Snowmobile Rear Drive Neil Miller Chris Hill Jeremy Nichols

Research RND Innovators – Only company marketing a rear drive system Claims – Shorter stopping distance – Increased efficiency – Improved handling – Eliminates “darting”

Research Proof of concept – Two modified 800r’s Claim 20.4 mpg Next closest sled was a fuel injected 4-stroke with 14.4 mpg

RND Innovator’s Design

Cruise, Conventional Snowmobile

Cruise, Rear Drive Sled

Acceleration, Conventional Sled

Acceleration, Rear Drive Sled

Braking, Conventional Sled

Braking, Rear Drive Sled

Design Options Option 1 – Use drive shafts Use bevel gears from an outboard engine – Bolt in design – Reasoning No modifications to the tunnel Keep center of mass in the middle of the tunnel – Disadvantages Heavier than stock Steep U-Joint angles

Option 1

Option 2 Belt drive – Use synchronous belt – Bolt in design – Adanvtages: Lighter than drive shafts Don’t have to worry about U-Joint angle Simpler to produce Lighter than stock – Disadvantages: Snowpack in the skid Belt whine

Option 2

Testing Using electric motors (Possible depending on time) Fuel efficiency runs Put scales under skis on the track dyno

Questions?

Sources