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Thinking about tracked vehicles

Metrodps

Metrodps

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Been thinking about tracked vehicles lately. (screwy huh). OK I know some what about bull dozers but how do they get the engine down lower in tanks?

The engine is in rear so do they build the transmission in reverse of a dozer? Would it be like a trans axel set up since drives seem to be in the rear.

The controls should be the same as far as left and right stick.

Just wondering some things. :crazy:
 
http://www.alaska4x4network.com/showthread.php?t=14655

actually, you should take a look through the entire "Grant-O-Vations" sub-forum. There's a bunch of threads on tracked vehicle design. You'll notice logjam has lots of input on these crazy projects. Inner tubes like the Russians use are sweet too and probably give you better flotation.

the military was also experimenting with tracks on CUCVs back home back in the 70s-80s. A couple guys on that board are running them on their hunting rigs.
 
Don't think of the drivetrain as a normal trans, think of basically a big hydro pump that directs power to 2 big hydro motors to drive the tracks.Somne older models just drive both and have a stick for each side to brake one track to turn that way. Most are not driven by mechanical connections, but by a hydrostatic transmission. You could actually build yours with a separate pump and 2 motors with twin stick control on 2 spool valves. That would allow you to go forward with 1 track and backward with the other at one time to turn in place. Yes, I've been thinking about this too.:D
 
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throttleissues said:
Don't think of the drivetrain as a normal trans, think of basically a big hydro pump that directs power to 2 big hydro motors to drive the tracks.Somne older models just drive both and have a stick for each side to brake one track to turn that way. Most are not driven by mechanical connections, but by a hydrostatic transmission. You could actually build yours with a separate pump and 2 motors with twin stick control on 2 spool valves. That would allow you to go forward with 1 track and backward with the other at one time to turn in place. Yes, I've been thinking about this too.:D
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Focus Chris, Focus. You have enough wheeled junk you need to get rollin'. Stay the course, don't deviate. FOCUS!:D
 
Wrong vehicles! I am thinking more like APC.
 
I've got a pair of Tucker Sno Cats.

One's a '79, the other a 1980. The drive train is very reliable, relatively simple and parts availability is excellent.

The engines are Chrysler Industrial 318's and the transmissions are New Process 540's, which are 5-speed, non overdrive. Tucker uses a transfer case of their own design and the axles are Dana 60's. Pretty simple, huh?

The Dana axles are rear axle type in that they don't have steering knuckles. The axles are attached to leaf springs which attach to turntables. When you turn the steering wheel, you are actuating a hydraulic control valve which moves a hydraulic cylinder. That cylinder then moves both the front and rear turntables; in opposite directions.

So if you want to turn left, the whole front axle assembly (and both front tracks) turns left and the whole rear axle assembly (and both rear tracks) turns right. It's known as "crab steering".

The track system is what I'll call "modular". Whereas the Mattrack system uses something like a snowmobile track, My Tuckers have rubber belts that steel grouser bars bolt to. With a Mattrack, if you tear a track it'll get real expensive, real quick. But if I tear a belt, I can replace only that belt, or I can splice in a new section of belt. Similarly, I can replace one grouser bar, if I break it.

Tucker has been in business for over 50 years and is still owned by the same family. Once they reach a certain age, Sno Cats are a lot like aircraft, in that they don't go down in value as long as they're kept up.

I'll warn you though: It's an addicting hobby!
 
Metrodps said:
Wrong vehicles! I am thinking more like APC.
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M2_Bradley.gif

http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/inf/M2.html

All the SHTF talk had me thinking how hard would it be to make your own and what would a person need. I could never do it due to my health but I stil have an active mind. So I guess that makes me the brain! :wink1:l (movie reference.)
 
Wasatch K5 said:
I've got a pair of Tucker Sno Cats.

One's a '79, the other a 1980. The drive train is very reliable, relatively simple and parts availability is excellent.

The engines are Chrysler Industrial 318's and the transmissions are New Process 540's, which are 5-speed, non overdrive. Tucker uses a transfer case of their own design and the axles are Dana 60's. Pretty simple, huh?

The Dana axles are rear axle type in that they don't have steering knuckles. The axles are attached to leaf springs which attach to turntables. When you turn the steering wheel, you are actuating a hydraulic control valve which moves a hydraulic cylinder. That cylinder then moves both the front and rear turntables; in opposite directions.

So if you want to turn left, the whole front axle assembly (and both front tracks) turns left and the whole rear axle assembly (and both rear tracks) turns right. It's known as "crab steering".

The track system is what I'll call "modular". Whereas the Mattrack system uses something like a snowmobile track, My Tuckers have rubber belts that steel grouser bars bolt to. With a Mattrack, if you tear a track it'll get real expensive, real quick. But if I tear a belt, I can replace only that belt, or I can splice in a new section of belt. Similarly, I can replace one grouser bar, if I break it.

Tucker has been in business for over 50 years and is still owned by the same family. Once they reach a certain age, Sno Cats are a lot like aircraft, in that they don't go down in value as long as they're kept up.

I'll warn you though: It's an addicting hobby!
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well we gotta see the pics of the hobby!!!:D
 
muddermilitia said:
:D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_iup2jXQqI
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I think they are making a smaller ATV sized one right now.

Mattracks are pretty sweet.

A buddy of mine worked for cascade powder cats up in WA, and him and his buddy put this together to sell to them.

They said it was a beast, until the first 700r4 they had to swap in teh snow. After the 2nd one died, they left it til the snow melted, put wheels on it, and dragged it out.

Anyways, sick looking rig, none the less:
attachment.php


mattrack.jpg
 
No, they actually made a true ATV sized one, that can be loaded in the back of a truck, and is not enclosed. It was on Howe & Howe Tech last Monday night on Discovery. That one is aimed at armed forces, SWAT, and fire/rescue, and is in use in a couple cities. They even tested it against arms fire, after some modifications, and it was able to withstand everything but the .50, and the .50 wasn't able to injure the occupant.

The one they debuted at a snowmobile show was called the Mini-Ripsaw. It is based around the original full size Ripsaw, but with single passenger compact size and no roll cage. They didn't say if they will mass produce that one.
 
The one I posted is ATV size, but you guys must be referring to the ATV style project they started. It looks pretty stupid to me, but here it is.
 
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That's the one, and I didn't think that much of it before I saw them put it through it's paces. It looks like it could be a lot of fun, besides being a useful way for hauling big game back to camp. Of course, cost would be the determining factor, and I would bet the cost for one would be way too high to be worth it.
 
People, people, people! Focus here, looking at how the drive set up and engine placement would be for making your own "tank".

Specs:
Diesel engine, need to be able to do at least 40mph on road, range of at least 150 miles.

Fit at least four people inside with room for arms and supplies.

Needs to have some fire ports, large entry (man in and out easy).

Weapons capable ie: improvised such as flame thrower.

able to make smoke for clouding view.

Armor protection for small to medium arms. Like an Brinks /Wells Fargo truck.


So lets hear how you would build it. Materials you would use and why you choose them. I know some one else has thought about this out there. Remember the guy in Granby, Co? His setup needs a lot of improvement.

Killdozer.jpg


Killdozer2.jpg


 
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If I was to do what you are proposing, I would start with the Cummins 4bt for it's relatively compact size. I would use, as others have mentioned, a simple hydro pump on the back of the diesel, running two independant hydro drives. This would allow you to mount the engine in a compact space, and keep it low in the chassis. Controls would be simple two stick forward and reverse for each track.

I will have to think about access and armor, although I am sure I could come up with some ideas.:wink1:
 
remember this would be some thing say Billy bob or even Joe Smole could build as all things we know as normal goes to hell. End of world zombies type thing.
 
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