A company is crediting significant interest amongst North American consumers for its decision to build a prototype of a revolutionary new snow groomer for the ski resort industry.
An artist's rendering of the EcoGroomer
The EcoGroomer improves snow grooming productivity by attaching two additional snow processing units (SPU’s), or tiller bars, to a standard snow cat. The result is a 200% increase in the surface area covered by one snow cat with a single operator. Fuel efficiency for nightly snow grooming is projected to be improved by more than 30%, with the potential to save over 20 million gallons of diesel for U.S. ski resorts alone by 2020 and reduce operating costs.
Two patents have been filed by the inventor Daniel Osborne to cover key components of the system, reserving both U.S. and international patent rights. Three companies have been selected to participate in the competitive bid process to build the first of its kind SPU. Prinoth of North America, Germany’s Pisten Bully and Zaugg of Switzerland will be provided with a scope of work and request for proposal to complete their bids by June 15 to build the prototype. The SPU will be connected to a standard snow cat for testing of fuel economy, general performance and snow surface quality in variable snow conditions.
Testing will occur this summer on an accessible glacier in Canada or Europe depending upon the manufacturer chosen to build the prototype. Additional testing and engineering will occur in the first part of the 2011-12 winter season. Full production and delivery to major ski resorts in North America may take place as early as the 2012-13 ski season and throughout Europe a year later, according to the company.
By First Tracks!! Online Media
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