Tracks, Boggies, suspension...heaven forbid?

[trevorakm1]

I remember member Brebett posting pics of someone in Canada mounting those Tatou tracks on a 6x6. I didn't quite get it. Why add something like that to a machine that has the full track capability already factored in. Then again I don't really understand the half track idea either. I have never run that half track set up so don't really see the benefit but I'm open to be enlightened. If all axles are powered then why not put them all inside the same track? Not picking on these set ups just don't see the advantage over a full track set up.

[john swenson]

i tell ya, look up on the internet under homebuilt tracked russian machines. it's amazing what those guy's come up with. lot's of great ideas !! johnboy va.

[JohnF]

For a Max you would drive from the rear and for an Argo drive from the front. You then could just remove all of the other axles and maybe use the holes for torsion rods. Copy a known working system, like a Tucker or some snow cat. The unit could just bolt up to where axle extensions bolt on - kind of in the form of the Max axle reinforcement beam thingy.

Add UHMW guides under the body to protect it. Spring load the idler (pulley at the end opposite the drive cog) to manage track slack.

Probably should just go buy a snow cat.

[john swenson]

seems like if someone wanted to take say a max 2 and make tracks with bogey wheels and maybe suspension, the best way would be like dozers and tanks. replace front wheel with a cogged drive style. rear wheel replace with free wheeling track guide wheel. these both may be about 8'' diameter. then design the bogey wheel system to fit . the right length and height could be determined.you would need to remove rear drive chains so those axles could freewheel. the center axle would just be cut close to outer bearing. it would still turn. the front axle would drive the track cog. this would all be designed according to the tracks being used, like rubber tracks for skid steers, etc. there are lots of designs. you could probably use the stock wheel rims and make the front one a drive wheel, then design your own tracks etc. to fit. would be fun project !! johnboy va.

[Old Tucker]

I like that Noel. For now we have what we have. Well said.
Every bodies ridding conditions are a little different. As mine are on very rocky and steep trails. so I just use the argo in the winter with tracks because the rocks and rough ness of the trail is covered with 5 to 10 feet of snow. in the summer its by far better and faster to use a Quad. So when I see a vid of someone screening into a mud puddle just to try and get stuck I say WHY? . I have enough challenges just trying to get to my destination with out getting killed. But its all a lot of fun that why we do what we do.

[Noel Woods]

After a lifetime amphibious atvs I think that the best solution to the scenario is a hard plastic track, maybe with snow cleats for winter. They give good all around utility with minimal upkeep.
In terms of suspension, that's where additional cost and complexity kicks in. Probably prohibitive for recreational users anyway. An airbag seat or thickly padded seat with built in suspension is a fairly inexpensive work around. Look at the seat system from the Hoot for inspiration.
Maybe someday a bright person will come up with some inexpensive alternatives. For now we have what we have.

[Buzz]

there is/were lots of cushman's up here but many of the owners eventually ended up with argos. For an amphibious rig, over the wheel style tracks let you keep buoyancy. Fewer parts, many track options, and some drive-redundancy in the event you have some major problems with your tracks. Suspension would be nice, but these machines only have HP enough to go sloow through much of the terrain they were designed for anyway. At least if you're carrying or towing anything significant. A custom machine, well that's a different story altogether.

[Old Tucker]

Side view of the tracks They must be using a skid steer on this [IMG][/IMG]

How was the trickster in the snow I have not followed them much.

[ARGOJIM]

Oh I dunno...you can turn with current tracks on Argo's and so forth..so why not those if they go full length of machine?

I am not nessasarily speaking about RUBBER tracks, I'm talking about a track frame with boggies and some suspension there is NO reason an adair or channel track or escargo track could not be made to work with a boggie setup like the ones pictured..

Just as I said thinkin out loud

Wish granted, now you only have 2 left.

[Old Tucker]

Here is something that came out of china I think [IMG][/IMG]
How well it worked Do not know.

[mightymaxIV]

Oh I dunno...you can turn with current tracks on Argo's and so forth..so why not those if they go full length of machine?

I am not nessasarily speaking about RUBBER tracks, I'm talking about a track frame with boggies and some suspension there is NO reason an adair or channel track or escargo track could not be made to work with a boggie setup like the ones pictured..

Just as I said thinkin out loud

It could probably be made to work with Adair style hard plastic tracks because they are soooooo much easier to turn then the Tatou style. But the grouers that run through the boggie wheels would have to be tall to keep the track on the boogie wheels during skid steers. The Boogie wheels could be run below the tires on a subframe with two sets of Boggie wheels side by side running through the grousers as they currently exsist. In my opiom all you would gain is ground clearance.

The Adairs already offer so much traction they will drag a smooth bodied Argo through the mud when the tub is littally floating on mud: witness the video.

Seems like to much effort with to little gain.

[riotwarrior]

The problem with this is the argos and other units like this use a skid steer system. Unlike the ATV that allow you to turn the front track.and the back track follows. If you use this on a argo you would never be able to turn. You need one long track on each side so you can spin it sideways. But I like the idea.

Oh I dunno...you can turn with current tracks on Argo's and so forth..so why not those if they go full length of machine?

I am not nessasarily speaking about RUBBER tracks, I'm talking about a track frame with boggies and some suspension there is NO reason an adair or channel track or escargo track could not be made to work with a boggie setup like the ones pictured..

Just as I said thinkin out loud

[Old Tucker]

Sorry I eat my words, He is a very good rider. He know the machine and know how to push it. We do not have mud like that around here. We push our machines to get from point A to point B. Mostly as a tool, And if we can get around a problem we will. Its obvious our ridding is a whole lot dif then yours.
Now on that note. I sure like the idea of tracks with a little suspension. But I take it we all dream of the machine that has it all.

[Noel Woods]

Dan's son is featured in many riding videos. He is an excellent rider. In this particular footage an excellent rider was limited by the technology on the machine.

[mightymaxIV]

Ive been following the atvs with tracks for a a bit and have been out with then a lot. all I can say is that if the fella on the bike knew how to ride it, it be a different story. know wonder he is braking parts Around here the guys that ride like that are left behind to play in there mud hole and the one that use there heads go places others only dream of.
The argo is designed to go in the mud and with a good set of tracks they will do very well. All machines have there pros and cons. Now a Argo with a good set of tracks with suspension built into them designed for the snow is what I would love to see. You are right rubber track in mud like that are useless.
.

The person riding that machine was my son, if you could watch him ride you wouldn't say that, he is a very good rider (very athletic). Some times (Bad Mud) conditions dictate riding style.