compact track undercarriages?

[superfly611]

It was the wheel model. i too use to drive tractors, bull dozers, excavators, what ever it was i could drive it or get used to it in a few minutes. miss those days.

I used to cut our waterways with a new Holland versatile (Which is a bi-directional tractor). We converted a fairly large pull behind mower to be mounted by way of three-point hitch which the tractor can then be made to drive in reverse by turning the whole steering column and seat around to face the other way. you probably know about that.

I would cut the grass around the house with a Jacobson t22d with a 72 inch deck. It's a front commercial mower. I haven't used a zero turn that much but it seemed like when I was on the hills it wasn't the greatest. I really did think my front commercial mower did decent on the hills. Even being 2 wheel drive all you have to do is transfer some weight from the deck and you get a little more traction to the wheels. the trouble can be the wet spots.

maybe i should just convert one of my commercials over.... still trying to decide.
i was just wanting to customize something. its fun. i might be able to find a nice flail mower to use with my Jacobsen as well and convert to 4x4. im having trouble finding the hydraulic drive rear axel that can be put on my t22d. i know they made them. i'll have to look harder. i will let you know what i find out.

 

[swick1]

What about converting something like a 4x4 garden tractor to remote control and adding ballast front and rear inline with the axles?

 

[superfly611]

swick1, i am debating converting my front commercial mower to 4x4 and using a flail mower with it for the waterways and the regular blade mower for the lawn. i like the maneuverability of the rear wheel steering compared to a garden tractor with front wheel steer. i believe its easier cutting with it to me.

on the other hand it would be nice to be able to use different implements with a custom built unit like the toro dingo. i could lift things, push with a blade, dig, and more.. thats thinking down the road. if i can find one for 3000-4000 that would be great. heres hoping.
sorry if i seem like my thoughts are all over the place. its part of my final process of making a decision.
ill keep doing my research.

 

[swick1]

Here's a neat tire setup: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rK4i4s8H9k&feature=related]www.slopemowing.com: IRUS Quatrak with slasher(1) - YouTube[/ame]

 

[aczlan]

Here's a neat tire setup:

Ah, mowing and aeration in one step. Hard on the pavement though...

Converting one of the front mount mowers sounds like the ticket to me. Could make a adapter to use the flail on the front and add 4x4 later if needed when you can find parts...


Aaron Z

 

[superfly611]

i saw that remote control mower with wheels on it before. its $50000 plus. its made over in germany i believe. i really like the all wheel steer feature and 4x4. you can get it with rubber tires as well. if you look at the deck it does not float. not that good for cutting rough areas.

back to my converting my mower. i found a linear electric servo from servocity.com but they seem pricey. any recommendation for other servos?
i need 1 linear actuator for the hydrostatic pedal, one servo for pto to engage the blades, and i am thinking some sort of motor for the steering to put on the steering column.
i want to still make some sort of small 4x4 or track remote control. check this out
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ur1YiJbrEk&list=FLWS26EivKNQsRBXHOwdV6Cw&index=299&feature=plpp_video]LeSueur,MN show 08 Scale JD - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k03rDrsAcs]Alstor 8x8 utility vehicle - YouTube[/ame]
i have an obsession with mini things. lol
on another note i found a dingo for roughly $5000. not sure how they handle.

 

[aczlan]

IMO, a Dingo will have the same issues in mud that the 770 had, it is fairly heavy with small tires and not much ground clearance...
Try surpluscenter.com, specifically their DC linear actuator section (Surplus Center). They have quite a few of them there.

Aaron Z

 

[swick1]

On an episode of monster garage they made a remote control figure 8 race car.

They put a sprocket on the steering shaft and used a motor to turn another sprocket via chain.

I think they used a linear actuator for the gas but I think that would be too slow for emergency stops. Maybe a pneumatic or hydraulic setup would be better. You could also stack a linear actuator and a solenoid to provide fast or slow action.

 

[superfly611]

for the steering i was thinking that. put a motor on the steering column box and the actuator should be fine for the pedal. they vary in travel speed but one 6'' stroke is 1/2'' per second. not like a mower goes to fast. we shall see. if it is to slow then yeah a solenoid setup could work.