[DieselYJ]

Just dreaming about that and came up with a heck of a lot more pluses than negatives, to going hydrostatic(like riding lawnmowers)

The advantages:

1. More clearance (no diffs) motor at each wheel.(each motor is about 6" square)
2. No tranny, t/c, lockers, axles to break.
3. A lot less moving parts therefore less breakage.
4. As for spare parts carry an extra hydraulic motor and a high pressure line or 2 and be set for a day of wheeling.
5. Go as slow as you want to.

The only drawback that i could think off was top speed. It might be limited to less than 40mph, but who goes that fast on the trail anyways.

Have i been spending too much time on the <IMG SRC="smilies/smokin.gif" border="0"> or would this be a very feasible project?

Any comments negative or postive would be greatly apprecitated.

 

[NE-RokToy]

Some of the bigger Fork lift type tractors (damn I can't remember the name of them!!) that are 4 wheel drive/ 4wheel steer and built for all terrain are hydrostatic and each wheel has about 120 degree range of motion and they run tires that are at least 40" tall. So hydrostatic is definatly a heavy duty option. Also at my work we have a couple hydrostatic mowers, one with over 3000 trouble free hours on it. The one thing that I havent really thought about that will be an issue is suspension, but I guess you could do kind like a portal axle withought a pumkin, even run the lines through the tubes so they can't get snagged on anything

 

[BillaVista]

I think it's a great idea - I know the huge mining trucks have full hydraulic drivetrains, and have like 12' tall tires - not sure what their top speed is.

There might be some info on them at howstuffworks.com ??

I expect we haven't seen it just because it would be a fairly rare combo of knowledge and desire to make it work.

I definately think it's the "next step".

Bill

 

[ranger]

I've driven a few hydrostatic tractors, and they are not easy to drive. Very touchy! If you have a heavy foot you can eat the windshield, seen that happen. Over all they were dependable, just leaked alot. But that fairly normal for hydraulic systems. <IMG SRC="smilies/skull.gif" border="0">

 

[desertoy]

I thought about it a lot. The only draw back is price. Hydraulic components are VERY expensive. The only way to do it is to have axcess to a forklift junkyard <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
You could get most of the components from a junk bobcat.

 

[Jakesteramalamajama]

Sounds leaky--but cool!
<IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

 

[JeepinIan]

One of the other drawbacks is later when one motor wears a little more than the others it will not track straight.
Also, the motors may only be about 6" in diameter, but how long are they? I have them around my shop and some of them are about 12" long. Then you have the hydraulic hoses for each one leading down to them.
Also, if it does have a hose or seal leak on the trail, can you imagine the field day that the eco-nazis would have with any oil spills form it?

 

[VT_Toy]

I bet it would climb like a <IMG SRC="smilies/bender.gif" border="0"> , since the wheels would all be getting power, but still able to turn at different speeds.

 

[BigBadBob]

Originally posted by JeepinIan USA:
<STRONG>
Also, if it does have a hose or seal leak on the trail, can you imagine the field day that the eco-nazis would have with any oil spills form it?</STRONG>

Wouldn't be much worse than pulling the diff cover off would it? Not saying that it's ok to have puddles of gear oil sitting on the trail but it's not like it doesn't happen.

 

[gunracer1]

if you get a chance take a look at a sky trax, condor or genie boom they all have this type of drive system. i have thought about it,but the cost issue would be hard to overcome. unless you got lucky and found one that went of the back of a truck. it would be cool but i am sure it would be real slow. mike

 

[JeepinIan]

Originally posted by BigBadBob:
<STRONG>Wouldn't be much worse than pulling the diff cover off would it? Not saying that it's ok to have puddles of gear oil sitting on the trail but it's not like it doesn't happen.</STRONG>

Yeah it would. Instead of a gallon or two of oil, you're talking about 5 to 10 gallons of oil. And hyd oil is a hell of a lot thinner than gear lube, and it runs downhill quick.

 

[ranger]

Not to mention it HIGH pressure, and will be out in seconds. Ever tried to fix a high pressure hose in the outback!! Gonna have to carry lots of extras... <IMG SRC="smilies/skull.gif" border="0">

 

[Jakesteramalamajama]

If I learned anything growing up on the farm, it's this:

Hydrostatic drive systems are designed to leak. Period.

That said, it would still be pretty cool.
<IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Jake

 

['80Toad]

I say grab the drivetrain out of a 256, 276 or 9030 series Ford/Versitile tractor. We have a 256 at our farm. They have 4 cyl turbo Cummins engine. They're the same as the ones in Dodge only with 2 less cylinders so engine mods are plentiful. They have a very positive hydrostatic drive in front of a 3 speed transmision. And they also have huge portal axles with I 'think' 2:1 reduction in the drop boxes. With the hydro drive in front of a transmision there are only 2 hose too, one high pressure from the pump to the drive and one low pressure back. Easy to replace/fix.
I want this stuff in my toyota.
<IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Edit: It doesn't leak either.

Corey

[ 10-29-2001: Message edited by: Corey Ross ]

[ 10-29-2001: Message edited by: Corey Ross ]

 

[Donovan]

Here you guys go. We do work for this company and they have some really bada$$ stuff. http://www.uqm.com/Technologies/programs/hummer.html

[ 10-29-2001: Message edited by: Donovan ]

 

[dirtrod]

I thought about this and rounded up some specs., but it is not legal per the arca rules. I don't have time to find the particular wording, but I remember seeing it.