Springers, how, why and are they worth it?

[kghills]

I drove 5 hrs to buy a machine to spring Tuesday night and the deal went cold after I found some issues with it and returned 5 hrs with an empty trailer. Yes, pretty serious. I would like to have a machine purchased in the next few weeks. Am I hunting faults? YES I AM! I would prefer not to run blindly into a project only to discover it was a waste of time, effort and money but WFO's post, honestly made the most sense to me. Right now I envision something like this with a suspension.

or this with Mudd-Ox Vendettas and a suspension:

Anyone have a preference?

I am hoping Marc will let me fit my AquaTorques on the Copperhead at Ashtabula when I pick up the Blackbird and do some testing for me. How bout it Jersey? Ready to turn the Copperhead into a bigfoot.

I would build it WITHOUT the intent of being tracked however if I can get the thing up and running to my satisfaction without tracks I am pretty sure I could sweet talk Tim into fitting it with a set of tracks as long as a trackable tire is on it to see how that might work.

Thanks WFO you rock! Keith.

[jerseybigfoot]

Will try to make the time.

[kghills]

Awesome Marc! A little off topic but when reading through project Copperhead it seemed the consensus was for Big Block power. Finally something I actually have a little experience with.

But what do you use for a clutch?

Keith.

[kghills]

Oops. Sort of lost track of this thread with all the things developing. Here are pictures of Copperhead fitted with AquaTorques.

I thank Marc for taking the time to give them a spin on his springer. Marc said the tires took the light nimble feel away from the springer and did not like them. I suppose that really makes sense. Like the design of a stadium truck compared to a mud truck. I think the springer kit needs to be designed for the intened tire and use. Another thing that happens is the wide design gets even wider, close to 80".

Keith.

[kghills]

Here is a recent springer development. Marc added Adair tracks to the Copperhead and by doing so answering a few questions whether tracks would work on a springer.


Not only did Marc take the leap and fit the Copperhead with tracks but here is a video of him letting it rip.


I plan on seeing more from Marc. He's just that sort of guy. Awesome!

Keith.

[jerseybigfoot]

I see you have come to the dark side

[whipper-ag]

[kghills]

I see you have come to the dark side

After seeing your video of the Copperhead with tracks there was no way I was going to let you have all the fun Marc.

Besides, I sense there is still good in you. Keith.

[Model Citizen]

[jerseybigfoot]

looked at it up close. On the Muddox xl large tub its wider than the Copperhead with 25s. Apparently the smaller tub Muddox it may be as wide as the Copperhead. its very stiff and probably too stiff for the max speed it goes. I don't think there were mud holes wide enough to test it. I saw it swim, just like the Copperhead, barely, not much freeboard. I'd say its still a prototype.