Other modes of Transport.

[ravinerat]

Anyone got some "other Modes" of transport other than our standard Snowmobile/Atvs?

I have snowshoed out to my spot.
skated, skied, mountian biked and walked.  How about you?





RR

[jcrow931]

working on a mini bike.  gonna chain the rear tire and maybe a front ski

[CMMahy]

I've hiked out on the ice a few times, I was never smart enough to bring snow shoes along though. Walking through knee deep snow while dragging a loaded Fish Trap sure wears you out in a hurry....

[kasilofchrisn]

Kicksled pulled by a dog.
Dog was my parents malamute mix and at 130# she pulled me and all my gear across the glare ice without any problems at all.
I have also used the kicksled without the dog.

[ravinerat]

Snowshoes are great when there is lots of slush too. Gives you a platform to stand on.
I like the minibike with the ski idea. Let us know how it works out.
hoofing it in deep snow is a work out. Skis work great and minimize the workout
Never tried a kick sled. Is it a bit rough without the dog. I was going to try skijouring. Your on skis and hook the dog up to you. I culd end up on the other side of the lake though.


RR

[jasond37]

Has anyone ever heard of Wilcraft?  I saw them at the MN state fair this year.  They are pretty awesome!

[ice dawg]

When I retired I swore that I would never have snowshoes on my feet again and I'm sticking to it. 

[sled-in]

Its hard for me to think of a reason to use anything but my snowmobile for transportation when ice fishing, hunting is a different matter.

[ravinerat]

My buddy has a Wilcraft. He swears by it. It is kind of neat but I just don't know about it. Tracks are a must on it up here in Canada but it is too wide for alot of the trails. It is faster than an Argo but the Argo looks more rugged. Sled and an Atv would do me for the ice.

Can't beat a sled in the winter. It is my first love. I will sell my boat, Atv (which I sold) and all my other toys before my sled goes.

No snowshoes after retirement? Then you best not retire. Snowshoes can be labour intense. It can be the only way into some of the small Speck lakes up here. The last guy I dragged in almost had a heart attack using them.

RR

[Woodsman]

I'm thinking about setting up a old garden tractor to pull my gear & me out on the lake.
Put tractor on my small trailer & pull to lake. Unload tractor & hook trailer to tractor for gear.
Should be alright if the snow isn't deep.
Won't be fast but better than walking.
Cost minimal as I already own it.
Legal on the roads. Can avoid some parking hassles as I can park further from the lake & drive it to the lake.
Legal to carry a buddy on the trailer.
No helmets required. No license or insurance required.

[Mainehazmt]

When I retired I swore that I would never have snowshoes on my feet again and I'm sticking to it. 

said that too till I got the sled stuck in some deep snow   now there is a pair with me when ever I go and there might be deep snow

[ravinerat]

Think your going to find some problems with the lawn tractor. Not enough ground clearance. Tires really don't have much tread. The trailer may add too much weight to the rear. I hear people talking about using them pre season but never see any out on the lake. Let us know how you make out.

Snowshoes on the sled are a good "in case" equipment.

RR

[jcrow931]

am i crazy for thinking of this. It might be ok till i have a couple beers

[P Meyette]

i use  a golf cart with a4inch lift works great used it all of last season with no problems

[icefishingluva]

Sweet bike!! what about traction though?

[jcrow931]

thinking of snow blower tires maybe studded

[kasilofchrisn]

thinking of snow blower tires maybe studded

What about a set of snowblower tire chains? I bought a set several years ago for less than $5 at a garage sale.
Not sure if they make a set of chains that small though.
Some short hex head screws might work also.
I am assuming this bike would only work until the snow got several inches deep.

[jackinthebobhouse]

am i crazy for thinking of this. It might be ok till i have a couple beers(Image removed from quote.)

Nice cheeerleaders on the wall there!
GO PATS!

[jcrow931]

What about a set of snowblower tire chains? I bought a set several years ago for less than $5 at a garage sale.
Not sure if they make a set of chains that small though.
Some short hex head screws might work also.
I am assuming this bike would only work until the snow got several inches deep.

origanally i planned on tire chains but I think they would interfere with the drive chain and sprocket.  I think I am going to stud these with short hex head screws first but if I need more traction northern tool has snowblower tires that should fit for only $18.  I have a fealing it might be a little scary!

[onebadc20]

Heres what I use! Its and old attex with some new paint and a homemade roll bar/cargo rack.  I have tracks for it when in the snow. It has a 13hp diesel with a yellow top optima battery so I always have power.  The oil burner is great on fuel, one tank or 5 gal, will last me over 24hrs of run time. And it floats when I break through.

[Eric_K]

Has anyone ever heard of Wilcraft?  I saw them at the MN state fair this year.  They are pretty awesome!

I saw the add for this on the World fishing network on TV.. That is one great toy..

[Fisherman 1]

Yes we had a guy on Lake Simcoe in Ontario that had one,  he put that machine on ice, on water and just about everything in between,  never said anything bad about it.  Had a couple of videos of him breaking through the ice and getting back on without any trouble at all.

[pooley]

these work great! 25 years, and still going strong!

[UPSTATE ICEMASTER]

these work great! 25 years, and still going strong!

(Image removed from quote.)

 Hey I have that same  MODE also POOLEY 

[Tainterslayer]

A mountain bike with these for tires:

300+ carbide studs on each tire. Works great until the snow gets 4 inches.

[ravinerat]

Think that mini bike needs some bigger tires.

That looks pretty cool. Similar to an Argo. Guess it will go anywhere once you slap the tracks on.

RR

[ravinerat]

The boots are the most reliable for sure. I need some mtb tires like those. I have riden my bike out several times and you sure get some strange looks.

Here's a pic of the Wilcraft a buddy had on Lk Simcoe.




RR

[FishingNewEngland]

I'm currently looking for a small go kart to drag my stuff out. I think it'll be fun until the snow get's deep.

[CMMahy]

Try these in your tires:
http://www.maxigripicestuds.com/

I've got 100 of the 11mm units in the track of my tundra right now, they're very affordable, carbide tipped, and they work great.

[snohiker]

Try these in your tires:
http://www.maxigripicestuds.com/

I've got 100 of the 11mm units in the track of my tundra right now, they're very affordable, carbide tipped, and they work great.

Hey how well do they hold up in the track i was thinking of using these on my bear cat  i figured the sleds not going to break any land speed records  so i was worried about throwing them just ripping them out