Original Post by Terry Wilen
I thought maybe vintagesleds.com readers would like to see some pictures of a machine that my grandfather built while working for Thunder Bay’s Canada Car. This plant is now known as bombardier.
My grandfather referred to this machine as an "ice toboggan". Construction began in 1955. This machine is powered by a 10 horsepower brigs and stratton engine. The frame is made of aircraft aluminum the belly pan and tunnel are of the same materials. Either side of the engine compartment are sheathed with marine plywood, before the belly pan was attached ash was placed along the under side all the way to the rear of the machine.
The PTO side of the engine has a double pulley and from this point two belts drive a model A 4 speed transmission with a 1st gear, 2nd 3rd and reverse. On the opposite side of the transmission he attached a sprocket to the shaft. From here a drive chain went to a center drive wheel (air inflated), inside the tunnel there is a front and rear wheel that a track goes around
similar to today’s systems.
The ride is cushioned by a automobile shock on either side of the tunnel. To steer there is at bar on the under side of the belly with cables fed through the tubing to the steering wheel. The steering wheel is from a model A. Speeds on this machine reached approximately 40 mph.
This machine was built to assist my grandfather in navigating across Dog Lake north of Thunder Bay Ontario. Aside from working full time, he was a trapper in the winter months. Transportation across the lake came in different forms – dog sleds, skis, snowshoes or two men holding a canvas sheet having skates on and using the wind like a sail this was ok providing there was no snow. His invention of the ice toboggan made travel allot easier.
This machine has sat in storage for 47 years following his passing in 1962. I pulled it out of the corner of the garage the other day to check it out. To my astonishment it is in excellent condition. The drive wheels needed air which I filled and was surprised that it held. This was the first time that I had really took a good look,I found that everything that turned had a grease nipple and everything turned, the motor has been used occasionally for our log splitter and still runs well. I plan to put the engine back in this winter and take it for a ride. I will be sure to have a camera and a video to share the moment. This will be a 3rd and 4th generation adventure we are all very excited to have it back up and running. I will be sure to send current pictures of this event.
