Abstract: The specification herein discloses a tracking control system for a vehicle such as a snowmobile. Such a vehicle includes a chassis with at least one ride member, such as a ski. The tracking control system includes a suspension arm, a spindle, and a slide bar. The suspension arm extends outwardly from the chassis, the arm being pivotally secured to the chassis. The spindle is secured to an outward end of the suspension arm. The spindle has an upper end a lower end with the slide bar secured to the lower end. The slide bar is oriented generally transverse to the spindle and to a major axis of the ski. The ski is movably coupled to the slide bar and spring biased in a direction away from the chassis.

Abstract: A snowmobile track suspension is disclosed. The track suspension includes a chassis, a skid frame, a front arm, an idler arm, and a rear arm. The chassis includes a tunnel. The skid frame includes rails along which the track rides. The front arm has a forward end pivotally and slidably connected to the tunnel. The front arm also includes a rearward end pivotally connected to the rails. The idler arm includes a forward end pivotally connected to the tunnel and a rearward end connected to the rear arm. Such connection is at the upper end of the rear arm, with the lower end of the rear arm pivotally coupled to the rails.

Abstract: The top wall of a snowmobile tunnel, which accommodates the endless drive track of the snowmobile, is provided with recesses at locations corresponding to the path followed by studs carried by the endless track. The rear of the tunnel is connected to a molded rear member having a pattern of recesses matching that of the top wall of the tunnel. In yet another aspect of the invention, a heat exchanger for cooling engine coolant may be provided at the rear of the tunnel. The heat exchanger may be mounted to and partially spaced from the molded rear member. The heat exchanger may bear rearwardly extending ridges with upwardly extending lip at the far end. In some embodiments, a channel is provided on the upper end of the heat exchanger to promote air and snow flow over the rearwardly extending ridges.

Abstract: The specification herein discloses a tracking control system for a vehicle such as a snowmobile. Such a vehicle includes a chassis with at least one ride member, such as a ski. The tracking control system includes a suspension arm, a spindle, and a slide bar. The suspension arm extends outwardly from the chassis, the arm being pivotally secured to the chassis. The spindle is secured to an outward end of the suspension arm. The spindle has an upper end a lower end with the slide bar secured to the lower end. The slide bar is oriented generally transverse to the spindle and to a major axis of the ski. The ski is movably coupled to the slide bar and spring biased in a direction away from the chassis.

Abstract: A snowmobile track suspension is disclosed. The track suspension includes a chassis, a skid frame, a front arm, an idler arm, and a rear arm. The chassis includes a tunnel. The skid frame includes rails along which the track rides. The front arm has a forward end pivotally and slidably connected to the tunnel. The front arm also includes a rearward end pivotally connected to the rails. The idler arm includes a forward end pivotally connected to the tunnel and a rearward end connected to the rear arm. Such connection is at the upper end of the rear arm, with the lower end of the rear arm pivotally coupled to the rails.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to a shield for a belt-driven clutch system of a snowmobile having a shield portion and a pivot portion that is angled nonperpendicular relative to the shield portion. One embodiment of the invention is a clutch shield assembly with a first (shield) portion having first and second ends, and a second (pivot) portion with a pivot point that is formed at the first portion first end and that extends at an angle nonperpendicular relative to the first end of the first portion. The shield is pivotally mounted to the vehicle at the pivot point and rotates between a first position covering the clutch and a second position removed from the clutch. Further, an attachment portion releasably secures the first portion second end to the vehicle.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to a shield for a belt-driven clutch system of a snowmobile having a shield portion and a pivot portion that is angled nonperpendicular relative to the shield portion. One embodiment of the invention is a clutch shield assembly with a first (shield) portion having first and second ends, and a second (pivot) portion with a pivot point that is formed at the first portion first end and that extends at an angle nonperpendicular relative to the first end of the first portion. The shield is pivotally mounted to the vehicle at the pivot point and rotates between a first position covering the clutch and a second position removed from the clutch. Further, an attachment portion releasably secures the first portion second end to the vehicle.