What Tracks for a 55hp@5500rpm 3 bearing per axle beast for swamps, steep rock?

[spookum]

Ok guys, my 8 wheeled Argo isn't really an Argo anymore, and like the title says, has 55 hp at 5500 rpm and 3 bearing per axle. With a common intagrated wheel bearing extension on EVERY axle she has become kind of *ahem* heavy set. What track will work best for alaska? NO SNOW THOUGH.... I think that I need two tracks.... One for snow and one for the other 3 months lol. Adairs (who I love) or escargo, or build my own

[guyfox]

I think that if you have access to various materials and tools then you should try experimenting....only you really know the country that you want to take your BEAST into....At 55hp with that geo metro engine you have one seroiuus machine there.

Another reason to build your own is that it may offer others another source for tracks.....

[kghills]

You might want to contact Matt at Mudd-Ox. The Mudd-Ox model GT and XL are making more horsepower and a lot more torque and run 4000RPM. I would think any track that holds up on a Mudd-Ox could take the extra mile per hour you may be able to obtain with your machine with ease.

Keith

[spookum]

Thanks guys, I WILL BE fabbing up snow tracs.... I have we'll over 400" of 3" paddle "Mavric" tracks for the snow (stay tuned... Cheap and easy tire guides for all I say). I think I'm going to end up selling a snow machine, and would like an open dialog about track designs. For the other three months out of the year..... I will run in swamp of course, like what rock Dr. Runs in. But I'll also be in tussocks hip deep, thick nasty alders and steep gravely hills where side hill traction is a must...... And I still have to swim!

[spookum]

And I went with a "classic" escargo desighn built in state for cheap and easy! 1" thick hdpe and steel insert 1/4 thick. 4" to 4.5" in on center. Should be able to be mounted on the old Argo for 2k... Maybe less .



1.5" hdpe with a 1/2" of steel on top of that..... 18" wide + rubber belting will yield about a 22" wide track for alaska.... Until I add a winter track kit!


It will look similar to this:

[guyfox]

Those are some mean looking tracks.....Cannot wait to hear how they work on your machine,

[spookum]

So. Thanks to Buzz we hit upon the idea of plastic with steel inserted into it. A "classic" track desighn.



Note the flat edges where the bolt holes stick up. This should assist inna biting edge for driving out of ruts, and up brush. Pointy grade 8 1/4" bolts should really help the outside of the track profile grab. The overall extra 2" of added ground clearence will be super nice, along with the gear reduction of the machine. Here they are without further adue.




Bottom



Side




Notice the slot all the way across the top:



I think the original plan was to have it not extend out all the way, but now I guess I could bake it shapes like an ulu knife

It would be neat to have "ulu" tracks. Would the extra weight be worth it? (Pretend the wood is plastic crosser)



Box of fun:

[Buzz]

I believe the earlier pic was of a set build by Adair. I'm trying a couple different variations of this experiment all based upon the Escargo design. I've been meaning to do it for some time, but I'm not the first. It's very labor intensive but should make for a good compromise, I think. The biggest difference is that the steel insert will be 3/16" steel flatbar that is embedded very deep into the crosser. It will then have through-and-through bolts sandwiching it tight. So it should be extremely well supported with very good wall-thickness on either side of the steel and won't have to rely on a threaded "bite" into UHMW. Definitely not something you can just throw together quick, but it's another option that's worth some longer term use/abuse. I'm going to try some in 1.5" thick repro and also the same thickness in a higher grade just to see if there's any difference, benefits/drawbacks that are really necessary or need to be overcome to justify the price. I believe Spookum's steel insert will have more of an ulu shape unlike the diagram-picture. Hmmm...escargo ulu track

[spookum]

Like this:




Or this:

.

I would worry about the lack of a slot to grip the 3/16 steel. Hmmmm could it bend? Could it start a crack out there?

[spookum]

The steel is cut out and hardware bought. Time for holes tommorow



Cutting



Done! Thanks msfia65!



Starting to look like ulu tracks!



Thanks buzz

[Buzz]

looking good! Makes me wish I was in the garage at the moment!

[spookum]

It's coming along.

Got a jig going



Closer view of the jig



200 holes are done. 600 left.

[Buzz]

200 done 600 left. That's classic -
kinda like drilling holes in the rubber!

[MAX IV Mark]

Your grouser design looks perfect for something I was thinking of. Building a track with two belts for stability. Main 1/4" belt bolted in the tire high position and parallel smaller 1/8" belt bolted in the elevated position. This locks all the grousers parallel with each other and prevents them from twisting. The smaller belt will fold in when the tracks wrap around the end tires. This also would give more side surface area to prevent tracks from walking off. It would be nice to get the benefits of the elevated track design without the drawbacks. Just thinking out loud. What you have done so far looks great, I am impressed.

[Buzz]

great thought Max IV Mark. The overall track length would be longer and the gear reduction would go away. Also, having crossers that can move freely at the tire-tread level is another advantage I would hate to lose. But the idea of a material that would prevent movment at times while allowing compression at others is pretty cool. The only disadvantage to an elevated-belt is the increased width which can be looked at a number of ways though. Look forward to seeing the beast with your tracks Spookum!