Auger rack for snowmobile (Help!!)

[lowrox]

I've been using the large 4-man Polar Sport house for a couple of years now. The large sled works great for hauling all of my gear, but I've yet to figure out a great way for transporting my ice auger. The poor Jiffy has taken a beating the past two years and has required multiple trips to the small engine shop for repairs. Could you guys please provide me with some recommendations, or names of companies that make such a product. I've seen something in the Vexilar literature that shows an auger mounted to the front suspension of a Bearcat, perfect...but who makes the thing?? Thanks

[Dave]

Those are from a company called Ryan's ATV Racks. The yokes, the Y-shape holders, are available but you would then have to fabricate how they mount to your sled yourself. Google search for the company and you'll find it.

[hanson]

lowrox-

I've seen a number of different auger rack set-ups on sleds now and I definitely like the version that the Ice Teamers use. I'm fairly certain its custom built. I did a good amount of poking around Genz's Bearcat at the Ice Show but never asked him where he got it from.

The option I'm currently looking at is putting a luggage rack on the back of my sled and then use bungy cords to strap it down. I might even look at putting some kind of mounts or supports to cradle the auger better.

Unfortunately, this project is waiting for summer.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I made something very similar to a gun rack. It's welded to the homemade luggage rack that bolts on to the back of my sled. Set the auger in the kinda gun rack, bungee the bad boy down, and away we go. Works great.

[LABS4ME]

I asked Genz about it, and indeed it was custom made. I inquired as to who, and never really got an answer. They said to watch in the future as they were looking at producing and marketing them. This was the ice show a year ago Dec., I didn't look at this year's set-up to see if it was different, but the one from the year before required you to cut out two small portions of the fiberglass on the hood. I think if they were to market this, that would have to be addressed as most guys wouldn't be willing to get the roto-zip out and cut to slots in the hood. Otherwise great set-up.

Good Luck!

Ken

[ChuckN]

My friend made a custom auger rack on the rear bar of his sled, along with a custom tow hitch with a ball for towing his Otter. He even made it so the auger rack detaches quickly when not needed. I was impressed.

I honestly do not know a company that makes a product like this other than building one yourself.

[hanson]

Labs-

That was my thoughts exactly that they were prototype testing and we'll be seeing something in production in the future.

It'll be a great amount of work to produce adapting brackets for every different model & manufacturer of snowmobile for a product like this.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Hanson, I thought the same thing. I've made a few of these thingys and they are all different due to differences in peoples sleds.

Maybe that's why no major manufacturers have come out with this.

[CRAPPIEBAIT]

I'm trying to do the same thing.If we can get pictures of anyone who has made their own or even pictures from mags,I can get some racks made.

I'm in sales at a major sheet metal shop in the citys.

I have welders I have metal,just need more ideas than my own

[lowrox]

I appreciate everyones help and input, looks like I'll be making my own?? Easier said then done. The Gentz set-up is a good one. All if the AC's pretty much have the same A-arm front suspension set-up. I wouldn't want to cut notches out of my hood though. Thanks again though guys, the search continues.

[Captain B.R.K]

lowrox - Actually I talked to Ryan's ATV racks at the Ice Show down in St.Paul earlier in December and asked them about them breaking into the snowmobile industry. Basically gave me like, "WHY WOULD WE" attitude because their ATV sales are so good.

The guy I talked to at the show told me they did not make a snowmobile auger rack. Reason was because each year manufactures come out with different sleds and models that it would be tough to design one rack for all models. Take a look at the late 90's to now models of the Artic Cat----especially when they went with the ZR series!!!!

I can see their point--there isn't a model that is similar. AS for ATV's, most are built on the same frames and have the same features for someone to install the racks.

I'll tell my buddy to get on the site and add his two cents. He made his own custom rack for the auger and it looks sweet!

[GoodToGo]

Here's the setup we use: a basket style rack made out of square tubing is bolted to the rear of the sled, about 12"x 12". A wooden box is bolted into the basket. The box is 12" wide and about 30-32" long. From the side it looks like a squatty "T", with the lower part of the T sitting inside the basket. The wooden box has a piano hinged top. On top of the top are homemade brackets that hold the auger. All the gear and vex go in the box, the auger goes on the top. The power head sits on the box, the blade sticks out the back. Very handy, very portable. We don't pull Otters or anything. The box needs to be pretty beefy, it can take a lot of twisting going over portages, etc.

[hanson]

GoodToGo-

You have any photos?

I like your idea.

[GoodToGo]

I will try to remember to take some this weekend when we're out. I will email them to you, maybe you could post them for others to see?

[Guest]

Another one to look at is the Auger Caddy.

Do a quick search for it, you'll find it. Looks pretty cool.

[Snow Fish]

lowrox- I have built my own rack and auger carrier for my Ski-Doo REV. I developed a simple way of mounting the system on the rear of the sled that can be done completely without tools and require no modifications to your snowmobile. I will post some pics after I take them this weekend.

[lowrox]

Snow Fish,

That would be awesome if you could take some pics. The Rev is obviously a newer machine. So if you have something that works for that sled, my 99ZR should be a option. Could you maybe also send the pics to [email protected]. Thanks, maybe still post them for others to see though.

[Sand Burr]

Cap. BRK hit the nail on the head with what Ryan said to him! You need a market first. I have had maybe 15 requests in the last year for these:

They were done custom for Carl Brown up on Rainy Lake and I did another maybe 2 or three sets besides.

[knoppers]

this picture is far out, but this basket fits standard length track machines, it bolts to the tunnel, and removes easy. it has brackets to hold a power auger and lots of room for every thing else. plus it works at higher speeds. we use this in canada chasing lakers, and some trails we average 50-60 mph, and this thing rocks. the maker is in emily, but the name of the company slips my mind right now, he custom makes it to your sled. I will find his name, I belive I have brought it up before here.

[GoodToGo]

Hanson you have mail. Please post pictures so others can see if you are able. Thanks.

GTG

[hanson]

GoodtoGo-

I got the pictures. I will get them up tonight.

Looks like a pretty neat setup.

[hanson]

Here are GoodtoGo's photos.

[Captain B.R.K]

Lowrox- Here are some images from SNOWFISH's sled that he wanted you to see: