Pedal Dozer Project
29Sep/14Off

Track and Go Kit for 4×4 Trucks

A quick kit for converting road going 2 wheel drive trucks into tracked snow capable machines.

We've seen kits for 4x4 trucks, however, this one is the most convenient that I've seen. With a combination of skiis and tracks built into each wheel drive unit, the stock wheels can generate plenty of propulsion when paired with low ground pressure and high traction. I'm not sure if slippage of the tire on top of the track unit is a problem.

Each Track N Go kit comes with four track units and two loading ramps. To attach the tracks onto the vehicle, place the tracks in front of each wheel on the ground with the ramps leading up to them and simply drive forward onto the units and clamp them on. Rubber rollers integrated on the device ensures the tire stays aligned side-to-side for steering.

These look to be a bit less robust than other full track bolt-on kits; however, the convenience factor is high. I like that one could drive a truck to a location and then easily affix the tracks when the snow becomes deep enough to warrant it.

24Feb/14Off

Tracked Electric Locomotive

electric snow sled
This creation by Yvon Martel functions as a personal locomotive to aid in all kinds of weight pulling. It is a tracked unit containing batteries, electric propulsion, and control unit.

8Apr/13Off

Half Track Restoration Project

half track restoration

The Creeper Track Society is restoring a Citroën Kegresse P17E half-track vehicle. These fellows are carrying out the restoration in detail and documenting the process on their website: Creeper Track Society. I'm very interested in the process -- and the excellent skill and dedication of the team -- as they show their work restoring the boogies to building their own track replacement from scratch.

4Feb/13Off

Tracked VW Snow Bus

What a great example of custom vehicle hacking. Bernd Berger has taken an old, derelict, 1966 Volkswagon van and combined it with the running gear from what looks like a small Prinoth tracked utility vehicle.

vw snow van

The results look fantastic.

4Nov/11Off

Omni-Crawler Track Design

This innovative track design from Japan's Osaka University allow a vehicle to carry heavy weight and gain the advantage of multiple directions of travel.

The design uses interesting split track layout mounted on wheels they call omni-balls -- spherical balls split into two hemispheres -- as the drive mechanism for the track. It appears from the video that the drive shaft attaches to the front and rear of the track mechanism and this supports the weight of the vehicle and transmits power and control inputs to the track.

21Oct/10Off

Small Motorized Tracked Vehicle

dtv-shredder

Interesting find on the web -- the DTV Shredder motorized personal track vehicle. The prototype was designed and built by fellow Canadians BPG Werks located in Brampton, Ontario. They claim to have financial supporters for civilian and military applications and expect to be in production in the next 18 months or so.

10Aug/10Off

Home Made Track Build

Discovered this page where some robotics enthusiasts made their own tracks out of bicycle chain, PVC pipe, and bolts. Looks like an effective design and I'd like to see it in action!

27May/10Off

Local Students Make Pedal Powered Track Vehicle

I saw this in the Globe and Mail and had to post it here:

Pedal powered Tracked vehicle

I really like their concept and the simplicity of the design. Seems like they used a snowmobile track, cut in half down its length, and all the stock drive cogs and idler wheels. Bicycle pedals and frames welded on to a square tube chassis rounds out the package. I'm curious to know how well it works and to talk with these guys... If you're out there drop us a comment!

   

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