Since then, when the phrase about the state of Russian roads came from Gogol’s pen, the problem has not become less relevant. As before, in some God-forsaken corners of the country, people completely forgot to dream about asphalt pavement. The only way out is to switch to all-terrain vehicles. Unfortunately, the models offered by car factories are not able to satisfy the needs of car enthusiasts from the outback. Ordinary people need a small-sized, economical, and, of course, cheap off-road vehicle. Only in a home workshop using scrap materials can such a dream be realized.
Materials and components for an all-terrain vehicle on tracks
It would be fair to warn in advance that power units removed from cars cause increased fuel consumption. But compared to motorcycle engines, they have a noticeable reserve of power. Manufacturing tracks also entails additional costs.
The body of a homemade all-terrain vehicle is best constructed from aluminum or duralumin sheet. You will need to purchase triplex glass and liquid rubber (can be replaced with silicone grease). The main material for the tracks will be a sheet (or strip) of rubber. One pair of bridges borrowed from Soviet cars - “Zaporozhets” or “Zhiguli”.
There are important points that should be taken into account in the process of creating an all-terrain vehicle on tracks.
A homemade body is subject to requirements such as strength, tightness and streamlining by oncoming air flow while driving. As for geometry, the best solution would be a body that resembles a flat-bottomed boat.
In view of the fact that you will have to travel (more precisely, “track”) swampy terrain or even overcome shallow bodies of water, the body must contain a minimum of seams. In other words, instead of welding, a solid sheet must be bent into the desired shape. The metal sheet is used to make not only the cabin, but also all the compartments, including the one for the engine. To eliminate the harmful effects of water, moisture-proof material (for example, rubber) is used to reliably cover the joints and fastenings of the units. Particular care should be taken to ensure maximum protection of the battery and electrical wiring from moisture. It would be better if special mines were allocated for them.
The structural rigidity of the all-terrain vehicle must be ensured by a frame made of steel pipes. The axles and engine will be installed and secured on a frame made of copper pipes.
Make holes in the body for the axles to come out. The joints between the axle shafts and the body (in the holes) should be thoroughly sealed using rubber couplings.
The highlight of this all-terrain vehicle is the presence of caterpillar tracks, without which it is difficult to imagine moving on any off-road terrain or even swimming. The treadmill is cut out of sheet rubber and looped. When calculating the dimensions of the caterpillar, the distance between the shafts, which are the drive ones, is measured. An important element that makes it possible to easily overcome any dirt are lugs attached to the outside of the track with rivets. And if they are made in the form of small blades, then the lugs will play the role of blades when the caterpillar is immersed in water. This idea is not difficult to implement if you have a thick aluminum sheet on hand. Next you need to measure the width of the wheels. This value will be needed when calculating the distance between adjacent elements of the limiters, which are attached to the inside of the track. The center of each wheel, like here http://modelist-konstruktor.com/, must exactly coincide with the center line of the track and, thus, the wheel will be located between the stops.
You can ensure that the caterpillar tracks are in a tensioned state in the following way: fill the space between the bridge wheels with driven wheels.
The final stage is to equip the cabin with laminated glass (triplex or duplex) with rubber fastenings. All-terrain vehicles - homemade vehicles on tracks, the drawings of which are in this article, are popular among creative people.
67-year-old resident of the city of Topki, Ivan Sardaev, began inventing and creating various vehicles almost 20 years ago.
In 1993, he and his wife, daughter and son returned from Vorkuta to the city of his childhood and built a house in four months. It turned out to be large, spacious, with an area of 150 square meters.
Well, about four years after we moved and settled down, I got tired of removing snow in the winter after a blizzard: you work with a shovel, and your hands get tired. Whether you like it or not, you inevitably begin to think with your head,” the pensioner laughs.
Snow removal equipment by Ivan Sardaev.
In the beginning there were scooters
Ivan Vasilyevich admits: he has been fascinated by technology since childhood. While still a child, he assembled scooters, either on bearings or with wheels from a baby stroller. But it was back in 1997 that a tricycle snowplow became his first full-fledged invention. It was unusual - it had two wheels in front, and one - steerable - behind. As the inventor now recalls, the machine was weak - it could only rake snow on the paths. He decided to improve it and assembled a slightly more complex model, then another. And then he became so involved in the process that he began to create snow blowers with buckets and rotary auger machines. And not only them.Topkinets' very first snow blower was three-wheeled.
In 2007, in the magazine “Modelist-Constructor”, Ivan Sardaev even published an article about three of his models, and two years later - about the security system. He invented it and installed it in his house; if necessary, it transmits a signal to his mobile phone.
Several bucket snow blowers, a couple of rotary augers and a couple of pneumatic snowmobiles - this is an incomplete list of mobile equipment that Ivan Vasilyevich collected until 2013. And all this in his spare time - despite his age, he still fixes people's TVs. And four years ago, his son gave him a computer, and when the pensioner mastered the Internet, new ideas appeared. One of the latest ideas was to make a crawler-mounted all-terrain vehicle with my own hands. 
And the roof is from Moskvich
He began implementing the plan in 2015, and it took Ivan Sardaev a year and a half to create the unusual car. Most of the parts in the S-10 all-terrain vehicle, the name the inventor gave to his brainchild, come from Zhiguli cars of various models. The rear axle, engine and gearbox are from the “classics”, the rollers in the tracks are wheels from the eleventh VAZ model. Many parts were collected from neighbors, who, by the way, admire the master’s golden hands, or were picked up at auto dismantling yards and metal collection points. The roof of the all-terrain vehicle is from Moskvich, but the tracks had to be thought out and assembled by myself down to the last detail. For them, the inventor was even forced to buy a conveyor belt in the store.A pneumatic snowmobile is another machine assembled by the hands of a TV technician from Topki.
In total, Ivan Vasilyevich spent more than 30 thousand rubles on certain purchases for his brainchild.
Most of all I had to tinker with the tracks,” the pensioner admits. - It was a very painstaking work that required special care. After all, if you bend it wrong, you’ll miss it a little and that’s it, either the teeth will catch or the tape will move, and in both cases the car won’t move.
This is what the all-terrain vehicle looked like in the summer of 2016.
The Topkin resident is currently testing his all-terrain vehicle. On a flat road it can move at a speed of 35 - 40 kilometers per hour, and on virgin snow the speed is reduced by about half. By the way, instead of a steering wheel, it has two control levers, like a tractor, and for the driver and passenger - a two-seater all-terrain vehicle - it is always warm, the interior is heated by two stoves.
For now, Ivan Sardaev does not drive his invention further than the yard and street where his house is located. But in the future, after the car passes tests at other times of the year, he hopes to register it, as it should be. But the creator does not want to sell it, even for 350 thousand rubles, at which such equipment was valued on one of the sites. You need such an all-terrain vehicle yourself.
Crawler all-terrain vehicle S-10 of a Kuzbass pensioner. Ivan Sardaev worked on the all-terrain vehicle for a year and a half. The engine is VAZ-2103, the cabin is the top of the Moskvich-2140 cabin.
Homemade all-terrain vehicles and other off-road vehicles are often made on the basis of a walk-behind tractor. There are several reasons for this:
- there is an energy-rich transport unit with high traction characteristics, assembled on a frame;
- engine and transmission controls have been moved to comfortable handles;
- The weight of walk-behind tractors is low; they can be transported to the desired location in the trunk, body or on a car trailer.
For hunting and fishing, a lightweight mini all-terrain vehicle is quite in demand. But the industry has not yet seen commercial prospects in creating sets of attachments that convert a serial walk-behind tractor into an off-road vehicle. There are quite interesting examples of the creation of such machines. Do-it-yourselfers created role models with their own hands. There is room for ideas when developing new interesting devices.
Features of all-terrain vehicles made from a walk-behind tractor
The main components that you should purchase or make yourself for a vehicle based on a walk-behind tractor:
- frame, it serves to organize a mobile vehicle;
- the rear axle is needed to install the rear wheels;
- a seat for the driver, it is advisable to protect it from moisture and dirt from under the wheels;
- A lighting system is needed to move safely at any time of the day.
An all-terrain vehicle based on a walk-behind tractor is created as a single-seater vehicle. Its load capacity should be about 200 kg. The width is calculated based on the conditions of resistance to rollover, usually it is 1100 mm or more.
Modern walk-behind tractors Neva, Ugra, MTZ and others are equipped with engines with a power of more than 10 hp. This power is enough to move at speeds of more than 10 km/h. On off-road roads, when passing through mud or swampy places, the speed may decrease to 1-2 km/h.
How to make a homemade wheeled all-terrain vehicle
An example of a drawing of an all-terrain vehicle on low-pressure tires
It makes sense to equip the basic unit. The reason is that gasoline and diesel engines have the best torque performance at a crankshaft speed of approximately 75-85% of the maximum.
The engine must have a forced cooling system. When driving at low speed, the oncoming flow will not be enough to maintain optimal thermal conditions.
All-terrain vehicle frame
An example of a frame-fracture drawing
A frame is created between the front and rear axles. It is better to use profile pipes of rectangular or square cross-section as the basis. They provide greater rigidity than rolled angles, channels and I-beams of the same mass.
The joining of the frame elements of a wheeled all-terrain vehicle can be rigid, then it will be formed in a single-volume format. When using heavy Neva or MTZ walk-behind tractors, this option will be preferable.
As an option, a breakable frame (fracture) is made; this option is used for areas with a complex profile. Here the articulation is performed through the king pin. The front and rear axles have independent suspension from each other. Craftsmen create such all-terrain vehicles based on the Neva and Ugra walk-behind tractors.
For hunting and fishing, it is better to have a wheeled all-terrain vehicle with a breakable frame. Its maneuverability is higher than when using a rigid frame design.
Rear axle and suspension of a homemade all-terrain vehicle
To simplify the design, some DIYers use a ready-made rear axle from a passenger car. For example, from the Moskvich-412 car: its low weight allows installation on a light all-terrain vehicle. The suspension is performed on shock absorbers for a smooth ride and reduced vibration.
Other craftsmen make independent suspension on each rear wheel. This approach is implemented on the Ant scooter. When driving, a slight rocking is felt, at the same time the wheels experience less resistance on uneven surfaces, and fuel consumption is noticeably reduced.
The rear axle is connected to the frame with long, hardened bolts. For elastic joints, rubber inserts are used, for example, silent blocks. This improves the performance characteristics of an all-terrain vehicle based on a walk-behind tractor.
The rear axle on skis is used in winter. The resistance to movement is minimal, the design is greatly simplified.
Wheels (low pressure chambers)
To move on wet and unstable ground, you can use lugs. They provide high grip. Large-diameter low-pressure chambers perform even better. Pneumatics have minimal ground pressure, and the presence of air contained in the all-terrain vehicle’s chambers will make it possible to create a floating all-terrain vehicle.
For installation on the rear axle, homemade or special wheels for all-terrain vehicles, swamp vehicles and snowmobiles are used. They can be purchased assembled or as separate elements: tire, tube, disc. The wheel is easy to assemble.
You can increase the cross-country ability of regular wheels on low-pressure chambers by creating an additional tread. For example, additionally secure the cameras with chains, conveyor belts, homemade tracks or another method.
Another option is to cut a patch lug from the tire. The depth of the structure’s hook reaches more than 20-25 mm. Rolling resistance increases, while at the same time the slip coefficient decreases sharply.
Assembling a homemade all-terrain vehicle from a walk-behind tractor
When all the tools, spare parts and components are prepared, you can begin assembly. This is a rough plan for how to assemble a homemade all-terrain vehicle, it all depends on the chosen design.
- A walk-behind tractor is installed on a welded or finished frame.
- The rear axle and, if necessary, the front axle are mounted.
- The seat is placed on the frame.
- If provided in the drawing and diagram, the steering control is installed.
- The protection is attached to the frame; it is made of plastic or metal sheet.
- The future driver should try out the comfort of the seat; if necessary, provide auxiliary devices for adjusting the seat.
- The functionality of the brakes is checked.
- Electrical circuits and lighting fixtures are installed.
As individual elements and assemblies are manufactured, their performance is checked. A fivefold safety margin is provided here.
After completing the bench tests, they begin the field tests. You need to know how the car behaves in difficult conditions.
Buy a hitch and a trailed one for a walk-behind tractor in online stores
DIY tracked all-terrain vehicles
The use of tracks will help reduce the specific pressure on the ground. The weight is distributed over the entire area of the tracks. Such an all-terrain vehicle propulsion system based on a walk-behind tractor is capable of overcoming sand, wetlands, steep climbs and other obstacles.
Some DIYers make metal tracks for tracks from plates more than 5 mm thick. Rings from water pipes are welded to the plates. Another option for making tracks is made entirely of PVC pipes, cut lengthwise. The tracks are attached to each other on a conveyor belt or other base.
It is easier to make tracks from composite materials. For this purpose, fiberglass and epoxy resin are used. Glass-polymer reinforcement is used as a frame. Track tracks are made in special molds. After making the required quantity, they are assembled into a caterpillar. When making tracks from composite materials, articulation elements made from wear-resistant steels are used.
There are options for using tracks made of wood. They will need to be impregnated with protective mixtures.
The easiest way to make tracks for an all-terrain vehicle based on a walk-behind tractor is to use a conveyor belt. One track requires two stripes. They are connected into a ring, and then a caterpillar is created using sections of steel pipe.
In the video you can see an option for making a waterproof case that is kept afloat. In this case, the caterpillar propulsion device will allow you to move not only on land, but also on water. The result will be an amphibious all-terrain vehicle. It will be indispensable for hunting and fishing.
Many residents of northern latitudes and places with poor cross-country ability are engaged in the development and assembly of various equipment with increased cross-country ability. Tracked all-terrain vehicles are no exception. There are a large number of different options for creating such technology. But the most problematic issue for all-terrain vehicle designers is the manufacture of tracks.
You can, of course, use factory-made ones, but having completely assembled an all-terrain vehicle with your own hands, you want to have caterpillars of your own production. Today, there are several options for creating such propulsors, which practically do not differ in their technical characteristics from the factory ones.
A simple version of caterpillars
The simplest option for snowmobiles is made from a conventional roller-bushing chain and conveyor belt. Moreover, its production does not require any special equipment or tools. In this case, the work can be done almost in the middle of the living room.
In order for the conveyor belt to serve for a long time, it is necessary to sheathe its edges with fishing line with a distance between stitches of about one centimeter. This activity is very similar to seamstress stitching fabric. In any case, such firmware will prevent the tape from unraveling while driving. You can fasten the ends together in any suitable way. A swivel joint similar to a piano hinge might work for this, or just sew it together, but it's unlikely to last long.
The thickness of the conveyor belt depends on the power of the power unit. If the all-terrain vehicle is equipped with an engine from a Soviet-made motorcycle, then a tape 0.8–1 cm thick, used on conveyors in agriculture, has proven itself to be excellent. To give the track rigidity, it is necessary to attach a bushing-roller chain to its inner part. This can be done using bolts or rigid steel wire. The main thing is that the chain fits tightly into the surface of the conveyor belt.
Caterpillars made in this way are distinguished by their long-term operation, although they are easy to manufacture. In addition, if necessary, you can easily carry out repairs, even in the field.
Tire propellers
Many owners of snowmobiles use regular car tires as tracks for their equipment. For these purposes, you need truck tires, and you should choose them with the required pattern so as not to complicate your work in the future.
To make a caterpillar mover from a tire, you need to cut off the sides, leaving only the part with the tread. This activity takes a lot of effort and requires patience, since the work requires only a well-sharpened shoe knife.
In order to make manufacturing a little easier, you need to periodically wet the knife with soapy water, which will make the process of cutting rubber easier. Some use specially designed devices for these purposes. You can also use an electric jigsaw with a fine-tooth file attached to it. It also needs to be watered with soapy water.
The first step is to cut off the beads from the tire. Next, if necessary, you need to remove several inner layers in the resulting track. This is done to give it softness. If the tread pattern is not satisfactory, then you should start cutting a new one, which is quite a painstaking task.
This type of track lugs has one undeniable advantage over the previous option. Since it is solid, without joints, its reliability is much higher. One of the negative aspects is the small width of the track, but to increase it, two or three tires can be spliced together.
Belt tracks
The ease of manufacturing of such tracked propulsion systems is increasingly attracting all-terrain vehicle owners to use them on their vehicles. Belts with a wedge-shaped profile are assembled into a single structure using lugs, which are attached to the belts using rivets or screws.
As a result, it turns out that the caterpillar track already has holes for the sprocket. To do this, it is necessary to lay the belts at small intervals.
Making tracks for an all-terrain vehicle
The name all-terrain vehicle refers to a vehicle with increased cross-country ability. These include tractors, snowmobiles, SUVs and tanks. Since often from improvised vehicles. Initially, this involves motorcycles or scooters, but the end result is a vehicle that is not afraid of either off-road or dirt. The increased cross-country ability of an all-terrain vehicle mainly depends on its tracked propulsion units, which are mounted on wheels.
In this version, the caterpillar will have four stripes 5 centimeters wide. They must be cut from a regular conveyor belt. Then connect the sides using a P-shaped profile. Next, you need to make balancers. Using a stamp, you need to make parts for the floor of the wheel from sheet steel. After this, it is necessary to make hubs from bronze. The half wheels should be connected with six bolts. The balancers are ready.
The next step is to produce the shafts for the track support drums. They should have holes for the bearings. Drums can be made from duralumin blanks. When connecting them together, you need to insert a rubber sprocket. It turns out that the caterpillar is driven by a drive sprocket with a chain drive. It is installed on the rear fork.
After which the entire caterpillar should be assembled into a single whole.
The vertical arc must be equipped with a steel bushing through which the wheel axle passes. A mechanism is attached to the eye on this bushing that secures the structure of the rear fork. Track balancers are attached to the remaining ears of the all-terrain vehicle. The mover is ready to use.
As you can see, you can make a caterpillar in different ways, the main thing is to have patience and desire.
Perm tuning studio REMIX decided to create crawler all-terrain vehicle based on the Okovsky or VAZ engine and test on it some controversial ideas regarding such technology. The team's original intention was to build crawler all-terrain vehicle with an engine from a car (OKA or VAZ 2108), axles from a VAZ 2101 and Nivovskaya RK.
The hull should look like a boat and be made of metal. The rollers will be VAZ wheels on eight-wheel hubs.
Tracked all-terrain vehicle, like all others like it, will have differential rotation. Drive - caterpillars without stars and tires.
In order to all-terrain vehicle got the opportunity to move on wheels, it was decided to use the following type of drive:
There was also an alternative solution regarding the wheeled-tracked base:
Frame design:
The bridge beams should be welded into the body of the so-called “boat”, and the middle hubs will be removable.
After all the calculations were completed, construction began:
With such a transmission, the minimum speed is 1.137 km/h, and the maximum speed is 30.09 km/h. Purely theoretically, the thirty horsepower of the Okovsky engine in this speed range will be able to tow the UAZ by its side on the asphalt. It is unknown how the transmission will “look” at this, but purely theoretically the strength should be enough))
Welding the "boat".
Front and rear slopes
Bottom 2mm.
Sides - 1mm.
The rest is galvanized 0.55mm.
With a width of the middle part of the all-terrain vehicle of 800mm and a track width of 450mm, the ground clearance is 200mm. This is quite enough; you can watch it in the video.
Video of the first tests:
