Homemade Ski Trail Groomer

Now when I have the ATV tracks (youshouldbuildit.blogspot.com...) it opens up a new set of possibilities in relation to what I can do on the homestead. One of them is our very own ski trail.
I slapped together this groomer to smooth out the pre pressed track. It still needs the front end/cutting edges lifter upgrade and a track setter, but it works even in current condition really well. Like always I was in a hurry to get it done because believe it or not it looks like the winter is going to end.
Even though I'm not a huge fan of skiing I enjoy the chance of physical movement it provides for us during wintertime when we can't ride the bicycle.
Soundtrack:
Strolling Through - Silent Partner (KZbin Audio Library)
Vision - Silent Partner (KZbin Audio Library)
Donations accepted at: youshouldbuildit.blogspot.com...
Blueprints available at:
youshouldbuildit.blogspot.com...

[@keanbourdon5070]

Amazing setup came back to watch so many times lol good work

[@keanbourdon5070]

Same here lol

[@jeffbrosch3142]

I have built some of these too. Never out of wood but still cool. I always add a shear bolt of small size to break if the drag catches on something and put it on the hitch.

[@DonnDIY]

I think the wooden frame will brake before the hitch does in my case. But I will keep that hint in mind when building a steel version of it. Thanks!

[@j00k3]

Nice build there! Thinking of building one myself. CC-skiing are so damn funny, and i got both a snowmobile and an ATV so... there is no excuses not to build one of these.

[@DonnDIY]

+j00k3 That's what I thought - I have the tracks and mobility in the snow! Didn't actually plan on making the groomer this winter but it still happened. :D

[@StubProductions]

Nice work!!

[@DonnDIY]

+Bob Stubs Thank you!

[@mosquitok833]

Bravo. Great job.

[@DonnDIY]

Thanks!

[@ericdavis527]

No problem, easy as 1, 2, 3

[@charliepalmer5820]

Nice, how did of snow can your ATV ride through snow wise

[@art-134]

Офигенный Ратрак для горнолыжной трассы получился!Респект!)))

[@xczoneru]

job well done!!

[@wkoell]

Lahe massin, ägedad kaadrid. Jõudu!

[@DonnDIY]

Aitäh, ja tänan vaatamast! ;)

[@szabokornel1733]

Nice

[@quaddingsous]

Cool! Looked like it worked really well. Nice design! That Honda looks soooo boss with those tracks on it! lol Thanx for sharin'!

[@DonnDIY]

+quaddingsous Thanks! It does. Would like to have more snow though. :D

[@andreikuts3653]

Lucky guy, still has snow around his house...

[@dennisfossey4312]

Now all you need is to get a comb for rear.

[@dominik0655]

nice :)

[@DonnDIY]

+dominik0655 Cheers!

[@Crewsy]

For cross country skiing you could add a liftable device at the back that could cut and set tracks for downhill runs on the trail. You are very creative and I have enjoyed your videos.

[@DonnDIY]

Thanks man and thanks for watching.

[@Mehis18]

Väga huvitavad videod, atv lindid on minu arust parimad, jätka samas vaimus👍

[@DonnDIY]

Suured tänud!

[@MrFakit]

2 bricks short of a load!!! :p

[@alanatkinson9364]

Always wondered how and who😊😊😊😊😊👌👌👌👌🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@davidpayne4315]

Should have a plow blade on the front would've gotten more done

[@charlespalmerii4299]

I tried tot find your bluprints for this to purchase, but could not , any suggestions? thanks Charlie

[@DonnDIY]

There are no blueprints for this groomer available.

[@mata9154]

BUENO!!!

[@user-tt7yt4ll3g]

Когда ты Всё это успеваешь делать?

[@emusp]

Nice groomer. What are the measurements, width and length?

[@DonnDIY]

+Casper Nielsen Cheers! Width is 1,6 m, length 3,2 m.

[@emusp]

Thanks. Will try to make one for grooming sled dog trails. Is it heavy to pull?

[@DonnDIY]

+Casper Nielsen If the groomer has a lifting system to clear the blades it's not that heavy but when it starts to accumulate and plow massive amount of snow it gets pretty hard to pull.

[@TheFenix717]

Super!!!))

[@DonnDIY]

+Ильнур Калин Thanks!

[@bryanhauschild4376]

How far apart are the tracks for the skiis?

[@DonnDIY]

The ski track I groomed is around 3 meters wide so it's enough for skate skiing.

[@jyma2011]

Un "framage" de lit métallique en fer L 2" x 2" avec ajout de 2 L à angle dans le centre fait très bien le travail et ça ne bourre pas.

[@Chevysrule454]

problem is what do u pull it with if all youve got is a reg sled

[@DonnDIY]

I think a regular sled would pull it too if you fabricate the front end of the drag so you can lift it (with an electric actuator or winch etc.) so you can lift the front up when it gets packed with snow. It's a modification I wanted to make this season but we haven't had much of a snow and I haven't used this drag at all this year. There's always upcoming season...

[@DanKoning777]

Donn, all you need now is a girl who loves the mechanical side of things [like you do]; then you two could share/spend time enjoying all of the fruits of your collective labors. *God bless!*

[@pizzapale]

what are the overall dimensions? length/width?

[@DonnDIY]

It was like 1,6 m by 3,2 m maybe, the length could be divided by two widths. Something like that. :D

[@Ericbjohnston5150]

Ive never needed a groomed trail. Why because I broke trail on an old skidoo. We didn't need trail huts. We built fires and cooked meals. We didn't need trail passes. The woods were for everyone's use.

[@MeatLoaf-me3vc]

what cc would you need to pull this thing?

[@DonnDIY]

My 500 cc Honda was enough. I'm afraid a smaller ATV-s will struggle more. Bigger is better! :D

[@aidannina494]

Donn DIY not necessarily a mid size will be best becausebig bore 1000cc have more torque at higher rpms and mid size have low and mid range torque that's perfect so like a Polaris 570 and 850 will be plenty

[@vikt0r008]

Ай, молодца, ай красава! Так держать! ))) Спорт есть жизнь!

[@DonnDIY]

+Виктор Николаевич :D

[@Atvsrawsome]

did you make the winch too ;p hahaha

[@nicolasfranco653]

buena noche buen video por que tanbien no agrande el tanque de conbustible de paso

[@MeatLoaf-me3vc]

and how much does it weigh

[@DonnDIY]

It's heavy enough not to lift it by yourself but it is possible to carry by two people.

[@MeatLoaf-me3vc]

Alright thanks I've got my summer project planned out now!

[@richey4801]

if i had a quad like that i wouldn't ski XD

[@DonnDIY]

Haha. Very good point!

[@Creepers2024]

You can't go over and over the same path because you can wreck the smoothness and compaction of the trail .

[@DonnDIY]

+muscle hushin The point of the groomer is to go over and over again to get the trail smooth, take down higher spots and fill out the lower dimples. At least it's working like that for me.

[@Creepers2024]

+Donn D. I just seen at the end that it was starting to make ruts and I learned that if I go over and over mine again it starts to make ruts. I have a Groomer myself check out my channel soon and I will make a vid with it on my atv

[@DonnDIY]

+muscle hushin Would be really good to have that proper wavy plastic on the pressing surface in the rear of the groomer. It may take out of those ruts you're talking about. The ruts on the sides are developing due to the two angle irons I attached to the "skis" to avoid drifting sideways. But I must say I'm satisfied with the overall result of the work this groomer does.

[@TRUMPLocalWallBuildersUnion]

dude you are genius..... I'm starting to like Estonia ... do u guys accept orphaned americans ?hahaha

[@DonnDIY]

+Daniel B. I'm hardly a genius. :D Sure we do, get your plane tickets now!

[@TRUMPLocalWallBuildersUnion]

***** U are def a smart dude .. those atv tracks are sweet , having all that land and material around must be cool .. i grew up in the city (boston,ma usa) so all i saw was brick buildings hahaha . If i ever do visit estonia id def help u build some stuff ! Hows that sauna u were building ?

[@DonnDIY]

+Daniel B. I kinda know what you're saying - I spent first 10 years of my life in a city and I can only say that I personally enjoy country life more. All of that freedom is priceless. You should definitely visit Estonia - it is so small it's funny. Well, you'll see. ;) I want to finish that sauna project this summer and enjoy the result already in autumn. I will make a video of it too, finally.

[@TRUMPLocalWallBuildersUnion]

***** ya make a vid completing the sauna building, nice spot you chose on the edge of the pond ! I cant wait to see the finished project ! is your farm a working farm ? like raising animals or growing veggies. or just a homestead type of farm to support your family

[@DonnDIY]

+Daniel B. Nope, it's not a working farm anymore, just a homestead. We can't wait to see the finished sauna either. ;)