Walking Dozer?

[ferrari99]

I have this idea to make an 'attachment' to turn my two wheeled tractor into a mini tracked front end loader. Using 12v winches to operate the front end loader, and gas struts to hold the bucket down when picking up dirt etc (when the winch lifts it overrides the gas struts). And making the tracks out of strips of conveyor belt bolt to chain like thishttps://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.rubbertirechains.com/images/astapics%252520003.png&imgrefurl=http://www.rubbertirechains.com/what_are_rubber_tire_chains.html&h=200&w=200&tbnid=4htQywhRyiVxpM:&docid=mlqjnUXxfuoD3M&ei=OUFxVtL-Dcma0gTRhr-YBw&tbm=isch&ved=0ahUKEwiS_-2LmuDJAhVJjZQKHVHDD3MQMwgeKAIwAg
So it would look something like this (btw it's only a very quick drawing)

What do you think? ideas? suggestions? reasons why it's a totally stupid idea?

 

[chim]

Sounds like fun. Not sure how useful it can be. One thing I'd consider is cutting segments from old tires rather than conveyor belt. They would already have the curve and I'd bet they would be more durable. I used pieces of tire for things and used a composite metal-cutting blade in a circular saw.

 

[farm boy00]

Sounds fun but my worries would focus on-

1. Hope will you turn/steer the rig?
2. Will the tractor hold up to the abuse?

 

[ferrari99]

One thing I'd consider is cutting segments from old tires rather than conveyor belt. They would already have the curve and I'd bet they would be more durable. I used pieces of tire for things and used a composite metal-cutting blade in a circular saw.

I have tried cutting tire before with not much success, is the blade your talking about like a carbide tipped blade? I think 3/4in conveyor would last a decent while.

Sounds fun but my worries would focus on-

1. Hope will you turn/steer the rig?
2. Will the tractor hold up to the abuse?

1. Steering brakes.
2. Abuse in what way?

 

[MechE1]

If your 2 wheeled tractor has a solid axle steering brakes would not work.

 

[ferrari99]

If your 2 wheeled tractor has a solid axle steering brakes would not work.

It has a diff.

I just looked at the tractor and I am going to have to make axle extensions so the tracks will clear the engine.

 

[chim]

I have tried cutting tire before with not much success, is the blade your talking about like a carbide tipped blade? I think 3/4in conveyor would last a decent while. QUOTE]

No, it is the kind that look like a small version of a cutoff saw blade. We often called them abrasive blades or Carborundum blades. Smokes like crazy. We used blades like that in circular saws and angle grinders to cut tires up into strips for use as wipers on rear blades.

 

[Baby Grand]

I've had good results cutting tire (not the steel belted ones) with a Milwaukee reciprocating saw. Blade selection seemed to make a big difference, and I'm sorry, but I can't remember which kind worked best. Also, a mat knife with a fresh blade and a little patience can give you a real nice looking cut, especially if you use a little lube, like WD40, so the sides of the blade don't drag on the rubber as you cut deeper. Several shallow cuts and flexing the tire so the slit stays open and puts the rubber that your blade is cutting in tension also speeds things up. I sharpen my mat knife blade frequently with a DMT red hone and that saves a lot of time by avoiding having to change blades.
-jim

 

[ferrari99]

No, it is the kind that look like a small version of a cutoff saw blade. We often called them abrasive blades or Carborundum blades. Smokes like crazy. We used blades like that in circular saws and angle grinders to cut tires up into strips for use as wipers on rear blades.

I have tried them but it eats the blade so quickly.

I've had good results cutting tire (not the steel belted ones) with a Milwaukee reciprocating saw. Blade selection seemed to make a big difference, and I'm sorry, but I can't remember which kind worked best. Also, a mat knife with a fresh blade and a little patience can give you a real nice looking cut, especially if you use a little lube, like WD40, so the sides of the blade don't drag on the rubber as you cut deeper. Several shallow cuts and flexing the tire so the slit stays open and puts the rubber that your blade is cutting in tension also speeds things up. I sharpen my mat knife blade frequently with a DMT red hone and that saves a lot of time by avoiding having to change blades.
-jim

I have thought about that, or other people suggested a jigsaw (I hope that's what you call them).

 

[stuckmotor]

My second tractor was a two wheeler, my first had pedals. On the two wheeler, I used to remove all but two shanks from the cultivator and replace the sweeps with a short section of grader blade. As I remember, it moved precious little dirt because the blade was behind the wheels and pressing down on the handles to make it penetrate, tended to lift the wheels. They used to make dozer attachments for two wheelers and I've often wondered how well they worked. If I were you, I'd probably trade the two wheeler for a rider so your weight will be above the wheels and give better traction. Sorry to be discouraging but even my MF 261 won't dig very well with the bucket. One day, I might add a weight box and tooth bar and hope for the best. Good luck.

 

[bcp]

How about starting with, or copying a tracked snowblower?

tracked snowblower photos

Bruce

 

[bcp]

My Troybilt tiller with blade will push nearly a bladefull of freshly tilled dirt.

Here is a video I found.

Bruce

 

[ferrari99]

My second tractor was a two wheeler, my first had pedals. On the two wheeler, I used to remove all but two shanks from the cultivator and replace the sweeps with a short section of grader blade. As I remember, it moved precious little dirt because the blade was behind the wheels and pressing down on the handles to make it penetrate, tended to lift the wheels. They used to make dozer attachments for two wheelers and I've often wondered how well they worked. If I were you, I'd probably trade the two wheeler for a rider so your weight will be above the wheels and give better traction. Sorry to be discouraging but even my MF 261 won't dig very well with the bucket. One day, I might add a weight box and tooth bar and hope for the best. Good luck.

I have a homemade blade for the tractor already. What I was going to do is add a second set of wheels and run tracks between them. The purpose is not so much as a dozer just a 'ride on' machine with a front end loader (for lifting things and loading loose material) and maybe build a dozer blade for it eventually.

How about starting with, or copying a tracked snowblower?

Well I have a slight problem with that, I'm in Australia and snowblowers are as rare as hens teeth.

My Troybilt tiller with blade will push nearly a bladeful of freshly tilled dirt.

Well I should hope my tractor could do better than that.

 

[Jim Timber]

How much work do you expect out of this thing when completed?

 

[ferrari99]

How much work do you expect out of this thing when completed?

The idea is a bit stale now, I'm just the forum nuisance that has ideas and never does them...

 

[Jim Timber]

I get a chuckle when I see ads for the atv FEL's. I have a 700cc atv and it's not heavy enough to do any real work either.

 

[PILOON]

I once needed to cut stall mats.
Saw blades heat and bind.
Jig saw also binds.
WD40 helped a bit as did liquid detergent.

What finally worked best was to lay the mat over a 2 X 4 so that the sides sort of drooped and then to slice with a fresh box knife blade.
Being bolstered by the 2 x 4, the cut would just naturally open up and there was no binding. Also made a very need clean cut.

 

[TimBuck2]

When I read the original post, I thought, if you weight about 6,000 pounds and you are going to mount an engine that can move you and the dirt in front of the plow, it might be worth it, otherwise, use a shovel and a rake.