Opposite page, left to right: PRINOTH’s best- seller, the Bison (with winch); PistenBully’s popular 400 (ParkPro version).
areas are finding that the greater work- ing speed and production per shift can help cover large areas quickly, especially useful for areas that need to finish the job in a single shift. The Bison and Leitwolf are both available with two tiller options. The Power tiller provides intensive process- ing of the snow, producing a durable sur- face. The Posiflex tiller shines in harder snow conditions. Its ability to carry more snow in the snow chamber is also known for forgivingly producing a smooth sur- face, even when blading is not, shall we say, optimally executed. PISTENBULLY At PistenBully, the workhorse lineup includes the 100, 400, and 600 models. The machines sport a common operating platform and interface and an ergonomic layout, allowing easy operator transition between models. To augment this plat- form, all current PistenBully machines now share a common electric and hydrau- lic architecture, streamlining maintenance and parts across the fleet, reports PistenBul- ly marketing coordinator JP Wirtz. The “New PistenBully 400” increases from 400 hp to 435 hp. Its Cummins L9 engine offers nearly 1,400 ft-lb of torque. Improved power-to-weight ratio delivers better climbing performance, and Pisten- Bully’s AutoTracer feature provides auto- matic tiller steering while turning and counter-steering on sidehills, reducing operator workload and improving the final product. PistenBully’s AlpineFlex- Tiller is the standard option for all snow conditions; it has an aggressive tooth pattern, shock-absorbers, hydraulic flex lock, and finishing outriggers that pro- vide what PistenBully calls the “wind- screen wiper system” to ensure seamless passes and terrain alignment. For higher production, the Pisten- Bully 600 offers more power at a similar fuel consumption to the 400. The stan- dard “Polar” package in North America delivers 512 hp and around 1,700 ft-lb of torque from its Cummins X12 power plant. In addition to the AutoTracer fea- ture, the patented SlopeTracer function can automatically adjust tiller depth to optimally prepare the surface. Both the 400 and 600 models are available with PistenBully’s AutoW-
inch (4.0T for the 400, or 4.6T for the 600), which provides automatic winch force control, ensuring effective winch- ing operations. Wirtz notes that winch- es—while commonly associated with steep terrain grooming—are also useful for low angle terrain when pushing out snowmaking and building parks, reduc- ing stress on the machine and snow. The ParkPro package for the 400 or 600 provides a greater range of motion for front and rear implements. The ParkPro models offer a ProBlade, which allows the operator to lay the traditional corduroy pattern while backblading, side cutters and edges for shaping, and a one- touch straight-blade function. The Pro- FlexTiller sports expanded flex angles, lighting, freeze function, onboard cam- era, and other features geared toward terrain park building and maintenance.
EMISSIONS UPDATE
PRINOTH’s Clean Motion philosophy takes emissions seriously, demonstrated by the company’s early adoption of Euro Stage V standards in 2019. According to Muigg, all of PRINOTH’s new machines across the globe meet these standards as of last year. At PistenBully, Wirtz reports that all current models also meet Euro Stage V standards, which reduces soot pollution by 40 percent vs. the EPA’s Tier 4 stan- dard. PB expects carbon-neutral technol- ogy to push innovation in the industry and is prepared to meet any EPA Tier 5 standards as soon as they arrive.
Above: The PRINOTH Leitwolf laying down some smooth courduroy; PRINOTH interiors all feature a 12-inch touchscreen and multi-function joystick.
THE RACE FOR ZERO EMISSIONS
Zero-emission grooming is a goal of both manufacturers, but it cannot happen overnight. Instead, it will be a gradual iterative process of innovation, testing alternative fuels, and implementing the latest electric technologies. PRINOTH’s Leitwolf h2Motion is a hydrogen-based machine being tested in two forms. The zero-emission fuel- cell version, which creates electricity in hydrogen fuel cells to power a 544 hp electric motor, debuted for testing in 2020. The newer zero-carbon 460 hp hydrogen internal-combustion-engine
Above: PistenBully 600 with winch moving the goods uphill; PistenBully’s machines sport a com- mon operating interface and ergonomic layout.
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