RIO GRANDE NF Snowmobiles

The Rio Grande National Forest Fire Program has a need for two snowmobiles which involves specialized snowmobiles that will be used primarily for field work involving accessing remote, rugged, high altitude, off road terrain to access pile burning units in deep snow.  This type of field work requires utility-type machines that are light weight with long tracks, and are geared for pulling equipment/sleds, “side-hilling” and yet maintain the frequent stop and go abilities associated with pile burning.  New machines are desirable due to the heavy everyday use they will see associated with our Pile Burning Program, but more importantly for safety reasons associated with reliability while working in remote areas in deep snow.  One snowmobile would be a trail breaker sled (800/850cc) This snowmobile would act as the “trailbreaker” cutting a path in the deep snow encountered.

The second versatile snowmobile, a lower horsepower machine (600cc min), should allow less experienced riders the ability to safely/efficiently  maneuver. It should also a lighter weight, preferably under 525 pounds dry weight, cross-over or recreation/utility vehicle. The Pike-San Isabel NFs & Cimarron and Comanche NGs (PSICC) also has a need for three snowmobiles, much like the second one for the Rio Grande NF with a 600cc engine and same specs.