Snowmobile BTS Arctic 4T 400 with 15 hp engine. and a 500 mm caterpillar. 2822 mm.

Chelyabinsk has been producing various snowmobiles for quite a long time, among which there are regular versions and quite powerful ones. One of the powerful models is the Arctic 1500 snowmobile. This snowmobile, unlike other models, uses a power plant from a car, namely an eight-valve four-cylinder engine of the VAZ 21083 brand. This engine has a high maximum torque of 100 newtons per meter for a snowmobile, which allows use a snowmobile as a tractor to tow fairly heavy loads weighing up to one ton. It would seem that the high power of the power unit leads to slipping of the caterpillar track on the snow surface, however, the manufacturer took this into account and the snowmobile can move at low crankshaft speeds.

Despite its weight, the Arctic 1500 snowmobile is quite easy to operate. This is due to the use of electric power steering, which is used in most of the various Chinese snowmobiles. This amplifier was copied from a Japanese-made car. The work itself is quite excellent: the steering wheel is very wide, which does not require much effort when turning.

It is worth noting that the Arctic 1500 is not very convenient when working in conditions with small space, since its smallest turning radius reaches as much as 15 meters. The ski track of this model is quite wide, which provides high stability when taxiing at a fairly high speed.

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High maneuverability is due to two tracks, which provide not only confidence when planing on virgin soil, but also low specific pressure, as a result of which the risk of the snowmobile falling under the snow has been minimized. But this also has its drawback, namely, when climbing a slope, the caterpillar track can lose its grip on the snow, which is why the car is prone to sliding down. But this does not mean that it is impossible to climb a hill on this snowmobile, not at all, you just have to put a lot of effort into it.

To make the ride comfortable, the manufacturer equipped the snowmobile with four-range heating of the throttle trigger and steering handles. In addition, there are special deflectors that direct hot air directly to the driver, which also affects operating comfort. This could well be called a kind of stove, just like in cars.

The front of the snowmobile is equipped with powerful main and additional headlights, which provide the driver with excellent visibility even in rather harsh conditions. The headlights are halogen, while the taillight is LED. The tail light is very bright and visible even at long distances, making the car very easy to spot.

As described earlier, a snowmobile is often used for a variety of tasks that require high traction. In addition to power characteristics, the machine can be equipped with a winch with a maximum force of 3000 kilograms. It is installed both in the front and in the rear. This winch can also be used to tow any cargo. It is worth noting that a snowmobile can easily pull a three-ton SUV.

Internal luggage compartments were also provided, which can accommodate all the necessary things. In addition to these compartments, large cargo and an additional seat can be placed in the rear of the snowmobile on a special platform with a fairly large area.

The snowmobile body itself is load-bearing, welded, made of metal. All vehicle configurations have a double seat, a removable hood and a towbar. The coupling device is offered in two types, namely a ball or a kingpin.

Basic parameters, braking mechanism, maneuverability

The developers acted very wisely, trying to maintain the average size of the “utilitarian”. The Predator is much larger in size than sports snow machines and at the same time inferior in parameters to touring models. Main parameters of the “Arctic Cat Bearcat 660”: length - 3380 mm; width - 1180 mm; height - 1100 mm. Dry weight is 325 kg. It would seem that such a technique cannot boast of good controllability, but this opinion is erroneous. In a dense forest, a hunter or fisherman has the opportunity to fully maneuver, which is extremely necessary to prevent a collision with a tree or any other obstacle. The presence of reverse also has a positive effect on the performance of maneuvers.

This model has a reliable brake mechanism. The braking disc is mounted directly on the shaft, which in turn allows you to stop the snowmobile in a matter of seconds if necessary, regardless of speed.

Specifications

Dimensional data:

• The structural length of the snowmobile is 3260 millimeters.
• The width of the body is 1150 millimeters.
• The height of the windshield is 1400 millimeters.
• The ski track width is 875 millimeters.

Suspension:

• Front suspension type: telescopic, support-ski.
• Rear suspension type: roller with hydro-pneumatic shock absorbers.
• The front suspension travel is 170 millimeters.
• Rear suspension travel is 75 millimeters.
• Number of front shock absorbers - 2.
• Number of rear shock absorbers - 2.
• The type of front shock absorber is gas-hydraulic.
• Rear shock absorber type: gas-hydraulic.

Propulsion:

• The propulsion type is caterpillar with front-mounted drive sprockets.
• Number of caterpillars - 2.
• The type of tension mechanism is screw.
• The type of caterpillar track is rubber-fabric, reinforced with plastic rods.
• The total length of the track is 3968 millimeters.
• The width of the caterpillar track is 500 millimeters.
• The height of the lugs is 17.5 millimeters.

Transmission:

• The type of transmission installed is mechanical.
• CVT gears - low (L), high (H), reverse, neutral.

Brakes:

• Brake type: disc.
• Brake drive type: hydraulic.

Operating parameters:

• Start type of the power unit - manual/electric starter.
• Type of ignition system - contactless.
• Type of lubrication system: oil.
• The snowmobile's curb weight is 480 kilograms.
• The total weight of the snowmobile is 800 kilograms.
• The weight of the cargo transported on the platform is no more than 850 kilograms.
• The capacity of the main fuel tank is 60 liters.
• Number of places - 1.
• The maximum speed of movement is 75 kilometers per hour.

Basic equipment:

• Electric starter - available.
• Reverse gear - available.
• Heated steering grips and throttle trigger are available.
• Windshield - available.
• Passenger backrest available.
• Luggage compartment - available.
• Rear tow bar - available.
• Speedometer - available.
• Odometer - available.

Lighting technology:

• Headlight type: halogen. Taillight type: LED.

Engine

The Arctic 1500 snowmobile is equipped with an eight-valve power unit of the VAZ 21083 brand, which is also installed on passenger cars. The engine has four cylinders arranged vertically in a row. Their total volume is 1,490 liters. The maximum torque is 100 newtons per meter. The rated output power is achieved at 5600 crankshaft revolutions and is 79 horsepower or 58.11 kilowatts. This engine has a fairly long service life, and spare parts for it are widely available. Its fuel consumption is 35-40 percent lower than that of the Buran snowmobile. The combined engine cooling system has two types of radiators: air with fans and heat exchangers in the caterpillar tunnel, this scheme allows you to avoid engine overheating when working on compacted snow. The power supply system is carburetor; however, when choosing a configuration, the engine can be replaced with a sixteen-valve power supply system.

This snowmobile has unique technical and operational qualities.

1. Overall size:

Length 3250 mm

Width 1150 mm Height 1400 mm

Fundamentally, the dimensions of similar snowmobiles on the market are much larger.

2. Engine:

The snowmobile is equipped with a VAZ 21083 engine. Its undeniable advantages over the engines of other snowmobiles are its enormous torque of 100 Nm by snowmobile standards, which allows the snowmobile to pull trailers of large weight - up to 1 ton. The start of movement occurs at fairly low engine speeds, which allows you to move off smoothly, without slipping or tearing off the snow cover. This engine has a huge service life and is widely used, which certainly has a positive effect on the economic indicators of operation; repairs and service do not cause large costs and loss of time, unlike imported snowmobiles. The Arctic 1500 snowmobile has an extremely low level of noise and toxicity; it does not require the use of expensive oils, as for two-stroke engines. Fuel consumption is 15-17 liters, 35-40% lower than when operating the Buran snowmobile. The engine cooling system is combined, has two types of air radiators with fans and heat exchangers in the caterpillar tunnel, which avoids engine overheating when working on compacted snow.

3. Fuel tank capacity 60 liters.

4. Transmission and chassis.

5. The steering of the snowmobile has an electric booster, which makes it very easy to control the snowmobile and reduces physical stress on the driver.

6. The instrument panel has all the instruments necessary for comfortable work. A moto-hour meter is installed, which facilitates the process of monitoring the operation of the snowmobile.

7. The handles and throttle trigger have four-range heating; the presence of deflectors for the release of hot air directed at the driver also makes work more comfortable.

8. The snowmobile is equipped with powerful headlights , as well as additional headlights and a rear LED headlight.

9. The snowmobile has a winch with a force of 3 tons , which can be installed for work both on the front bumper and in the rear of the snowmobile.

10. The snowmobile has internal compartments for storing various things , a large rear platform that allows you to place the necessary cargo or additional seats.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SNOWMOBILE “Arctic 1500”

Overall dimensions: Length 3250 mm Width 1150 mm Height 1400 mm General characteristics: Type: ski-tracked with engine

The parking brake is combined with the service brake. Control system: motorcycle-type steering wheel, with an electric amplifier, connected through the steering axle by support skis. Brake system: disc brake with manual hydraulic drive.

Engine:

Make: VAZ 21083

Number of cylinders: 4 Displacement, cm3: 1490 Compression ratio: 11 Maximum power: 79 hp (5600 rpm) Fuel: AI 93 Liquid cooling Power system: carburetor

Transmission:

Gearbox: two-stage Variator: V-belt with centrifugal adjuster and cam-loaded clutch, variator gear ratio 0.83-3 Main gear with gears: main gear ratio 2.17 Driver: crawler, with front drive sprockets Rubber-fabric caterpillar, reinforced with plastic rods: — size, mm: 3937x500 — number of tracks: 2 — tension mechanism: screw

Snowmobile suspension:

— roller with hydro-pneumatic shock absorbers: travel 75 mm — support skis — telescopic ski suspension: travel 170 mm

Snowmobile body:

Load-bearing, metal, welded Double seat, removable hood Hitch: pin or ball

PHOTO GALLERY

Owner reviews

1. I recently purchased a new one and immediately decided to test it. After a while the engine recalled itself. I remember well the times when my “eight” got up every week because of the same penny detail, and always at the most inopportune moment. And during this test, a snowmobile with a new engine started without a spark. But as it turned out, the problem was in the switch. When I returned home I fixed everything. After that, I was very pleased with the car, both in terms of cross-country ability and traction, and in terms of comfort. So, I am completely satisfied with the purchase.
2. This snowball is not at all suitable for driving through forests due to poor maneuverability, however, it is an ideal option for working on large farms, where, by the way, I use it. The machine can easily cope with transporting heavy sleds and towing various equipment. You can also use it to iron roads. I especially liked its maintainability and the fact that spare parts are available both at cost and by searching. So far I have not identified any serious shortcomings.

Reviews

• Nikolay, Yaroslavl. A decent device for certain needs, namely for transporting goods. You should not consider this model as a snowmobile for entertainment, because it is more of a working special vehicle, not suitable for active maneuvers. I found the Arctic 1500 useful for transporting goods, hunting and fishing. Sometimes I work as a tugboat, pulling out stuck SUVs - we have plenty of tourists around here. The powerful 80-horsepower unit surprised us with its great traction and high revs. It’s strange, but I’ve never noticed such traction in my VAZ-21083 car, which couldn’t even drive uphill normally on a slippery road. It is clear that the Arctic 1500 snowmobile has a completely different chassis - tracked and ski, and therefore it is much easier for it to overcome heavy obstacles, including icy surfaces and deep snow. But the speed will be close to a snail’s pace, there’s nothing you can do about it. Overall, I liked the car, it brings me income, well, at least some part-time work besides my main job.
• Sergey, Novosibirsk. It’s a good car, I just recently purchased it – at the beginning of January 2022. I decided to give myself a gift. I started running it in, everything seemed to be fine. Later the engine, which at first worked quietly, reminded itself of itself. Unfortunately, the engine was not modified at all, and was simply moved from the V8. I had such a car. Its engine was annoying with minor problems, but overall it worked. The parts were cheap, but they often failed, and at the most inopportune moment. Therefore, we had to carry spare parts with us. I feel like there will be about the same headache with this snowmobile, because the designers haven’t really finalized anything, and the factory problems remain. I can live with this, I’ve somehow gotten used to it. By the way, I still have the “eight”, and it works. Fortunately, this supposedly serious drawback with the engine is compensated by an undeniable advantage - high load capacity. Actually, that’s why I bought this snowmobile. I knew in advance that there would be problems with the engine. Load capacity is important to me, and here the Arctic 1500 also pleased me - it is capable of towing a load weighing up to 3000 kg, but that says something... You can pull and transport heavy trailers, for example cars, SUVs. Quite recently, an incident occurred that I feared most (fortunately, everything worked out): during another long trip, the engine suddenly stopped without a spark. I thought the problem was in the motor. But it turned out that the battery was dead. Replaced it with another one, everything worked. I'm happy with the car, good luck to everyone.
• Anton, Krasnoyarsk. The Arctic 1500 is a controversial snowmobile that has many shortcomings, although there are also significant advantages. But for me this is not enough. I have some conflicting impressions about this car. I don’t recommend it to anyone, except perhaps for the sake of high load capacity. A snowmobile is absolutely unsuitable for active travel, for fast and high-speed maneuvers, etc. This device does not bring any pleasure, unfortunately. The machine is capable of pulling a three-ton colossus out of a ditch - and this is perhaps the only achievement of the Arctic 1500 snowmobile. It is clumsy and is not capable of driving in difficult to reach areas, in the presence of serious obstacles - stones and trees, which are almost impossible to go around due to the large turning radius. And the cross-country ability did not work out - due to the heavy weight, the snowmobile quickly sits on its belly in some deep snowdrift, and in the end you will have to call a tow truck. Fortunately, I haven’t encountered such troubles yet, God forbid. But the car is easy to repair, and there are always spare parts available for it - they are available aftermarket or in stores. The reliability of the car is mediocre; I always take the necessary parts with me just in case.