Abstract: A snowmobile has a rear suspension assembly including at least one slide rail, a plurality of idler wheels, a front suspension arm having first upper and lower ends, and a rear suspension arm having second upper and lower ends. The first upper end is connected to a tunnel of the snowmobile. The first lower end is selectively connected to the at least one slide rail. The first lower end is connectable to the at least one slide rail at first and second positions. The first position of the first lower end is vertically higher from a bottom surface of the at least one slide rail than the second position of the first lower end. The second upper end is connected to the tunnel.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in an actuation assembly, with the actuation assembly including an actuation housing, includes a valve support adapted to be coupled to the actuation housing. The valve support has a body portion defining a plurality of solenoid bores. The valve assembly also includes a plurality of solenoids with each one of the plurality of solenoids disposed within a corresponding one of the plurality of solenoid bores and directly mounted to the valve support for controlling a flow of fluid. The valve assembly further includes an electrical power distribution device at least partially coupled to the valve support and connected to each of the plurality of solenoids. The valve assembly also includes a tray coupled to the body portion of the valve support to support a portion of the electrical power distribution device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses relating to error detection in contactless position sensing are provided. An actuator moves a device between a plurality of predetermined positions. The device is contactlessly detected with a sensor when the device is connected to the actuator. The predetermined position of the device is determined with a controller based on contactless detection of the device by the sensor when the device is connected to the actuator. The device is controlled to become undetectable by the sensor when the device disconnects from the actuator.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in an actuation assembly, with the actuation assembly including an actuation housing, includes a valve support adapted to be coupled to the actuation housing. The valve support has a body portion defining a plurality of solenoid bores. The valve assembly also includes a plurality of solenoids with each one of the plurality of solenoids disposed within a corresponding one of the plurality of solenoid bores and directly mounted to the valve support for controlling a flow of fluid. The valve assembly further includes an electrical power distribution device at least partially coupled to the valve support and connected to each of the plurality of solenoids. The valve assembly also includes a tray coupled to the body portion of the valve support to support a portion of the electrical power distribution device.

Abstract: Snowmobile having a suspension assembly comprising an upper A-arm, a lower A-arm, and a ski leg. The ski leg is pivotably connected to the upper A-arm via an upper A-arm connector and to the lower A-arm via a lower A-arm connector and is pivotable about a kingpin axis. A ski is connected to the ski leg via a ski connector. The upper A-arm connector, the lower A-arm connector and the ski connector are positioned one with respect to the others such that the kingpin axis is behind the ski connector at a level of the ski connector when the ski is viewed from the side.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses relating to error detection in contactless position sensing are provided. An actuator moves a device between a plurality of predetermined positions. The device is contactlessly detected with a sensor when the device is connected to the actuator. The predetermined position of the device is determined with a controller based on contactless detection of the device by the sensor when the device is connected to the actuator. The device is controlled to become undetectable by the sensor when the device disconnects from the actuator.

Abstract: A snowmobile ski runner has a flat ski runner body. The flat ski runner body has a generally uniform width, a front flat wall at a front thereof, and a rear flat wall at a rear thereof. The front and rear flat walls are parallel to each other. A snowmobile ski assembly having the ski runner and a snowmobile having the snowmobile ski assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowmobile ski assembly has a ski defining a slot, a ski runner disposed in the slot and being translatable in the slot between a first position and a second position, and a runner adjustment assembly connected to the ski runner. The runner adjustment assembly selectively translates the ski runner between the first and second positions. A snowmobile having the snowmobile ski assembly and a ski runner are also disclosed.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a snowmobile comprises first and second suspension arms pivotally connected to a chassis and to a rail, and extending forwardly and upwardly from the rail. A bracket arm is fixedly connected to the first suspension arm. A link is pivotally connected to the bracket arm. A first shock absorber is pivotally connected to the first suspension arm and to the rail. The lower end of the first shock absorber is disposed forwardly of the lower end of the first suspension arm. A second shock absorber is pivotally connected to the link and to second suspension arm. The lower end of the second shock absorber is disposed rearwardly of the lower end of the first shock absorber. A tie rod is pivotally connected to the link, and to the second suspension arm. A snowmobile having such suspension system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle has a chassis including a tunnel. An engine is connected to the chassis. An endless drive track is disposed below the tunnel and operatively connected to the engine. A suspension assembly supports and tensions the endless drive track. The suspension assembly has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. The suspension assembly includes a rail engaging the endless drive track. The rail extends in the longitudinal direction. A suspension arm has an upper end pivotally connected to the chassis about a first lateral axis, and a lower end pivotally connected to the rail about a second lateral axis. At least one shock absorber is connected between the chassis and the rail for biasing the rail away from the chassis. The chassis is pivotally connected to the rail via the suspension assembly about a longitudinally extending axis. A suspension assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A suspension system for a snowmobile has a rail for engagement with an endless drive track, and first and second suspension arms having upper ends adapted for pivotally connecting to the chassis and lower ends pivotally connected to the rail. The upper end the second suspension arm includes a shaft. A first shock absorber is operatively pivotally connected between the first suspension arm and the rail. A second shock absorber is operatively pivotally connected between the rail and the second suspension arm. Left and right brackets are connected to the shaft on either side of the second shock absorber. The shaft has a bent portion between the left and right brackets.

Abstract: A suspension system for a snowmobile comprises first and second suspension arms pivotally connected to a chassis and to a rail, and extending forwardly and upwardly from the rail. A bracket arm is fixedly connected to the first suspension arm. A link is pivotally connected to the bracket arm. A first shock absorber is pivotally connected to the first suspension arm and to the rail. The lower end of the first shock absorber is disposed forwardly of the lower end of the first suspension arm. A second shock absorber is pivotally connected to the link and to second suspension arm. The lower end of the second shock absorber is disposed rearwardly of the lower end of the first shock absorber. A tie rod is pivotally connected to the link, and to the second suspension arm. A snowmobile having such suspension system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle has a chassis including a tunnel. An engine is connected to the chassis. An endless drive track is disposed below the tunnel and operatively connected to the engine. A suspension assembly supports and tensions the endless drive track. The suspension assembly has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. The suspension assembly includes a rail engaging the endless drive track. The rail extends in the longitudinal direction. A suspension arm has an upper end pivotally connected to the chassis about a first lateral axis, and a lower end pivotally connected to the rail about a second lateral axis. At least one shock absorber is connected between the chassis and the rail for biasing the rail away from the chassis. The chassis is pivotally connected to the rail via the suspension assembly about a longitudinally extending axis. A suspension assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a tunnel and a rear suspension assembly. The rear suspension assembly includes at least one rail for engagement with the endless drive track and at least one suspension arm. At least one torsion spring is coupled to the at least second suspension arm. The at least one torsion spring has a first end contacting the rail and a second end. A torsion spring adjuster is fixedly connected to the at least one suspension arm. The torsion spring adjuster receives the second end of the at least one torsion spring. An actuator is operatively connected to the torsion spring adjuster. The actuator is located at least partially outside the tunnel. The actuator operates the torsion spring adjuster to move the second end of the at least one torsion spring relative to the first end of the at least one torsion spring.

Abstract: A front suspension and ski assembly for a snowmobile having a right and a left side, each side comprising an upper and a lower arm pivotally connected to the snowmobile frame and a spindle having an upper portion rotatably connected to the upper arm at a first connection point, a mid-portion rotatably connected to the lower arm at a second connection point, and a lower portion to which a ski is pivotally connected. A keel projects from and extends longitudinally along the ground facing surface of the ski, substantially along its outer surface. A runner projects from and extends longitudinally along the ground facing surface of the keel. A straight line extending through the first connection point and the second connection point extends to a point disposed within the ground engaging portion of the runner.

Abstract: A suspension system for a snowmobile has a rail and first and second suspension arms having lower ends pivotally connected to the rail. A first shock absorber pivotally connected between the first suspension arm and the rail. A second shock absorber operatively pivotally connected between the first suspension arm and the rail. Left and right brackets are connected to the second suspension arm. Left and right tie rods have lower ends operatively pivotally connected to the first suspension arm and upper ends pivotally connected to their corresponding brackets about a first pivot axis. The second shock absorber is disposed laterally between the left and right tie rods. The suspension is movable between a first position where the first pivot axis intersects the second shock absorber and a second position where the first pivot axis is spaced from the second shock absorber.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle has a chassis including a tunnel. An engine is connected to the chassis. An endless drive track is disposed below the tunnel and operatively connected to the engine. A suspension assembly supports and tensions the endless drive track. The suspension assembly has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. The suspension assembly includes a rail engaging the endless drive track. The rail extends in the longitudinal direction. A suspension arm has an upper end pivotally connected to the chassis about a first lateral axis, and a lower end pivotally connected to the rail about a second lateral axis. At least one shock absorber is connected between the chassis and the rail for biasing the rail away from the chassis. The chassis is pivotally connected to the rail via the suspension assembly about a longitudinally extending axis. A suspension assembly is also disclosed.