Making off road vehicle with tracks?

Question

because it will have tracks with skid steering. i need help in setting up the transmission to drive left and right side tracks independ from each other. any idears. i am thinking hydrluics at this stage. one hydrulic pump and two hydrulic motors but i am not sure if it will be quick enough i want it to do about 60km an hour

thanks for any help

Answer 1

Low ground pressure is important off road in snow, sand or muddy conditions. Nothing can equal the low ground pressure achieved by tracks off road, not even the widest swamper tyres (tires).

Half tracks

Answer 2

1. Hydraulic power is used by some construction equipment that already has hydraulics for lifting and other applications. Not very efficient, not good for fast (i.e. wide speed ranges). Not so easy to drive straight.

2. Standard drivechain with light track. Take standard wheels and drive chain from existing vehicle, add light track that circles existing tires, and is driven by the tires. This improves offroad somewhat, easy to do. Steering by brakes on wheels. Can do 60 klicks easy.

3. Snowmobile has single track across the back, steering skids.

4. Half-track has wheels driven by standard truck drivechain, special drive wheels instead of wheels. Manual brakes on left and right tracks for extra steering, but most steering from front wheels/skids. Complicated suspension, as bogeys needed to distribute the weight. Great speed and weight capability.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/M3_Hal...

I would start from an existing old or wreaked vehicle, either an ATV or a light truck 4x4 chasis, or maybe a Bobcat type skid steer or wheeled vehicle.

I suggest a half track, add bogies to distribute weight, and manual brakes (just split parking brake).

Either way, start from an existing vehicle about the right size and style to minimize cost and effort.

Good luck!