http://snowmobile.off-road.com/snowmobile/feature/jackson-hole-world-championship-snowmobile-hill-climb-11080.html`        http://www.arcticchat.com/forum/z-zl-zr-zrt-tcat-ext-jag-cougar/264346-track-direction.html
Traction
In snowmobiling getting proper traction is one of the largest challenges. As seen in the picture on the right you can tell that this track has both studs and paddles. The studs are mainly for increasing the static coefficient of friction on ice and hard surfaces that can be gripped by the track. The paddle are mainly for increasing the kinetic coefficient of friction for situation that involve loose snow and water. Another way to increase traction is to catwalk the snowmachine, as seen in the picture on the left. Catwalking increases the traction by moving weight from the ski's to the track where the power is being put to the ground. This helps increase the traction of the track by increasing the mass in the formula, friction=(mass)*(gravity)*(coefficient of friction), which in turn increases the friction or traction. Catwalking also lifts the ski's off the ground removing a force of friction that acts in the opposite direction of travel.


Intro        Traction        Sidehilling        Horsepower        Weight Reduction        Bibliography