This is a regional term, heavily used in Alaska and northern Canada, for a tracked vehicle steered by front skis. Mechanics working in these climates often service the two-stroke or four-stroke engines, continuously variable transmissions, and track tensioning systems of these vehicles. While standard English calls them snowmobiles, locals and technicians in northern latitudes almost exclusively use this word.
We need to rebuild the top end on that Polaris snowmachine before the trails open next month.
Also heard as
- sled
Do not mix it up with
- Snowmobile: Snowmobile is the universal industry term, while snowmachine is the preferred regional vernacular in places like Alaska.
Related terms
Snowmobile
A motorized recreational and utility vehicle equipped with front skis and a rear continuous track.
Continuously variable transmission
An automatic gearbox that uses a belt and variable-width pulleys instead of fixed gears.
CVT
The abbreviation CVT stands for continuously variable transmission, a gearbox using belts and pulleys.