Abstract: A fuel system for a snowmobile having a chassis defining an engine bay and an engine positioned within the engine bay. The fuel system includes a fuel tank that is coupled to the chassis and is positioned aft of the engine. The fuel tank has a forward face that includes a lower contour and an upper contour. A fuel rail is in fluid communication with the fuel tank and the engine. The fuel rail is positioned between the engine and the lower contour of the forward face of the fuel tank.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a recreational vehicle spindle, including a spindle body having one or more sockets in the spindle body, and an upper attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a steering component. The spindle also includes a lower attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a ski or wheel. The one or more sockets are adapted to each receive a ball and stud forming one or more ball joints.

Abstract: An engine cooling system for a snowmobile that includes a forward frame assembly, an engine, a tunnel and a track driveshaft having an axis of rotation. The cooling system includes a heat exchanger that is coupled to the forward frame assembly and to the tunnel. The heat exchanger is positioned aft of the engine and is configured to transfer heat from a coolant fluid circulated through the engine and the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a body having an arcuate section with a substantially constant radius of curvature and with a center of curvature proximate the axis of rotation of the track driveshaft.

Abstract: A steering system for a snowmobile includes a handlebar assembly and a steering column that has upper and lower ends. The upper end of the steering column is coupled to the handlebar assembly. The lower end of the steering column is coupled to an input shaft of an electronic steering assist unit. An output shaft of the electronic steering assist unit is coupled directly to a steering arm assembly. First and second tie rods respectively couple the steering arm assembly to first and second ski assemblies such that turning the handlebar assembly, together with the assistance of the electronic steering assist unit, causes the ski assemblies to pivot. The steering column and the electronic steering assist unit share a common axis of rotation that is positioned along a centerline of the snowmobile.

Abstract: A bearing hub is positioned within a drivetrain assembly of a snowmobile. The bearing hub includes a body and a bearing sleeve that is coupled to the body. The body has an upper connection rigidly coupled to the chassis of the snowmobile, an aft connection rigidly coupled to the chassis of the snowmobile, a lower connection rigidly coupled to a heat exchanger and an engine mount connection resiliently coupled to an engine mount to reduce vibration transfer from the engine to the bearing hub. The bearing sleeve has a bearing aperture that is configured to receive a bearing assembly therein. The the upper connection, the aft connection and the lower connection form a triangular support arrangement for the driven shaft. The driven shaft is rotatably coupled to the bearing sleeve by the bearing assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a spindle for a recreational vehicle, such as a snowmobile, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), or a side-by-side vehicle. The spindle includes a spine, optionally a front fin that extends from a front surface of the spine, and optionally a rear fin that extends from a back surface of the spine.

Abstract: A wear strip assembly for a snowmobile includes a wear strip comprising a first wear-resistant polymer securable to a skid rail beam of a snowmobile. Inserts are fastened within the wear strip such that lower surfaces of the inserts are substantially flush with a lower surface of the wear strip. Each of the inserts includes a second wear-resistant polymer that is more wear resistant than the first wear-resistant polymer. Between 40 and 50 percent of the lower surface of the portion of the rail is occupied by the inserts. The skid rail beam includes a straight portion and an angled portion, the inserts being positioned along the straight portion.

Abstract: A steering system for a snowmobile includes a handlebar assembly and a steering column that has an upper end coupled to the handlebar assembly. An electronic steering assist unit is coupled to the steering column between upper and lower posts of the steering column. A steering arm assembly is coupled to a lower end of the lower post. First and second tie rods respectively couple the steering arm assembly to first and second ski assemblies such that turning the handlebar assembly, together with the assistance of the electronic steering assist unit, causes the ski assemblies to pivot. A floating mounting system couples the electronic steering assist unit to forward spars of the frame assembly to prevent a torque pre-load on the electronic steering assist unit. The steering column and the electronic steering assist unit share a common axis of rotation that is positioned along a centerline of the snowmobile.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a recreational vehicle spindle, including a spindle body having one or more sockets in the spindle body, and an upper attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a steering component. The spindle also includes a lower attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a ski or wheel. The one or more sockets are adapted to each receive a ball and stud forming one or more ball joints.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a spindle for a recreational vehicle, such as a snowmobile, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), or a side-by-side vehicle. The spindle includes a spine, optionally a front fin that extends from a front surface of the spine, and optionally a rear fin that extends from a back surface of the spine.

Abstract: According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a removable seat assembly is provided comprising a first mounting feature engageable with the tunnel of a snow vehicle, and optionally a second mounting feature engageable with the tunnel of the snow vehicle. The first mounting feature may automatically engage the tunnel upon engagement of the second mounting feature with the tunnel. The seat assembly may comprise a frame base, a riser defining a chamber therein positioned on the frame base, a seat back frame, and an arm rest secured to the frame base and the seat back frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a recreational vehicle spindle, including a spindle body having one or more sockets in the spindle body, and an upper attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a steering component. The spindle also includes a lower attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a ski or wheel. The one or more sockets are adapted to each receive a ball and stud forming one or more ball joints.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a recreational vehicle spindle, including a spindle body having one or more sockets in the spindle body, and an upper attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a steering component. The spindle also includes a lower attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a ski or wheel. The one or more sockets are adapted to each receive a ball and stud forming one or more ball joints.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a recreational vehicle spindle, including a spindle body having one or more sockets in the spindle body, and an upper attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a steering component. The spindle also includes a lower attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a ski or wheel. The one or more sockets are adapted to each receive a ball and stud forming one or more ball joints.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a recreational vehicle spindle, including a spindle body having one or more sockets in the spindle body, and an upper attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a steering component. The spindle also includes a lower attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a ski or wheel. The one or more sockets are adapted to each receive a ball and stud forming one or more ball joints.

Abstract: Suspension wheels, or bogie wheels, in an endless track vehicle are longitudinally offset, or staggered, from one another in such a way as to cause the track rods of the endless track to impact only one suspension wheel at any given point in time.

Abstract: The snowmobile having a longitudinal axis, a chassis, a pair of skis each having a steering spindle, and a suspension system. The suspension system comprises, for each ski, a first control arm pivotally mounted to the chassis for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis and having a first pivotal connection to the spindle and a second control arm pivotally mounted to the chassis for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis and having a second pivotal connection to the spindle spaced from the first connection. The pivot axis of each control arm and the connection of that control arm to the spindle define a control arm plane; the control arm planes intersect to define a control line that intersects a vertical plane containing said longitudinal axis.