Tank tracks?

What's the best way to install tank tracks on a vehicle (I don't mean Mattracks, I mean actual caterpillar tracks), and then split the power from the engine so each track can operate independently (i.e. at a different speed or direction)?

Edit: I don't mean actual tank tracks. I meant one-per-side caterpillar tracks from a small bulldozer or something.

cant.
mattracks are the best you will get.
the front wheels actually turn, which would throw off the tracks.

mattracks are pretty good tho
i cant imagine a situation where full tracks would be significantly better.

I wouldnt say 'cant' but it would cost soooo much money and time it wouldnt be worth it. Mattracks are your best bet.

Considering that the M1A1 abrams tank is powered by hydrostatic pressure and a 1500-hp turbine, with a top speed of just under 60, it might take some pretty excessive fabrication :) And if you ever throw a track, it takes two support tanks, a crane, and at least four guys to replace it. In the field it can take as long as 18 hours

I would say the easiest way would be the opposite... put a vehicle body on a tank.

Considering that the M1A1 abrams tank is powered by hydrostatic pressure and a 1500-hp turbine, with a top speed of just under 60, it might take some pretty excessive fabrication :) And if you ever throw a track, it takes two support tanks, a crane, and at least four guys to replace it. In the field it can take as long as 18 hours

I would say the easiest way would be the opposite... put a vehicle body on a tank.

On a 12ton digger I got track replacement down to a fine art. Only taking about half an hour, using the bucket and chain on the track while driving that track motor.

But rather than tank tracks, how about the entire track assembly from a smaller digger (excavator)?
On a small one you could even pick up rubber tracks. Then it's simply a large (and expensive) hydraulic circuit design and plumbing exercise.

Or just save up and buy a Hagglund.

What about (possibly fabricating and) mounting tracks on the existing wheels? Are there any machines that have treads that could be easily adapted?

What about (possibly fabricating and) mounting tracks on the existing wheels? Are there any machines that have treads that could be easily adapted?

No. You'd have to lift the suspension so the body can clear the tracks, the suspension geometry isn't suitable for tracks and the suspension won't be strong enough to support the tension from the tracks either.

A half-track conversion would be possible. That's just replacing the rear wheels with tracks and would be doable on a pickup.

No. You'd have to lift the suspension so the body can clear the tracks, the suspension geometry isn't suitable for tracks and the suspension won't be strong enough to support the tension from the tracks either.

A half-track conversion would be possible. That's just replacing the rear wheels with tracks and would be doable on a pickup.

Well that's no fun!

besides, you could only go in a straight line.
you need a pair of hydrostatic transmissions to operate the wheels separately, not a single driveshaft and rear axle, as in your standard car.

besides, you could only go in a straight line.
you need a pair of hydrostatic transmissions to operate the wheels separately, not a single driveshaft and rear axle, as in your standard car.

What about engine-powered electric motors?

Edit: I don't mean actual tank tracks. I meant one-per-side caterpillar tracks from a small bulldozer or something.

Doesn't matter... they operate the same as tank tracks.

You're probably better off adapting some kind of hydrostatic controls. Look to hydraulic motors. At the theater where I used to work we had a big electric hydraulic pump about the size of a fridge, and then joystick valves that could operate up to four hydraulic motors. We used them to operate the 40' turntable on stage. I don't know how much torque they produced, but it we kept shearing 1.5" axles, so its plenty.

IIRC, the electric motor was 12 hp, so it stands to reason that if you had a torquey motor running a dedicated hydraulic pump, you should be able to cobble something together. The question is... how are you going to fabricate an entire track system. The systems on dozers and tanks is all part of the body casting, so unless you want a 30,000 lb car...

What about the rubber tracks they have on Bobcats that go over tires? How hard would it be to use those?

They don't go over tires, they go over sprockets just like metal tracks do. Bobcats (and other similar machines) come with either tracks OR tires. Its not a bolt on or upgrade mod, its a whole different critter.

Here is a tire model (called a skid-steer):
http://www.bobcat.com/publicadmin/getImage.do?id=24958&width=190

And here is the track loader. Notice that even the bodies are different. Its not just an axle change, its an entirely re-engineered from the ground up.
http://www.bobcat.com/publicadmin/getImage.do?id=15630&width=200

http://skid-steer-solutions.com/photos/Skid%20Steer%20Urethane%20Tracks%20500-1.jpg

There are some very obvious reasons they won't fit on a car. You shouldn't need us to point them out.

that and a bobcat (i believe) has the hydrolic trannys to allow the independant movement of the tires seperately.

There are some very obvious reasons they won't fit on a car. You shouldn't need us to point them out.

Well how about installing wheels that fit Bobcat tires, seating and installing the tires, and then mounting tracks (with the proper amount of shoes to fit the wheelbase) over the tires?

look buddy, there is a thing called a body in the way.
on a car or truck, the wheels fit into the wheel well, which makes it so that they dont stick out from the car.

http://image.superstreetonline.com/f/street-racing-rides/2008-honda-s2000-cr/6270184+w480+cr1+re0+ar1/2008-honda-s2000-cr-side-view.jpg

http://image.automotive.com/f/cuvs/2007-honda-cr-v-all-new-all-honda/1002209+w540+cr1+re0+ar1/2007-honda-cr-v-right-side-view.jpg

http://www.trustmymechanic.com/auto-repair/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/2007jeepwranglerpicturesideview.jpg

see!!!
you would need to first lift the car like this
http://image.minitruckinweb.com/f/miscellaneous/2007-ludikrs-custom-car-and-truck-show/6968792+w640+cr1+re0+ar1/lifted-truck.jpg

http://haxadecimal.com/nucleus/media/1/20060526-4643969359.jpg

then install a hydruaulic motor at each wheel

then install a hydraulic pump where the transmission used to be

then reinforce the suspension so that it didnt buckle under the tension of the tracks

then have a completely useless car because by the time you lift it that high, and put all that extra stress, weight, and complexity into it, it will break or tip over when you take it off road.

look buddy, there is a thing called a body in the way.
on a car or truck, the wheels fit into the wheel well, which makes it so that they dont stick out from the car.

What if I took the body off and made a new one, which actually looks like a tank body? :wink:

What if I took the body off and made a new one, which actually looks like a tank body? :wink:

A car is completely the wrong platform to start with.
A four wheel motorbike (ATV) is better, but not by much.
Just buy an argo and be done with it.

http://www.argoatv.com/_uploads/stories/78_util_54_54_coquitlargev1v1v1.jpg

I'd like something a bit bigger. Maybe I should start a "how to make a tank" thread?

I'd like something a bit bigger. Maybe I should start a "how to make a tank" thread?

http://www.andrill.org/iceberg/blogs/betty/images/vehicles-hagglund.jpg

Listen... what you are asking is like saying; "can I make my pidgeon look like a giraffe?" The answer is yes, but it requires veterinary surgery, glue, prayer, and years of patience.

I truly applaud your enthusiasm, but as someone who has worked on Bobcats, tanks, cars, and everything in between, I have two words for you... Holy F**k. I have been customizing cars and trucks for nearly 20 years as well as having many years experience operating skid steer loaders and track loaders. The kind of modifications you are proposing are beyond me.

Let us know how it goes.

Maybe I should try a different approach...

maybe you should try giving us your goals and what youre trying to accomplish. then we can give ideas on the best way to go about it.