Push or Pull

[Open-Handed Fish Slap]

Looking to build a better equipped sled/box to harness and transport all of my gear, currently have a jet sled which I've modified but looking to make something more accommodating.  Not really looking to start a huge debate on type of ski's, pvc vs. aluminum, etc. etc. etc.  I know I'll get the usual "Smitty sled" , "x2 Smitty sled" , "x3 Smitty sled" , "I don't know if anyone mentioned it yet, but; Smitty sled".  I also have a quad but I don't like to take it all the time so I'm not looking for the suggestion that motorized transportation is easier.  Just want to know if you think a design geared towards pushing or pulling works better, maybe paired with some stories of experience and photos. Looking forward to hearing everyone's responses, thank you in advance.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Looking to build a better equipped sled/box to harness and transport all of my gear, currently have a jet sled which I've modified but looking to make something more accommodating.  Not really looking to start a huge debate on type of ski's, pvc vs. aluminum, etc. etc. etc.  I know I'll get the usual "Smitty sled" , "x2 Smitty sled" , "x3 Smitty sled" , "I don't know if anyone mentioned it yet, but; Smitty sled".  I also have a quad but I don't like to take it all the time so I'm not looking for the suggestion that motorized transportation is easier.  Just want to know if you think a design geared towards pushing or pulling works better, maybe paired with some stories of experience and photos. Looking forward to hearing everyone's responses, thank you in advance.

I think pulling is easier.

[saskbucks]

Pulling is easier I think.  I have a sled from Cabela's that has places for 5 gallon pails.  It works for me. 

[Speeddmn]

I think it depends on the conditions, super hard pack snow or glare ice pushing might be better. Powder or slush, pulling might work best. I only mention this as last season I pulled on ice/hard pack and my sled kept smacking my in the legs as it was moving faster then I could walk.

[Open-Handed Fish Slap]

I think it depends on the conditions, super hard pack snow or glare ice pushing might be better. Powder or slush, pulling might work best. I only mention this as last season I pulled on ice/hard pack and my sled kept smacking my in the legs as it was moving faster then I could walk.

Good call, I can completely relate.  I guess I can build a sled that is capable of both , I just didn't want to waste my time building a whole push bar setup if it wasn't at all worth it. 

[Spider1]

There's a reason they say you don't put the cart before the horse... I don't really know what it is but I've heard it before, lol!

[Papa Sly]

Also easier pushing if down hill to get on ice, you can hold sled back easier. I like to have the option.

[Chris338378]

Pulling is definitely easier.  What I did to make it easier on me is I got one of those deer drags and attached it to the rope on the Jet Sled that way the sled isn't pulling on my arms only, I'm using my body weight by leaning forward a bit. One thing to remember to do is before you go down a steep hill take the harness off, stand behind the sled, and use the harness to hold the sled back so it doesn't go flying down the hill.  Or you could just let it fly down the hill and let it go where ever it wants to.   

[lefty2053]

As for going down a hill I always let the sled go first and I have long enough ropes I just flip them behind the sled and can still control it. As for traveling on Ice I pull the sled from one side. Never right behind me.

[Spider1]

Or you could just let it fly down the hill and let it go where ever it wants to.

that's pretty much what I do. Sometimes I gotta pull myself out of the snow if I'm not fast enough!

[3300]

some one here made his a push system and said it was easier.
then you might think of a wheelbarrow not being pulled much or a dog sled not being pushed or hand pulling a stuck car from a ditch or pulling a shopping cart thru a store.

all i know is to use a longer rope than what comes with the sled so your not lifting the front of the sled as much with each step. i would think pushing it would also push the nose down making it a harder pull, but maybe easier on the spine.

you might think manufactures may have figured this out for us and do not offer a conversion kit for a reason and only come with a rope and or hitch.

[Chris338378]

that's pretty much what I do. Sometimes I gotta pull myself out of the snow if I'm not fast enough!

If the hill is steep enough you could always sit on it and enjoy the ride as long as you don't make an unexpected sudden stop along with way.   

[nocod]

Great thread, I must start working on a kick sled real soon 

[Open-Handed Fish Slap]

I think when I get a free minute I'll just try and make the Frankenstein of sleds.  Have a removable push bar, a removable tow bar, and a rope pull with attached harness.  My buddy uses a deer drag like you mentioned Chris.  I have an expired fall protection harness that I use with my JetSled but if you don't have access to those the deer pull is a fraction of the price.

[BlackDogAlpha]

I built a "Sled that shall not Be Named" and with a long enough rope you can tow or hill descend a lot safer than hanging on with one hand. I hauled with the harness also and thats rough in deep snow, it throws off your balance a lot when the trailer shortchains you. I just strap my jetsled on top of my STSNBN and call er good.

[Special]

I wont go into depth but physics its easier to pull then push. Less energy.

[BlueDuck]

I pull.

[tyme2par4]

Pulling is usually easier. If you push, you have to push low, or you force the front end down into the snow.
I did find pushing easy yesterday. The pond was like a giant skating rink. I had my ice cleats on and just sat in the back of the sled and easily kicked myself along faster than I could walk.

[crappieslayer37]

What everyone else said plus if you push and you happen to hit thin ice and your gear is in front of you more than likely you get wet and lose all your gear.

[Unclegillhunter]

What everyone else said plus if you push and you happen to hit thin ice and your gear is in front of you more than likely you get wet and lose all your gear.

This is a really valid point, that didn't come to mind until I saw it posted!
Keep it safe! JDL

[JeJa]

I use a Rapala sled harness to pull my smitty sled. Easy on the back and shoulders. Allows me to use poles for walking. All you need to do if going downhill is pull the straps over the sled and walk behind.

[hays47]

At first I thought little of the push method. Since I always pride myself on keeping an open mind. I decided to mount a push bar on my modified smitty type sled. Must say I was impressed but hastily add that only tried twice. Weather here in Ohio is just not co-operating for us ice fans.

I tried on frozen surface of my driveway and in the four inches of snow in my back yard. This was back in December. Loaded and unloaded it seemed to me less effort to push. I was expecting the opposite result. Also the push method was a lot easier to steer and control.

For right now I am leaving both methods attached for further experimenting. Let me add that I also use water skis instead of snow skis. The water skis seem to do a better job of keeping load on top of snow. Would like to experiment in 10-12 inches of snow to see if this holds true.

[jiignut]

I also leave my pull rope on. Theres a time, place and conditions for both.

[Kobey]

I was thinking this was a no brainer at first.  But after a couple of outings I'm doing some thinking.  I have a big Otter sled mounted to a Smitty-type setup and while I'm pulling, my son is pushing.  So now I'm thinking about adding a removable push bar so that whoever is in back doesn't have to bend down so much.  I was thinking about something like an old lawnmower handle.  What are other people using for push bars?

[Sprocket]

Jignut is correct - there are times and places for each - but I'll ad that it may be a 90/10 type rule - 90% of the time pulling is the way to go.  The other 10% would include controlling a downhill run (I just push the sled in front of me and control via pull rope) and the misc humps by the roadside.

Kobey - there's a pic in one of the sled threads where somebody used a lawnmower bush bar set up as well as a pull rope.  A member took the picture but it's not his sled.