Choosing a powertrain for a motor tower is not just about buying a piece of hardware, it's about finding a trade-off between traction, weight and cost of ownership. The right decision is whether you can pull a heavy boat over snow porridge or get stuck a kilometer from shore. The market offers dozens of options, but not all of them are suitable for harsh winter conditions.
In this article, we will analyze in detail the technical nuances, compare popular brands and help determine which ones are the most popular. motor It will be optimal for your skiing style, and you should not rely only on the advice of sellers, often interested in selling stale goods.
Criteria for the power selection unit
The first thing to look at is the type of power output shaft. The standard for moto-tugs is the horizontal shaft, but the diameter and slat joint may differ. It's important to know exactly what your tracked platform is, otherwise you're setting up a track. engine It will become a long fit of adapters.
The second critical parameter is the presence of a reduction gearbox: gearbox engines (usually designated as 2:1 or 1:2) give you lower rpm per shaft, but much more traction. This is critical for heavy towers and deep snow. If you plan to ride light, you might consider the option without a gearbox, but it's less versatile.
It is also worth paying attention to the launch system. Manual starter It is more reliable in the cold, but requires physical effort. Electrical start-up It's convenient, but the battery can fail in extreme cold, and the weight of the battery motor itself will increase significantly, and the best solution is often the combination option.
Review of popular brands of engines
The market leader has been the American brand for many years. Briggs & StrattonTheir Vanguard engines are famous for their cast-iron cylinder sleeves and their enormous resource, and they're the choice of professionals who are willing to pay for quality and durability, but they're expensive and there's a lot of fakes on the market.
Japanese classics are represented by a brand Honda It's a benchmark for reliability, quiet operation and economy, Honda engines are easy to start even in the cold and have an excellent air filtration system, the main disadvantage is the high price and the presence of many low-quality copies, identifiable as the original.
Chinese manufacturers, such as Lifan, Zongshen and DucarThey have a large market share because of their affordable price, and today's models often copy Honda designs using quality components, and when maintained properly, they run for several seasons, but require more attention to the initial break-in.
- 🇺🇸 Briggs & Stratton Maximum traction and resource, high price.
- 🇯🇵 Honda Reference reliability and easy start-up, expensive.
- 🇨🇳 Lifan/Zongshen - the best ratio of price and quality, the availability of spare parts.
Why are Chinese engines cheaper?
The secret to low price lies not only in the labor force, but also in the scale of production and use of aluminum instead of cast iron in some units, although modern models often have cast iron shells, which equates them with expensive analogues.
Power: How much horsepower is needed?
The power selection directly depends on the dimensions of the tower and the weight of the cargo. For narrow single models ("half-seat") width of 380-450 mm, an engine with a capacity of 6-7 hp is quite enough. This power will ensure confident movement on rolled ski and snow virgin land, provided the correct selection of the gear ratio of the variator.
For double towers with a width of 500 mm or more, as well as for models with cargo sleds-trailers, the minimum bar rises to 9-13 hp Weak engine on a heavy machine will work at the limit of capabilities, which will lead to rapid overheating and failure. Power reserve In winter conditions, it is never superfluous.
It's important to consider that the rated power of different engines can be measured by different standards. Chinese engines are often labeled for peak power, while American and Japanese engines are labeled for constant power. So a 15 hp Chinese can actually deliver as much as an American 10-11 hp.
For the tow truck, it is not the maximum power that is more important, but the torque at low revs, which is provided by the correct gearbox.
Table of comparison of technical specifications
To make it easier, let's put the basics of popular models into a single table. Pay attention to weight: a heavier engine often speaks of cast iron in the design, which is a plus for the resource, but a minus for the towman's handling.
| Engine model | Power (hp) | Volume (cm3) | Weight (kg) | gearbox |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Briggs & Stratton Vanguard | 10.5 | 305 | 26.0 | Got it (2:1) |
| Honda GX270 | 9.0 | 270 | 24.5 | Got it (2:1) |
| Lifan 168F-2 | 6.5 | 196 | 14.0 | No. |
| Lifan 190F (with gearbox) | 15.0 (peak) | 420 | 32.0 | Got it (2:1) |
And you can see from the table that the weight difference between the small and the large motors is significant. Installing a heavy unit by 420 cubic meters will shift the center of gravity of the tow truck, which may require digesting the frame or transferring the tank. Lightweight models are easier to transport, but may not be able to handle deep snow porridge.
Operational nuances in winter
Winter dictates the game. A gasoline engine in the cold requires quality fuel and the right oil. Using summer oil or expired gasoline is guaranteed to cause problems with starting and operating the carburetor. Always use synthetic oils with viscosity. 5W-30 or 0W-30.
Special attention should be paid to snow protection, the engine should be closed with a casing, but at the same time have sufficient air flow to cool down, muffling exhaust gases with snow can lead to their entry into the cabin or under the hood, which is dangerous to health.
Take with you a fishing can "Fast start" and a spare spark plug - in severe frost this will save your trip.
⚠️ Attention: Never leave a running engine unattended in an enclosed space or tent. The combustion products of a gasoline engine are odorless, but deadly.
Also worth remembering about vibrations. The tow truck is constantly shaking, so the engine mounts should be made using high-quality high-strength bolts and grover washers. Regularly check the tightening of the engine mount bolts after the first hours of operation.
☑️ Preparation of the engine for the winter season
Installation and initial setup
The installation process begins with fitting the engine onto the site. Often you have to drill new holes or use transition plates. It is important to ensure that the shafts of the engine and the CV/reducer of the motor tow truck are aligned, and the distortion will lead to rapid wear of the belt and bearings.
The carburettor is a key step, factory settings are often designed to work at sea level; in the conditions of Russian winter and elevation differences, it may be necessary to adjust the quality of the mixture; if the engine sneezes or stalls when the valve is opened sharply, the mixture is likely too poor.
Idle adjustment procedure:1. Warm up the engine for 5 minutes.
2. set the minimum stable speeds with the screw number.
3. The screw of quality to achieve maximum speed.
4. again, the screw of quantity reduces the turnover to the workers.
Don't forget to run in. The new engine can't be loaded at full capacity. The first 5-8 hours of motors should be operated sparingly, without any sudden jerks or running at the maximum speed, so that the piston rings can be properly worn to the cylinder.
⚠️ Attention: Before you first start, be sure to check the oil level. Many new engines come dry, and running without oil will instantly disable them without warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I put a car generator on a tow truck?
Theoretically, it can, but it requires a major redesign of the cooling and drive system, so it's easier to use a regular lighting coil if it's designed for the engine, or to install a separate gas generator in a sled.
Which petrol is better to fill: 92 or 95?
For most air-cooled motor tow engines, the optimal is an AI-92 gasoline with an octane number of at least 92. The use of 95th gasoline does not give advantages and can lead to later combustion of the mixture and overheating.
How to store a motor tow truck in the summer?
You need to completely develop the fuel from the carburetor or use a fuel stabilizer, and the oil in the engine is better replaced with fresh before canning, so that the combustion products do not cause corrosion inside the cylinder.
Why does the engine stop when the towing truck is tilted?
This is due to the design of the carburetor float chamber or the low level of oil in the protection system (oil sensor). To overcome steep climbs, sometimes you need to refine the fuel system or use special oils for two-stroke engines (if the system is mixed), but more often it is a design feature that requires careful driving.
⚠️ Attention: When you independently modify the fuel system for work on the slopes, make sure that the joints are tight. Gasoline vapors in the enclosed space of the sled-trailer create an explosive mixture.