Paddle wheels for an amphib

[cory_Alaska]

I have seen it mentioned on here that someone was looking to make some paddle wheels for water propolsion. I stumbled on these today and thought I would post it. May give someone an idea. Would be nice if there was a way to disconnect them quickly without taking the lugnuts off.

ARGO Paddle Wheels

[mudbug3]

[QUOTE=cory_Alaska ] I have seen it mentioned on here that someone was looking to make some paddle wheels for water propolsion. I stumbled on these today and thought I would post it. May give someone an idea. Would be nice if there was a way to disconnect them quickly without taking the lugnuts off. [ quote ]





bw6 has designed probably the best water propulsion system so far for an amphib driver , who wants to cover a large amount of water in a short amount of time . He says you can disconnect them in a matter of minutes . The only problem I see with his "jet wheel " system is this : If it is that easy to remove and attach , what happens if you hit some thing under the water to make one or both of them fall off ? I,m sure these things are not cheap to replace .

[whipper-ag]

I'm sorry, but that is the dumbest thing I've ever seen. Put an outboard motor on the back, or better yet, buy a jet-ski. Just my opinion.

Whipper

[yellowargo]

Thanks Cory, I was asking about that. Looks a little unstable but with some adjustments might work. And yes removeable is a must.

Whipper, I do not want a motor, I run in water with lilly pads and weeds and based on my experience the motor sucks in that condition. I applaud a little inventiveness and someone willing to try anything.

Thanks again for the pics!

[whipper-ag]

Maybe these are the kind of tires you guys that want to swim faster should look into. Do a search for sand dune paddle tires.

Whipper

[boncrshr]

Hey Whipper,

Have you seen an amphib use those tires before?? If so, what were your impressions??

[Russh]

That would not last long with me!!!!, but what would happen if you took there idea and moved it to the inside. A smaller version, between the tire and the tube????

[LarryW]

For the quick disconnect. I have thought about that but for running duals. I was think getting a hub, 4 bolt or 5 bolt, what ever matches our wheels. Have a axle welded to it and put it between the wheel and the original hub when you mount the tire. Sort of like an axle extenion. Then you just need a hollow tube with the paddle on and you can disconnect or connect it with 1 bolt or even a pin. Or maybe just opposite if you have an extra hub laying around you could drill out the threads and put in on backwards between your hub and wheel and run a shaft on the paddles.

[cory_Alaska]

I do have to admit, they are pretty goofy looking and would not be practical without some kind of quick disconnect system so you could put them on quickly when crossing a large body of water, but I think they would be affective. I do think they would work just as good if they were smaller. Anyway, I just posted them to spark some idea's for yellowargo since he mentioned it.

[ygmir]

you still have to deal with the paddles being to low in the water to be effective........they need to be over half way out of the water to do much good........
I see that as the major issue with propulsion of this sort.
If a person could raise the freeboard, maybe with adjustable outriggers for extra flotation, then, I'd say it'd get somewhere.
I've not see pics of any of these rigs floating at or above center of the axle/hub, and, that's really be where you'd need to be.

Just my random thoughts.
Henry

[cory_Alaska]

I dont know. My 8 wheeler rides with the rear tires pretty high. I think these paddles are long enough that they may work ok as long as you dont throttle up too much.

[boncrshr]

Hey YG,

I forgot about the flotation thing...maybe some really big ones might work. Aside from the swimming issue, I keep wondering how these tires might do in the mud...specifically on Meinfeld's Hustler. He's got that crazy horsepower...it might look like one of those mud bogger trucks.

[mudbug3]

boncrshr ,


The tire that Whipper posted a picture of , is probably a sand tire . That being said , I would " assume " that this is also a 2-ply tire , since you don,t need as much durability in the sand as you do with a regular atv tire . When you have a tire with lugs this far apart and 2-ply also , I would assume they would also puncture much easier . This is not what you need if you are driving in water and mud with sharp things under the surface , that could more easily puncture a tire like this . But ,,this is only my opinion .

[boncrshr]

Hey Mudbug,

I had been looking at them and yes they are 2-ply for the most part...and I agree they would puncture easily in the hardcore mud riding, we have seen first hand how hard ruts and unseen stuff is on the tires. But I am curious from an academic standpoint.....my guess is that if you could get these high enough out of the water they would swim good, and on a light machine with high HP, I think they would mud good if you spun them up fast enough. But durable enough to depend on...no.

[mudbug3]

" my guess is that if you could get these high enough out of the water they would swim good, and on a light machine with high HP "




boncrshr ,


Here is the problem with that idea . The only " light " amphibs that I can think of off hand , are the Attex , Max II , Trail Boss , and other amphibious 6x6 made in that era . None of the machines mentioned above have the tub room to fit a tire paddle like this .