Moose

A snow tractor.

Purpose

As a Tom Cat backup.

Specifications

• Model: Bombardier SV302HD Ski Dozer
  • One of a kind, custom built for the Oregon State Highway Div, Job #13865
• Year: about 1979
• Chassis/Serial: 567190021
• Engine: John Deere 6-cyl turbodiesel 466ci, 302 HP industrial engine.
  • Model: 6466AF ( A means Turbocharged and Intercooled)
  • Serial: 6466AF00106784RG (AF designates Turbocharged and Intercooled, OEM)
• Blade: 3-way (up/down, forward/back, clockwise/ccw)
• Bed: custom 8’ x 8’
• Cost: $15k + $15k maintenance.
• Purchased: 2008
• Parts
  • Oil Filter: AR101278 or RE46380
  • Hydraulic Fluid: John Deere Hy Guard II low viscosity (biodegradable) part # TY26252
  • Starter vendor: Romaine Electric in Kent, WA

Manuals

• Bombardier Skidozer 302 Flyer
• Operators Manual
• Transmission Application Manual
• The engine parts manual lives in the first floor doored cabinet in the cat house.

Mechanics

• Dan Solemnson
• Shawn Bertagnole
• Rick Ingham

History

2008

The Moose was purchased in summer 2008 from a rancher in the Tahoe area who used it to winter thin timber on his property. He bought it from Sno Trans who got it from the state of Oregon. The machine carries a Bombardier model number, but was actually custom built for Oregon. Bombardier used it as a prototype/test bed for their BR400 groomer. The fellow in Oregon who took care of the machine passed away about the time we received the machine, so his documentation etc are gone. Bombardier did not maintain any records on the machine as the successor companies only maintained records on newer machines that were main line production models. –Mike Lonergan, May 2020

200?

Dan Solemnson overhauled the hydraulics, rebuilt the deck and frame as well as many other maintenance items. –Ray Nelson via email May 2020

2011

Moose running the Munchkin Express.

2016

Moose had a total electrical meltdown. Lost all power. –Rick Ingham

2017

Rick Ingham & Shawn Bertagnole replaced the starter and discovered a set of bad circuit breakers that had to be replaced. Discovered all the wiring to lights had been removed. Removed and rewired most of the machine, installed a master battery switch. –Rick Ingham

• mounted an eBay acquired ($100) ether injector for starting

2019

Alex-De-Klerk removed, had repaired, and installed the hydraulic tank. Replaced the alternator. –Rick Ingham

2020

No one at Meany maintained any real records on the machine. Dan Solemnson documented the hydraulics, but had a stroke and his records were no longer accessible. The track belts were replaced. The frame had several phases of repair and reinforcement. The rest of the maintenance was limited to tires, grousers, etc as needed. The starter was weak and the machine was not used much until Shawn changed the starter. I do not know anything more recent. –Mike Lonergan, May 2020

my recollection was about 10 years ago for $15k, with another $15k put into it… But don’t quote me –Shawn Bertagnole May 2020

the estimates of purchase and maintenance are pretty good. –Chuck Welter May 2020

Rick and Dick Hugget replaced the heater cores and fans. –Rick Ingham

2021

Shawn & Rick replaced the starter with a newer generation direct replacement fully sealed gear reduction starter, reducing the load on the battery. –Rick Ingham