snowdog. Would anyone know where i could find user’s manual for that motor ? I tried company website in the manual’s section but cannot get a hold on it
I wonder if you could take off the handlebars and remount them on the other side of the machine. It seems like that would allow you to put the butt end of the log up on top of the machine and drag the log in reverse. Not only would that reduce the drag resistance, but it would add weight and therefore traction to the tracks. I have a DR Powerwagon, and I move heavy logs that way. I have used a tripod made of poles and a chain hoist to lift a large ash log (16 inch diameter, 10 feet long) up on one end, drive the Powerwagon under it, and then secure the log to the powerwagon. I wonder if that would work with the snowdog, or if the engine is mounted too close to the center? I wonder how much weight the Snowdog could hold on top? I use a Logrite Junior arch on the other end of the log, but could put that more centered on the log to balance it however works best.
Yeah, for sure! In my “homestead logging for lumber” video, I show how I ran cut off downhill skis on both sides, over top of failed cross country skis (too light on the tips and quickly broke off). Gave it a little height so the aluminum sheet clears (most) snow. Good observation, wish I had started off that direction!
I watched marten cabin videos he has a logging video he skidded 18 foot tamarack logs he used a old metal wheel barrel lifted and chained it in and road it to the landing
brophymd “satisfactory” is probably not what your looking for. But I don’t really have info on that. The factory claims .8 g/h. I would guess that is ideal, packed trail conditions. When I’m using the machine, I’m working it, so I would guess I come up a little short of that. But honestly, I’m satisfied with how it does with the fuel consumption.
I watched marten cabin videos he has a logging video he skidded 18 foot tamarack logs he used a old metal wheel barrel lifted and chained it in and road it to the landing
