 |
|
|
|
|
|||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
15,300 and counting . . .
May 2007
Last December the 15,000th groomer rolled off the production line at Kassbohrer in Laupheim, Germany. Currently the number is 15,300 and counting. This is an achievement we at PistenBully are extremely proud of. Nearly 40 years ago, in 1969, the first series PistenBully 32.120B with a 120 horsepower 6 cylinder gas engine was delivered. The original idea for a PistenBully came to Karl Kassbohrer when he was on a skiing holiday at Seiser Alm in South Tyrol. He was annoyed because the ski area's home-grown snow groomer was broken down and could not be repaired. Together with his brother Otto, he instructed their design engineer Walter Haug to develop an oversnow vehicle with the technology to meet the high demands of snowgrooming work.
In June of 1968 Mr. Haug began work on the first drawings and since then he has been known as the creator of the PistenBully. The decision by Kassbohrer to become a player in this new market was not to be taken lightly as there was already plenty of competition with about ten companies active in the field. The design from these companies was similar: a gas engine, a manual transmission with gear shift that powered a rear differential. Steering was effected with steering brakes via levers.
Kassboher however adopted a different approach. The first prototype featured hydrostatic drive, a steering wheel, spacious cab and large deck. Initial production commenced in 1969 with five PistenBully 32.120B groomers. The PB145 D followed soon thereafter. Particularly impressive in performance with its hydrostatic transmission that adapted perfectly to the different terrain and snow conditions, the PB 145 featured a turbocharged diesel engine which guaranteed good power even at high elevations.
Once PistenBully got rolling, there was no stopping. By 1979, after just ten years, over 2,000 vehicles were in operation in 35 countries. This first decade also saw a long list of fundamental innovations which were implemented bit by bit: a compactor bar followed by a front mount push blade and then a tracksetter for Nordic skiing and in 1976, a tiller.
By 1997 the 10,000th vehicle was delivered. At this stage there were PistenBullys operating in 52 countries and all six continents including Antarctica. The introduction of new PistenBully models throughout the years has brought with it a steady advancement in snowcat technology. Starting with the first analog computer for drive control on the PB170D to the PB 240D with pilot controlled hydraulics to the current PistenBully 600 with the very latest in technology featuring CAN Bus, digital electronics and smart valves.
15,300 and counting . . . . .
Celebrating the 15000th PistenBully
PistenBully 32.120B