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Freaking spectacular. I've been going around in circles trying to figure out the next step in over-the-snow transportation. This has come to mind, as has an 80s Toyota minivan - the goofy box thing, there was a 4wd version....hmmm. Gut interior, replace glass windows with plastic, add tracks, win?
The Samurai is cooler, though. Excellent.
Iain
The holy grail for snowcats is a ground PSI of 0.60 or so. The Samurai will be nearly double that with Tatou's. A Rhino UTV can run around at about 0.55 to 0.60 psi with Tatou's. Eventually I'm going to get a Rhino, just don't have funds now. Whatever vehicle you get, make sure it's as light as possible. A stock Samurai weighs about 2000-2100lbs and doesn't come with locking differentials. Rhino's come stock with locking diffs, which makes a huge difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mannix
People argue that UTV's can't do what sleds can do, but I'm not interested in using these things to haul my lazy ass up for turns. I'm only interested in hauling a load of shit into the mountains, party style, at 10mph.
Interesting. I've only seen two UTVs out and about here in CO; on one hand, I found some tracks up higher/above steeper stuff than I thought they'd be capable of, but the snow was fairly set up windpack that day. OTOH, I watched one move through ~8" of untracked on a gentle slope at 11k' - it did just fine, but not very fast and it sounded like it was using ALL the motor. Hmmmm. Do Rhinos have a decent motor? I get it - you're not trying to do what a sled can, a UTV with tracks never will - but wow, this thing (sporty looking side by side) was doing ALL it could (two people in it) to go *really* slow. It could be that they were just idiots and needed to shift, dunno, but the motor was not just wound out, it sounded like it was under a lot of load.
I keep coming back to Snow-trac + modern engine. Or snowmobiles. Or a newer Tucker with a blade. Wait a sec, bank account is bigger in fantasyland. Snowtrac with a modern engine is doable; I know you had a Bombi(? Bombardier somethingelse?), the snowtrac/master SEEMS like it would be a very good answer.
Iain
I have been watching you build this here and on advrider. Pretty damn cool
Whats top speed on the pavement and how do you get it to the trail? What does it take to switch from tracks to tires? Is it like changing tires or is it more involved?
Winch?
Old snowcats are money pits. I'd avoid them. The tracks, differentials, sprockets are VERY expensive to maintain when they break. That said, if money was no object, an LMC1500 would be nice.
This is reality. Snowmobiles are great, but they have their limitations. I had a Polaris Wide Trak that hauled HUGE loads in for hut trips. A very practical machine for that kind of stuff. But snomo's just don't do much for me mentally. I'm in to tracked vehicles because they are kinda cool, and can haul multiple passengers in heated cabs.
Any personal tracked vehicle (Imp, Super Imp, Bombi) will use every bit of it's engine to go through deep snow.......BTW. Perhaps a Kubota 1100 diesel would be a burly tracked UTV.
65mph on pavement with the shitty little 1300cc motor. Cruises well at 60mph getting 24mph with the big tires.Quote:
Originally Posted by TacocaT
Switching to tracks is like changing tires, plus adding anti-rotation bracket.
Once I mount the tracks, I will leave them on for the winter. This rig will be used for nordic ski trail grooming in Corner Canyon.
Plot thickens:
Picking up a small tent trailer tomorrow. Going to mount it on skis and tow it behind the Samurai for the ultimate in deluxe, portable, backcountry accommodations.
Screw a tent, you could pull an entire yurt with that thing. Tip of the hat to you and your bad ass creation. Have fun.
That rig just gets better and better. I can't wait to see pics of it on the snow towing the trailer. You are going to be the envy of a quite a few people this winter.
That looks like it is going to be teh awesome. Jealous <napolean dynamite voice>
Quote:
Originally Posted by inthemtns
That's what I'm talkin about. Thanks for opening my eyes to the possibilities. I can't wait to see how this thing turn out.
^ Ha, that's very silly and awesome at the same time.
Took a while to mount the first track because I have to do a little fabrication to get them on there. Anyway, should go smoother now.
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/y...-38-00_431.jpg
Very cool.
I know a Snoq Pass WA local got into constant shit trying to run his cat on snowmo roads.... ended up selling (or trying to sell) it because he couldn't use the damn thing anywhere. Is that going to be issue?
Nope.....Utah law states any vehicle over 800lbs must be designed for snow with tracks, sliders, skis, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by PNWbrit
There are those narrow snowmobile gates around the Wasatch, but Nebo, Skyline, and a billion other places don't have those gates.
Edit:Just called the Utah OHV office. It's legal to be on snomo designated trails.
Yeah that was bummer, basically the USFS didn't want to have anything to to with the assumed/implied liability, and even when they offered to get a liability rider on it, they still didn't want to have anything to do with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by PNWbrit
Utah access > Washington access apparently.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trackhead
I wonder if this thing is still available:
http://nd.craigslist.org/rvs/2613871303.html
Quote:
2001 suzuki every mini truck mattracks - $14500 (williston)
Date: 2011-09-23, 3:28PM CDT
Reply to: sale-6kshf-2613871303@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
2001 suzuki mini truck van 660 turbo auto trans. comes with mattracks and atv wheels and tires .best ice fishing and hunting rig
argo rzr mattracks ice fishing ranger samurai tracker utv
Scotty 701-580- zero six seven five
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/3580/mattracks2.jpghttp://img854.imageshack.us/img854/7/mattracks1.jpg
I'm going to ride with a copy of the state law in the glove box. Because I guarantee you I'll know the law better than the ranger that approaches me.Quote:
Originally Posted by AlpenChronicHabitual
Got three of four on. Maybe I'll get the last one on tomorrow.
Front view, showing that the Tatou's are just a bit taller than a 31" tire.
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/y...-35-58_333.jpg
I hope it fits out of the garage;)
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/y...-36-33_526.jpg
Well, that looks good.
Fuel consumption can be big on these rigs.
That's fine. I'll probably never go further than five to ten miles in anyway. That's a gallon of fuel.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hohes
I admire your work trackhead! Nice job!
Been following your thread on ExPo. Great job. Can't wait to see it trackin' it up.
Awesome!!!
Looks great TH!
What kind of fab are you having to do to get those on?
Looks great. Can't wait to have a garage!
that is the coolest samurai ever to be seenQuote:
Originally Posted by Trackhead
They were set up for a Yamaha Rhino with a 4 x 110mm lug bolt pattern, the Samurai is a 4 x 5.5. So I had to drill out the mounting plate for that pattern, then drill new holes to mount the sprocket and tap them for threads. I also have to weld a small protective bracket to make sure the tracks don't ever hit my rear air bag suspension (2" clearance now). I also have to make a new anti-rotation mount, because obviously they don't make them for Samurai's.Quote:
Originally Posted by Norseman
Thought about your project when I saw this....
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos...19819979_n.jpg
the snow party hippy bus....^^^^^^^^
All four tracks are one. Still have to fab some anti-rotation brackets and a little track tuning, other than that, I think it's ready.
Guess the spare tire is of no use.
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/y...-30-18_617.jpg
I might put that tent trailer on skis and tow it in for a portable ski hut.
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/y...-30-29_796.jpg
My neighbors wonder about me, and my mental health.
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/y...-30-48_295.jpg
Can't exactly "burn rubber", but 10-20mph should be easy enough on packed trails.
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/y...-31-07_525.jpg
Sweet project, can't wait to see the TR's that come from this mini-beast. Out of curiosity how are you planning to get it to the mtns, tow rig?
Will the tracks hit the fenders under flex?
Front tire makes a great tree bumper till you get the blade I would think.
This is another badass TH project. Like the idea of the tent camper on tracks.
Gives me new thought to what I want to do with the Jeep Liberty. Thought about off road but this thread gives me a whole new idea for sure.
I also have a Jeep Tent they threw in when we bought it years back, looks like this.
Will this ever fly with the wife, hmmm. Going to get my daughter on board to gang up on her.
Attachment 102609
And yes, your neighbors must be in awe or something quite different.
Very cool D, you have many a skill.
And I still have those heavy metal Volant Chubbs if you want em for the tent trailer.
Yes, the ones I tried to tour on or more like moron.
Turns really easy in the snow. No need for 4-Low with the gear reduction from the tracks. 4 Low in 1st gear is about 2mph at 3,000rpm.
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/y...-01-31_686.jpg
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/y...-01-49_593.jpg
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/y...-02-15_652.jpg
NOW the neighbors are jealous.
What's the inside of that thing look like?
nice. ski rack?
Couch on the right, stove/sink/cupboards on the left. Not done yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Norseman
Ski rack? I'm welding up a side rack for extra fuel. Skis will go there.
Can I come out to utah this winter and play? I don't even care about skiing, I just want to drive that thing........I'll be shuttle bitch. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Trackhead