Power Kite Forum

Buggy with Skis Modification

Danno - 25-1-2009 at 05:31 PM

I'm considering modifying my flexi buggy to use in the snow. I saw a picture of a recently sold buggy that had snowmobile ski skins on the back and a homemade skate on the front. Before I charge into creating my own, does anyone have one that they've used successfully or have suggestions that I should consider? Any thoughts on design, pictures, or ways to enhance floatation and minimize drag would be appreciated. Would using shortened downhill skis be an option?

WolfWolfee - 25-1-2009 at 06:02 PM

Well I tried blades and any snow and your hooped. I am modifying the blades with some old ski's but haven't got it completed yet but will keep you filled in.

geojones - 25-1-2009 at 08:18 PM

danno,i bought the buggy you spoke of. the seller says its smooth on frozen lakes and i'll be trying it on maumee bay sometime this week --it has a skate for the front axle and 2 skis for the back they seem very sturdy......i will let you know how it works:wee: don

Danno - 25-1-2009 at 10:04 PM

I'll be anxious to hear about your time out on it.

geojones - 11-2-2009 at 03:56 PM

sorry danno-i forgot to let you know--the buggy was great on maumee bay-sometimes it slid sideways but it was actually alot more fun that way and more dangerous,but who cares-thats what hospitals are for to sew up our broken bones hahaha actually im almost 50--cant afford that!!!:o

snowspider - 26-2-2009 at 07:29 PM

Danno you could try a small kids ski up front. It would angle and edge in a turn. You would have to put multple short skags on the bottom for when the ski is flat on the surface. I used 3'' of 1/4 key stock on my sled to keep it tracking straight. I used a little wood carver tool set to gouge out a flat groove in the plastic and glued them in. I think a full length skag would break out unless it was screwed in. You cant use down hill back skis because any side slip well lets say the buggy wont side slip it will just suddenly stop and you wont. Go for it

action jackson - 26-2-2009 at 08:49 PM

I think this is what you want! http://www.peterlynnkites.com/vehicles/buggies/kitesled.htm ...........aj

markite - 26-2-2009 at 09:59 PM

we have a few different styles rigged up for winter use. We've found a blade is the best, tracks like crazy, shoot way upwind, you can slide out your back end to sluff off speed, get it up on two blades easily - all exactly like on tires except turning is a lot shaper with blades. the biggest problem is we rarely get any clean ice and smooth ice. It usually has a snow base unless there is a melt but then it will get rutted by snowmobiles and atvs or by high wind with a refreeze.
Next is the ski option using the snowmobile skins with the carbide runner down the middle. That way it works on snow and the carbide is fine when you cross the ice patches. Works best on a hard crusty snow - deep snow or damp snow and you'll bog down and won't move.
Another guys has made a couple of different snow buggies using small snowboards for deeper snow.
Alignment is critical otherwise you'll feel really sluggish and dragging half the buggy.
Conditions are what really determines what will work best for you. We were at a winter festival a couple of weeks ago (in Ontario Can.) - snow melted, a bit of textured ice and then wind came up late in the day enough to get out, Ill attach a couple pics
Mark

IMG_6428.JPG - 128kB

markite - 26-2-2009 at 10:01 PM

and mine with home made blades

IMG_6433.JPG - 130kB

doublespeed360 - 27-2-2009 at 05:45 AM

nice to see you guys keeping in shape for sssb/nabx. paul