Proper care of snowmachine during offseason vital

I’ve noticed a few snowmachiners running around Big Lake since the last big snowfall, but there doesn’t seem to be as many as in previous years. I wonder if this lower number of sightings is because of: the weather pattern so far, the recent cold snaps, my imagination, or perhaps machines which won’t start for their owners? Let’s discuss some things you can do now to ready your machine for another season of riding.

If you had properly “summerized” your snowmachine last spring, simply opening the fuel tank valve and turning the key should have your machine running almost immediately. If you just parked the machine without adding fuel stabilizer to the gas, greasing the fittings, disconnecting and charging the battery, and covering the machine, then the chances it will fire up quickly drop dramatically.

The first thing I like to do is wax the cowling, clean the windshield and wipe down the seat. Usually I then check the gear stowed under the seat and make sure everything is in good condition. I installed a battery trickle-charger several years ago to keep the battery charged in the off-season. So far, every year but one, my Polaris WideTrak has fired right up. The one year it didn’t was because a sparkplug wire had broken somehow. Once that wire/plug connector was replaced, the engine ran just fine.

My WideTrak spends its off-season in a covered shed. Once it’s running and enough snow covers the ground to provide lubrication to the track, I’ll bring the snowmachine into my garage and start checking other items. I’ll top off the two-cycle oil reservoir, grease the fittings on the skies and the suspension system, check the spring tension adjustments on the suspension, check the track adjustment, and make sure the skies are correctly aligned with the handlebars. I usually look at the track itself to make sure it’s still in serviceable condition. The lights and wiring harness get a check to make sure everything is functioning correctly.

I’ll inspect the sliders, bogie wheels, and other parts of the suspension system to assess condition and proper function. The brake system gets tested and fluid levels checked. Now is a good time to install a set of new sparkplugs too. Plugs are cheap compared to the cost of major engine work brought on by fouled and/or misfiring sparkplugs. Make sure those plugs are gapped according to the snowmachine manufacturer’s recommendations.

If I’m planning to add any equipment that requires installation work, I usually do so during the garage visit. In years past, I’ve added a GPS bracket, mirrors, a fuel tank cover, a rifle case bracket, and changed the tow hitch from a “flap” to a pintle-hook style. Since my older machine originally had steel skies, one year I added wider, plastic “skins” over the original skies for better “flotation” in powder snow. I replaced the carbides too. A set of “ice scratchers” on the front skies also help keep this liquid-cooled engine running properly when snow depths are marginal.

I am not a mechanic, so if the engine needs a tune-up or something beyond merely checking and adjusting components occurs, I take my snowmobile to a facility which can properly service and repair the machine. Rather than risk making a problem worse, I’d rather pay a mechanic to have my machine properly repaired. Then I know the snowmobile will run reliably when I’m riding out in the middle of nowhere.

Another piece of snowmachining equipment that will need some pre-season attention is your trailer. Check tire pressures, including the spare and look at the condition of the tire treads. As the tread wears thin, replace the tires. Grease the wheel bearings. Hopefully, you’ve already replaced the spindle/bearing cover cap with a marine-style cap which easily allows grease to be added to the bearings and maintains a few pounds of positive pressure to keep water and other contaminants out.

Make sure the hitch functions correctly and check the condition of the trailer emergency tow chains. Hook up the trailer to its tow vehicle and make sure the lights are operating properly. Replace any burnt-out bulbs. Go over the trailer and make sure all nuts and bolts are tight. If wood or metal parts are beginning to show their age, now is the time to make any necessary repairs.=

With just a little preseason attention to detail on both your snowmachine and trailer, you can assure yourself a full season of trouble-free riding.

Howard Delo is a retired fisheries biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. You can leave him a message by emailing sports@frontiersman.com.