Massey crawler update #3

[tractormike]

Well the crawler is built and now in the painting stage. I'll put the blade on later but need to get this project done so I can get some others done. It steers with the 2 yelow handles. I have the drivers compartment finished and the fenders extended forward, tapering in towards the front. I have the decals ordered and besides paint I have to redo the seat and backrest yet.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/tractormike/IMG_3200.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/tractormike/IMG_3206.jpg

[Ken in NJ]

Its coming along great tractormike !! Thanks for the update .. I cant wait to see it all painted up !!

[Rodney in VA]

tractormike:

Now that really looks interesting. I can't wait to see the end results. How does it perform... and have you put it through any rough stuff yet? :fing32:

[redneck farmer]

very nice i am thinking about making a prototype struck for in the woods and around the yard

[butchs_hobby]

Tractomike, when you post pics like that I get to drooling. Makes me want to get started on my version of a MF12 hydro. I saw a pic of a Cub Cadet crawler a guy had at a show, I love you guys who think a little outside the box!

[Smog]

Tractomike, when you post pics like that I get to drooling. Makes me want to get started on my version of a MF12 hydro.

I've been told the spyder gears in the MF-10g and MF-12h can't handle the force required to brake-steer a set of tracks in the sod/dirt. :Disgus:

so I may have to go the automotive differential way like the tractor from Mike or use hydro motors and pump.

(I have the complete drivetrain from a geo tracker with the 5 speed tranny, the 2 speed transfer case and a nice 5.12 differential that can be shortened and I'm sure will handle a 16hp engine and a set of tracks)

[slkpk]

Looks good! slkpk

[butchs_hobby]

Tractormike, I've got the complete hydro/two speed transaxle with brake from a MF16 that I want to put under the 12 frame, thinking of a v-twin 18hp, maybe some chrome stacks and power steering. Would like to keep it where the stock implements still fit, plus maybe a rear cat o three point hitch.

[butchs_hobby]

Tractormike, I forgot to mention, I worked on a couple of Grasshopper zero turns way back when. They had a shaft from the motor to a T-drive to self-contained hydro pump/motor at each wheel. They used a chain and sprocket from the drive motor to the wheel. Something like that might work on your crawler. Just a thought I had.

[tiger9297]

Mike,

I'm curious about the tracks. Does the belting have any metal in it at all or is it just solid rubber? I was wondering if you just bolted the guides on to keep the tracks on or if the flat piece of metal on the face of the track had to be bolted on as well. Great looking machine. I'd like to do a similar project with a Cub Cadet.

[tractormike]

Here is an update on the crawler. I have decided to upgrade the brakes from the single shoe original setup to 2 shoe hydraulic brakes. In soft ground and dirt it was hard to get her to turn well. I'm using dexter trailer brake parts so it is taking some modification to get things to work out.
As to the tracks, the belting is reinforced with I believe nylon and built like industrial belting. It is used on round balers for making hay bales and shouldn't stretch. The only metal is the grousers and the tire guides. The grousers and the inside tire guides are bolted together trough the track. This keeps the tire guides supported so they stay upright to the track and keep the track on the tires.
To anyone looking to build one of these it is surprising how much braking effort it takes to spin it around when the grousers get a good bite. I'll post pictures after I get the brakes reworked and let you know how it turned out.

[slkpk]

I envy your skills Good work. slkpk

[Smog]

I've been told the spyder gears in the MF-10g and MF-12h can't handle the force required to brake-steer a set of tracks in the sod/dirt. :Disgus:


ok, been a long time but just to make things right, the MF-10 and 12G (and JD110-112) had the same tranny as the MT3000 struck crawler :

http://www.magnatrac.com/images/3000b.gif

http://www.magnatrac.com/oldmodels.html

http://www.magnatrac.com/support.html#Parts

so the 100$ mf-10G I just got will be tracked for next winter

[pheel]

tractormike just curious if you sell the plans or how to as you have them or as you change them thx pheel

[tractormike]

I really don't have any plans drwn up for my custom projects. I just build them as I go. I do a little work on paper but most is just how it ends up from what I think it should look like. If you have any specific question I'll be glad to answer for you, but as far as any blue prints go there are not any. I try to use standard garden tractor parts and what ever " stuff " I can come across.
The tracks are made from belting used in round balers. The grousers and guides are just flat steel cut and bent and bolted to the track. The front wheels are on a frame work that slides 3 inches forward to act as track tighteners. All 4 wheels are 6.00 x 12 garden tractor rimes. The hubs for the front wheels are from a boat trailer with 5 x 4 1/2 stud spacing.
I redid the brakes using trailer hydraulic brakes and mustang master cylinders. I have to refine my adapters that I made to space out the brake drums a bit yet. Then mount the hydraulic system and the front blade, and get it painted.

[Gregory]

Did you ever get this sucker finished?? awesome just awesome.
Greg

[tractormike]

Yes I got it done and painted up this fall. I don't have any pictures of it painted but here is one of it with the blade on it. I ended up using a 12 volt ATV winch to raise and lower the blade. It works pretty well and was a hit at the show.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/tractormike/crawler%202009/masseycrawler2009009.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/tractormike/crawler%202009/masseycrawler2009001.jpg

[JD21295]

Would it be possible to use a hydraulic motor on each wheel instead of steering brakes? What size tires and rims did you use?

[Gregory]

JD21295 He has it written down.

I really don't have any plans drwn up for my custom projects. I just build them as I go. I do a little work on paper but most is just how it ends up from what I think it should look like. If you have any specific question I'll be glad to answer for you, but as far as any blue prints go there are not any. I try to use standard garden tractor parts and what ever " stuff " I can come across.
The tracks are made from belting used in round balers. The grousers and guides are just flat steel cut and bent and bolted to the track. The front wheels are on a frame work that slides 3 inches forward to act as track tighteners. All 4 wheels are 6.00 x 12 garden tractor rimes. The hubs for the front wheels are from a boat trailer with 5 x 4 1/2 stud spacing.
I redid the brakes using trailer hydraulic brakes and mustang master cylinders. I have to refine my adapters that I made to space out the brake drums a bit yet. Then mount the hydraulic system and the front blade, and get it painted.