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.
Futuristic Track Design
from the past...
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.
Tracked Boat from WWII
From the Germans during WWII: Panzerfahre Gepanzerte Landwasserschleppen. This tracked boat claimed to carry 20 people plus 3 operators. It was the early development efforts for a more effective amphibious landing craft capable of traversing difficult terrain and able to make significant inland maneuvers. Capable of sea launches to transport onto land as well as cross rivers and other water barriers to land access.
Second iteration opf the concept -- the Panzerfahre Gepanzerte Landwasserschleppen 2 -- more closely resembles modern landing craft. This example has startling similarity to the modern US efforts as described here.
Another Tracked Motorcycle
Looks like a similar construction to this one but with larger and more aggressive treads and aesthetic design.
Remote Controlled Tracked Lawnmower
A company called Evatech makes and sells some pretty fancy tracked lawnmowers for industrial applications. They're intended for mowing on steep slopes, low overhead access, and anywhere too dangerous for a human operator.
The models have a gas powered lawnmower blade drive and an electric drive for the tracks. Looks to me like they're using some simple off-the-shelf drive components from electric mobility scooters, some readily available industrial rubber tracks, R/C controllers, and lawnmower machinery.
I like the ingenuity of design and the build looks robust. Their drive sprocket, for example, appears to be an elegant build solution: bolts with sleeves positioned around the circumference of a round metal plate. Simple and effective.
Curious to know how intensive they are to operate by remote control.
VW Bug Tracked Vehicle
The VW bug is a go-to platform for DIY vehicle mods. Its light, its simple, and its cheap.
Here is an example of a bug with tracks fitted with an extra axle, gullwing doors, and track covered extensions. I like the home made tracks, too -- metal stock bolted to a length of continuous conveyor belt and inner cleats to grip the rubber tires.
Tracked Electric Locomotive
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.
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.
Half Track Restoration Project
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.
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.
The results look fantastic.
Amphibious Tracked Transport Vehicle
DARPA funded the development of this tracked vehicle -- Captive Air Amphibious Transporter (CAAT) -- which is part paddle wheeler and part tank. Designed to be an autonomous transport vehicle in land and water, this vehicle seems to take the best qualities of the track tread and make it work in these two environments.
Smart Tracker
Now, I know this is cool and all, but it is also a patent fake, 'shopped', a photoshop composite image. This image of a 'Tracked Urban Mobility Scout" or TUMS appears to be someone's imagination exploring the idea of fitting a Mercedes Smart car with a German Military Weasel light tank.
3D Printable Track Design
A visitor to the site -- t00tie -- sent over a link to a very cool 3D printer model for plastic tracks.
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.
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.
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.
Skizee Tracked Pusher Vehicle
Just stumbled upon this site about two guys, Tim Park and Jim Maidment, from Kimberly BC Canada who made a tracked vehicle they call the Skizee. Intended for ski patrol and back country skiiers to gain additional mobility and range in their activities.
All Terrain Tracked Motorcycle
As part of our brainstorming session, Greg and I discussed the possibility of a single tracked bicycle design where the track could flex into an arc for the purposes of cornering. Turns out, a couple of crafty German designers, Tilmann Schlootz and Oliver Keller, thought of this long ago and in 2006 released a motorcycle model for the Michelin Challenge Design competition.
Small Motorized Tracked Vehicle
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.
Golf Cart Frame Up and Running
We have found an old 3 wheeled golf cart and rebuilt all the required parts to make it a reliable machine for this year's Burningman event.
This platform has a good gas motor, large electric starter/generator, and solid variable speed transmission. Next year, we plan to remove the rear wheels, extend the back, and add tracks.
It's hard to look too serious while riding a 3 wheel golf cart with red fun fir seats . . .
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!
Tank Tricycle
Given the constraints of managing steering and traction, Dave and I have settled on a tracked tricycle design similar to that used in WW2.
Local Students Make Pedal Powered Track Vehicle
I saw this in the Globe and Mail and had to post it here:
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!
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.
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.
Sketch of Overall Design Concept
Notice the cab-forward position of the driver(s) who also pedal the vehicle. The mid section is two doubleseat benches positioned sideways for the passengers (tentative seating plan) and a gear section to the rear where the sketch shows a cooler and radio.
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:
Next, Greg did some 3D computer modeling of the design:
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.
Super High Rolling Efficiency Concept
This is Greg Montie's concept of a high rolling efficiency track.
The idea is to have a single V-belt for low weight, and a high efficiency linear (smooth) roll motion. A chain of aluminium cleats are riveted to the V-belt to complete the track. The cleats wings are curved to the diameter of the pulley wheel. This makes for a smooth rolling surface for the pulleys to travel on.
The cleats are made from 0.032" (or 1/32") aluminium. This aids in weight reduction and allows for each cleat's connector tabs to flex while following the V-belt around the pulley wheel. The cleat wings are not very strong as they are cantilevered on either side of the V-belt. However, the strength is improved by the general curved shape of the cleat. Furthermore, each cleat wing is protected during its most loaded duration - directly under the pulley wheel that carries the majority of the vehicle weight. This is accomplished by welding drums on either side of the pulley wheel, of equal diameter, that directly support the cleat wings under load.
3D File can be found here: 09-09-25 Assembly
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
