the club’s 35 volunteer groomer operators.
It’s fleet of grooming machines includes
two club-owned machines and
three program tractors provided by the
Department of Natural Resources.
Cadillac was the first U.S.-based club
to begin using the Zuidberg track system
on one of its John Deere 6175R tractors
two years ago. While the club had
heard good things about the Zuidberg
system from a local John Deere dealership,
trail coordinator Jim Thomas
says circumstances played a role in deciding
to give it a try. A rival manufacturer
had promised to build tracks for
the machine but then pulled out of the
agreement at the last minute.
Thomas says it turned out to be a
blessing in disguise.
“They’re holding up great and they
perform great,” he said of the Zuidberg
tracks. “We get no vibration out of
our tractor. With other tracks…from
5 mph to 8 mph you get a heck of a vibration
out of them. These tracks you
do not get that from them. It can make
a huge difference for an operator.
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What the future holds
Reed says he’s been pleased with Zuidberg’s
responsiveness to any concerns
he’s raised with its representatives, such
as his desire to see a slightly bigger lug
incorporated near the front of the system
to make pushing snow in hilly areas
easier. Overall, though, Reed doesn’t
think it requires any major changes.
Saunders says the company is already
developing some products that
it hopes will complement the existing
track system. That includes a highspeed
track system that isn’t scheduled
to be released until at least 2019.
“There’s been a lot of interest in that.
A lot of people have enquired about it.
It’s not going to reduce the speed of your
machine when you put it on there. Your
machine is still going to go the same
speed as when it’s on tires,” he said.
For more information on Zuidberg’s
line of products, visit their website
at www.zuidbergna.com and be
sure to follow their Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/Zuidberginc.
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This has minimal vibration. You can
hardly feel it.”
The Zuidberg tracks have been virtually
maintenance-free after nearly 500
hours of use, Thomas says, adding that
has saved his club considerable money
and labor.
Positive feedback
Chris Saunders, Midwest area sales
manager for Zuidberg, says while the
company had high hopes when it introduced
its track system to the North
American market, the positive feedback
from people in the snowmobile
and ski industries has been gratifying.
“Snow industry people have really
commented a lot that they don’t have
the vibration they used to have with
tractors with other brands of tracks
on them,” he said. “The oil bath system
has been another plus for customers.
It means they don’t have to grease
bearings all the time. It’s a lot easier
for the customer.”
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snowopsmag.com | SnowOps 27
