Home-Built Tracked Vehicle

Home-Built Tracked Vehicle AG WORLD 29-1-23 You won't find another tracked vehicle like the one built by Larry Brown of Chaska, Minn. The 4-WD rig is powered by a Wisconsin 2-cyl., 15 hp gas engine off a Ditch Witch. It also has the Ditch Witch's 3-speed transmission and clutch. The 6-ft. long, 12-in. wide rubber tracks were made from 13 by 38 rear tractor tires. The tracks ride over 13-in. Ford Pinto tires and are held in place by metal prongs bolted to the outside edges of the rubber. The rig measures 5 1/2 ft. wide and has a frame made from 2 by 2 1/2-in. sq. tubing. Both axles are the rear axles off a pair of rear wheel drive Ford Pintos. The axle on front faces backward so that the wheels turn in the same direction. The engine's 3-speed transmission is hooked up to a 4-speed Warner synchromesh transmission. The transmission chain-drives a shaft that drives both rear ends. The rear axle is welded solid, but the front axle can be slid backward whenever Brown wants to remove the wheels (The shaft that connects the two axles telescopes). "We have a lot of fun with it, although it does ride pretty rough. I call it my Wilder Beast, but my daughter calls it our æshake and bump' machine," says Brown. "With the two transmissions I have 12 forward speeds and one reverse, and because of the synchromesh 4-speed transmission I can shift on-the-go. With both transmissions in low gear it has plenty of power and will pull a 2-bottom plow. I built a wagon to pull behind it. "I steer with individual brakes on each side. Each brake acts on a master cylinder off a 1960 Chevy car. I equipped an old electrical box which mounts in front of the driver with a light switch, amp meter, and starter switch. I also added a tractor muffler next to the engine." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Larry Brown, 10180 Co. Rd. 43, Chaska, Minn. 55318 ph 952 448-3493).

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