| Author |
Message |
    
gregg g
Junior Member
Username: Brushcutter
Post Number: 14
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 24, 2007 - 10:16 am: | 
|
Here's a question for all the master designers out there in amphibispace:Anyone ever try building their own tracks?I am thinking mayhaps discarded conveyor belt and aluminum channel...Any thoughts?
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THE BEST OF WISHES TO ALL FOR THE COMING YEAR G |
Dennis F. Saskowski
Advanced Member
Username: Sasko
Post Number: 150
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 24, 2007 - 11:33 am: |
|
Belt would have to have some kind of tread and some kind of angle on the inside edges both inboard and out board of the belts to keep from slipping off. A lot of angles and fasteners. Look at pictures of track equiped machines.Might try retro fitting sno mobile belts with the rubber nubs inside the track,but they might not be large enough plus trimming the nubs in the middle. Some one on this site thought of just going over two wheels instead of three. |
gregg g
Junior Member
Username: Brushcutter
Post Number: 15
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 24, 2007 - 01:51 pm: |
|
SN SN SNOW MOBILE?! Whats that?I live in Louisiana I didn't know there was such a thing.LOL What if you notched the outer edges and ran chains through holes cut into tabs to wrap belt up on edges of tires.Then webbed the belt so you wound up with something like tire chains-geez I'm gettin tired just thinking about it G |
Phillip Michael Heagy
Junior Member
Username: Pheagy
Post Number: 16
Registered: 11-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 24, 2007 - 01:53 pm: |
|
Gregg
I've been thinking the same thing. Take a look at th is web site. I think I could use these tracks as a model to make my own. www.escargotracks.com
Maybe intead of the rigid metal crossers, a guy could use chain. Making the crossers the way they do would take the most time. I have a bigfoot And from my count by looking at their pictures I'd need 100 or so crossers per side. Take a look, see what you think and get back to me. Merry Christmas. Phill |
gregg g
Junior Member
Username: Brushcutter
Post Number: 16
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 24, 2007 - 02:44 pm: |
|
PHIL
Have you checked out the vid posted on 6x6 world by a friend of mine who goes by the handle mudbug3 escargo tracks on ARGO 8X AWESOME.MUST study on this some more.Gonna be off line for a while working on my hustler project will get back to you later. G |
Phillip Michael Heagy
Junior Member
Username: Pheagy
Post Number: 17
Registered: 11-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 24, 2007 - 08:18 pm: |
|
I can't get access to anything youtube related. My computer automatically blocks it. But I have seen most of the videos posted on escargots site. I agree they seem to be unbelievable. Truly turns an Argo into a tank! Yeah do what you have to do and I'll think about this some more. I would buy a track set tomorrow if the dang things didn't cost 3 grand and up. Talk to you soon. Phill |
Jerry Nuss - Illinois MAX dealer
Senior Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 589
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 - 10:59 am: |
|
Why not just order a set from Richard for under $1200. His are considerably less than the factory kits. |
Phillip Michael Heagy
Junior Member
Username: Pheagy
Post Number: 18
Registered: 11-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 - 11:06 am: |
|
They won't do what these escargot tracks will. Not even close. Plus I've heard nothing but complaints about the plastic tracks, breaking and can't be fixed, noisy, not alot of help in the snow, etc. |
gregg g
Junior Member
Username: Brushcutter
Post Number: 17
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 - 11:45 am: |
|
Yeah and they've got great big cleats and huge claws and really sharp fangs that can bite a mans wallet clean off in one quick press of the order button! Sorry,didn't mean to go all Monty Python on you guys,but Phil is right eexxxpensive!I just thought that with the combined ingenuity that I have seen exhibited on this site,surely we could come up with a track design that the average rider could build in their garage and would function on an acceptable level.I always thought like Dennis is thinking; lots of angles and such,but I saw the escargos and that got me thinking,in a new direction.Several times I have seen a machine used for trimming limbs on powerlines which appears to have escargos on it ,the next time I see it I will stop and get a good close look.You know do a little idea fishing. G |
Jerry Nuss - Illinois MAX dealer
Senior Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 590
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 - 01:32 pm: |
|
Well Phillip you said you would buy a set if they didn't cost three grand and up. I don't know anything about the tracks Richard Sells breaking and not being fixable. I sort of doubt that since they are segmented and the segments can be removed. I thought adding some angle iron to them would get you the cleats.
Post some pics when you build yours I'd like to see what you come up with. |
momobigfoot
Member
Username: Momobigfoot
Post Number: 42
Registered: 09-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 - 04:27 pm: |
|
Escargotracks.I watched the videos and the tracks look like there great but they didn't talk or show you them putting them on the machine. I see they dont have the sides on them. I wounder if they have problem through crazy stuff.And how E-Z to put on and off. |
gregg g
Junior Member
Username: Brushcutter
Post Number: 18
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 09:40 am: |
|
Hey guys check out the tracks on the machine in Mark Franks "help me identify this".Now those look buildable. |
Dennis F. Saskowski
Advanced Member
Username: Sasko
Post Number: 151
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 10:47 am: |
|
Greg g,you are aware there is more to tracks than just the tracks . Tracks use more horse power and require spacers behind the rims to kick the tires out from the body so the tracks won't rub.Then stiffening the axles so as not to draw the rear axle towards the front spitting off the tracks.Generally tracks are used for snow but some folks like them in some mud and swamp aplications,but like certain snow conditions that bog down a tracked machine the same thing can happen in mud. If you over build your tracks you might loose flotation loosing your intent of spreading weight with the tracks, by adding excessive weight defeats the purpose . With tracks you loose water speed unknown if thats a factor to you.Don't want add negativity to your project but just giving you all the stumbling stones so as not to waste your time. |
Ray Kohls
Intermediate Member
Username: Bw6
Post Number: 99
Registered: 02-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 10:50 am: |
|
I found this link to a track manufacturer that is similar to the Mastertrac. It looks like something that could be homemade. http://www.thetrackscompany.com/11.html |
gregg g
Member
Username: Brushcutter
Post Number: 20
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 12:37 pm: |
|
Dennis,
By all means dude,throw all the rocks you can think of out there.Negativity?Depends on how look at it,would much rather ID a problem before I start a project than several $ and days into it.Have thought about all that WWW (worry weight work) stuff.Not for sure I would ever need tracks in area where I hunt;lots of brush,logs and stumps etc.Maybe I should invest in airboat instead LOL. But I thought I would get this started so that if any of us decided to jump into it we would have some ideas to go on.Big ol'thank you for your "negativity"-experience and forethought will be the best help we get on this deal. G |
Phillip Michael Heagy
Junior Member
Username: Pheagy
Post Number: 19
Registered: 11-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 08:06 pm: |
|
Jerry
I'll post pictures of it, just don't hold your breath. I'm like Gregg, fishing for ideas and such and then make a move. Another problem with a Bigfoot is for all tracks I've seen they require 6 smaller tires. Thats another expense no matter what system I'd buy. I keep thinking that some how some way I could come up with tracks that I can use with the stock tires. Maybe I'm dreaming, but I have alot of time to think and it gives me something else to think about besides the cute police lady I saw in town last week! The link Ray put up has some new ideas for me to think about. The steel may be to heavy but I like the way the segments fasten together and the way not much clearance is required. More thinking to do. Oh well thanks for all the input. Phill |
Brad Morcom
Member
Username: Evil1
Post Number: 23
Registered: 02-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 08:05 am: |
|
Building your own tracks would'nt be that hard but making all of the hardware (keepers) would take a whole lot of time but it can be done. I thought about it myself as I have vulcanized and spliced hundreds of conveyore belts and I can get scraps but all of our belts are too heavy. Nylon or cable no lite weight kevlar so I bought the factory tracks. By the way I am very pleased with the argo tracks in the snow. |
Phillip Michael Heagy
Member
Username: Pheagy
Post Number: 20
Registered: 11-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 09:10 pm: |
|
Brad
Do you have the standard or supertracks? What type of argo do you use them on? How deep is the deepest snow you've used them in? Thanks for your time. Phill |
Brad Morcom
Member
Username: Evil1
Post Number: 24
Registered: 02-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 09:08 am: |
|
18" rubber tracks on an Avenger. Last winter was my first winter with the Avenger and we had a really mild winter so the deepest snow last year I would guess to be around 36-48 inches. I put 36 hours on it with the tracks and It never got stuck. Very impressive. My only complaint is the Avenger needs more power, that is next years project. |
gregg g
Member
Username: Brushcutter
Post Number: 24
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 01, 2008 - 07:05 pm: |
|
Hey guys,
Can any of you tell us how well tracks perform in brush and briars?I read a lot about them slipping in snow,how much of a problem is this? |
Dennis F. Saskowski
Advanced Member
Username: Sasko
Post Number: 152
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2008 - 08:42 pm: |
|
Well Greg I see Your heck bent on tracks. You will flatten them them out( brush & briars) and leave a big foot print.Unknown if thats a factor,but remember if you do get stuck or tangled up it will take you more to winch out or pulled out because of the drag the tracks have.Remember the horse power thing.I can push my max on flat land with wheels but with tracks no way.Turning in snow with tracks is no big deal but dry land is a little more effort on the the machine and the anticapation of the driver. Tracks make your machine wider and you'll be slinging more debri.You truly haven't lived with tracks until you got wedged between trees.Did I forget to mention tranporting a machine that is approx. 10'' wider than with wheels? |
gregg g
Member
Username: Brushcutter
Post Number: 25
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 12:39 am: |
|
Dennis,I'm beginning to think that you're trying to talk me away from tracks all together.I'm also getting the idea that you've got a real love/hate thing going on with your tracks there.  Now as far as a big foot print is concerned the idea of mashing the @$&* out of some of these briar thickets is very,very,very attractive.I,ve never been to NJ and I am sure that you have briars up there,but if hell had tentacles they would be La. briars.Greenbriar,Sawbriar and Blackberry being the worst(I've cut Greenbriars that were over 2"across;thorns included)seen em stop tractors I have.So it would stand to reason that if a machine was strained to pull itself w/tracks then pushing through this would be totally out of the question. Guess I'll try tires and a V-Blade rather than tracks and V-Blade. |
Dennis F. Saskowski
Advanced Member
Username: Sasko
Post Number: 153
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 10:40 am: |
|
Greg love tracks in snow,the only way a AATV can move in deep snow here in Buffalo ,NY. Hate putting them on and transporting on a deck over trailer as wide as the width of the machine with the tracks on.But I suppose thats why I recieved a compliment on the ability to walk the machine thru an eye of a needle from the practice from loading.I would be concerned of briar busting if a large amount of brush would lodge between the tires and tracks and flattening a tire then you would spit a track or pulling the track off from a wedged pc. of briar.Our winters keep our briars or (rose bushes) down to a max. of one inch dia.Last winter got big time stuck with the tracks on ripped the valve stem off one tire and had to park it or risk spitting a track deep in the woods. If summer would just limp on 5 |
gregg g
Member
Username: Brushcutter
Post Number: 26
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2008 - 09:05 pm: |
|
Sorry,Dennis,for some reason thought you were from Jersey.Used to work with a surveyor from Upstate name of Edsel.Anyhow the reason I am so curious about tracks is as follows:some time ago I owned a max-4 that I traded a 12ga 3 1/2 single shotgun for.I spent 7 months rebuilding the frame(right side rusted in two rear cross plate replaced also)built and attached an aluminum skidplate at all six axles,added brackets and front/rear brushguard/bumper swapped engines replaced sprockets and chains as needed,you know,the works the whole 9yds.So I ran it through its paces,prepped for the big trip to the beaver swamp for a duck hunt,all was ready.The big day came and we drove the hour to the swamp unloaded and were off.To make a long story even a little longer did I mention that my brother was riding a Honda Recon 2wd.Now this part of the swamp averages about 16" deep or less so we figured that he would be able to pick his way around and follow us with little trouble and once things got too bad he would ride with us the rest of the way.But I managed to wedge a stump between my front and middle tires on the left side and blew 2 chains.It's amazing how good a fit a big beaver stump is between those tires.All this only minutes and a few yards into the trip(dang the bad luck).Oh did I forget to load my repair kit after checking to make sure I had everything I needed.YUPPER !Thats a roger.Lets see;hour home,hour back{Oh yeah we're having some fun now}chop the stump out (they did that while I was gone)fix machine and track out after dark never fired a shot never loaded a gun.Thought tracks might prevent that from ever ever ever happening again.But it sounds like they come with their own set of problems G |
Shop Talk: Tech Tips and Q&A section