Homebuilt finally finished!

[smyser]

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. I may be posting some videos soon, but none of water for awhile. As some have noticed these tires are not intended for water, and I will have to find some ribbed tires before trying out water.

Racerone, it has the original belt setup. I kept it because I can change the drive speed vs. torque with different pulleys, or add a vari-drive pulley to change the ratio on the go.

As for the man hours spent on this project, I started drawing on paper september 1st '10, and had a driveable vehicle by december '10. I did not consider it done until the paint went on and dried. I spent an hour or two everyday on it, which gave me something to look forward to after work. It was a pleasant building project.

[6X6]

Awesome job. I really like these home-built projects. It's cool to see one done, almost as cool as watching it in action Hint...Hint.
When it warms up I'd definitely like to see how it swims. Hell, my J.D. walk behind is pretty easily steered just with two belts and two brake bands, so those who can build but with little budgets can get 6-wheeling with some work and ingenuity!

[smyser]

Thank you, I've just added some more photos and I will work on a you-tube link, or upload a video later.

[LarryW]

smyser,
Im so pumped on this 6x6 you built. You did a awesome job on the woodworking. I can tell you have a great skill with building things and took your time building this!!! Very impressed with the whole build!!! Its cool you can show if you have skill, patience and limited funds you can still have a cool 6x6. The limited funds is the easy part, its the skill and patience that gets harder, lol.

If we had a section to vote for most impressive machine of the year I would vote on yours!

[AndyL]

Very nice man! Pretty sweet 6x6!!! What engine are you using to power it? Curious to see some pics of the drivetrain and some videos too!

[smyser]

Thanks again everyone. Ive added some more pictures including some of the engine compartment. I'm new to this, and Im afraid Ive been putting photos all over the gallery instead of one specific correct area. Sorry if this has caused grief for other members.

[jeffery9076]

nice build

love the way it looks nice craftsmanship would love to see video of it running. Now my opinion is it will never hold up. Thats if you go where i go. I seriously hope you prove me wrong cause it looks sweet. I can break almost anything cause i drive like a maniac. What i see is a flex issue with screws holding things together i think the first time you do some real off roading. I am jealous and in envie of your build and hope you make me eat crow on the flex issue just my opion

[6X6]

Smyser
Just checked out the other photos, it looks really sweet. I think it looks nicer than some of the factory machines!
I see that it also uses a vertical shaft engine. This is great cause they can be had for a lot less than horizontals. Shoot, I have enough good 12-18hp verticals to power a half dozen like machines.
Have to ask, how much did the build cost you?
What did you have you didn't have to buy?
And time?
I figure some people who think they don't have enough $$ may be inspired by this.

[smyser]

Thanks for the comment Jeffrey, and I would agree that flex would have been an issue. However, what you can't see from the photos is the heavy square tube steel frame built into the body. One of my requirements was that I didn't want to hear even a creak in the body. I've stopped at the top of snow drifts with three wheels hanging out in space and not seen a single crack in the paint. I watched the seams especially close. I think it will be fine. It should last as long as it is not stored outside. (The interior is not painted, and even marine plywood can only last so long outdoors). There won't be any crow to eat, you and I had the same concerns just at different times, that's all. Thanks.

6x6, I used a vertical shaft because everyone has access to one, and they are cheap compared to horizontals. I didnt have to buy the motor, it came off an MTD. You can get those all day off of old riding mowers.

Here is what I had to buy: 3 sheets of 3/4" marine plywood ($120), one dixon mower (no deck $50), another Dixon mower ($100) (but now I have a spare engine any tranny), paint ($50), plexiglass ($20), gauges ($50), another set of hubs and wheels ($30), those were the big expenses. Assorted hardware made up the rest. I'm about $600 deep in it now.

The key to this project was Craigslist. I simply told people what I was working on and if they had what I needed. You wouldnt believe how many people contacted me and let me pick through their junk-pile. The project was not only a pleasant building experience after work, but I also got to meet a lot of people with interests similar to my own. As for time, about an hour or two every evening since september. Thanks.

[smyser]

Here is my first try at embedding a You-Tube video. Hope it works. Please keep in mind these videos are prior to painting. Thanks.

Thanks Larry, maybe this will work.

[LarryW]

I just sent you a pm to try to help with the video embedding but click on the filmstrip icon and paste the url in there.


Looks sweet, love the counter rotating!!! I wonder if I can get that drive unit in one of my machines?

[Mike]

I agree, that counter rotation was sweet. Thanks for posting the videos. Very cool project.

[LarryW]

I like how the chains are outside. I would be easy to change ratios with an endless amount of possibilities if needed. You could put huge sprockets on your axles while normally we are limited to a smaller size with the body. There are some drawbacks Im sure with them outside but there is some +'s too like you don't have to have the chain channels in the body so you can gain some ground clearance.

I love the push bar and spare tire in rear. It looks so cool with them and I was trying to picture it without and I dont think it would look the same.

I also like how much body room you have over the tires. Looks like they are spaced out enough too. I bet if funds ever develop you could get some huge tires on that thing. And you could easily adjust the chain ratio if the tires gear it up to much you loose power. What size tires are on it now? Guessing 18 or 20's?

[jeffery9076]

liked the video

counter rotation is great on that thing. I would love to build something like that for my lawncare biz sprayer system / pulling a brush cutter / or plowing snow. I hope it holds together for ya. Now mike needs to make a smiley eating crow yum yum. hope more videos are coming. thanks

[trebmaster]

bravo,well,done.something new and differnt,I love it