yep i like it too.......... the transverse spring action is a worthy
option to design in...must save on bad backs.......
Yeah! OM,
it does look good but I hope you have taken the 3D wobbles into account and have retained enough stiffness to counter them. Keep it going though it does look good.
Ron
Lovely work that. I've been looking for something to emulate the fibreglass axle of a Seagull MC2 at a mini yacht size. Skis aren't cheap round here, neither for that matter are windsurf masts so leaf springs is another option.... and cheap!
Cheers Col
I like that Good workmanship too I imagine you would need a large full sail to get
rolling on that field but it should be good!
I do like your shed/basement??, and the work you do . Very neat.
I have thought of leaf springs for the rear before as my Dad had a billy cart like that with steel wheels. Used to ride over gutters no problem.
From the way you have done it looks like you have kept a close eye on weight considerations.
It should iron out the soy ruts OK but I think you will still need a good stiff breeze to get it going.
Please keep us posted on results. Cheers.
NICE WORK !!!!! VERY INVENTIVE.... I THINK THATS What makes this site cool....different ideas blossom into other ideas!!!looks like it would work on our alfalfa fields here and with 30 mph north winds,, should roll comfortably.... send more pics....
Often wondered if the ol' leaf spring was a good idea or not! Gotta say though that looks better than what i was thinking. I really hope this works out well.
Great work, I'm particularly fond of the peddles.
Yep! Well here is another IDEA??
It is Christmas and everyone will be asleep or away etc.. Why not Take a Big Road Roller for a test run?? Pack that Paddock nice and tight and smooth, then you won't need so much wind?? Mind you the Farmer won't be impressed the next time he tries to Plough it!![}:)]
Ron
PS; Cisco I had a Billy like that when I was a Kid (OMG How far back in history was that??) The Steels were off an old Push Mower, Cylinder Type.. You know the ones with Bars for Grip made a hell of a noise as it ran on the concrete foot path.. Noone could complain about not hearing it come GRRrrarrrrrarrrrrrrarrrrr.
Most winters here we get 18 to 24 inches of frost in the ground so the fields will be as hard as concrete Just need a little suspension for the roughness, and plan on using 4.0m windsurfing sail. Just hope it will haul @ss!
Finished the springyacht and did a little testing today Very smooth and quiet, soaks up bumps big and small pretty good.
Fine control. Outbound by the camera nicely done conserving the portside tire! What are the mast sail and boom specs please.
I love it. What did you use for the springs? This may be the ticket for me sailing on the sod farm. Would love to see some more photos please.
Brian
I would also love to see how you attached your windsurfing rig. I think for Ice, the low end power of a windsurfing rig may be the way to go. Plus, I have more sails that I could use.
Thanks,
Brian
Thanks everyone for the positive comments. Building landyachts is just so much fun and yes it is highly addictive. I'm using a 4m uncut sail, 430 mast, wishbone boom. Builds in the past I envisioned running 5-5.5m sails but they just never felt right compared to the 4. Would like to find a nice 3m sail for heavy days. Here is a pic of the bottom of the sail for attachment, I just use a nice double block to set downhaul then tie off.
For wheels I'm using 22x8/10 atv sand tires (AMS Whipsnakes), Douglas blue label
rims (4x4 pattern), and steel gokart hub (4x4 pattern with 3/4 tapered roller bearings). They weigh 15 lbs. each but are worth it in my opinion. Yes, a wheelbarrow setup will accelerate quicker on a very smooth surface (and class legal), but other than that I think these are a much better and overall faster wheel (for my situation). Tires themselves are only $25, durable (one set has lasted a year for me), bearings last and are easy to maintain, ability to run on a variety of surfaces, carry heaps of speed thru corners, and excellent grip cornering (feel safer). Basically saying don't let wheel weight scare you from trying something different. I've also wondered if there is a correlation between my wheel weight and getting decent performance from an uncut windsurfer sail (48 mph on asphalt, 42 mph on grass). Plus they look good.
The springs on this build are from a 77' Toyota pickup. Definitely need to tune them a little but the setup is in the ballpark. There is 8 in. of single leaf plus 3 in. to center of tire (11" of leverage), think I need to reduce this distance some. Could either bring lower leaf in (reducing overall width) or make top leaf longer. Overall width is 58" now, really don't want to make it narrower. Probably will make new top leaf setup, have thought about slotting these holes to allow for different weight pilots. Either route involves a minimum of 4 holes thru spring steel, not looking forward to it. I also tried a little front wheel suspension on this one.
Oldmxer..........great engineering, and exelent welding....top job
heapsa fun............I Like.......
You do care about quality presentation.......well done!
Thanks Joe! Would you believe this is the first build that I've welded. Builds past I was spoiled with a son at home who did the welding while I did the fabricating, much quicker and less anxiety (slightly anal retentive).
Got caught with the space heater on today. Built a frame this month, trying to utilize 48 spoke bicycle wheels. Hope to keep chassis weight around 50 lbs. Want something for 5-10 mph wind. Jump tests were good
Did a little more work on the "lightyacht". Hung the hammock style seat off the mast step, working towards the front. Plan on wrapping framework with boat shrink wrap, just don't know how easy it is to work with. Should be aerodynamic, lightweight, and low rolling resistance, what more can you ask for, (besides stronger wheels)
Not gonna make 50 lb target, 51.3 now
Definitely will have to handle with some finesse, that's for sure. We've built a couple that utilized 36 spoke wheels and bicycle forks for axle mounts, and yes they failed but not the way I thought they would. Have folded a couple wheels, but majority of failures were the forks twisting. The worst thing for them is sliding in a corner then catching, but the zip factor has drawn me back to them.
Take a look at G-Sport Homer bmx hubs. They are what started this project. Hubs look like they might even adapt to single side mount rather simply. Accepts 13g spokes, could be modified to use 12g. Can find them for 20 dollars apiece. With a good rim I think they would be very strong. Going to use what I have for now. Saw the pics of the German wheel, looks kind of similar hub design?
www.bing.com/images/search?q=g-sport+hubs&id=D194C5D167BB528B49BFB4B46B692CCCE35F48EC&FORM=IQFRBA