Abstract: A front suspension and stabilizing system for a snowmobile in which a pair of front steerable skis are connected to the vehicle body through a pair of suspension means which also are connected to a transversely extending torsion member attached to the vehicle body. The response of the torsion member to movement of the suspension means is stabilized and dampened by a resilient yieldable means such as a shock absorber connected to a mid portion of the torsion member through a forwardly extending arm fixed to the torsion member and connected at its other end to the shock absorber. A stabilizing system for a suspension system having a steering strut subject to axial and rotational movement, the steering strut being connected to a torsion member through a forwardly disposed link having universal connections to the strut and to the torsion member.

Abstract: A system for maintaining substantially uniform tension in an endless track for a track driven vehicle having a vehicle body and a suspension assembly and in which a tensioned endless track passes around end support and guide members, one of said end support and guide members being imparted vertical and some horizontal displacement relative to a rigid frame upon response of the suspension system to variations in loading and/or to terrain irregularities. The constant tension system provides a cam member having a cam surface in contact with the bottom surface of the top lay of the endless track, the cam member being supported by the suspension system and movable in correlation with movements of the suspension system so that differences in track length or track tension caused by movement of the suspension system will be compensated for and substantially uniform track tension will be maintained during travel of the suspension system.

Abstract: A suspension system for a track driven vehicle such as a snowmobile, which has a vehicle body and a rigid frame, the suspension system pivotally interconnecting the body with the frame and comprising spaced front and rear support frames. The front support frame carries front torsion spring members having spring arms extending longitudinally along the rigid frame, each front torsion spring means having a spring arm engaging a cam surface on the rigid frame to vary the effective length of the torsion spring arm, the torsion spring arm being engageable with a cam edge of selected configuration to provide a desired progressive spring rate response to vertical displacement of the vehicle body with respect to the rigid frame.

Abstract: A liquid cooling system for a snowmobile or other relatively small vehicle having a heat exchange element with front and rear surfaces and air passages extending therebetween, a plurality of air guides for providing a flow of air to the front surface of the heat exchanger and a duct for directing air flow from the rear surface of the heat exchanger upwardly through a portion of the vehicle hood. Preferably the heat exchange element is tipped to increase the flow of air therethrough during idling and at slow speeds.

Abstract: A suspension system for a track driven vehicle such as a snowmobile, comprising a generally rectangular rigid suspension frame having longitudinal rails slidably supported on the inner surface of the track, and front and rear suspension assemblies for resiliently supporting the vehicle body. The front support assembly includes a weldment pivotally attached at its rear end to the frame, its front end being resiliently biased upwardly to support the body. The rear suspension assembly includes a transverse shaft carried by the body and a centrally disposed longitudinal compression spring for resiliently biasing the shaft upwardly relative to the suspension frame through a linkage effectively providing an increasing spring rate as the parts approach maximum excursion.