Homemade Amphibious Tracked Vehicle

[Trackster]

That is super impressive! Its hard enough to rebuild a tracked vehicle, much less build one from scratch. Major props on the effort and the results.
Nick

[onlyonce]

Pinestumps, What state would we find this beast in? Have you had it on the water yet to see how she floats?

[pinestumps]

That is super impressive! Its hard enough to rebuild a tracked vehicle, much less build one from scratch. Major props on the effort and the results.
Nick

Thanks, have to hand it to the Russians they know how to design track machines!

Pinestumps, What state would we find this beast in? Have you had it on the water yet to see how she floats?

NE Iowa. Haven't been in full amphibian mode yet, but the tub is watertight. Usually we get a lot of rain this time of year but it has been very dry, so I don't know when I'll get a chance to do a swim test.

[pinestumps]

ATV is false advertising, unless you're a helicopter

[pinestumps]

Did a swim test. Performance was rather disappointing, it wouldn't swim forward very well but backwards it swam just fine. Deflectors were added on the return side of the track, but they didn't help much. There must be some funky dynamics going on from forward to reverse . Stability was also an issue too, but that is okay because more stuff will be added allowing the machine to sit lower in the water from the increased weight.

[onlyonce]

That style track is not known to be a great swimmer. Interesting that it would swim a lot better backwards. If you find out why please let us know.

[riotwarrior]

Amazing rig....love the diff idea ...just wish one could split that so as to connter rotate steer.

Amazing build.

Do you have files for the cnc cutting?

What is your investment in raw materials such as steel track grousers and such...not counting time or parts like wheels tyres engine trans....just basic raw materials.

What about some limk5ing blocks on walking beams prevern body slapping?

Have you considered going hydraulic like the mudox? Would allow much more room internally...maybe get some small planetery drives outboard driven by two hyd motors....

Cost would go up...sadly

Great job amazing machine.

[pinestumps]

That style track is not known to be a great swimmer. Interesting that it would swim a lot better backwards. If you find out why please let us know.

I will let you know if I figure it out. Looking at a Russian rig with the same track system, it looks to go 7 kph in choppy water. His tracks look fully submerged, not that it matters perhaps?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzZZkPFKXkQ

Amazing rig....love the diff idea ...just wish one could split that so as to connter rotate steer.

Amazing build.

Do you have files for the cnc cutting?

What is your investment in raw materials such as steel track grousers and such...not counting time or parts like wheels tyres engine trans....just basic raw materials.

What about some limk5ing blocks on walking beams prevern body slapping?

Have you considered going hydraulic like the mudox? Would allow much more room internally...maybe get some small planetery drives outboard driven by two hyd motors....

Cost would go up...sadly

Great job amazing machine.

Thank you.

Yes I do have cnc files. There is some interest from guys around my area for a kit/plans which would be fun to do, but I didn't want release anything until I work these bugs out.

Looking at my spreadsheet I spent:
-$2175.16 on steel components (this includes the precut/preformed plate steel)
-$79.05 on hardware
-$514.37 on non-metallics (conveyor belt and polyurethane casting compound)
So around $2800 in raw materials, not cheap. But to me the cost is justified in ruggedness and adaptability. This year though multiply the steel cost by 1.4, because tariffs .

On my next machine I want to move to independent wheel suspension with torsion bars, I have been looking at Ford and chevy truck torsion bars for a foundation.

I withdrew from hydraulics because of cost and complexity like you mentioned. Not too mention my history with hydraulics is a little tainted from previous projects (don't ask lol). In the end I was going for that 'good enough' design, where it uses simple/common automotive mechanical components.

[pinestumps]

[onlyonce]

Did you just bolt that extension onto the existing track? Are you noticing a big difference in flotation in the mud?
Looking good.

[pinestumps]

It still only has the summer tracks.

I've only tested a section of the extension back in early April. Extensions will only be for winter use to keep up with the Tuckers and Sno Tracs up north, I have a feeling they will work just fine.

[pinestumps]

Delicious

[tbone9]

Cool pictures. Thanks for sharing.

[JoeMeg]

Awesome machine! Thanks for the pic's.

[DoubleActing]

That style track is not known to be a great swimmer. Interesting that it would swim a lot better backwards. If you find out why please let us know.

Hey, I think I know. I'm guessing your drive sprocket is on one of the ends, right? Going one way, the track under the vehicle runs tense. Going the other way, the track will slacken. One or the other swims better. If you can, get a go pro , a case, and a stick and look at what the track is actually doing down there.