2021 ᐈ

Snowmobile sleds - types of structures and the principle of their operation

There are several main types of snowmobile sleds, and each has advantages and disadvantages. The sled is very versatile in its design. They easily attach to all types of snowmobiles. For example, for a Yamaha snowmobile, Russian Mechanics, Ermak, Viking 540, Dingo 150, BRP and Varyag 550.

In order to choose the type that suits you, you need to consider several factors:

the routes and trails you need to navigate, features of snow cover and terrain;
type of cargo transported;
driving style.

Volokushi - description and dimensions of plastic snowmobile sleds

Sleigh drags are the easiest option.

They have several advantages:

compactness and low weight;
simplicity and speed of loading and unloading luggage;
The drag body body does not freeze.

However, drags have a serious drawback - due to the design features, their front part is often damaged. This type of sled is inexpensive, and making it yourself is impractical.

Passenger

Passenger sleds are rarely seen. They usually consist of a housing made of plastic or plywood mounted on skids.

For greater passenger comfort, the design of the passenger sleigh can be sprung, and lighting and heating can be installed in the cabin.

They are not easy to find on sale, but such designs are sometimes made by winter fishermen and other outdoor recreation enthusiasts during the cold season.

A passenger sleigh can carry one or even several passengers, therefore, having only one snowmobile, the owner of this design can take a large company out into the snowy nature.

The main disadvantages are the large dimensions and weight of the structure. Because of this, passenger sleds can only be attached to powerful, high-powered snowmobiles.

Freight

Cargo sleds are the most versatile and practical option. They are designed more complexly than drags, but at the same time much simpler than passenger ones. These sleds have a large load capacity with small dimensions.

Due to the relatively small contact area with the surface, cargo sleds have a smoother ride than drag sleds - such structures easily slide on their runners, easily overcoming obstacles.

The luggage in them is protected much better. Below are photos of a homemade snowmobile sled.

Due to the fact that their skis are located at a great distance from each other, cargo sleds can also boast much greater stability than drag sleds.

A standard cargo sled consists of three main elements:

frame;
runners;
flooring

The frame is the basis of the entire structure. The runners are attached to the bottom of the frame using racks. There is a flooring on top, on which the loads will be placed.

For greater convenience and functionality, the frame of the cargo trolley must be equipped with railings and a covered structure placed on it.

What interesting options for sleds can you make?

As they say, I’m not used to stopping there. For now, I’ll give my child a ride on my first homemade sled.

But there is a plan to make him another, more beautiful one for the New Year. I’m preparing mentally that I’ll spend a lot more time. I think I will definitely have to set aside a few days for this work.

Here are a few options I've looked at. I think I'll make one of them. Which option would you choose? In general, would you make it yourself or would it be easier to buy it?

Preparation

Before we start creating our winter structure, we need to decide what material it should be made of. Wood is perfect as a starting material if you want to make a sled like a sled or entirely made of plastic or metal with plastic parts. There are a lot of homemade models you can assemble. Sleds, thanks to their design solutions, are a very universal item; they can be easily attached to all models of snowmobiles. To optimally select sled models, consider these factors.

Travel route and terrain features. The factor must be taken into account when using drag-type structures.

Type of transportation. Taking into account the fact that not only heavy things are transported on sleds, but also people, this factor must be taken seriously.
Your driving style. This factor must be taken into account, since the service life of all equipment, and not just sled runners, depends on the riding style.
Amount of snow cover. This factor affects the maneuverability of equipment in difficult natural and weather conditions.

The best option would be to make a sled on a steel frame, as it will be more durable than plastic ones. The main disadvantage of such equipment is considered weight, however, this pays off with a significant margin of safety and a long service life.

In such devices, it will be necessary to change the plastic slides as they wear out, but at least once every three years.

From plywood

To make a craft, you will have to put in maximum effort and patience, because the sleigh is made of plywood.

First you need to transfer the sleigh template onto plywood, you can download it on the Internet, and start cutting. Without a special device, it will be very difficult to cut out parts. After the parts are cut, they need to be sanded on a machine. If it was not possible to make the surface smooth, you will have to sand it manually with sandpaper.

After everything is ready, you need to assemble the sleigh according to the sketch and paint it with acrylic paints.

It is worth noting that plywood absorbs paint well, so you will have to paint the surface of the sled several times. Before applying the second coat, the first one needs to be sanded so that the paint adheres well.

For decoration, use a decorative contour for acrylic works. Apply a dot pattern along the edge. This crafted Santa Claus sleigh is no worse than a plastic one - just as durable and stable.

Dimensions and drawings

Before preparing your masterpiece, you need to make a design for it, in which you need to constructively decide what size the sled will be. We have prepared a rough drawing of the sled, which we will describe later. As you can see, the dimensions of the structure are a little more than two meters in length, the height of the product is 98.5 cm, the width in the front part is 75 cm, and in the back it narrows to 74 cm. The drawing is very detailed in the height of all parts. Drawings can be found on the Internet, but it is better to come up with your own based on your technical considerations and calculations.

Tools and materials

To make a snowmobile sled yourself, you need to stock up on the following materials:

steel sheet;
metal tubes with a cross section of 20 by 20 mm;
PVC pipe;
sheet of plywood 1.0-1.5 cm thick;
welding machine;
milling machine;
hacksaw;
grinding machine and other necessary tools.

Snowmobile sleds are made from any available materials, not just those purchased specifically for this purpose. Craftsmen can make a sled from a motorcycle carriage or a sled from wood, and some craftsmen even make sleds from barrels.

Manufacturing instructions

As we noted above, our sleds require plastic pipes. They are necessary for the runners, given that the runners must be flat and the pipes round, they must first be heated so that they straighten. They heat it either with a special heater or a hair dryer, but with the latter very carefully and carefully monitoring the heating. Otherwise, the pipe may be damaged.

After heating, the future runners are placed on a flat place under pressure until they cool completely. And only after that they mark the front side and bend it at an angle of 30 degrees. A strong frame base is welded from a profile metal pipe, on which the runners are subsequently placed. A drawbar is installed in front of our sleds, reinforced with a steel sheet, and a bushing is placed in it. Then the plywood flooring is fixed, welded and the connection at the welding points is checked for strength.
Considering that we make snowmobile sleds with our own hands, many technical solutions cannot always be implemented. A motorized stroller will make an excellent sled, just put it on runners. True, this design is only suitable for powerful snowmobiles, since its weight is still significant.
You can also use the sleigh principle to make a do-it-yourself cart with wheels for an all-terrain vehicle or ATV.

Volokushi

This device is a lightweight, often wooden structure, similar in type to a sled. Although sleds are typically used for dog or reindeer sleds, they can also be easily retrofitted for a snow machine. Drags are valued for their small weight and size, ease of operation and the speed with which the drags can be loaded and unloaded. Their body does not freeze.

However, this equipment has a big drawback - due to its design features, the front is subject to deformation. The purchased version is presented in the form of a plastic trough on skids.

Passenger

Passenger snowmobile sleds are not much different from cargo sleds. Only the basic design of cargo sleds is made of a strong base, skis and a low platform, and passenger models are designed for one or two people. In Russia, even in specialized stores it is very difficult to find them. To use such designs, the snowmobile must be very powerful, such as the Yamaha, Buran, Yarmak, Russian Mechanics, Viking, Stealth and other machines.

To increase passenger comfort, the design of the sled can be supplemented with shock absorbers.

The housing is made as a cabin, which also additionally contains lighting and heating elements. The booth itself is created from plywood sheet, plastic sheet or other similar materials. For skis, both sewer PVC pipes and thin HDPE pipes are used, but in this case, to create runners you need to use several pipes for each ski.

Recommendations

The optimal type of homemade sled for constant use will be cargo models, and to increase the rational use of the design of such a base, it is equipped with railings and a closed box is made. At the same time, the skeleton is reliably sheltered from any unfavorable conditions. The selection of materials for homemade sleds must be carefully approached; the service life of your product depends on them and components. It must be remembered that the sled is used in winter, therefore, it must be resistant to low temperatures.

It should also be taken into account that during operation the structure is subject to impacts from protruding tree roots or small stones, and therefore must have an impact-resistant surface.

If you dream of creating a passenger sled model, then safety should be a priority, and this applies not only to the selection of materials and components for them, but also to all welded assemblies and parts. Since the speed of transportation on a snowmobile can be significant, and obstacles can be invisible, it is necessary to equip the sled with additional elements for reliable transportation. Making your own sled is much cheaper than buying it.

There is no sled that is perfect for all situations, and we would recommend several different models that will be useful for different situations.

When modeling the design, you must first focus on the power of your snowmobile, and then on the weight characteristics of the sled, since with low power the snowmobile may not be able to carry a heavy sled. It is best to make runners with an additional rigidity system; the distance from the bottom of the sleigh to the runners themselves should be at least 10 cm.

Thus, your structure will not touch the bottom of the snow, and the wide runners will allow you to safely drive even through freshly fallen loose snow.

Don't forget about the guides for your runners, because they help maneuver while riding. A sled with flat runners at high speed without guides can tip over if it turns poorly. A self-made sleigh, with the proper approach to the selection of materials and the creative process, will become an excellent assistant and will last for many years.

Classic stand

It is not at all difficult to make, but requires patience and effort.

To create it you will need:

Wooden plank;
Decorative element for connection;
Drill;
Dye;
Varnish;
Saw;
Marker or pencil;
Brush;
Roulette.

When choosing a material, you need to proceed from the weight that will be on the stand. Of course, if the dimensions of the product are large, then reliable fasteners will be required.

Sleigh dragging with your own hands

Due to the simplicity of the design, the range of materials for the sled is enormous.

You can use everything that is lying around in the garage or at the dacha.

Below we will show you the simplest and most interesting homemade solutions collected by craftsmen from all over the world.

Wood is a universal and inexpensive material for making sleds. Quite a heavy design, but universal and repairable in almost any conditions.
Due to the simple design, there is no point in providing drawings, because It’s easier to make from what you have on hand. The size and model of the sled should also be taken into account according to your snowmobile. A snowball may not be able to handle a trailer that is too heavy.
An interesting version of a sled with a flat bottom can be made using small-diameter sewer pipes as a basis. We fasten the pipes together and get a very strong bottom with guides. This version of the sled behaves well in motion and is not afraid of tree roots and stumps found under the snow cover.

From cardboard

So that grandfather and Snow Maiden do not have to walk, you and the children can make a sleigh for fairy-tale characters from cardboard according to the presented scheme.

Materials for work:

thick cardboard (red, white, blue);
scissors;
glue;
gouache paints;
foil;
decorations, decor.

Manufacturing process:

First you need to cut out 2 identical blanks from blue and white cardboard according to a template and glue them together.
To make a sleigh, you will need to bend the cardboard template along the dotted line and glue it in the designated places.

You can leave the sleigh so plain, or you can decorate it with foil, snowflakes, or be creative and paint beautiful snow swirls, snowflakes or a New Year tree on the sleigh.

Snowmobile sled with skis

This is a more complex option in terms of design. But it's worth it. Thanks to the use of skis, the sled becomes more stable and behaves more consistently at high speed. Also, when using skis, the body of the sled itself does not come into contact with the snow cover, which means it will last much longer.

Option 1 - steel frame and skis.

Durable and voluminous sleds for snowmobiles.

A square pipe with a diameter of 20mm x 20mm is used for the frame.
The pipe is cut with a grinder and connected by welding.
Front sheet of metal 2mm thick. Serves to protect against snow and small obstacles. It is welded to the frame.
The skis are made of sheet metal, with additional stiffening ribs along the edges (made using a sheet bender)
The rigid hitch (drawbar) is welded from a 20x20mm profile, as is the main frame of the sled.
The end uses a spring to provide shock absorption during acceleration and braking. Without a spring, you risk rapid wear and tear on the towbar and its attachment to the snowmobile.

Sleigh drawing:

This version of the sled has one flaw - there are not enough guides on the skis.

Guides are needed for normal controllability of the sled, because... on flat skis the sled skids a lot when turning.

If you do it yourself, you can weld a small corner or a steel rod of small cross-section to a metal ski (about 10mm for a 20cm wide ski).

Carved cardboard sleigh for home decoration

Using a simple template for a sleigh with your own hands, you can make a craft from thick cardboard that can be used as a stand for sweets.

Such an improvised candy bowl will decorate the New Year's table setting and help solve the problem of themed decor dedicated to the holiday expected by children and adults.

Stencil-cut blanks are joined into a single shape without the use of gluing technology or other tools.

To make a more durable structure, you can use standard blanks made of light and reliable plywood sold in stores; such a craft can be additionally painted or decorated.

Snowmobile sled made of plastic pipes

An interesting and affordable option for a snowman sled made of PP pipes. These pipes are used for water supply and sewerage.

To make the frame, 25-30mm water pipes are suitable.
For cutting, you can use special scissors, or a knife and a hammer (if you don’t have a lot of special tools)
To connect the parts we use a soldering iron for PP pipes. By the way, you can also use homemade devices based on an iron or even simply by heating a tip from a piece of metal pipe on a gas stove. The main thing is not to overheat the tip, since the special soldering iron does not have a high temperature.

Car tires

In small gardens, near the entrances of residential buildings, flowerpots made of tires are often found. Elastic rubber allows you to give them a fancy shape. The creation process does not require special effort, skills or costs. This is the reason for their popularity.

So how to make these interesting flower beds that will decorate your garden? Studless summer tires are best. The wheel rim inside will serve as a stand.

You will need:

car tire with a wheel rim inside;
Sander;
shoe knife or jigsaw;
a piece of chalk;
oil paint, enamel paint or nitro paint; car spray paint is also suitable;
soap solution;
paint brush;
degreasing solution;
primer.

Manufacturing process:

After cleaning the tire from dirt, place it on a flat surface. Mark the cutting line with chalk. Its shape can be arbitrary, but all protrusions must be symmetrical and of the same size, otherwise the edges of the flowerpot will look sloppy.
Soak a knife or jigsaw in soapy water. Cut out the top sidewall of the tire.

How to make skis for a sled

To make runners, it is convenient to use a sewer pipe with a diameter of 100 mm.

How to straighten a snowmobile ski tube:

Carefully cut lengthwise and heat with an industrial hair dryer or burner (you need to be very careful with an open fire so as not to melt the pipe).

We straighten it using two boards (pieces of plywood) placed on the floor and pressed down with a foot or a heavy object. You can also use a vice or a press machine.
It will not be possible to heat the entire length of the pipe at once, so we warm it up and bend it in small sections of 30-40 cm. This way you won't need much effort.
There is one simple trick to secure the pipe to the runners.
The mounting method is suitable for any type and material of skis.
We push the heated pipe from above, thanks to this it fits tightly into place and immediately fasten it with self-tapping screws.
This option is ideal if you need to sheathe metal skis with a plastic pipe.

Metal flower stands

These designs may not suit every decor, because the stand itself does not look quite standard. If you want one like yourself, you should make an effort. For such products, forging is used or a welded structure is performed.

Do not forget about careful care of such material so that rust does not form.

Metal items can put a lot of weight on them, so if you have heavy pots, this is the option for you! These stands are mounted on walls or placed on the floor.

The shape of the product, thanks to the material, can be any: openwork, a stand for several places, or in the form of a bicycle.

PP tube skis

You can also make skis from several water pipes with a diameter of 25mm

We lay it parallel and fasten it with long bolts or studs:

This design is less strong, but has a significant advantage over a solid HDPE pipe.

The tubes act as guides, making the skis more stable when turning.

I also use a combined option, when a supporting frame is made from PP tubes, and only then a large pipe is hemmed:

Required tools and materials

Plywood. FSF plywood is suitable for sleds that you often use, but at the same time store outside the apartment - in the country house or in the garage. This material has good resistance to moisture, but contains phenol that is harmful to health. For children's sleds, it is better to choose FC plywood - a less moisture-resistant, but environmentally friendly material. In addition, pay attention to the type of plywood: to ensure the product has a neat appearance, buy 2/4 sheets with a sanded face without visible defects.
Metal tape. The frame and runners in a snowmobile sled are made from metal strips. It can be steel or aluminum alloy. The first option is more durable, but the second is easy to use.
PVC pipes. A lightweight sled model can be made from plastic pipes. This is an elastic and frost-resistant material, which, however, is not very durable. To strengthen the connections of plastic parts, use metal corners.
Tools. To make a sled yourself, you will need a circular saw, a drill-driver and self-tapping screws. For metal sleds, a welding inverter, a vice and a hammer will also be useful. For plastic sleds - a soldering iron and a hair dryer.

Preparation (taking into account various factors)

The choice of material and design of the sled depends on several important factors.

Terrain. If you expect to navigate uneven terrain, add more cushioning to the drawbar and seat. This can be done using a damper, padding and an inflatable layer.
Type of snow cover. It determines the ideal shape of the runners. Wide skis move better on loose snow, while narrow skis move better on ice. The greater the bend of the runners, the less they burrow into deep snow. On the fastest sleds, the ends of the skis rise to the frame and are attached to its front part.
Load. The required strength of the material depends on this. Plastic sleds can support a child or adult weighing up to 70 kg. For full-fledged passenger sleds, an aluminum alloy is suitable, and for cargo sleds, steel or wood. The height of the sides is also important. Usually it is 30 cm, but you can make it larger to make the sled roomy and safe for passengers.
Driving style. Remember that sleds with a low center of gravity are less likely to tip over. If you plan to do extreme racing with sharp turns, give preference to a squat design. In this case, the seat should be at a height of about 20 cm.

DIY snowmobile sled. Instructions

Find a suitable drawing. The design of the sled must meet your requirements for strength, capacity and maneuverability.

A homemade snowmobile sled consists of a frame, runners and flooring. A metal pipe 20×20 mm with a wall thickness of about 2 mm is suitable for the frame. For runners - steel strips 20 mm wide. For flooring - plywood with a thickness of 15 mm.
Using a welding inverter, make a frame by welding 4 metal pipes. To make the sled gain more speed, the front part of the frame can be rounded. The larger the width of the frame, the more stable the product: usually it is 70-80 cm. The length affects cross-country ability and maneuverability: long sleds overcome obstacles more smoothly, but are less controlled when cornering. The average length of the frame is 170 cm.
To give the frame strength, weld several cross members to it.
In the same way, attach vertical posts to the bottom of the structure to which the runners will be attached. The number of racks depends on the length of the sled: usually 2-5 on each side are enough. The length of the parts should not be too long: the lower the center of gravity, the more stable the structure. The optimal height is 20-30 cm.
Take the metal strips that will serve as the runners and bend them. Use a pencil to draw a fold line on the part, place the strip in a vice so that the clamps are exactly along the line, and bend the strip with light blows of a hammer. To avoid leaving marks on the surface, use a copper or brass pad. The bending angle should be about 60° or more.
Weld the skids to the posts.
Attach a drawbar to the front of the structure. You can make it yourself from the same pipe that you used for the frame. However, it is better to take a finished product with a damper: it will dampen jerks during fast driving. To strengthen the fastening, weld a steel sheet into the place of the hitch, then cut a sleeve of a suitable diameter into it.
Transfer the dimensions of the frame onto the plywood. Cut the sheet with a hacksaw or circular saw, then sand with sandpaper or a sander. Attach the decking with self-tapping screws.
Calculate the height of the side. Weld posts of the required height to the top of the frame. The number of racks depends on the length of the sled. There can be at least 7 of them: 4 are installed in the corners, and the rest - between them. The fourth side in this case is not closed by the side.
Weld the crossbars that form the side to the posts and check the quality of all welds.

Concrete

A concrete flowerpot is durable and frost-resistant. Its walls retain heat and water in the ground for a long time. In addition, manufacturing does not take much effort and money. The heavy weight of concrete flowerpots deprives them of mobility, so it is necessary to carefully plan their placement. Only a truck crane can move a module filled with soil and plants.

In factory production, special molds are used. A pre-prepared cement solution is poured into them. To increase strength, a reinforcing mesh is installed inside the container. The material for the mold is polyvinyl chloride, silicone, plastic, gypsum, wax, etc. After the concrete acquires hardness, it is broken.

A mold for making a concrete flowerpot with your own hands can be made from a variety of materials. The main thing is that it does not get wet or change when filling it with solution. For small and medium-sized flower girls, thick packaging cardboard, plastic bowls and bottles, glasses, and trays are suitable. A bowling ball is an excellent solution for creating a round flowerpot: it is smooth and heavy, and will be easy to remove from hardened cement.

Can be used as a bowling ball

You can also assemble the mold yourself from wooden boards or plywood.

How to make flowerpots from concrete with your own hands?

You will need:

two containers of different sizes that will serve as a mold;
you can use old buckets, basins, barrels, jars; You can also buy a ready-made form; Containers for molds
water;
cement;
spray;
vegetable oil or non-stick spray or WD-40 lubricant or motor oil;
gloves;
putty knife;
metal rod or knitting needle;
large container with water;
polyethylene film;
metal brush;
basin for mixing concrete.

The optimal temperature for working with cement mortar is +20°C. High humidity is desirable.

Manufacturing process:

Treat the inside of the large container and the outside of the small container with oil or spray. This reduces adhesion and helps remove the finished flowerpot.
For drainage, use 4 small plastic pipes approximately 5 cm long.
A cement solution is mixed in the following proportions: 1 part cement, 3 parts sand and water. Add dye if necessary. The solution should not flow freely from the spatula and at the same time should be suitable for modeling. To strengthen it, you can add a handful of crushed fiberglass.
Fill a large container with a 3-4 cm thick layer of cement. Level with a spatula.
Install the drainage tubes, treat them externally with lubricant and wait until the mixture hardens a little. Place the small container in the larger one so that it covers all the tubes. Pour gravel or crushed stone into it to weigh it down.
Fill the space between the containers with solution. Use a thin metal rod, such as a knitting needle, to pierce the cement several times so that there are no air pockets left in it. Smooth out the top edges with a spatula.
Cover the mold with polyethylene and place in the shade for 24 hours. When the solution hardens, remove the inner container and spray everything with water from a spray bottle. Spray over the next 7 days 3-4 times a day and cover with film.
After a week, inspect the flowerpot. Tapping determines its readiness. If the sound is dull, it means the cement has hardened and the flowerpot is removed from the large container.

DIY concrete flowerpots
Remove all irregularities with a wire brush.
After processing, rinse the pot and let it dry. Then wrap it in film again and leave it to dry for another week.

Result:

Homemade concrete flowerpots

To prevent plant roots from rotting, a drainage layer of coarse sand 5-7 cm thick is placed on the bottom of the flowerpot.

Original flowerpots can be obtained by using decorative concrete . It can be found in stores under different names: architectural, artistic, acrylic concrete, art concrete, polymer concrete. It will vary in appearance and composition. For example, small fragments of natural minerals and dyes are added to architectural concrete, making its surface more textured.

As an option, you can get by with just one container and sculpt the flowerpot by hand, see the video.

The design of a concrete flowerpot will depend on the decorative methods used. You can use one of the following options.

Finish the walls with mosaics - ceramic tiles or pebbles are suitable for this. Carefully lay it on a layer of specialized glue 5-6 mm thick. Once dry, seal the joints with narrow tile joints.
The flowerpot can also be decorated with painting : draw an ornament on the freshly primed surface.
Another artistic technique is carving using a special tool. Apply the pattern to them a day after removing the mold.
To create an unusual relief before the solution hardens, use a wicker basket . Its prints will look original on the surface of the walls.
a leaf of a plant with a pronounced texture to the inside of the mold Hold it with your hands while pouring and remove it after hardening. Decorate the recess with acrylic paints.

Results

Since a homemade sled for a snowmobile with your own hands will be used in winter, you need to carefully select materials and components that should withstand the lowest temperatures well. In addition, it is necessary to take into account that the structure will be subject to shock quite often, therefore, they must also be very durable. If you choose materials and components not carefully enough, the sled may simply fall apart on the move after a few months of use, or even earlier.

If you decide to make a passenger sled rather than a cargo sled, you need to approach the issue very carefully. Safety must come first - this applies both to the choice of materials and to the care with which all parts must be connected.

Choosing wood for sleds

You can make a sleigh from different types of wood. When choosing a specific type, you need to pay attention to strength, durability and affordability. Choose from these options:

Pine – the wood contains resin, which ensures the durability of the sled; the material is inexpensive.
Larch is the most reliable wood: the sled will last for many years even with regular use.
Birch is a fairly durable material, especially if the tree was cut down in the spring.

Also, to make wooden sleds with your own hands, you can use oak, linden, ash, elm and even bird cherry.

Important! Sleds are made only from solid boards. Glued options are not allowed - they will quickly collapse and can lead to injury.