I am in the midst of build a rubber track machine. I am using snowmobile tracks. I am using the tub froma 1988 max 6x6 amphibious vehicle. It has 2 hydraulic wheel motors on the front tubed axle. The white wheels are going to be the drive sprockets. I am welding 2"x 3/16 flat bar across the rims for the teeth. The will be 4 boogies with the last one being the tensiner idler. The machine is going to be like a high sprocket cat dozer but (backwards) drives are in the front. I am splicing 2 tracks together per side
My homemade track machine
skyhookdutch
21 - 37 of 37 Posts
Joined
·
1 Posts
i dont no how the tracks will stay on the rims with flatbar weld on rims push the track away from the rim my be i am not look at it right jim
Joined
·
2,164 Posts
The flat bar keys into the tracks like a chain and sprocket.
Joined
·
136 Posts
You hit it right on! Have you watched the HOWE AND HOWE TECHNOLIGIES on tv. I am using the same drive set up they use on thier tank.
Joined
·
2,164 Posts
No,I haven't seen it.I haven't even seen commercials for that show.The guy that owns our shop was telling me about it.I have seen homebuilt tracked vehicles and most of them use chain and sprocket set up or track on tire.Reading your posts I kind of figured it out.
Joined
·
4,314 Posts
Sweet! hope it comes out good.
Joined
·
856 Posts
Skyhook, your Idea to drive the tracks is exactly what Ive been looking for. Didnt notice the Howe and Howe tech guys did the same thing though...have you seen the mini-rip they made? Its sweet! Well anyway, me and a friend are in the planning stages of a halftrack and the only thing we couldnt agree on was the way to drive the tracks via the lawn tractor rims. Sure enough Im keeping this thread bookmarked for Ideas. Keep up the good work! :trink40:
Joined
·
210 Posts
Very cool looking machine so far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! More pictures!!!! #1
Joined
·
19 Posts
I've just joined up here, and I'm looking for anyone who has information on how to convert a Craftsman, MTD, John Deere, etc... lawn tractor from wheel drive to track drive.
I've heard about struck's mini, but the one I'm really interested in finding out about is shown here in the following link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZCMhW6liow
Then there's these that would work too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK3wJvasYFw
and then thi one...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZiBGai7fqs
I'm waiting to be flooded with information and plans if anyone knows the guy in the first video could you help me hook up with him?
I've heard about struck's mini, but the one I'm really interested in finding out about is shown here in the following link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZCMhW6liow
Then there's these that would work too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK3wJvasYFw
and then thi one...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZiBGai7fqs
I'm waiting to be flooded with information and plans if anyone knows the guy in the first video could you help me hook up with him?
Joined
·
2,164 Posts
Some snow cats are that way and rarely have any issues.Kristi's are front engine front tranasxle driven.They are powered by a 40hp VW beetle engine. http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=33743
Thinking of a CVT trans, and if you don't already have the Geo engine, why not use a Subaru Justy setup? If I remember right, they had a CVT from the factory. I am sure they would be in the same HP range. Just a thought.
Joined
·
2,164 Posts
I thought the Justy was a manual only car.CVT automatic could have been an option tho.:fing32:
It's not so much the pushing or pulling it's where the slack in the track is created. With the drive in front it creates slack on the part of the track touching the ground. I can understand that would be OK or possibly preferred on a snow cat because they're trying to stay on top of the snow rather than dig into it.
Joined
·
2,164 Posts
Ohhhh OK.I get it now. :fing32:
Funny. I was reading this thread and I thought of doing the same thing. Of course the tractor wouldn't be able to cut grass anymore. My thought was that if you got the rear axle out of a zero-turn lawnmower, the rest should be rather simple ...
21 - 37 of 37 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
