who makes 8x8's?

[Roger S]

I don't have anything intelligent to add to your discussion..

When I think about suspension, that military, remote driven, electric motor in each wheel, Crusher vehicle comes to mind.

[mudbug3]

not really feasable unless the suspension moved very slowly.

there is way to much unsprung weight in relation to the overall weight of the vehicle that the suspension would have to deal with unless it is a slow application, There are some machines that are as you desribe but they are very slow moveing.

the most effective way to go would be simply one hydraulic motor on each side and one variable displacement pump for each side . You would have a fully hydraulic drive system ,the variable displacment pumps are like haveing variable ratio drives for each side in forward and reverse just like a bobcat or other skidsteer loader ( they dont normally have one hydraulic motor for each wheel its one per side)

not sure why a hydraulic drive going to each side but distributed by chains to each axle wouldnt be considered full hydraulic drive ?

I think the Mud Ox that Matt built is this way ? Maybe Roger can comment on this ?

[pepper]

not really feasable unless the suspension moved very slowly.

there is way to much unsprung weight in relation to the overall weight of the vehicle that the suspension would have to deal with unless it is a slow application, There are some machines that are as you desribe but they are very slow moveing.

the most effective way to go would be simply one hydraulic motor on each side and one variable displacement pump for each side . You would have a fully hydraulic drive system ,the variable displacment pumps are like haveing variable ratio drives for each side in forward and reverse just like a bobcat or other skidsteer loader ( they dont normally have one hydraulic motor for each wheel its one per side)

and then have a double wishbone suspension like whippers


not sure why a hydraulic drive going to each side but distributed by chains to each axle wouldnt be considered full hydraulic drive ?

[Robio_8x8]

If you go hydraulic why use chains ?

why would you use hydraulic motor on each wheel?? all you would need is two variable displacment pumps and two hyd motors to the chains(plus all the lines &controls I simplified but i am sure you get the point) .

The triton is that way as are as are Bobcats skidsteer loaders why would you put a motor on each wheel? all your doing is adding more weight ,increasing hydraulics demand for no good reason and the cost would be considerably more as a result of useing larger variable displacment pumps and needing more fluid volume and plumbing 4 to 6 more hyd motors.

not sure how much simpler you could get? Take a look at an air cooled bobcat or something like a case 1816 skid steer loader and you will see how simple it is. alot of the aircooled are belt drive to the Variable displacement pumps so it is even simpler to set up.

I have seen damaged skidsteers for well under a thousand that would work well as a doner as all the hydraulics were intact and on some of them the engine were working just structural damage to the frame etc.

Beeman beat me to this; if you put a motor on each wheel you can get amazing travel from your suspension without mechanical drive shaft restriction. The traction you would get from having independent hydraulic motors would be awesome. If you compromise it you may as well go back to non hydraulic system. I was not aware the triton was only part hydraulic now it really does not justify its cost.

[boncrshr]

Me and a buddy have been discussing this topic lately....

Here's my plans for my eventual, someday homemade beast.

Find a donor geo metro, use the motor and the transaxle to drive the rear wheels in 8x8 configuration. Steering would be accomplished with disc brakes on each axle. Eliminating belt slippage, plus the potential for fairly high speed appeals to me. Also, no pushing on laterals, the laterals would just have your brake levers on them with a foot pedal for the throttle.

Make homemade tracks similar to the escargo ones.

To save weight on the front six wheels, build something similar to what Whipper did that goes on the outside of the tub and use trailer type wheel hubs to attach to that. This eliminates axles and holes in the body, and offsets the weight of the tracks. Build an aluminum tub like Overkill's crazy 6x6....

And that's my someday project...maybe in the next couple of years when I get tired of the Hustler.

[Beeman]

You could even use just one hydraulic pump possibly making it even cheaper and more simple.

If you did go with a motor at each wheel, it would make it less complicated to add suspension.

[pepper]

why would you use hydraulic motor on each wheel?? all you would need is two variable displacment pumps and two hyd motors to the chains(plus all the lines &controls I simplified but i am sure you get the point) .

The triton is that way as are as are Bobcats skidsteer loaders why would you put a motor on each wheel? all your doing is adding more weight ,increasing hydraulics demand for no good reason and the cost would be considerably more as a result of useing larger variable displacment pumps and needing more fluid volume and plumbing 4 to 6 more hyd motors.

not sure how much simpler you could get? Take a look at an air cooled bobcat or something like a case 1816 skid steer loader and you will see how simple it is. alot of the aircooled are belt drive to the Variable displacement pumps so it is even simpler to set up.

I have seen damaged skidsteers for well under a thousand that would work well as a doner as all the hydraulics were intact and on some of them the engine were working just structural damage to the frame etc.

[Robio_8x8]

You must have a good hydraulic source

Hydro and chains are a pretty good combo. Bobcats and other skidsteers have been running them for years. I have had a few skidsteers over the years and have actually never had a problem with the hydraulics or the chains just the normal matinance. My current one i own is an older one that i just use for general duties arounf the property if it wasnt so useful would be a great doner .

The one thing i can say about the hydro is that it is far more user friendly then a gear drive unit. you can rock the vehicle one side at a time, back up or correct youself if needed in an instant , far easier to get unstuck or out of a pickle.
Hydraulics are actually not that expensive or complicated and i wonder why there are not more folks that have converted , there seems to be a fair bit of distrust in hydraulics in the AATV world but the reality is that hydrostatic drive systems have been used in some of the nastiest conditions and industries around so i really dont see it haveing a problem in an aatv?.



BTW Triton does sometimes answer emails . I got this from them not that long ago . in my mind all it needs is suspension and then you would have the perfect AATV

http://www.tritonatv.com/pdf/brochure_cdn.pdf

If you can get hydraulic parts for less money the roller chain and gears please share your source.

you would need somthing like this on each wheel plus a big pump to feed it with high psi fittings and hose.

Google Image Result for http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/1043_lg.jpg


Prince Heavy Duty Hydraulic Motor — 12 GPM, 2200 PSI, Model# ADM50-4RP | Motors + Mounting Brackets | Northern Tool + Equipment

http://www.vonwentzel.net/Prout/01.Propulsion/05.Hydraulics-Motors/Motor-Hydraulic.jpg

[pepper]

Hydro and chains are a pretty good combo. Bobcats and other skidsteers have been running them for years. I have had a few skidsteers over the years and have actually never had a problem with the hydraulics or the chains just the normal matinance. My current one i own is an older one that i just use for general duties arounf the property if it wasnt so useful would be a great doner .

The one thing i can say about the hydro is that it is far more user friendly then a gear drive unit. you can rock the vehicle one side at a time, back up or correct youself if needed in an instant , far easier to get unstuck or out of a pickle.
Hydraulics are actually not that expensive or complicated and i wonder why there are not more folks that have converted , there seems to be a fair bit of distrust in hydraulics in the AATV world but the reality is that hydrostatic drive systems have been used in some of the nastiest conditions and industries around so i really dont see it haveing a problem in an aatv?.



BTW Triton does sometimes answer emails . I got this from them not that long ago . in my mind all it needs is suspension and then you would have the perfect AATV

http://www.tritonatv.com/pdf/brochure_cdn.pdf

[Robio_8x8]

Was being facetious when I said that

Oooo, I know I know! A 50% increase in price? A Max II? A 2 week vacation to a remote island location? A new Kia? ...that's a lot more money. That's like saying why buy the $200,000 house when you could get one for $300,000 that requires less maintenance.

Also, how do you figure tire wear into that equation? As far a maintenance, yes the hydraulic systems that eliminate chains do reduce maintenance frequency but as far as that being worth the price, I'm not so sure.

Was being facetious Mike when I said what is another 5 or 10 k
The tire ware should be less if there is a hydraulic pressure stabilizer

This would allow different wheels to go slightly different speeds in a turn and would reduce Tire ware. Not but much and not enough to offset the cost.
It would also provide better traction if a wheel doesn’t need to spin out trying to maintain the speed of the other wheels.

I am just saying that an 8x8 is more money no matter how you look at it.
Buying parts, tires etc it is just more.

[Mike]

If you are spending $20+k what is another 5 or 10 K?

Oooo, I know I know! A 50% increase in price? A Max II? A 2 week vacation to a remote island location? A new Kia? ...that's a lot more money. That's like saying why buy the $200,000 house when you could get one for $300,000 that requires less maintenance.

Also, how do you figure tire wear into that equation? As far a maintenance, yes the hydraulic systems that eliminate chains do reduce maintenance frequency but as far as that being worth the price, I'm not so sure.

[Robio_8x8]

You pretty much need a big budget for any new 8x8

I think if you have to ask you cant afford it .

I think they are in the high twenties low thirties.

When you look at value the hydraulic system should be more reliable so money spend on maintenance down the road should be less. Also tire wear should be less if it is set up the way I would imagine it to be.

If you are spending $20+k what is another 5 or 10 K?

[Mike]

I tried contacting Triton a while back and nobody answered any of my dozen calls or emails. When the phonecalls went to voicemail, it would always say that their mailbox is full

Very Strange.

[artist1018]

IF you have a BIG budget, check out Land Tamer.com, now THERE'S an 8x8!!

[pepper]

I think if you have to ask you cant afford it .

I think they are in the high twenties low thirties.