Grooming explained

[Doug]

Copied and pasted from grooming site

 

Excellent read if you have a moment.

Have you ever wondered why the groomer wasn’t out last night? Everyone has had a day where the trails weren’t as smooth as the day before, and you just can’t understand why. Well, here’s a little insight into trail grooming. 
* While most clubs that operate groomers are funded by sled registrations, gas tax refunds and membership dues, or the state/province, the guys running the groomers are quite often (almost always) volunteers. They’re up all night so you can have your fun the next day. They understand the importance of tourism and the impact snowmobiling has on their local economy, and they often share your passion for riding. Show them your utmost respect and don’t try to destroy the hard work they’ve just put forth. Remember, groomers have the right-of-way, not you. 

* The most important requirement for effective trail grooming is to have the snow at the correct temperature. The ideal grooming temperature is between +23o F and -5o F (-5oC and -20oC). As snow is collected in the 
drag, it has to be able to flow, like flour. As we all know, once the temperature gets close to 32oF (0oC) snow begins to stick together. Instead of flowing out under the rear pan, the snow builds up in the drag until it spills out over the top in large chunks or balls. These large chunks are dangerous when they freeze in the middle of the trail. 
* So you have a fresh 6” (15cm) of snow fall overnight. How come the groomer is not out? In order to groom effectively and make the trail more durable, the idea is to cut the mogul off completely, not just fill in the void. Moguls have a memory. If you just fill in the void with new snow, by the time half a dozen snowmobiles run over it, the new snow settles and the mogul is back again. When you groom fresh snow, the drag can’t be lowered deep enough to cut off the mogul because snow collects faster than it can flow out under the rear pan. Again, the drag fills up and spills snow out over the sides. After a fresh snow fall it’s often better to let the snowmobiles run it in and knock the air out of it. Then when the drag processes this finer snow, it packs much tighter. 
Often times, fresh snow means the groomer tractors can not pull as heavy of a drag, either. Lighter, smaller drags don’t pack the snow as hard nor do they cut the bumps as well. A trail may be groomed right after a snowfall, but it usually will not hold up nearly as well as after the snow has been packed and then cut. 

* Most grooming is done at night because it’s safer and more effective. Safer, because there are usually not as many snowmobiles on the trails, and when there is, the bright lights of the groomer are visible 
long before the machine itself. Grooming at night is more effective because it’s usually colder and the snow sets faster. Also, the longer the trail sets before too many snowmobiles ride over it, the longer it will last. Set up takes anywhere from two to six hours, depending on temperature and moisture content of the snow. Generally two to six or even more than ten hours may be needed for the freshly groomed trail to set up to where it is durable and will hold up to heavy snowmobile traffic. 
* For longevity of trail grooming, it is best to avoid riding a snowmobile on freshly groomed trails for at least two hours after the groomer passes. If possible, choose an alternate route to help improve the quality and durability of the fresh groomed trail. Avoid following directly behind a groomer because it immediately destroys the smoothing just performed by the drag. If you come up 
behind a groomer and the operator beckons you to go around, that’s the main reason, to allow him to groom without snowmobiles on the trail enabling effective trail set-up. He wants you in front of him, not behind him! 
* If you come across a “soft” or freshly groomed trail and you must use that route, try to minimize your impact on the trail: slow down; try to stay off the fresh grooming if the trail is wide enough to safely do so; operate only at the outside edge of the fresh grooming; ride in single file versus having everyone in the group take a different path on the fresh grooming; and don’t purposely fishtail or power through the soft snow. Do as little damage as possible by backing out of the throttle and reducing your impact until you get off that trail or pass the groomer. Better yet, turn around and take a different route. The mentality that “someone else will tear it up if I don’t” is what leads to a poor riding experience for all but the first few sleds to come through. 
* Grooming is usually not scheduled during heavy snowfalls or storms. Operator and snowmobiler safety are of principle concern, but it is also not productive to operate in these conditions. Sleds will soon pack it down, and the resulting groom will be far more effective. 
* Cold temperatures must also be considered for operator safety in case of equipment problems. Less miles of trail will get groomed in extreme conditions. As the temperature drops below -5oF (-20oC), steel starts to get brittle and equipment is more susceptible to breakage if it strikes a solid object such as a stump or rock. Although the groomer operator usually has communications equipment and warm clothes, waiting for a snowmobile ride 25 miles (40 kilometers) in the country at 3 AM can be a very uneasy feeling. 

* Understand that aggressive riding styles can impact the quality and smoothness of the trails you ride on. Fast starts and stops, powering through curves, paddle tracks, carbide runners, traction devices, and powerful engines can all combine to destroy the smoothness of a trail. So the next time you hit the brake or the throttle, think about how much damage you have innocently contributed to destroying the trails you would really prefer to be smooth. Try to not spin your track during acceleration or lock your track during braking. 

* Snowmobiles are much smaller and much more maneuverable than groomers, so always yield to a groomer. Always slow down 

* When approaching an oncoming groomer on the trail, slow down and move your snowmobile to the far right side of the trail. Realize that the grooming drag or tiller behind the grooming tractor may be very wide, and might extend wider than the tracks of the tractor and can essentially take up most (or all) of the trail’s width. If the trail is narrow or winding, you may need to stop at the far outside edge of the trail to let the groomer pass. When possible, pull off of the packed section of the trail completely. It is your obligation to get out of his way. 
* Anytime and every time you have the opportunity, tell a groomer operator how great of a job they’re doing. Remember, most are volunteers and many love to ride, just like you. They need to hear your appreciation if you truly enjoy riding smooth trails, or to simply have trails to ride on at all. The groomers are often the ones who help brush and sign the trails as well. They need as much help and appreciation as we can all give them. 
Hopefully this gives you a little insight into grooming. So if you see the groomer parked some day, it might not be ‘broke down’, we may be waiting for the right time 

Consider joining a club and or volunteering.  Many hands make light work!!!

Ride safe and let's have a great season!!!

Edited February 1, 2023 by Doug

[Jerry 976]

This is from an older sticky thread in the Michigan forums on HCS posted by Toivo (Neil)........ 

 

Thread Link: https://www.hardcoresledder.com/threads/meeting-a-groomer-proper-etiquette.1055897/

 

OK, probably preaching to the choir here, but lets review what the proper things to do when you encounter a groomer on the trail. It is amazing the number of people just don't know what to do when they see a big machine with blinking lights on it.

Rules may very a little from club to club, but these are some good general rules and procedures. I bring this up now because the base on the trails out there is still very deep, and off trail is soft and deep. The very outside of the trails is not packed as hard as the center where the tracks area, and it does not take much to get on of these machines stuck, and if that happens at best we could be there for a couple hours getting it out, at worst we will break something costing money and grooming delays.

Always remember, the groomer has absolute Right of Way, no exceptions. For the most part all of the drivers out there are volunteers, so please make their lives as easy as possible. If every sled they encounter would help out, it can shorten their daily run considerably.

So if you are riding a fresh ribbon, you can expect that there may be a groomer up ahead of you. As soon as you see the groomer, slow down and gather up your entire group of riders. After you gather your entire group then you can approach the groomer. Don't ride right on the pan, hang back a little and just pace along. Please don't swerve around or roost up the new ribbon as bumps you are creating will freeze in and may become a hazard to your fellow riders. Now you are pacing along behind the drag, you may be there for a short time while the driver notices you, and then looks for a good spot for you to safely pass. The driver probably knows the trail better then you do, and may elect to bring you to the next trail intersection or stop sign several miles down the trail. Please be patient, you will be on your way shortly. Once the groomer finds a suitable place, he will roll to a stop, and you should wait to get the wave around, or he will flash his lights, then proceed to drive around the groomer. For clubs like ours, we will lift a wing so you can get by, some clubs without drag wings will pull over just a little, and you will either squeeze by, or you will drive off trail in an opening to get around.

Now, if you are coming down the trail and you see a groomer off in the distance, the take action now! Immediately start looking for a place to get completely off the trail. Remember the groomer has the Right of Way, so you need to help out as much as possible. Quickly gather your group and find an open spot to pull off. I always recommend turning harder and driving off trail rather then just trying to pull off the ribbon a little, as what usually happens is the sled will tip down into the soft snow and you will fall off and be stuck. If you drive off and stop, then after the groomer passes drive back on at more of a right angle you have a better chance of getting on-trail without incident. Now if the trail is very narrow (usually RR Grades) and you are approaching the groomer and there is just no place for you to get off, then you have to make a decision, will you quickly turn around (not good for big groups) and back-track and find a suitable place to park? Not an option? OK, then approach the groomer and stop several hundred feet away hopefully on the widest part of the trail that you can find, pull over as far to the side as possible, and group your sleds tightly together. Never drive all the way up to the blade, (this really ticks the drivers off) as you have to give the driver a chance to get things setup for your pass. Some clubs will then squeeze the groomer around you as you are parked there, if there is enough room. I prefer to have my groomer come to a complete stop, lift a wing, and then wave you through. Either way, watch for the groomer driver to let you know. NEVER overtake a groomer on the inside of a corner unless expressly told to do so, and never when the groomer is moving! Many times the drag will slid down to the inside of the turn, even if it looks like there is space there now, it may close up FAST!

In either instance, meeting at the front or rear, do not expect the groomer to pull off trail so you can get by, these are heavy machines, and if they get off the hard pack, there is a real possibility that they will get stuck. Take your SNOWMOBILE off trail to go around, if it gets stuck it is a whole lot easier to get a sled unstuck then a 30t groomer. Also, each club may have a different policy, but if you get stuck during a groomer pass, and you are riding alone my driver will offer assistance. If you are traveling in a group we will assume that you have enough help to take care of it and move on.

Please always keep in mind that these guys are out on usually 6 to sometimes 12-14 hour runs. Every time they encounter a sled and have to stop it adds several minutes to their run as they have to let you by, then many times back-up and reset their drags to continue on. If it is not done correctly they will leave a hazard in the trail, so the absolute best thing is if they don't have to stop at all.

Get out of the way, and help out the groomer drivers that are making the trail better for your ride, and as always give them the big thumbs up!

Other groomer driver may jump in with more ideas, but this will get you thinking about it.

Thanks for your help! Neil

 

[Jerry 976]

 

 

[Jerry 976]

Old video but Mr. Brown and his group got it done.

 

 

 

[Jerry 976]

 

[Ez ryder]

Had a ass hat come up on 1 of our drags few weeks back he was so close that when driver stoped to let him pass this ass hat was litteraly on the pan . 

[dsupercat]

16 hours ago, Ez ryder said:

Had a ass hat come up on 1 of our drags few weeks back he was so close that when driver stoped to let him pass this ass hat was litteraly on the pan . 

The groomer should of known that person was in a hurry and ran the groomer off the trail immediatly so that rider could get were he needed to be.  Groomers have got to start worrying more about others agendas then there regardless if they have been in the groomer for 10 hours already...