3 Factors cause overflow....sometimes all 3 at once. After the ice forms... snow load, thickening of the ice and creeks flowing into the lake. All cause pressurization much like hydraulic pumps forcing the water to find escape routes.
When the ice first forms on the lake it expands and cracks.... then at the intersections of these cracks are the usual blow outs but there can be others (springs & currents). This all results in a layer of water on top of the ice that may not freeze for weeks, it there's enough snow insulating it. Usually the farther from shore and the closer to one of these blowouts the deeper the water on top of the ice. (1" to 12").
Now why does this become a problem for skidoo's....?????? The water in the snow on top of the ice melts a thin layer of the surface of the ice causing the ice to become super slippery. The snow and slush between your track and the ice surface doesn't have enough lateral stability to allow your track to propel your machine.
SOLUTIONS..... Take the long route... instead of crossing that lake or pond.... if you can and if your machine can handle the deep powder on shore (the ice is hung up on shore and can't allow the water on top.)
SNOWSHOES AND A PLASTIC SCOOP SHOVEL ARE A MUST!!!!!!!
When I have to cross a lake covered by deep snow I walk out with snowshoes on and dig down and see what I'm dealing with. Also the second rider stays well back. If there is more than 4" of water, I won't cross. Attempting to pull a toboggan across will get you stuck almost every time.
WHEN YOU GET STUCK BY YOURSELF.....with a light machine.
FIRST ROUTE.... If you can roll your machine over and back by yourself.... pack an area beside it and throwing snow and trampling it down by snowshoe. Roll the machine on it's side onto the platform. Clean out the undercarriage. Shovel a whole bunch of snow and pack another platform where the skidoo was stuck. Now pack a trail in front of the skidoo with your snowshoes. Usually 50 ft. Let the trail set up if it's cold enough. The more you walk on it the better it sets up. If you're strong enough and you can turn your skidoo around that becomes an option.
800 SKANDIC SUPER WIDE TRACK ( weighs 900 lbs plus snow/slush in track)
WHAT DO YOU DO!!!!!!
You cut some long poles (green poles with bark plus 1" branches) no more than 3" thick and as long as possible. Dig the whole machine out and dig out behind the track. Pack a tapered ramp behind the machine.... poke these long poles (2 or 3 of them) small end first under the end of the track. Then back your machine up on this. STAND BESIDE the machine and push the machine back while using reverse. GO SLOW.....DON'T REV it up or it will spit the poles out. At least now your up and out and not froze in.
DON'T LEAVE YOUR MACHINE TIL THE NEXT DAY OR YOU'LL BE USING AN AXE TO CHOP THE SKIDOO OUT.
550 TUNDRA use the first way mentioned.
800 4 STROKE If you have two good men you have to roll the skidoo over quickly and do it all within 5 minutes.... the quicker the better or you risk engine hydraulicking. The oil in the crank case leaks thru the valu system and into your cylinder fowling you plug and preventing the engine from turning over.
2 STROKE In a 2 stroke there is not a problem in laying it on it's side for half an hour and they won't hydraulic. Don't leave it on it's side for a day because it may flood your fuel system. The longer you leave it on it's side the more you risk it flooding it's fuel system. 15 minutes is usually not a problem.
It is a good idea to always have a rubber hammer, axe and chainsaw along with the snowshoes and shovel.
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Your 'water/slush on the ice' problem is interesting. Historically in MN we always had plenty of ice by DEC...enough to carry a truck in the southern part of the state and 3 or 4 feet of ice on the lakes near the Canadian border. In the past it's also been so cold that water was rarely a problem. Even near pressure ridges it would freeze solid quickly. Over the past decade as the winters have been warmer the ice has become 'car safe' much later in the winter. I'm not a snow machine person (was in the far past) but sympathize with the big problem it can be. I always remind myself that getting my ATV stuck, which can be as bad as a slush stuck snowmachine, is a real problem and a potential heart attack. Be safe.
ReplyDeleteHey Trappers,the overflow just adds a bit more challenge into your day im sure .After a few cuss words you get through most things:)
ReplyDeleteHi Trappers,
ReplyDeleteYou forgot one other cause of slush ice. Bogs usually freezes after the lake ice has formed. Then as the bog freezes it squeezes water out onto the lake ice. It's usually tea colored.
Though I'm not a snow machine sort of guy I can sympathize with you. On a number of occasions, while traveling on snowshoes I've come across pockets of slush ice and have gotten completely iced up. It's a real pain chipping it from the bottom of the snowshoes if you can't scrape it off before it freezes not to mention freeing a loaded pulk. Though I admit, a 60 lbs sled is a whole lot different than a 900 lbs snow machine
We're headed to -15F tonight. Eight years ago I was out on the ice along our shore at 10F cutting willows w/ my chainsaw. Unbeknownst to me there was a small spring and I went thru the ice and in up to my chest with a running chainsaw in my face. I find that caution is in order more often as I age.
ReplyDeleteSlightly incorrect weather forecast for MN....the predicted -15F is -33F @ 7:37 AM. Hope you've received a bit of a warmup and relief on your water challenge.
ReplyDeleteStuck in slush is a real energy burner. You don't have a choice of doing it later, it has to be done immediately. I wish for you full slush avoidance.
ReplyDelete