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.

29Sep/14Off

Futuristic Track Design

from the past...

futuristic track design

Posted on this site is an un-referenced track design.

Looks to have a contiunous rubber track cast specially for this purpose. Advanced tread design will aid in self-cleaning mud and debris from clogging the tread pattern. Double leaf spring suspension on the bogies, slanted bogie positioning to aid track alignment and position, advanced cast wheels are likely plastic or aluminum for weight savings.

Despite these high-tech seeming elements, others indicate it is dated. leaf springs are now typically replaced by coil springs and cylindrical shock absorbers, and the body of the vehicle seems to be made of wood beams and steel banding which has been replaced with all metal or composite construction techniques.

Still, the track design itself fascinates.

 

 

 

29Jan/14Off

1939 Lehaitre Tracked Motorcycle

I present the 1939 Lehaitre tracked motorcycle. WWII made engineers see tanks and tracked vehicles everywhere, and apparently this enthusiasm spilled over to the world of motorcycles.
tracked-motorcycle-1939-Lehaitre

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.

24Feb/12Off

3D Printable Track Design

A visitor to the site -- t00tie -- sent over a link to a very cool 3D printer model for plastic tracks.

3D printable track model

The model is called "Moon Rover" created by emmett on the site Thingiverse. The track design is derived originally from a expanding bracelet and it utilizes the pliability of ABS with the natural flex of the deep inset hinges between each cleat to get a simple yet effective tread.

Filed under: Design, track Continue reading
16Feb/12Off

Timbersled Motorcycle Track Conversion Kit

There have been a number of tracked recreation vehicle designs popping up lately pushing into an interesting area of hybrid conversions. Specifically, these are kits designed to convert an off-road motorcycle into a uniquely capable snow machine. There are many companies, however, Timbersled is a popular kit out here in the mountainous West Coast of Canada.

timbersled motocycle track conversion kit

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.

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!

30Dec/09Off

ATV Track Examples

Found some smaller ATV track examples. Similar to the car previously posted, however, smaller. One attractive thing about this design from a human powered vehicle perspective is that we would no longer need to utilize the skid-steer method of turning, which is inefficient and difficult for a load capable track design.

Conversion kits are promoted as excellent for snow, mud, and sand use, and depending on the track, also good on hard surfaces. They offer improved traction in soft terrain because they spread the weight of the rider and vehicle over a large contact area to prevent sinking into the terrain. Notice the front tracks tend to be shorter and center the weight over a smaller area under the main cog (where the tire used to be) in order to improve handling and allow easier turning effort. The rear tracks tend to be long and flat for maximum traction and cargo capacity.

The Litefoot Track includes internal suspension and pivot arms to provide additional flexibility.

Filed under: track Comments Off
8Nov/09Off

Rubber Timing Belt as a Track

Found a belt on the McMaster-Carr website that may serve as a good rubber track for the project.

Filed under: track Continue reading
3Nov/09Off

Subaru STI with Retrofit Tracks

This video shows a modern all-wheel drive car fitted with custom tracks. The interesting thing for us is the design of these tracks: The 4 wheels at the bottom contact patch, all connected by pivoting arms that allow the track to follow the ground. This is very similar to the design we created out of lego. Also, the use of a rubber track in this application is parallel to our own plans.

27Oct/09Off

8 Wheeler Concept

Dave Montie and Greg Montie's 8 wheeled ground following track concept.

A late night Lego session lead to the creation a number of possible track designs. This one ended up a likely candidate for our goals:

pedal_dozer_lego

Next, Greg did some 3D computer modeling of the design:
8 wheeled track concept

Each of the 8 wheels will be bicycle rims and each set of two wheels is joined by arms that themselves pivot to follow the irregularities of the terrain.

Filed under: track Comments Off
23Sep/09Off

Remote Controlled Tank Examples

Here is a link to a very detailed R/C Tank website that discusses a variety of options for building tracks. Below are 7 methods illustrated:

Bicycle Chain Track

Filed under: track Continue reading
21Sep/09Off

Concepts

Dave's initial Thoughts:

pedal_dozer

Greg's Thoughts:

Bulldozer drawings

17Sep/09Off

Track Conversion Kit for Bicycles

Article from the Star describes a conversion kit that turns any mountain bike into a snow capable mode of transportation.

17Sep/09Off

Human Powered Tracked Snow Vehicle Example

Comments on an interesting style human powered track vehicle.

Some positive points that come to mind:

  • Recumbent position for the rider and the seat looks good
  • Simplicity of chain drive mechanisms taken directly from a bicycle
  • Center of gravity looks to be positioned close to the front of the track - matches the requirement for easier turning of the track according to Greg.

Some negative points:

  • Slider on track (201) seem too high friction for our intended use.
  • Complexity of idler gears throughout the chain drive
  • Don't much care for the look of such a small wheel at the rear of the track
   

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