RC Collector

Looking for info on R/C snow cats/tractors to add to my collection. Already own Kyosho's Blizzard, plus a couple of toy cable-controlled snow cats which I converted to radio control (one by Dickie, another of unkown origin, bought it in Switzerland 8 years ago).

Only interested in R/C or "toy" cable control tractors, want to buy new. If you have any info (European members?) or see them at your local toy/hobby store, please post info. Thanks.

RC Collector

Adding the following to the collection:

- Dickie Snow King R/C snow cat.

- Kyosho Blizzard DX/EV Hybrid - DX chassis & tracks, EV wheels & body. The wiper speed control was damaged on this one, so the dual 380's are controlled by twin DTX Intellispeed ESC's - now it really turns on a dime.

- Kyosho Blizzard EV - new in box, bought from Japan. Swapped the stock MSC for a DTX Esc.

RC Collector

Adding a fully restored Kyosho "The Blizzard" to the collection.

This is the first version of the Blizzard, released in the mid 80's. Distinguishing details are the white nylon wheels with tires, "square headlight" decals, wire track guides and antenna. This Blizzard was also made by Kyosho for Graupner, sold under the "Pisten Bully" name.

Graupner offered a number of hop-ups for this model, including the front snow plow, cab lights and a rear roller attachment. Anyone with any info on these please let me know.

Jman44

isn't there a nitro blizzard too, I think one of those would be cool

nitromacguyver

yeah that would be cool, complicated, but cool.

RC Collector

The Nitro Blizzard shares the chassis, diff and steering system with the EV version. I'm interested in one, missed a great offer on a NIB kit at the time I bought the EV.

aknitroguy

My Feedback: (82)

I have an original "Blizzard DX". Twin motor, High/low tranny..Cool stuff. I bought it many moons back, I started putting it together, just the drive system. The tracks aren't put together yet nor is the body painted. The slow blade is installed. complete kit, stobe/work lights and all.. If your intrested I am willing to part with it for a very reasonable price. Please email me if your interested. I also have 2 original tamiya tanks of the same era, never opened.
Thank you kindly,
Jay Rimel

aknitroguy

My Feedback: (82)

^^^PLOW BLADE^^^ not slow lol

RC Collector

Hello Aknitro, thanks for posting the info. I already have a mint condition DX, so have to pass on the offer. Blizzards in good condition fetch top dollar - get the most you can.

scale only 4 me

My Feedback: (158)

Nitro Blizzard on ebay right now 5957909541

aknitroguy

My Feedback: (82)

I seen what you posted about using 2 duratrax esc's in your blizzards. That is what I had wanted to do with mine, but I need to know how you mixed the esc's for independent track drive. Are you using a radio with the mixing capabilities? or is there a trick I'm not seeing? I decided to keep it for a mini-t track groomer lol. Take care and have a great day, enjoy the nice weather...It is cold as heck here
Thank you kindly,
Jay Rimel

RC Collector

I use the ground-frequency Futaba 4 channel VW stick radio for all my Blizzards. The ESC setup is easy - connect one ESC to each motor, plug them into channel 2 & 3 on the receiver, and splice the power connectors into one battery connector.

rcmobile

...the radio set I use for my two 'cats (one Bliz, one HM) is actually the simplest and least costly thing around...I use the venerable old Attack and Attack-R by Futaba...coolest thing about these is that the stick pods are not permanently mounted to the radio casing, so I've got mine turned almost 45* up, left to left, ( \ / ) right to right...this allows a much more comfortable 'swing' to my thumbs, and is eminently suited to driving in mittens, which is a must in my cold climate...sometimes the simplest solutions, ya know?

Jman44

He is in hawaii I dont think he knows what mittens are lol ...jk

RC Collector

Rcmobile, what is the "HM"?

I find stick radios to give a more realistic feel to driving the Blizzards. Don't have the mitten issue, though sometimes wish my snow cats were actually in the snow, not grooming the beach, lol.

Anyone heard of a Conrad Catwizle? This RC snow groomer was, as far as I can tell, sold in the 80's. Here's a pic of a modified one. Please post if you have any info.

RC Collector

Just found a rare Graupner Pistenbully, including cab insert, driver figure, front plow and rear piste grooming attachment. Will post pics after restoration.

CaNaDiAnRaCeR

My LHS has a brand new Nitro Blizzard in its box and has never been open. PM me if your interested.

RC Collector

Some recent pics of one of my snow cats actually in the snow for a change.

RC Collector

For snow cat fans, here are a few of the real thing.

flyingfishfinger

Hello!
Might be wrong in here but seeing all you Snow cat freaks, can someone tell me the approximate speed in meters/minute or m/s of the Kyosho Nitro Blizzard? I'm trying to build a tracked vehicle and am looking for a speed comparison to base my motors on...(perhaps big hobby servos... it's going to be a Basic Stamp controlled robot)?

flyingfishfinger

Oh, and what's the ground clearence of the Blizzard?
Thanks

RC Collector

If you're building a tracked robot, the Blizzard DX series (which was the last incarnation of the original "The Blizzard" and the Graupner Pistenbully chassis) would be the best choice, IMO.

This version has one 380 motor per track, so you can control each track independently if you wish by hooking a speed control on each motor. The Nitro Blizzard (and electric "EV" versions) use a differential + dual disc brakes setup, which gives less precise steering control.

The top speed of a DX I would estimate at 2-3 mph. All Blizzards have basically the same track configuration (all that changes is the number of bogey wheels) so the ground clearance would be about 7/8" all around.

Hope that helps.

From the snow cat freak

"When I die, I want my Blizzards to be buried with me - with charged batteries, please, and an AC/DC peak charger. If there's snow outside and I can re-charge them, I'll be in heaven. If not, hell."

flyingfishfinger

Thanks a lot. See what I can do with that. I think I'll try building from scratch starting with only the tracks, sprockets and bogies.

marky1

My Feedback: (4)

What would be faster Dx or EV?
And what has the better design?

Thanks
Mark

RC Collector

The EV is faster in stock trim, and you can increase the speed via a hotter 540 motor. The DX takes two 380's, you could fit two 540's into the transmission, but the final speed will still be lower than a similarly modified EV.

I'd have to say that the DX has the better design as far as maneuverability goes.

The EV is a Nitro Blizzard converted to electric power. The final drive to the sprocket wheels is basically a solid axle differential, with a simple disc brake on each outdrive. By braking one side, the diff transfers the power to the other, making the Blizzard turn. The disk brakes tend to be a little hard to modulate, so turning can be a bit jerky.

The DX has one motor per track. In stock trim, the speed control slows down one track so that the other can initiate the turn. However, you can wire an ESC to each motor, which allows a greater turning flexibility - one track can be turning forwards, the other backwards, at the same time.