Transmission

[okenadie]

I just joined this group. And admittedly don't have a lot of experience with any of what is being talked about here. But having read some of the posts. I was wondering. If you want to be able to shift into either a higher or lower gear. Could it be possible to use a hydrostatic transmission. I know I have installed on on a Go-Kart for my grand kids. They can now shift into a higher gear and go faster. Or a lower gear and slow down. This has also helped with the turns. Since it is not a possi traction rear end. Allowing one rear wheel to turn faster than the other while turning.

[amphibious drew]

I'm not going to say it can't be done, but there are much better options. Argo's utilize a transmission that does have a high and low gear. Machines equipped with a t-20 don't, but then again, the t-20 is much more efficient at getting power to the wheels and doesn't really need it. My Max IV has a 23hp Briggs in it, and I have not ever felt like I ran out of power. Any time my it stopped moving forward, all 6 wheels were still spinning. Additionally, I have never been outrun by an Argo, even one equipped with the high speed transmission. Hydromike is putting a high/low gearbox in his Newt project, but I think he is just bored and wanted to try and complicate his build.

[thebuggyman1]

Trying to add a little more info to Drew's post....
The old style Argo transmission used one differential and requires more driver skill to feather the brake on the spinning side when in soft stuff..... Here is a little discussion on that: http://www.6x6world.com/forums/trans...vs-t-20-a.html
The newer Argo transmission is called an Admiral, and it uses 3 differentials. This finally gives Argo a true 6 or 8 wheel drive. With the Admiral, the side you apply brakes to will still turn, but at 1/3 the rate of the other side.

Mudd-ox uses a hydraulic pump and motors for great independent control of the sides.

I've also never seen an Argo on the race track...no matter how it was geared, braking one side just robs too much power to be competitive.

[liflod]

The best thing about low range in an Argo is engine braking. I also enjoyed it for crawling through the woods and technical "trails". Yes, a T-20 doesn't have a low range, but there's a few of us out there that would utilize it if it were available.

[hydromike]

I would absolutely use a low range in a T-20 machine. The main reason I'm trying it on the Newt project is because I have gobs of room to put the range box between the engine and the T-20, and just as much side-to-side clearance to run the T-20 input on the starboard side of the machine without running into anything.





The downside (aside from the extra weight) is that I only get a 2:1 reduction with the NP203 box. I'd love to have twice that and actually get more true "utility" out of some of the machines. Gus had the 3 or 4 speed transmission in his Max IV, and I think that was probably a better setup as far as reduction goes.


I'm still looking around for one of those Chelsea two-speed PTO/ range boxes that I saw.





I'm thinking about it more what Mark and Al said (http://www.6x6world.com/forums/trans...tml#post160158) , and I'm wondering if the box was a modified standard PTO-box, but I'm not sure. I know it was missing the input gear that's standard on other units, but I don't know if it could function as a range box without it. I'd need to get my hands on it. THAT would be sweet since it's a realtively smaller, lighter unit than the NP203 box or a small 3-speed automotive transmission, and I'm pretty sure it was around 4:1 reduction.

[ARGOJIM]

I just joined this group. And admittedly don't have a lot of experience with any of what is being talked about here. But having read some of the posts. I was wondering. If you want to be able to shift into either a higher or lower gear. Could it be possible to use a hydrostatic transmission.

It got a little technical there for a second and all kinds of names and numbers got thrown at you, to answer your question, yes but there would be some engineering involved unless you were to buy a MuddOx or other brand hydro unit.

All these other transmissions have brake,cvt and rpm controlled speeds and rate of turn.

[Andyman]

Thats some sweet work going on there Mike

DROOL

[ARGOJIM]

Oops I forgot to add the main reason I replied, most all of the 6x6's require a full stop and idle to shift gears except the hydro's.