H2O propulsion from the main engine? on Max or Argo

[superherojohn]

I am wondering if anyone has tried to run power from their main engine for water propulsion? Jet drive or Propeller.
It seems silly to bolt on an outboard when carrying around a 18hp Briggs & Stratton as dead weight. I have a stepped shaft and could run a Vee-Belt in addition to the C-Clutch for separate power takeoff.
Problems:
I think that you have to spin a Jet really fast.
Can't have a propeller shaft sticking out of the back when 6 wheeling in the woods.

[boncrshr]

The early Hustler models had a jet pump...Richard Clarke sells them also. Fascinating topic for sure. The Hustler would reach 8mph in the water!!!

So it can be done, but someone on the site needs to be the guinea pig!!! Interested??

[6X6]

As a boater 1st and AATVer 2nd, I have wondered about more speed. I'm gonna try and build a small wooden Hydro, but will do jet drive instead of an outboard. I'll be using a JLO Snowmobile/AATV engine, and will use a (not yet found) Older JetSki for the Impeller and shaft. I looked at the Jet drives from the Hustler and Wedge, and while the right size, they are too much. A sunk Jetski can go for basically nothing, and the Jet will even have a reverse cup. While I'm not cutting up the Wolf to try it, I'll let you know how my hydro comes out in the spring, it will work basically the same. (But just a touch faster)

[superherojohn]

are you planning a wooden jetski?

6X6
Are you planning to build you own "wooden" jet ski or will this be a six x six / jetski?
I too have owned boats & jetskis. The 1990 500cc waverunners I owned wanted way more RPM's than I could afford here. Lugging around a second engine is just unwanted weight.

I want to put a water drive on/in my MAX and use my 18hp B&S. As usual I don't know how... and everytime I try something like this it is like I am BLEEDING MONEY!

[chiefmoose]

Why not remove four of the wheels and bolt on paddles welded to rims?

[coosaridgerider]

The hydrotrax dual propulsion system might be the way to go.Just a suggestion.

[Mike]

Recreatives Industries supposedly used some propeller setups on early Max II's. Jeff posted some pictures of the early tubs in the gallery:


Member BW6 has built his own propeller drive for his Max II with lots of pictures in the gallery too:


On top of the other six wheelers that members have mentioned with propulsion systems the Land Tamer currently offers a hydraulically driven prop too: Water Propulsion System

[artist1018]

Recreatives Industries supposedly used some propeller setups on early Max II's. Jeff posted some pictures of the early tubs in the gallery:


Member BW6 has built his own propeller drive for his Max II with lots of pictures in the gallery too:


On top of the other six wheelers that members have mentioned with propulsion systems the Land Tamer currently offers a hydraulically driven prop too: Water Propulsion System

Check out Route 6x6 site, there is an after-market twin prop add-on listed there!

[kunzmm137]

propultion

I have a hustler that I am trying to get more water speed out of. I am going to try running a transfer pump off the engine, there is plenty of hp available, since the pump only requires 5 hp, and doesn't require super high rpm. The output is over 14000 gallons per hour. It will be like having a fire hose attached to the back, pushing it forward. I will not have it installed or tested until spring, but I will let everyone know how it works.

[dezi]

Sounds like a lot of fun. I am tearing apart my first 6x6 right now and going to put in a water system as well to get me around in the channels and bay's. We'll see how it goes. I will be posting pics of the whole restoration.

[Amphiman1]

berkley jet drive on wedge

The early Hustler models had a jet pump...Richard Clarke sells them also. Fascinating topic for sure. The Hustler would reach 8mph in the water!!!

So it can be done, but someone on the site needs to be the guinea pig!!! Interested??

a few of us here on this site have sperry rand wedges with the jet drive too

[LTV KID]

kid

The kid came with a factory PTO and There is a video on you tube that is called K.I.D. ATV Amphibious All Terain Vehicle atv amphibious all train argo max where the guy drives into a lake with the PTO going while it has a propeller on it. It goes pretty fast for what it is being so big heavy and blunt. Has a 30 hp gas engine but i dont know what rpm the pto is turning. I'm sure with a lighter machine would go much faster

[lewis]

Warranty

I know this is not water propulsion but if you can hang a prop on it maybe a little tweaking who knows. It has a lot of good videos. Not good for the woods but it has its possibilities. Could be mounted in the center of a argo like a 5th wheel and extended for water use. This would be scary fast in a argo. Found this a while back and just thought i would share it.

[oztrax]

I have been thinking about this idea for over a year now,
I also own a Honda F12X jetski and a 19 foot Hamilton jet boat with a ford V8 and a 3 stage Hamilton jet drive.
Have rebuilt both the jetski and Hamilton jetpump a few times.

the thing is a jetpump needs to be spinning at 3-4000 rpm to work in cruise.
below 2000 rpm there is almost no thrust.

therefore the concept of driving a jetpump off the axle mechanism is a flawed design.
I measured my axle speed on the MAX 4 off the ground at WOT
its only 250 rpm, this wont drive a jetpump or propeller efficiently if at all.

so the only way a jetpump or propeller can be driven is PTO direct from the engine geared up for the jetpump at least 1.3:1
the inlet design is critical on a jetpump or else it cavitates under load, look at the hustler berkely unit , u can see the inlet duct smoothly guides water into impeller

the jetpump I am using (cost $200) is off a Kawasaki JS550 standup jetski, this is a mixed flow type of pump, (better for lower revs)
thrust is rated at 360 LBS.

so isn't that like having 8 trolling motors bolted on the back

regards
OZ

[oztrax]

JS550 jetpump

Few pics of the JS550 pump, mockup only.
it will fit where the towball is so shaft bearing can mount on frame structure.

my max pump.jpgmy max pump 2.jpg


the JS550 pumps are quite small, original engine is a 2 stroke 35 HP.
not very torquey, max RPM 4900.

uSDFntitled.jpguntitSADECled.jpg

Shaft diameter is 28mm so the rest of the drive will be have to be as strong


OZ