The incredible screw drive tractor is back. We’ve covered the previous test ride, which ended with a bearing pillow block ripping in half, but since then, again, a lot of repair work has been done. [REDNIC79] reinforced the load-bearing parts and put on a fresh pair of “tires”. The result is still as unbelievable as the previous versions, but it now propels itself forward at a blazing 3 mph (this time without tearing itself apart).
[REDNIC79] walks us through all the details of the improvements he made since the first version. After the last failure, he figured, that a larger screw pod diameter would give the vehicle a better floatation while smaller thread profile would prevent the screws from digging too deep into the ground, thus reducing the force required to move the vehicle forward.
[REDNIC79] found four identical 100 pounds, 16 inch diameter propane tanks to build the new pods from. The tanks were a bit too short for the tractor, so he cut open two of the tanks and used them to extend the other two before welding a double thread screw onto each. He also tapered the front ends of the tanks to make the ride even smoother. After mounting the new pods to the speedster, a pair of custom steel chain guards were added to prevent rocks from getting into the chain. And then, it was time for another test ride. Enjoy the video:
meh. It moves, but it also does a fantastic job of tearing up the ground. I would have put some nice dozer/tank style treads on that thing. I don’t see taking it out on a lake as something that’s going to happen…
A tank/dozer would just sink at somewhere like Sidoarjo mud flow disaster, but a screw drive revved fast enough will not (unless you stop moving then they will sink).
Check this video to see if it is a place you would use a dozer/tank style treads ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKGZ5sBLqjs&feature=youtu.be&t=15
Actually, if the screw drive is spinning quickly, it’s more likely to sink into the ground. Wet clays are often thixotropic, thinning in viscosity when subjected to shear forces, which is part of the reason that it’s a bad idea to quickly spin your car’s tires when you’re stuck in the mud.
Tracked drive systems typically have much lower absolute ground pressure than wheeled vehicles, despite often being much heavier. For example, a military tank has a ground pressure of about 15psi, while a typical car has a ground pressure of about 30 psi.
This screw driven vehicle will have a variable ground pressure, based on how deeply it has sunken into the ground, but if the screw drives aren’t sunken in at all, this vehicle type will have a high ground pressure (it’s basically a line contact with the ground).
you should still get considerable buoyancy from the drums displacing the mud. kind of like a pontoon boat.
I don’t get it, is this just for fun, or does it have a purpose?
It won’t get stuck in mud that even the best tires can’t go through. if it’s still a hack does it really need a purpose?
From the video above, it looks like it is used to drain and recover the muddy soil.
But, WHY?!!!!
Why not? if people only made thing’s based on a familiar set of ideas we wouldn’t have anything new .
You’re at the wrong place. I think you meant to go to http://onlypracticalthings.com.
to hack or not to hack, what is the purpose ?
To prove he can, a hack doesn’t need a purpose
if the terrain in parts of canada is anything like it is in southeast alaska, im sure the thing has lots of uses. lots og bogs and mud flats that would just swallow up a wheeld vehicle. you can step on what looks like a dry bit of ground and find out its vegitation growing on top of 3 feet of water, its sort of like walking on a sponge (and some times you can go through and loose a shoe).
Needs more duct tape.
— Red Green
Is that a VW Iltis in the background?
Oh yeah! A lot of us have quite a bit of nostalgia for those :)
I love that it says “Turd-Trac” on the side. In fact, I love everything about this.
Its fun, but not ideal that the tubes are going in that direction. Theyre trying to pull the undercarrige apart going forward.
Henry Ford did this on a Fordson tractor back in the 20s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn5jkXEFTZ4
As a Canadian, I’m inspired to write my MP and demand that beer cans and welding rods be added to the Coat of Arms of Canada because with an adequate supply of those two essentials, there’s nothing we can’t do.
Seems like a great way to loose a leg :P
I love that “loose a leg” and “lose a leg” actually sorta mean the same thing. Unless you’re loosing chicken legs or something. Pull!
Why why why why why?
I didn’t realize we had to get everything approved by some purpose driven board of directors.
Why did Sir Ed climb Everest? Because it was there.
Actually the reason somebody hacks is not because it’s there but because it’s NOT there!
Awsome construction. I think i want to 3D print a smaller robot version :)
And once people ask why, i’d say because i could.
Look up the Tyco or Hot Wheels Terrain Twister for a radio controlled version. It floats so it can go on water too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnCzCrpysVU
Um, interesting.Sort of.
This is like watching the results from the Hackaday Hackathon 8000BC.We all remember that the ‘wheel’ won. But the screw-drive still got honorable mention.