The year was 2019. Our mission, to build an off road wheelchair. Not the kind that will go almost anywhere, mind you. I’m talking a machine that will go absolutely anywhere. We’re talking all-terrain. Mud, snow, ice, rocks – it had to be able to go places you wouldn’t take a 4-wheeler. Not because we intended to go there, I just wanted the ability to.
Why, you ask? Why not!
With this goal in mind, I decided tracks were the best option. And since the design plan was make-it-up-as-I-go-along, trial and error, I preferred not to spend too much. I would use recycled materials as much as possible.
The Tracks
I started with an ad online for an old snowmobile. The engine was a mess, but I was only after the drivetrain.
Having acquired my first component, I set about disassembling it to see what was usable. The suspension, track, drive cog, rollers and all associated components were removed and kept. The rest was scrapped.
With 1 track in had, I had a decision to make. Try to find a second track for the other side, or try to make 2 tracks from 1. I chose the latter option.
The track was 16″ wide. It seemed to me 8″ tracks would be just fine for this project, so that meant cutting it in half. The track had 6 sets of drive lugs, which would leave 3 on each side. And the center was entirely clear. It was like it was made to be cut in half.
I set the track up on sawhorses, and got out the circular saw. While pouring water on the blade to keep it cool, I slowly cut the track in half.
The Drive
Now I needed a drive method. Would it be electric, or gas?
Both options had their pros and cons. I was good with either option. So it would come down to which I was able to obtain first.
Electric would require a big motor. Or 2 motors, depending on how it was connected. I didn’t think wheelchair motors would be powerful enough. Perhaps a golf cart motor?
Gas would require a transmission, preferably variable speed. I’m not a big fan of snowmobile clutches, but they were a possibility. But that still left the problem of a transmission. At a minimum I needed to be able to stop each side independently. I would prefer to be able to independently control the direction as well so it could turn on a dime. Which would require a skidsteer transmission or hydrostatic drives.
The project stalled while I looked for what I needed. Not too aggressively, I got sidetracked with other projects.
Summer of 2022. My father had acquired a new zero turn mower, and was selling the old one. He asked if I wanted it, as he had someone interested in it for the diesel engine. The hydrostatic drives were beat, but the frame was decent. So I said I wanted the frame, but didn’t need the engine. It was way bigger than I needed.
With a base in hand, now I just needed some ambition and inspiration.
To be continued…