My Ride-on Tracked dumper

[dodge85rc]

I agree, your engine is going to be too small. The bigger the better.

 

[JohninCT]

Check out Escargo Tracks at ESCARGO TRACKS - Escargo in action

They are made for Argo 6 wheel ATVs. The tracks are made from metal grouser cross pieces bolted to rubber belting. They seem to work really well on the Argos. They are driven only by the rubber tires (deflate to install and inflate tires to tension tracks). It might give you some additional ideas for track design to use on your machine. The site has many videos and you can find them on You Tube also. Pretty cool to watch.

 

[David Devuono]

Well I now have 700 bucks into this thing and have not yet started. I decided it was more urgent to rebuilt a trailer I built about 10 years ago. I put a new tongue and tire carrier on it, as well as all new plywood, flipped the axle so it hugs the ground. Previously it was an off-road trailer. I run P235x75R 15 on the trailer to match my SUV. Gonna paint it red to sort of match the Blazer. Anyway thats what I worked on so I only have a picture of what $400 in steel tubing and plate looks like. The tubing is 3/16 wall 2x2 and 2x4, plus quarter inch plate. Will try next weekend to put a day in on the build. Thanks for the info about HP needed. Will have to watch for sales on motors and will try for 20 horse. Local store had a 17.5 hp with 9 amp charging system but it was vertical shaft and I think I will go horizontal. The pump puts out 10 GPM x2500 PSI at 1000 RPM so I will need to gear down 3 to 1. Likely to go double belt pully system.

 

[mjncad]

I'm looking forward to seeing this little beast come to life.

 

[David Devuono]

I cut some steel today and mocked up a track frame. The front wheel will be sprung to tension the track. I am looking at a Snowplow spring hooked up to a turnbuckle. its looking like its going to be quite large though I am going to try and keep it to 8 feet long by 4 feet wide, not including a front blade. In that space I need to mount a front seat, motor, tank and pump tray, then a dump bed.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I cut some steel today and mocked up a track frame. The front wheel will be sprung to tension the track. I am looking at a Snowplow spring hooked up to a turnbuckle. its looking like its going to be quite large though I am going to try and keep it to 8 feet long by 4 feet wide, not including a front blade. In that space I need to mount a front seat, motor, tank and pump tray, then a dump bed.

Looking good. I assume that the picture is of one side of the eventual vehicle.

 

[Johndeere3720]

From the looks of it, it will be pretty big. definatly go for the bigger engine. Anyways, its lookin good!:thumbsup:

 

[David Devuono]

Ya I just mocked up one track. I am looking at a 17.5 HP motor. its a vertical shaft so will be interesting setting up a double pully system, but this motor has a 9 amp starter generator so I will be able to have a couple 35 watt lamps. I bought a 5 gallon Reservoir which I might have to add some heatsinks or a tranny cooler\fan if too much heat is developed. Anyway hoping I can get a good start next weekend. I just brought home a new 6' Box blade today, so eager to go to the camp and try it out tomorrow.

 

[David Devuono]

Those excargo tracks look interesting but the combination grousser\ connecting pads look like they would be hard to reproduce. As I have dual tires I would have too much open area with such a design. I think I have decided to go with groussers (device to keep the tracks from falling off) between the tires. This will allow me to weld them to the c-channel connecting pieces. This drawing shows a cross section of my design.

 

[VroomVroom]

I have to say I like seeing projects coming to life. Im just a wannabe right now. But I have been around a few peices of tracked equipment. I will see if I can paste a photo in here. The J5's are around 4000 lbs apparently, and are about 5 ft wide. ( this is just from memory as I have been away from home for about a month at the moment. They have 6 inch rubber belts that are about 6 inches apart connected by a cleat or grouser. So 18 inch tracks. The front wheel is also sprung, but the back wheel has a tensioner which pushes the back wheel back. The first wheel is connected to a tandem which has the middle and back wheel. The machine will drive like a motor boat in the bog and muskeg. So you slightly work the gas peddle as you drive. I can draw you the suspension for it if you like. So with all that, I will give you some ideas that I see with these machines. I've been around them all my life and we used them in unimaginable situations by most peoples standards. For snow use, they are too heavy . Even being 5 feet wide with 18" tracks. I will measure the exact width when I get home. If the spring snaps in the front, the front of the machine will drop slightly. This machine has I believe a 113 HP engine. In first gear it will bang into a wall and stand up straight spinning on power. We haul about a cord of wood logs at a time over stumps and holes in the woods with no problem. Or haul a wagon with 3 moose and sometimes a moose on each side over rough terrain. In the snow, they dont steer. They will go straight. They slow down on one side while the other speeds up slightly. I do notice your ratio of length to width is quite high. Normally on many snow machines the width is closer to the length of the machine as well. There are many great sites on hydraulic power and draw bar pull and such. But I would be going by these in guess as you probably would be. But something to consider. Like I said the J5 has over 100 hp, but is over 4000 lbs and can pull large loads over terrible terrain. Just to keep in mind. Those argos have 18 hp engines however..and better in snow but wouldnt compare in other areas. They are more "square" in regards to length to width with the tracks on. You can always use a bigger engine later if you decide though. I want to see more pictures. Sounds fun.