PT AL-629 ( can it be done ? )

[Beechwood]

Well winter is setting in and my mad scientist mode is kicking in again, so I'm tossing this idea into the pt frying pan for some feedback.

IDEA:
Turn a 180, 422, or 425 into a 6 wheel drive ( configured like a GATOR 6x4 ) by extending the tub approx 20" and re-powering the PT with a 29 HP Kawasaki water cooled fuel injected engine and adding two more wheel motors the same size as the OEM motors on the 180, 422 or 425.

If I use the PT HUNT VEE as an example- the engine is a 25 HP powering 6 wheel motors. If the HUNT VEE only had 4 wheel drive instead 6 do you think the pushing and pulling power would be that much less ? I know the Hunt Vee is a skid steer configuration but I'm only thinking about - and interested in the added available power with 6 wheel drive instead of 4 wheel drive. You could then build a larger carry all and relocate the gas tank to take full advantage of the bed area. I've been scratching my head on this for a while. I hope this can of worms will generate some lively winter conversation.

 

[KentT]

If you're gonna play mad scientist, picture it with rubber tracks over the 4 rear wheels -- i.e. an articulated half-track...

 

[MossRoad]

an articulated half-track...

Ooooooooooooo!!!

 

[Beechwood]

an articulated half track !!!! I'm liking it already

 

[KentT]

These probably aren't strong enough (being designed for ATVs) but should give you some ideas...

Introducing new LiteFoot M3 and M3 Ultra-Ride rubber track tread

These wouldn't even require the second set of wheels...

 

[Beechwood]

These probably aren't strong enough (being designed for ATVs) but should give you some ideas...

Introducing new LiteFoot M3 and M3 Ultra-Ride rubber track tread

These wouldn't even require the second set of wheels...

According to their web site I would lose 25-30% top end speed because of the gear reduction- so if the top speed for my 180 is 7 mph. that wouldn't work out to well plus the increased ground clearance might be a safety issue.

 

[KentT]

That loss was for a higher-RPM, higher-speed application on an ATV. Not sure you'd lose as much on a low-speed application. Also, usually when you lose top-end speed, you're trading it for low-end torque...

But, the challenge would be trying to sychronize the track speed with the speed of the front wheels...

 

[BobRip]

I think you would get more turf damage. The back 4 wheels would turn like a skidsteer. I like the big wheel 425 better. It might look like a WWII German Half Track, a little. You would also have to change the plumbing of the hoses considerable. If you continue to put the wheel motor in series, the wheel torque would drop. Probably need a bigger hydraulic pump for the wheel motors and a valve to switch between parallel and series plumbing for the wheel motors. Sorry to be so critical.

 

[woodlandfarms]

These probably aren't strong enough (being designed for ATVs) but should give you some ideas...

Introducing new LiteFoot M3 and M3 Ultra-Ride rubber track tread

These wouldn't even require the second set of wheels...

i think these are 30K... Uninstalled...

 

[Beechwood]

Woodlandfarms, Did you mean to say 3K Uninstalled ? I hope so.

Kent and Bob, you both bring up some good points, I don't know how much turf damage the 4 rear wheels would cause, Because of the pt being articulated it might not be too bad. Adding two more motors hooked up in series might be a problem but that's why I started this thread to get some honest feedback & knowledge - positive or negitive. If the idea is feasible it needs to be a simple straight forward modification. What other problems would there be doing this type of modification???.