Long respected as a manufacturer of sturdy agricultural machinery, the John Deere Company began in the 1960s to build a line of consumer products in a dedicated factory in Horicon, Wisconsin. Starting with a lawn and garden tractor in 1963, Deere soon entered the fast-growing snowmobile market, introducing two models in 1971. The next 13 years would see a succession of models as Deere vied against tough competitors in a weather-dependent market. This detailed history, written by two key participants in the snowmobile program, describes the development of John Deere snowmobiles from start to finish: the design and engineering decisions that shaped each important model; reception of the snowmobiles by consumers; the factory race teams; the introduction of front-engine and water-cooled models; the process of selecting engines and negotiating with suppliers, including when problems developed; and the snowmobiles’ impact on product engineering. The text provides an inside view of Deere’s Consumer Products Division at a time of rapid growth, and of the people and processes that made it all happen.

Introduces the sport of snowmobile racing, discussing the equipment and tactics, race courses, necessary skills, and safety measures.

Snowmobiling has become popular today in North America, particularly with families. It encompasses a variety of styles, including on-trail riding, cross-country riding off trails, boon docking in regions of forests, and hill climbing in mountainous areas. Snowmobile clubs build, maintain, and map new trails. Readers learn about creating a snow plan so that others know where to look if there are any problems while snowmobiling. This informative volume examines the history of the snowmobile as well as the proper riding gear, accessories, and equipment that are required for the sport. Safety rules and trail signing are also described.