The web link to the pontoons that you posted about each float 1,300 pounds and two of these would surely float the Mudd-Ox. Two pontoons would also give it some much needed side to side stability as well. Can you describe how you plan on attaching these pontoons to your Mudd-Ox?
Muddbug,
I am going to go with the pontoons in the picture below. Basically I found a forum where the guy was discussing how he built his little rig (new foam pontoon kickboat - Texas Fishing Forum). Basically he cut the pontoons from a slab of foam. And he said, and i need to check, that 1 cubic foot of foam will float 55 pounds. So I decided to go the foam route. I contacted a company that manufacture foam and I just purchased four foam cylinders measuring 12" x 8 ft. From my calculations the volume of that should be 6.28 cubic feet. So one foam pontoon should displace 345.4 pounds and i will be adding two to each ox, so i should be displacing at least 690.8 pounds (in theory). They are very sturdy and strong (and can be easily replaced), cheap and much lighter than pvc pipes. They don't come apart or break unless some traumatic force is applied. They have been used in building construction (to reduce the impacts of earthquakes) and for building roads and overpasses. I paid 300 bucks for the four. I can add another $280 and get it coated in a hard thin layer of cement woven with some mesh. Or i can just paint the thing any colour i want (water based paint). I spoke to a guy from a mechanics shop who will be coming by tomorrow so that we can discuss the design of whatever metal (aluminium or stainless steel) i will be using to hold it in place. So that is where i am at the minute. I have some ideas of how to hold them in place..i will let you see the design or the final product whichever is easiest...
Sounds like your making some real progress with your problem. I doubt you will need any additional front or real float if you put 1 of those suckers on each side of your pair of ox. I would suggest a way to easily release them from the vehicle. I feel as though the could get hung up on obsticals just attatched to the side of the machine, and unless it is keeping you from disaster, a quick release would allow you to take it off to prevent further damage, get through the obstacle, and then reattach if desired. A previous post you made leads me to believe you intend on keeping this on at all time due to blue holes. Unless you have a way to take them off if necasary, they may not last your entire journey.
do you think it can handle the weight and pressure of just a couple of mounting spots or you think the weight has to be spread out over more of the pontoon? you could make a 8,10,12 inch sleeve out of metal? fiberglass? or even polyethelene to reinforce the foam at just the mounting locations.if this works out for you i may have to use your idea so i can go fishing in small trout lakes where i live.you could make them attached to outriggers that are hinged so they flip up above over your head when they are not needed.
do you think it can handle the weight and pressure of just a couple of mounting spots or you think the weight has to be spread out over more of the pontoon? you could make a 8,10,12 inch sleeve out of metal? fiberglass? or even polyethelene to reinforce the foam at just the mounting locations.if this works out for you i may have to use your idea so i can go fishing in small trout lakes where i live.you could make them attached to outriggers that are hinged so they flip up above over your head when they are not needed.
Ha! I think you are asking for a bit much.. I thought about the flipping over head, but i might settle for something fixed (but will allow the foam to be removed when necessary). But i had the sleeve in mind, and yes i want to spread the weight over more of the pontoon. I think it can handle the pressure at a couple of mounting spots, but i prefer to spread it out over three different points using a sleeve. I just need to figure out where the attachments should go, but as i said, i have something in mind. The problem is finding material (aluminium) strong or thick enough to hold the cylinder...
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