Zamboni Training Resources
Instructions
Welcome to the Crossbar Page Builder. For instructions on how to use the page, click the button below.
Basic Training
- 15-20 minute overview taught by Zamboni training coordinator
- One ride along with a Zamboni trainer driving
- At least two sheets as driver with a Zamboni trainer supervising via ride along
- When the Zamboni trainer says trainee is ready, a supervised final sign off sheet can occur
- Repeat any steps as necessary
Zamboni & Garage Overview
Zamboni Overview
- Batteries
- Conditioner
- Blade
- Augers
- Plunger
- Spreader Towel
- Safety shields
- Water system
- Display screen
Controls
- Key
- Brake and accelerator
- E Brake
- Augers
- Water
- Plunger
- Conditioner
- Board brush
- Lights
- Snow Tank Dumper
Charging Station
- Stop button
- How often to charge
Ice Resurfacing
- Arrive at the rink at least 30 minutes before start of next event (watch on LiveBarn if covering for a tournament)
- Start fill
- Replace safety guards
- Lift conditioner
- Close snow tank
- Put spreader towel in lower slot
- When current event ends, open rink Zamboni doors and watch for kids to leave ice. Quick check of ice for pucks, mouth guards, etc.
- Open garage
- Clean ice
- Return to garage, close garage door
- Stop and lift spreader towel to upper slot before driving outside
- Open outer garage door
- Drive out, dump the snow tank
- Return to garage
- Close garage door
- Clean out augers
- Clean tires
- Lift and block snow tank
- Lower conditioner onto blocks
- Plug in charger if needed
Zamboni Ride Along
Controls
- Key
- Brake and accelerator
- E Brake
- Augers
- Water
- Plunger
- Conditioner
- Board brush
- Lights
- Snow Tank Dumper
Walk through of an ice cleaning
- Arrive at the rink at least 30 minutes before start of next event (watch on LiveBarn if covering for a tournament)
- Start fill
- Replace safety guards
- Disconnect charger if necessary. PUSH STOP BUTTON ON CHARGER BEFORE DISCONNECTING
- Lift conditioner
- Close snow tank
- Put spreader towel in lower slot
- When current event ends, open rink zam doors and watch for kids to leave ice. Quick check of ice for pucks, mouth guards, etc
- Open garage
- Clean ice
- Return to garage, close garage door
- Stop and lift spreader towel to upper slot before driving outside
- Open outer garage door
- Drive out, dump the snow tank
- Return to garage
- Close garage door
- Clean out augers
- Clean tires
- Lift and block snow tank
- Lower conditioner onto blocks
- Plug in charger if needed
Sight Lines
- Over the snow tank
- Line up inner ⅓ of second ridge and clean line
- Around the left side
- Split tires between clean/dirty line
- Eye up the blue line and the pivot on the snow tank to start your turn
- About a fist or two between the front roller and the boards
When Things Go Wrong
- Stop the water
- Stop the augers
- Lift the conditioner
- Drive off the ice if necessary
Ride Along
- Drive on ice begin resurfacing verbalizing what you are doing the entire time including reiterate sight lines and when to turn
- Prefer to enter the ice half turn to the right to get to the boards to begin
- Conditioner down; ensure you point out the sound to know when it is ALL the way down
- Augers on
- Water on
- Board brush on first lap
- Go slow around boards
- Second full lap
- Aim for center dot to split the ice on third time around
- Continue until complete
- Approach threshold repeating to yourself, “water off, augers off, stop, lift conditioner”
- 10 feet out turn the water off followed by the augers
- Stop at the conditioner and lift all the way up
- Drive off the ice and stop in the garage
- Shovel off snow and close zam doors
- Close the garage door
- Place spreader towel in upper position
- Open the garage door, drive out and dump snow tank
- Return to the garage, stop with conditioner part way over wood beams
- Close the garage door
- Clean tires
- Drive zam forward to cover wood beams with conditioner
- Clean tires again
- Clean out augers
- Lift and block snow tank
- Lower conditioner on wood beams
- Plug in charger if necessary
Zamboni Success Checklist
Pre-Resurfacing Setup Checklist
- Ensure Ice is clear of nets, pucks and other debris
- Fill water tank to white tape
- Ensure tires are free from debris/dirt
- Replace conditioner safety guards
- Move spreader towel to lower bracket
- Stop battery charge (red button on charger)
- Reconnect batteries
- Check battery level
- Remove snow tank safety bar and lower snow tank
- Raise condition to full “up” position
- Ensure water hose is removed when water tank is full
- Disengage parking brake
Resurfacing Procedures/Best Practices
- Set yourself up for success: Lower conditioner, start augers, set water flow and activate power brush
- Don’t get rushed: speed is not your friend, especially near the boards or just prior to a turn; it also cheats the middle of the rink of adequate water
- Anticipate and plan for: open doors, upcoming turns and your ultimate exit from the rink
- Don’t stop on the ice, unless you absolutely have to. Sometimes things happen that might require the Zamboni to come to a stop on the ice. Decide whether it is necessary that you stop or if a return to the garage might be a better option. Always remember “water off, augers off, raise the conditioner.” Then stop if necessary or return to the garage.
- Clearing the ice: Take your time…when resurface is complete “water off, augers off, conditioner up.” As you approach the exit turn off the water, turn off both augers, STOP at the threshold and raise the conditioner all the way up.
Post Resurfacing Checklist
- Ensure the rink is set for next event. Snow shoveled, nets on ice, doors closed/locked
- Move spreader towel to the upper bracket
- Remove conditioner safety guards, clean ice from augers, and replace guards
- Empty snow tank
- Thoroughly clean tires. Roll forward a few feet and clean again
- Lower conditioner on wood blocks. Just enough that it is resting on them.
- Set parking brake
- Raise snow tank and insert snow tank safety bar
- Check battery level. If low, connect battery charger
- Ensure Zamboni garage is clean, hoses are coiled and lights are out prior to leaving
Questions, Concerns, Emergency Contacts
Paul Jacobs
608-513-1852
Noah Donaldson
R&R Specialties Emergency Line
715-247-5090