Quote:
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Originally Posted by Orion
While this is truly a fun idea to contemplate, and I am all in favor of human-powered craft (I have a Surfbike), I believe that there is way too much resistance in traveling through snow to make this practical. It might be OK in packed-down snow, but any sort of depth is going to kill ya after about about 100 yards. And you can forget about getting out of first gear unless you're going downhill! That's probably why you never see any. But keep thinking! I love inventions.  |
You're probably correct in that you wouldn't be able to use the HPS to go bust some new trails but then I was really only thinking of using it to go out and about on the lake when there's ice and/or packed snow. Certainly going to a wheeled configuration, vs a tracked one, is more limiting in this regard. Perhaps the thing to do is really follow the KISS principle for prototype 1A, no suspension (let the air tires do it) and just a low gear. Build it and see what works and what doesn't. Probably wouldn't take more than a weekend or 2,
if I had the materials. If only I could find a way around having to "register" a powered "vehicle". I could whip up a gocart engine powered version in no time. Alternately I could probably use most of an old self-propelled snowblower directly. 5 - 10 HP certainly beats 2
hp (
human
power).
[gtxrider] As to steering, I had pondered the non-assisted hydraulic steering found on a lot of boats. For these the "pump" is turned directly by the steering wheel (mounted behind the dash) and the fluid flows to a piston which contracts or extends depending on the direction of the wheel motion. But these are so expensive new that I have to believe that salvaged parts are too $$ for this project. Leaves me with either a salvaged cable/rack push/pull system (from an old boat) or a really old cables/pulleys and winding/unwinding spool system (like my old Minimax).
Maybe during dinner, I'll figure out what kind of overall gearing I need. Problem is what to use for drag/resistance #'s. Not sure you can find these type of numbers tabulated someplace ... hmmmm ....
BTW : you can blame this all on Rattlesnake Gal. It was she who posted those pics of the Model Ts converted to snowmobiles and someone (? mcdude ?) mentioned the old days of ice racing on Alton Bay. That was the genesis of last years musing on this topic, now resuscitated. Yup, it's all RG's fault
Send e-mails re: wasted bandwidth to her, that's RG @ winni.com !
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ead.php?t=1507