Evaluation of ATV Track Systems for Winter Mountain Operations

摘要

This document evaluates the utility of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) fitted with after-market track systems for winter mountain operations. Trials undertaken at Defence R&D Canada- Suffield and Fernie, British Columbia evaluated both Honda Foreman and Yamaha Rhino tracked vehicles against mountain and touring snowmobiles. On and off-trail tests conducted in deep snow assessed the speed, control, pulling capacity, mobility and overall utility. Given this limited data set, it is predicted that small tracked ATVs could be useful in situations requiring manoeuvrability and high mobility on steep slopes and deep snow, while snowmobiles would be preferred for long-range on-trail operations.