Downloaded from SAE International by Univ of Toronto, Tuesday, February 15, 2022

J33™ JUL2017
SURFACE VEHICLE
RECOMMENDED PRACTICE Issued 1973-03
Reaffirmed 2009-03
Revised 2017-07

Superseding J33 SEP2016

(R) Snowmobile Definitions and Nomenclature - General

RATIONALE

Up-dated illustrations and definitions.

1. SCOPE AND PURPOSE

This SAE Recommended Practice sets forth accepted definitions and terminology of major components and parts peculiar
to snowmobiles.

Illustrations have been selected to identify functional characteristics and to identify common mechanisms. They are not
intended to show all existing commercial machines or to be exactly descriptive of any particular machine. These criteria
were prepared to facilitate clear understanding and promote uniformity in snowmobile nomenclature.

2. REFERENCES

2.1 Applicable Documents

The following publications form a part of this specification to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the
latest issue of SAE publications shall apply.

2.1.1 SAE Publication

Available from SAE International, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside USA
and Canada) or +1 724-776-4970 (outside USA), www.sae.org.

SAE J1038 Recommendations for Children’s Snowmobile

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is entirely
voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”
SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be revised, reaffirmed, stabilized, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and
suggestions.
Copyright © 2017 SAE International
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of SAE.
TO PLACE A DOCUMENT ORDER: Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside USA and Canada) SAE values your input. To provide feedback on this
Tel: +1 724-776-4970 (outside USA) Technical Report, please visit
Fax: 724-776-0790 http://standards.sae.org/J33_201707
Email: CustomerService@sae.org
SAE WEB ADDRESS: http://www.sae.org
 Downloaded from SAE International by Univ of Toronto, Tuesday, February 15, 2022

SAE INTERNATIONAL J33™ JUL2017 Page 2 of 6

3. DEFINITIONS

3.1 SNOWMOBILE

A self-propelled vehicle intended for off-road travel primarily on snow, having a curb weight of not more than 450 kg
(1000 pounds), driven by a track or tracks in contact with the snow, steered by a ski or skis in contact with the snow, with
the following special classes:

3.1.1 Class I-Competition Snowmobile

A snowmobile intended only for competition as stated and identified publicly by the manufacturer.

3.1.2 Class II-Children’s Snowmobile

A snowmobile intended only for use by children, as stated and identified publicly by the manufacturer. For a more detailed
definition, see SAE J1038.

3.2 OPERATION WEIGHT

The total weight of a snowmobile including a full load of fuel, oil, coolant, tool kit (supplied by manufacturer), and an 80 kg
(175 pound) operator.

3.3 CURB WEIGHT

The total weight of a snowmobile including a full load of fuel, oil, coolant, and tool kit (supplied by manufacturer), but without
any occupants or cargo.

3.4 UNLADEN WEIGHT

The weight of a snowmobile without load, fuel, and oil, but comprising of all other materials necessary for its operation.

3.5 FLOTATION AREA (BEARING AREA)

The projection in a horizontal plane of the area on the surface of the track and skis which contact the snow. To account for
machine penetration into snow, the projection plane is located 75 mm (3 inches) above a nonyielding horizontal surface
supporting the snowmobile while in a curb weight condition. (See side view Figure 1.)

3.6 SNOWMOBILE CUTTER

A sleigh designed to be drawn behind a snowmobile.

4. SNOWMOBILE DIMENSIONAL DEFINITIONS

The dimensions listed are defined by Figure 1 and are to be taken with the snowmobile in an unladen weight condition on
any unyielding horizontal surface, with the following exceptions:

4.1 OVERALL LENGTH

The horizontal distance from the foremost part of the snowmobile, to include the bumper and ski or ski handles, to the
rearmost part of the snowmobile, to include the bumper or other fixed attachments, excluding snow flap.

4.2 OVERALL HEIGHT

The vertical distance from any unyielding horizontal surface on which the snowmobile, in an unladen weight condition, rests
to the topmost fixed part of the unladen snowmobile, including the windshield.

4.3 OVERALL WIDTH

The horizontal dimension of the minimum aperture through which the snowmobile can pass.
 Downloaded from SAE International by Univ of Toronto, Tuesday, February 15, 2022

SAE INTERNATIONAL J33™ JUL2017 Page 3 of 6

4.4 DRIVER POSITION

The seated, forward-facing position which is necessary to operate the controls under normal operating conditions.

4.5 PASSENGER POSITION (IF PROVIDED)

The seated, forward-facing position in the area in which adequate handgrips have been provided.

5. NOMENCLATURE

A. TRACK SURFACE C. HEIGHT D. LENGTH

1. CONTACT LENGTH 1. TO TOP OF WINSHIELD 1. BUMPER TO BUMPER
2. CONTACT WIDTH 2. WITHOUT WINDSHIELD (EXCLUDING HANDLEBARS 2. OVERALL
3. FLOTATION LENGTH 3. TO TOP OF SEAT CUSHION (DRIVER POSITION) (EXCLUDING SNOWFLAP)

B. SKI SURFACE 4. TO TOP OF TUNNEL (HIGHEST PART)

1. CONTACT LENGTH 5. TO CENTER OF HEADLAMP(S) E. WIDTH

2. PROJECTED WIDTH 6. TO CENTER OF TAILLAMP(S) 1. TUNNEL
3. PROJECTED LENGTH 7. TO CENTER OF BUMPER (FRONT) 2. SEAT CUSHION
4. FLOTATION LENGTH 8. TO CENTER OF BUMPER (REAR) (WIDEST PART)
9. TO BOTTOM OF SNOW FLAP 3. OVERALL
 Downloaded from SAE International by Univ of Toronto, Tuesday, February 15, 2022

SAE INTERNATIONAL J33™ JUL2017 Page 4 of 6

Figure 1 - Snowmobile dimensional definitions

The terms listed as follows are illustrated in Figure 2.

1. Steering Control (Handlebar)

2. Emergency Stop Switch (Electrical shut-off for engine ignition)

3. Throttle Control (Lever type)

4. Ski Wear Rod, Wear Bar, Ski Runner (Located on bottom of ski)

5. Running Board and Footrest

6. Vehicle Identification Number (Right Side of Vehicle)

7. Suspension (Slider and/or bogie wheel types)

8. Track (Cleated or molded, propels vehicle)

9. Snow Flap (Deflects snow and debris released by the rotating track)

10. Hitch

11. Taillight/Brake Light

12. Reflex Reflectors/Side-marker Lamp

13. Console

14. Manual Start Handle

15. Headlamp Hi-Lo Beam Switch

16. Headlamp or Headlight

17. Windshield

18. Handlebar Grips

19. Brake Control

 Downloaded from SAE International by Univ of Toronto, Tuesday, February 15, 2022

SAE INTERNATIONAL J33™ JUL2017 Page 5 of 6

20. Seat

21. Passenger Hand Grips (Not used on all machines)

22. Rear Bumper/Lift Handle (Not used on all machines)

23. Tunnel or Frame

24. Hood, Cowl, or Shroud

25. Nose Pan or Belly Pan

26. Ski Spindle or Ski Leg

27. Ski

28. Suspension Shock Absorber (not used on all machines

29. Ski Suspension (Double A-arm Type used in this example)

30. Reflex Reflectors/Side-marker Lamp

31. Ski Handle or Tip (does not include ski, however may be an integrated part of ski.

32. Front Bumper

 Downloaded from SAE International by Univ of Toronto, Tuesday, February 15, 2022

SAE INTERNATIONAL J33™ JUL2017 Page 6 of 6

Figure 2 - Nomenclature points

PREPARED BY THE SAE SNOWMOBILE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE