Patent ID: 7753155

Claim:
A snowmobile having a multiple track propulsion system, comprising: a) a snowmobile body having a frame, a seat, and handlebars; b) a multiple track propulsion system for propelling said snowmobile, said multiple track propulsion system comprising: i) a single rear endless track disposed substantially under said seat of said snowmobile body and operably supported to engage a ground surface; and ii) a pair of steerable front endless tracks positioned forward of said rear endless track in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship to one another, and operably supported by said frame to engage said ground surface; c) a power supply disposed within said snowmobile body and operably coupled to said rear endless track and said pair of front endless tracks to turn said rear and front endless tracks and propel said snowmobile, said pair of front endless tracks providing active displacement about said ground surface similar to said rear endless track, said pair of front endless tracks being coupled to said frame by support arms; and d) a drive device supported by said support arms, said drive device being configured to transfer power from said power supply to said pair of front endless tracks for causing rotation of said pair of front endless tracks, wherein said drive device comprises: i) a variable speed pulley operably coupled to said power supply; ii) a front shaft pulley operably coupled to said variable speed pulley; and iii) at least one front shaft operably coupled to said front shaft pulley and said pair of front endless tracks.