KÄSSBOHRER GELÄNDEFAHRZEUG AG
Real Fireworks Display of Innovations from Kässbohrer at the SAM.
Number One topic of conversation: The PistenBully 400 and the Formatic 350.

Laupheim, 30 April 2008. Plenty of exciting innovations from Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG on show at Grenoble make its position as world market leader very clear indeed. From the PistenBully 400, to the PistenBully 600 Polar with active winch control, and on to the smaller specialists, the PistenBully Paana for cross-country trail preparation and the PistenBully Scout for transport operations, a new ROPS-certified personnel cab, and the new Formatic 350 – Kässbohrer covers the entire operational range of snow vehicles as no-one else.

Highlight and magic magnet was the brand new PistenBully 400, which within the past few weeks was presented to ski region operators from all over the world as part of the FIRE IN RED – Tour Part II. Kässbohrer showed off the new marvel twice over, once as a winch machine, and also in the Park version, with ParkBlade, ParkFlexTiller and Transport Gallery. What makes the PistenBully 400 so special is its versatility. The PistenBully 400 combines all the factors needed to take the stress out of working, and make operations safe and precise as well. A strong and reliable companion, the PistenBully 400 comes with a comfortable cockpit, a powerful and economical engine, and a tough chassis as well, with all the details matched to meet the driver’s needs as well as the demands of hard work under hard conditions. The cab is generously dimensioned, and of course certified to DIN 30770, ÖN 9850 ROPS. The windows are drawn well downwards to provide perfect all-round vision. Extensive soundproofing provided in the floor module, the cab roof, and the external cladding create a pleasant low-noise working environ-ment. Located beneath the passenger seat is a large box, with plenty of stowage space for on-board tools and a lot more besides. The PistenBully 400 is also a favourite with its optimum all-round lighting concept. For a clear view at long dis-tance and in the closer operating area, two front headlights and a twin searchlight unit are integrated in the cab roof. Lighting for the slope edges and the side parts of the clearing blade is provided on left and right by H3 SideFinder lights mounted on the carrier frame. A perfect view to the rear of the AlpineFlexTiller and the slope is guaranteed by two H11 rear spotlights, and a service lighting unit allows for good illumination of the carrier frame area even in off-road conditions. As an option, front and rear operational spotlights in Xenon format and two TreeLine lights can also be provided.

With the PistenBully 400 with winch, safety and reliability are simply guaranteed. The maximum rope traction power of up to 4 tonnes provides high safety reserves. The Rope Failure Detector early warning system automatically monitors the rope and identifies any wire or rope tears early on. With the winch arm tilted and on reaching the maximum useful rope length of 1,000 metres, an alarm sounds to alert the driver. Thanks to a new glass manufacturing technique, no additional pro-tective windows are needed on the winch machines. Additional safety features are an electric rope traction monitoring system, an automatic winch winder control with differential sensors to monitor the condition of the ropes, and a winder and stop position indicator with built-in alarm to alert the driver in the event of a malfunction. The winch can be rotated about 360°, which means that work can continue in any position on a slope.

For a richly varied and sophisticated funpark format, the ParkFlexTiller, PipeMagician, and ParkBlade are among the wide range of additional equipment units available. Thanks to the excellent view from the panoramic windows of the cockpit, these units can be controlled with complete precision.
The AlpineFlexTiller on the PistenBully 400 produces marvellous results in all snow conditions. Its overall weight is low, with the extension and tiller frames being especially light. A large tiller pump ensures optimal rotational speed and perfect torque for the AlpineFlexTiller even under really tough operating conditions. Powerful dampers guarantee constant down-pressure in off-road performance. The new finisher support allows better adjustment to the underground. Optional hydrau-lically foldable side flaps prevent the build up of side embankments and ensure a perfect transition in the case of overlapping grooming.
Also in the spotlight was the PistenBully 600 Polar with winch, fitted with the optional active winch control, for added track accuracy and even better steep slope performance. With the active winch, a ingenious system works in the background, with which, depending on the selected pulling power and the steering wheel angle, a transverse force is created at the winch by means of the powerfully slewing gear drive. Thanks to this “combined steering” effect of the winch, steering behaviour on the slope becomes even better. Extremely easy to use, too: The driver brings the winch control into operation by way of the steering wheel angle. The function can be switched on and off. The driver switches the active winch mode on when cross-ing steep terrain, or changes the direction of travel on steep slopes.

Kässbohrer has been receiving very positive feedback from a wide range of tests under actual practical conditions. Arno Steiner, at the Davos ski region, Parsenn, Switzerland, is very satisfied. “The winch control is a real sensation and gives us superb advantages and improvements when we are operating on the diagonal“. Bruno Kohler, from Warth in Austria, is also a convinced enthusiast of the active winch. “With the new winch the rope does not have to be wound up quite so often, allowing us to concentrate more of our effort on slope preparation.“

As market leader and technology master as well, Kässbohrer brought the first winch onto the market as early as 1983. Today, about 70% of all the winches on the market are from PistenBully. The PistenBully 600 Polar was developed to pro-vide maximum thrust force. At 490 hp and a clearing blade 4.60 m wide, it can shift masses of snow like no other can. More power, and less fuel consumption too. And don’t forget, either: The enormous torque of 2,200 Nm!

The PistenBully Family is growing.
With the Formatic 350, Kässbohrer is embarking for the first time on a two-brand strategy. Just recently adopted into the product range, this machine features an unbeatable price-performance ratio, and is the alternative still with the first-class Kässbohrer Service! Thanks to the use of large-dimensioned hydraulic pumps, the Formatic 350 transfers its 350 hp directly onto the tracks and travels effortlessly up any slope. The Formatic 350 comes as standard with a centrally-located driver’s seat with harness seatbelts, and two passenger seats for other personnel. Steering is by sticks, with steering wheel as an option. Naturally, the cab is ROPS-ceritifed. The Triflex “Snowrobot“ tiller on the Formatic 350 with a two-way finisher with blades, mounted one behind another, and hydraulically adjustable side flaps prepares each track without any obvious overlaps.

Kässbohrer also pays a great deal of attention to its used vehicles. For the first time, Kässbohrer exhibited a PREMIUM-repaired used vehicle. With the PREMIUM format, the vehicle is dismantled by Kässbohrer and completely repaired with exchange or new parts, including tracks and supplementary equipment. It goes without saying that the vehicle is also finished so as to look good too, again includ-ing the tracks and extra equipment. Perhaps the most powerful argument for a used PistenBully is the long life. There are still spare parts available even for PistenBullys which are well over 15 years old. Interested in a used PistenBully?

Then please contact Mr. Marc Celewitz at marc.celewitz@pistenbully.com or on +49 (0)7392/ 900-422, or take a look at www.pistenbully.com under the heading “Top Gebrauchte” (top used vehicles. The used PistenBully 300 Kandahar was on show with a new generation personnel cab, equipped with an installation mounting for an Akija unit. The new transport cab is ROPS-certified and can convey 15/20 persons or materials up to 1,600 kg across any terrain. Entry is on the driver’s side by way of a platform which can be drawn out over the tracks and an access ladder. Four fold-up bench sets are placed facing one another, with pelvic seat belts and holding bars for passenger safety. Cab lighting reacts to door contact switches.

The cab is heated by means of a Diesel heating system, supplied from a separate fuel tank. Fold-down windows in the front of the cab and rear help ventilate the cab space, and there is also an openable window in the roof, which can serve as an emergency exit. Contact between driver and occupants is by telephone, and a ski box for 20 pairs of skis in also provided.

At Grenoble the PistenBully Scout was on display for the first time at a trade show in the French-speaking world. This is the ideal transport vehicle for moving materials and personnel practically anywhere they may be needed. Loads of up to 750 kg are no problem at all. The generously dimensioned, comfortable and safe cab provides plenty of space for five people. The PistenBully Scout is not only ideal for ski hut keepers, but also the first choice for supply companies in the water, oil, gas, and telecommunications industries, for extending or maintaining their networks in largely inaccessible areas.

And the PistenBully Paana, the specialist par excellence in the upkeep of lcross-country ski trails, was also on display for the first time at a trade show in the French-speaking world. Paana lmachines have been established on the market for 25 years. Tough technology, reliability, and a very good price-performance ratio, as well as low operating and maintenance costs are only some of the arguments in favour of the PistenBully Paana. With the two-stage tiller, in just one pas it can draw cross-country slope tracks which meet FIS requirements and can be retained for a very long time, under any snow conditions, whether new or old, dry or wet, soft or hard. With a width of only 2.20 metres, it is a clear winner especially on narrow woodland routes or for the preparation of hiking paths in winter.

Service from Kässbohrer was likewise on the spot and ready to provide assistance with word and deed. Questions included not only information about spare parts, but also technical hints and tips. At the Service Stand visitors were also able to appre-ciate the quality of original spare parts, and obtain service information at the right time, when the vehicles are serviced at the end of the season. This summer, too, Kässbohrer is again offering special training courses on the subject of summer overhauls.

The SAM 2008 made it very clear that Kässbohrer is not resting on the laurels of being the clear market leader worldwide, but is still striving tirelessly for perfection. PistenBully – For everyone who wants more.



The Kässbohrer Stand was always a main attraction at the SAM.


When it comes to small machines too, Kässbohrer has a lot to offer with the PistenBully Scout and the PistenBully Paana.


The new ROPS-certified transport cab for 15/20 people or up to 1,600 kg of mate-rial.


With the Formatic, for the first time Kässbohrer is embarking on a two-brand
strategy. Seen here appreciating the new Formatic 350 are Didier Bic (Kässbohrer E.S.E., France), Jens Rottmair (Spokesman for the Board of Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG), Tore Carlson (Formatic Managing Director) and Alexander Hörger (Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG).


For more track accuracy and even better gradient behaviour, the PistenBully 600 Polar has the option of active winch control.

 


The Hip-Hop Dancers of the ACA-Compagnie from Grenoble put on a top class performance.