11c1p oldsalt Posted November 9 Posted November 9 Anyone make there own rubber pads for the tracks? I've thought about buying some thick rubber sheets and bandsawing and drilling them. Then there's the question of adhesive. Thoughts? I'd really love to use my weasel in parades. 2 Quote
Patrick Tipton Posted November 14 Posted November 14 I have thought about it, but have not done anything yet. I have heard of people welding captive type nuts so they can screw road pads on to the grousers. I have played with a glue that is used for retreads....seems like it might work. I know that you need to be careful with getting the correct hardness of material. Too hard and the Weasel will skid on pavement - too soft, the pads will wear too quickly. 1 Quote
Radiogeek99 Posted November 14 Posted November 14 I like the captive nut idea, but finding the right material is difficult. I have read a couple of posts on this subject, but have not seen material specs. 1 Quote
OZM29C Posted November 14 Posted November 14 @Radiogeek99 I went down this line of thought many years ago but abandoned the idea when the LAR tracks came on the market. Having said that here are some photos showing what I was planning. Grouser block with thread insert.pdf Weasel Thread insert concept.pdf Grouser block idea.pdf 3 Quote
11c1p oldsalt Posted November 14 Author Posted November 14 Pretty much the same idea I have. But like Patrick said. Composition of the rubber is the issue for me. I'm afraid I'd get them too soft and wear right through them. Been thinking about tractor tires. The cleats on them are the right hardness. But would be pricey unless I could find tires with the side walls ripped. Quote
OZM29C Posted November 15 Posted November 15 1 hour ago, 11c1p oldsalt said: Pretty much the same idea I have. But like Patrick said. Composition of the rubber is the issue for me. I'm afraid I'd get them too soft and wear right through them. Been thinking about tractor tires. The cleats on them are the right hardness. But would be pricey unless I could find tires with the side walls ripped. @11c1p oldsalt I was going to use a free machining Black Nylon sheet to make the blocks from. Very similar to what the LAR tracks have on them. The only downside is cost and when driving on a hard surface, drive with respect as the nylon does not allow for good adhesion to the road. Quote
Jesse Browning Posted November 15 Posted November 15 I cut pieces out of a 1” conveyor belt. They worked ok. 1 Quote
OZM29C Posted November 15 Posted November 15 Back in one of the earlier iterations of the weasel forum there was a company called 'Accurite' that machined both drive sprockets and bolt on grouser pads. Unfortunately I did not keep a photo in my weasel archive. Maybe the company is still around???? Quote
Patrick Tipton Posted November 15 Posted November 15 Finding the correct "durometer" (hardness) rubber/synthetic is just a question of doing the work. This technology has advanced so much that it will not be hard to find a reasonable source for this material. There are pourable synthetics if you want to make a mold. You can also purchase "bars" and then process them to mount. I have a couple of sources...that I can't put my fingers on right now. Will try to circle back later and put some links in here. Quote
Reamer Posted November 15 Posted November 15 13 hours ago, OZM29C said: Back in one of the earlier iterations of the weasel forum there was a company called 'Accurite' that machined both drive sprockets and bolt on grouser pads. Unfortunately I did not keep a photo in my weasel archive. Maybe the company is still around???? I Just found their web site and contacted them about suggestions proper durometer blocks for stopping and turning a 4k lbs, steel-tracked beast on pavement. they would have to "custom make" these, so a bulk order is required... Quote
11c1p oldsalt Posted November 15 Author Posted November 15 21 inch track. How many is that? Mine are rolled up in the back of the shed. Quote
11c1p oldsalt Posted November 15 Author Posted November 15 Honestly. What I'm looking for mostly is rubber tracks just to use the weasel in parades. So this here is what I wouldn't mind doing. Not sure who makes these. I grabb2d this photo from g503 (2019 thread) Quote
Reamer Posted November 15 Posted November 15 Are those for a Weasel? probably need new sprockets to match pitch... Quote
Reamer Posted November 15 Posted November 15 1 hour ago, 11c1p oldsalt said: 21 inch track. How many is that? Mine are rolled up in the back of the shed. 112 blocks per weasel? Quote
Reamer Posted November 15 Posted November 15 (edited) www.fixtureworks.com reply... Hello Ron, We offer 80A Durometer bumpers made from Urethane or Neoprene rubber with an aluminum backing and c'bore holes for mounting. This would be a niche application and I would recommend testing on the field to validate material performance. Edited November 15 by Reamer 1 Quote
11c1p oldsalt Posted November 15 Author Posted November 15 5 hours ago, Reamer said: Are those for a Weasel? probably need new sprockets to match pitch... I don't know. This is some of what I'm trying to figure out. It comes with more items not pictured. I just grabbed thi Pic. Quote
Patrick Tipton Posted November 15 Posted November 15 There is a company in Europe that has adapted skid steer tracks to a Weasel. It does require new idlers wheels and sprockets. To my knowledge, there are no sets in the US...I know a few folks overseas who have them and like them. As far as I know, the company will not sell to the US....or maybe facilitate export....so... Quote
OZM29C Posted November 16 Posted November 16 @Patrick Tipton Patrick, if I remember correctly, Byron wrote a very informative post on the Staaman rubber tracks that @11c1p oldsalt might find interesting to read. Unfortunately I don’t have the link as I am posting this using my mobile. I was also told that there was another supplier in the UK as well but I have no information on this vendor. 1 Quote
Patrick Tipton Posted November 16 Posted November 16 Good memory John. https://forum.portrayalpress.com/search/?q=staman&quick=1 Quote
Reamer Posted November 17 Posted November 17 I'm working with 2 U.S. suppliers they say they have replacement rubber tracks for the weasel, one supplier says $1200 per track and $250 per replacement sprocket...... 1 Quote
11c1p oldsalt Posted November 17 Author Posted November 17 Exciting! Love to know more about them. Especially if there good for parades. Quote
OZM29C Posted November 17 Posted November 17 @Reamer Here is a company that many years ago showed promise in reproducing tracks for a weasel. Unfortunately they only got as far as the proof of concept samples. Might be worth your while to again approach this company in view that they are already familiar with Weasels; http://www.carrolltech.com/index.html Quote
Patrick Tipton Posted November 19 Posted November 19 On 11/17/2024 at 9:30 AM, Reamer said: I'm working with 2 U.S. suppliers they say they have replacement rubber tracks for the weasel, one supplier says $1200 per track and $250 per replacement sprocket...... Looking forward to hearing more! Quote
Reamer Posted November 19 Posted November 19 (edited) Everything looks good about them, they are located in GA, He says they are $1190 each with $150-$200 shipping to CT. I asked the question "If I install one and it "jumps" on the sprocket, I own it, or is it returnable?" ...waiting on a reply... Edited November 19 by Reamer Quote
Patrick Tipton Posted November 19 Posted November 19 Ron - were they made specifically for the Weasel? Those guides look too wide to fit between the bogies? There is not much room. Quote
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