1966 Johnson snowmobile factory owners Manual skee horse

Regular price: $16.99
Sale price: $16.99
Regular price
Unit price: per

28 people are viewing this right now

Type: Snowmobile

Vendor:

Sku: 155121

Tags: 1966 EF Johnson Johnson Powersports Skee Horse Snowmobile Snowmobiles

Product variants

Description

The Johnson Skee-Horse, produced in 1966, represents an early innovation in recreational snowmobiling. Available in models 1560, 2060, and 2065, these machines were engineered for robust performance and utility over snow-covered terrain, serving recreational users, farmers, and hunters. Leveraging Johnson's background in engine manufacturing, the Skee-Horse embodies a design philosophy focused on reliability and functional utility, built to withstand harsh winter conditions. Its pioneer technology and solid construction made it a capable option for transportation and recreation during a period of rapid growth in the snowmobile industry. This factory owner's manual provides essential information for operating and maintaining your Johnson Skee-Horse. It covers critical areas including pre-ride checks, safe operation guidelines, starting and stopping procedures, and emergency handling. Detailed instructions are provided for routine maintenance such as lubrication, cleaning, engine tuning, track and ski adjustments, and brake upkeep. The manual also offers guidance on troubleshooting common operational issues, engine starting problems, and drivetrain faults, ensuring you can keep your Skee-Horse in optimal condition.

🏷️ Basic Information

Identification

Make:

Johnson

Model:

Skee-Horse

Year:

Covered Models:

1560, 2060, 2065

Codes

Manual Part Number Inferred:

Likely a unique Johnson part number for this specific manual series

👋 Introduction

Market Position

Category:

Early recreational snowmobile

Target Audience:

Recreational users, farmers, hunters, early adopters of snowmobiling technology

Competitive Analysis

Era Competitors:

Polaris, Ski-Doo, Scorpion, Arctic Cat (emerging brands)

Key Features

Design Era:

Pioneer technology, robust build for harsh conditions

Intended Use:

Transportation and recreation over snow-covered terrain

📋 Manual Details

Coverage Areas

Operational Procedures:

Pre-ride checks, safe operation guidelines, starting and stopping procedures, emergency handling

Maintenance:

Lubrication, cleaning, engine tuning, track and ski adjustment, brake maintenance

Troubleshooting:

Common operational issues, engine starting problems, track slippage, braking system faults

Engine Maintenance:

Carburetor adjustment, ignition system checks, cooling system maintenance (if applicable), exhaust system

Chassis And Suspension:

Track tension adjustment, ski alignment, clutch inspection, suspension component checks

Electrical System:

Ignition system, lighting (if equipped), basic wiring diagrams

Page Count

Estimated Pages:

Likely 30-50 pages, typical for a 1960s owner's manual

Manual Type

Type:

Factory Owner's Manual

Language

Language:

English

Format

Format:

Printed

📖 Manual Coverage

Systems Covered

Powertrain:

Engine, clutch, drive system, track

Chassis:

Frame, skis, steering mechanism, suspension (basic)

Controls:

Throttle, brake lever, steering handle, engine kill switch

Fuel System:

Fuel tank, fuel lines, carburetor (general adjustments)

Ignition System:

Spark plug, ignition coil, breaker points (if applicable)

Lubrication System:

Oil type and level for engine and chaincase

Procedures Included

Operation:

Starting, stopping, riding techniques, braking

Basic Maintenance:

Lubrication points, cleaning instructions, spark plug gap checks, chain lubrication

Adjustments:

Track tension, ski alignment, throttle cable slack

Winterization And Storage:

Recommendations for seasonal storage

Troubleshooting Common Issues:

Guidance on identifying and resolving minor operational problems

Technical Depth

Depth:

Owner-level maintenance and basic troubleshooting, not a comprehensive service or repair manual

📊 Manual Specifications

File Format

Format:

Printed Paper

Print Quality

Quality:

Likely black and white line drawings and text, standard for the era

Binding Type

Binding:

Stapled or saddle-stitched

Paper Type

Paper Quality:

Standard newsprint or coated paper typical of 1960s publications

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Primary Engine

Make Model:

Likely a 2-stroke, air-cooled engine, potentially manufactured by Johnson or a third-party supplier like Evinrude (Johnson was part of OMC)

Displacement:

Varies by model (e.g., 2060 likely indicates around 20.6 cubic inches or ~337cc, 1560 ~255cc)

Cylinders:

Typically single-cylinder for this era and displacement range

Cooling:

Air-cooled

Horsepower Estimated:

Likely in the range of 10-25 HP, depending on the specific model and engine size

Performance

Top Speed Estimated:

15-25 mph, highly dependent on snow conditions and terrain

Fuel System

Carburetor:

Single carburetor, likely from manufacturers like Tillotson or Mikuni

Fuel Type:

Leaded gasoline with 2-stroke oil mixture (e.g., 25:1 or 30:1 ratio)

🔧 Transmission

Standard

Type:

Centrifugal clutch system for automatic engagement

Optional

Type:

None typically offered for this model year and type

Features

Drive System:

Chain drive to the track

Gear Reduction:

Internal gear reduction in the chaincase

📐 Dimensions

Exterior

Length Estimated:

Approximately 60-75 inches

Width Estimated:

Approximately 28-36 inches

Weights

Dry Weight Estimated:

300-450 lbs, depending on model and options

Cargo

Cargo Capacity Estimated:

Minimal, some models may have a small rack

🛡️ Safety Features

Ratings

Certification:

No formal safety ratings or certifications in the modern sense for this era

Active Features

Braking System:

Drum brake operated by handlebar lever, often on the jackshaft or track drive

Engine Kill Switch:

Standard handlebar-mounted kill switch

Passive Features

Lighting:

Basic headlight and taillight (if equipped, dependent on model and options)

Track And Skis:

Designed for traction and steering over snow

💡 Technology Features

Infotainment

Features:

None. This is a basic mechanical vehicle.

Driver Assistance

Features:

None. Focus is on mechanical operation.

Connectivity

Features:

None.

🔧 Maintenance

Service Intervals

Lubrication:

Frequent lubrication of chaincase, clutch components, and steering parts is critical, often on a per-ride or weekly basis

Spark Plug:

Check gap and condition every 10-20 hours of operation; replace as needed

Track Tension:

Check and adjust before each ride, especially after initial use or in varying snow conditions

Carburetor Cleaning:

Recommended annually or if starting issues arise

Fluid Specifications

Engine Oil:

High-quality 2-stroke engine oil mixed with gasoline at the manufacturer-specified ratio (e.g., 25:1 or 30:1). Refer to manual for specific SAE grade if separate oil is used in any component.

Chaincase Oil:

Likely a SAE 30 or SAE 90 gear oil. Manual would specify. Capacity is typically small.

Known Issues

Engine Performance:

Carburetor gumming, ignition points wear, exhaust port blockage due to carbon buildup

Drivetrain:

Track stretching or tearing, clutch wear, chaincase seal leaks

Steering:

Loose steering components, worn ski bushings

General Wear:

Corrosion on metal parts, deterioration of rubber components (hoses, seals)

📚 Vehicle History

Brand Heritage

Manufacturer:

Johnson Motors, a division of Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), known for outboard motors

Entry Into Snowmobiles:

OMC (including Johnson and Evinrude) entered the snowmobile market in the mid-1960s, a period of rapid growth for the industry

Model Evolution

Skee Horse Introduction:

The Skee-Horse was among their early offerings, competing in a burgeoning market

Design Philosophy:

Focused on reliability and functional utility, leveraging OMC's engineering background

Production

Production Period:

Mid-to-late 1960s for this specific generation of Skee-Horse models

Manufacturing Location:

Likely manufactured in the United States by OMC facilities

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Recognitions

Industry Acclaim:

As an early model, it represented significant innovation in recreational snow travel but likely didn't receive specific industry awards in the modern sense. It was a participant in the pioneering era of snowmobiling.