Improvements to the Tucker motor-sled to surmount difficulties in traversing powder snow

TitleImprovements to the Tucker motor-sled to surmount difficulties in traversing powder snow
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1940
AuthorsRyan, J. T.
Conference Name8th Annual Western Interstate Snow Survey Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 8th Annual Western Interstate Snow Survey Conference
Date PublishedJune 1940
PublisherAmerican Geophysical Union, Transactions, Part III-B:
Conference LocationSeattle, Washington
KeywordsOver snow vehicles, Tucker snow-sled
Abstract

The Tucker motor-sled was demonstrated on the slopes of Mt. Rose region south of Reno. The motor-sled made 3 runs. It is driven by a helical thread wound on a revolving drum, and is powered by a 15 hp air-cooled gasoline engine. total weight is 500 lbs. The sled showed a tendency to slip sideways on a 12% grade. The drum dug the snow away from itself when breaking through hard snow crust, or encountering soft snow. The machine is light, built sturdy, has a cruising speed of 5 mi/hr, and can carry 2 men up a 30-40% grade without great effort. More weight caused the motor-sled to break through the snow crust and stall. It is questioned that improved performance in soft snow could be obtained if the major portion of the weight were carried by the out-board skis instead of on the drum.Discussion by E.M. Tucker indicates that the sled is being redesigned and a Franklin air cooled motor of 80 hp is being installed at no addition in weight.

URLsites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1940aRyan.pdf