Tank tracks?

[Ethan Jay]

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.

[GreyGoose006]

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.

[Greenblurr93]

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

[curtis73]

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.

[KiwiBacon]

Originally Posted by curtis73

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.

[Ethan Jay]

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

[KiwiBacon]

Originally Posted by Ethan Jay

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.

[Ethan Jay]

Originally Posted by KiwiBacon

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!

[GreyGoose006]

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.

[Ethan Jay]

Originally Posted by GreyGoose006

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?

[curtis73]

Originally Posted by Ethan Jay

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...

[Ethan Jay]

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

[curtis73]

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):


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.

[Ethan Jay]

[KiwiBacon]

Originally Posted by Ethan Jay

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