Hydraulics/wheel motor question

[4570Man]

If you use truck differentials, you're going to end up with a tall machine on tall tires to get ground clearance for the differentials. And a short, stubby machine with high ground clearance AND ARTICULATION will be a tippy machine with a high center of gravity.

Something to note about articulating machines. The center of gravity changes DRASTICALLY as you turn. That's because the machine gets shorter as you turn the steering wheel, and longer as you straighten it back out.

We, on the Power Trac forum call this the PT Pucker! Because you don't expect it until you experience it. Fill the bucket with a heavy load and turn the wheel to the left and the right rear tire will come off the ground. Straighten out the wheel and the right rear will come back to earth. Do that on a hillside and you'll understand where the pucker factor comes in.....

You could position them with the drive shaft end pointing up if you're hydraulic driving them. That wouldn't require any more ground clearance than any other method. I agree it's not ideal, but it is cheap. If he has a parts donor machine maybe he could use the axels off it. I used to have an articulated trencher that the scrap monster ate. That wouldn't be a bad starting place either. I don't see how you could come out ahead building equipment without part donors.

 

[farm boy00]

If you use truck differentials, you're going to end up with a tall machine on tall tires to get ground clearance for the differentials. And a short, stubby machine with high ground clearance AND ARTICULATION will be a tippy machine with a high center of gravity.

Something to note about articulating machines. The center of gravity changes DRASTICALLY as you turn. That's because the machine gets shorter as you turn the steering wheel, and longer as you straighten it back out.

We, on the Power Trac forum call this the PT Pucker! Because you don't expect it until you experience it. Fill the bucket with a heavy load and turn the wheel to the left and the right rear tire will come off the ground. Straighten out the wheel and the right rear will come back to earth. Do that on a hillside and you'll understand where the pucker factor comes in.....

Go look at a trencher. Got a mini trencher turned into a tractor. Has decent clearance and isn't a problem

 

[farm boy00]

For the trasnfercase idea I mentioned earlier. For articulating put the transfercase by the pivot point and use a extending driveshaft like a pto shaft. It doesn't have to be a rigid shaft.

Some trencher actually have a gear on one axle then a driveshaft going to both axles that extendable.

U can get pictures of mine tonight maybe if interested

 

[MossRoad]

You could position them with the drive shaft end pointing up if you're hydraulic driving them. That wouldn't require any more ground clearance than any other method. I agree it's not ideal, but it is cheap. If he has a parts donor machine maybe he could use the axels off it. I used to have an articulated trencher that the scrap monster ate. That wouldn't be a bad starting place either. I don't see how you could come out ahead building equipment without part donors.

Yeah, free parts is the only way its worth it. Cheaper to buy a complete machine otherwise.

 

[texasranger556]

Just be careful buying a scrap skid steer. Worn out wheel motors and pumps are often the reason they get scrapped. If the engine is already gone, that would be a red flag for me!

 

[curtjeep]

The downside with mounting the pinion up I think would be keeping the gearset lubricated. Either way, with them pointing up or towards the middle, it would be about the same height. The tractor won't have any suspension to speak of.

 

[curtjeep]

The sheet metal would be used for casing in the steering wheel and any gauges I put in it. I'm not going to waste plate for aesthetics And working the plate for me would be more difficult. If I need more weight on the rear I will use my weight plates from my home gym, lol at least then they would be used. Although, now that I mention that I can potentially cut up my power rack and use it as a donor for certain pieces because that doesn't get used either...