Track rebuilding in progress

[Raffi]

Disassembly, road pad fabrication, sand blasting and powder coating complete.  Re-assembly finally can begin!

[Patrick Tipton]

That looks fantastic!  What are you going to do for the bands?

[nwarcade]

Awesome! I'm excited to watch your progress. Thanks for posting. 

 

[Raffi]

Thanks! As for the bands, I purchased a set years ago from Tom (Snake River 4x4).

[Raffi]

[42rocker]

Guessing you got the rubber pads from the same place????

Looking good.... Thanks for the sharing.

Stay Safe.

Later 42rocker

Edited December 23, 2021 by 42rocker

[Raffi]

I fabricated the road pads myself from UHMW material.  I used my drill press, table saw, chop saw and band saw to make.  It was time consuming but easy work.

[42rocker]

Raffi

Where did you get the UHMW material from? Ok, did net search lots of places out there I see. 

Any special place you think worked well for you??

THANKS and Good Luck with everything. Thanks for sharing..

Later 42rocker

[Raffi]

Hi 42rocker, any plastic material supply house can provide you the material.  I was fortunate enough to have all the material I needed in my personal storage from past projects.  Here are some more pics. One track done, one to go! Enjoy

[Raffi]

[Patrick Tipton]

Looking good!  How thick is your belting?

[Raffi]

Thank you Patrick. The Inner bands are 3/4" and the outer bands are 1/2".  Have any brush guards (or plans) for sale?

[Patrick Tipton]

Sorry - no brush guards at this point.  Do you have an M29 or M29C?  I don't have plans, but can take pictures....

Also, how did you put the holes in the conveyor belting?

Ty!

[42rocker]

Raffi

Your tracks are looking great!!!! Nice Christmas Present for you. 

Please keep posting the pics and info. Thanks for sharing.

Stay Safe Everyone. Covid sucks.

Later 42rocker

[Raffi]

I have a T24.  The belting kit I'm using came from Tom (Snake River 4x4). The holes were already punched.  He offered/sold this belting kit several years ago.  His website is still active.  Look under weasel parts for more pics and description of belting kit on his website.  Goggle "snake river 4x4" and it should take you to his website.

[42rocker]

website

Weasel Parts | Snake River 4x4

Thanks for the sharing.

Later 42rocker

[Raffi]

Tracks done and installed!  Next is some more test driving followed by complete disassembly in preparation for body and paint work 👍.

[Patrick Tipton]

Look great.  How is it driving and steering?

[Raffi]

I upgraded the drive train to diesel power and hydro-static drive (think of a tracked skid steer). Machine turns effortlessly even in gravel or dirt.  Has plenty of torque.  2nd day of testing.  Still experimenting/researching different hydraulic drive motors as trying to achieve a top speed of 15 MPH or so without losing torque/track power. Rest of machine will be restored to stock OEM appearance.  Will start a separate thread on the drive train once it is dialed in. 

[Patrick Tipton]

Interesting and nice looking work!  I look forward to seeing the build thread!

PS - where are you located?

Patrick

[Raffi]

Portland Oregon

[OZM29C]

23 hours ago, Raffi said:

I upgraded the drive train to diesel power and hydro-static drive (think of a tracked skid steer). Machine turns effortlessly even in gravel or dirt.  Has plenty of torque.  2nd day of testing.  Still experimenting/researching different hydraulic drive motors as trying to achieve a top speed of 15 MPH or so without losing torque/track power. Rest of machine will be restored to stock OEM appearance.  Will start a separate thread on the drive train once it is dialed in. 

Very unique power train adaptation. 👍One observation though but definitely not a criticism, 15mph tops will be a painfully slow speed to drive a weasel at???? 😥

[D.R.H.]

Nice work Raffi. The rear differential housing was not only a big cast gear container, it gave structural integrity to the hull and supported the rear axle housings as well. I think that I would want to build some sort of structure that would tie the hull sides together to help prevent the track tension from bending the sides. Just sayin'.

[Idaho Jim]

 I concur with DRH on that. VERY nice work, Raffi.

[Raffi]

Absolutely, a rearend crossmember at drive motors is on my to do list.  I will start a new thread on the drive system once it is completed and dialed in. Thanks for all the great compliments!