Multi-passenger snowmobiles Snowmobile

nicholas ii packard twin-6 kégresse track

the origin of snowmobile, or sled, referred to, not work of 1 inventor more process of advances in engines propulsion of vehicles , supporting devices on snow. parallels development of automobile , later aviation, inventors using same components different use.

wisconsinites experimented over-snow vehicles before 1900, experimenting bicycles equipped runners , gripping fins; steam-propelled sleighs; , (later) model t fords converted rear tractor treads , skis in front. patent (554.482) sled-propeller design, without model, submitted on sept. 5, 1895 inventors william j. culman , william b. follis of brule, wisconsin. in first races held near 3 lakes in 1926, 104 of these snowbuggies started. carl eliason of sayner developed prototype of modern snowmobile in 1920s when mounted two-cylinder motorcycle engine on long sled, steered skis under front, , propelled single, endless track. eliason made 40 snowmobiles, patented in 1927. upon receiving order 200 finland, sold patent fwd company of clintonville. made 300 military use, transferred patent canadian subsidiary.

the american motor sleigh short-lived novelty vehicle produced in boston in 1905. designed travel on snow, consisted of sleigh body mounted on framework held engine, drive-shaft system, , runners. although considered interesting novelty, sales low , production ceased in 1906.

the aerosani, propeller-driven , running on skis, built in 1909–1910 russian inventor igor sikorsky of helicopter fame. aerosanis used soviet red army during winter war , world war ii. there dispute on whether aerosanis count snowmobiles because not propelled tracks.

adolphe kégresse designed original caterpillar tracks system, called kégresse track, while working tsar nicholas ii of russia between 1906 , 1916. these used flexible belt rather interlocking metal segments , fitted conventional car or truck turn half-track, suitable use on soft ground, including snow. conventional front wheels , steering used wheel fitted skis seen in upper right image. applied several cars in royal garage including rolls-royce cars , packard trucks. although not snowmobile, ancestor of modern concept.

early bombardier snowmobile



early snowmobile interior



airplane engine powered skimobile taxi - red lake, canada, 1937

the relatively dry snow conditions of united states midwest suited converted ford model ts , other vehicles, not suitable humid snow areas such southern quebec , new england. led joseph-armand bombardier small town of valcourt, quebec, invent different caterpillar track system suitable kinds of snow conditions. bombardier had made metal tracked vehicles since 1928, new revolutionary track traction system (a toothed wheel covered in rubber, , rubber-and-cotton track wraps around wheels) first major invention. started production of b-7, enclosed, seven-passenger snowmobile, in 1937, , introduced b-12, twelve-passenger model, in 1942. b-7 had v-8 flathead engine ford motor company. b-12 had flathead in line six-cylinder engine chrysler industrial, , 2,817 units produced until 1951. used in many applications, such ambulances, canada post vehicles, winter school buses , forestry machines, , army vehicles in world war ii. bombardier had dreamed of smaller version, more size of motor scooter.