If you have thought about making a motorized dog with your own hands, it is worth considering that this design is not at all overly complex. That is why you can make it yourself, without the help of specialists. The high popularity of the described motorized towing vehicles is explained by the fact that they have compact sizes and excellent maneuverability. Among other things, they are unpretentious in maintenance and consume quite little fuel during operation.
general description
Before making a motorized dog with your own hands, you must understand it design features, as well as assembly technologies. In essence, this design is an oversized tracked motorized unit designed for towing all kinds of small loads.
Engine selection and installation
The most important component of the described homemade product is the engine. In this case, this is a fairly popular moped motor of the Sh-58 brand, which is a product of domestic production. As the main advantage of this device The advantage is that it is designed for the use of a manual box switch. In addition, it should be noted that foreign-made engines can be used in motorized towing vehicles. When making a motorized dog with your own hands, you can use a small-displacement engine, which is produced under the brands Honda and Yamaha. The main feature of these engines is their versatility, because they are excellent for creating a motorized dog, as well as for other devices. Among them are small power plants and
In the process of making a motorized dog with your own hands, it is recommended to think about the number of engine cycles. Two-stroke varieties are best suited, which, compared to four-stroke ones, are smaller in size and weight, while the power characteristics remain approximately at the same level.
Controls
Do not forget that the design must have control elements. In this case, it is preferable to use a steering wheel that has built-in controls. Thus, the design will have a gearbox switch, as well as a clutch and gas handle, borrowed from old motorcycles.
Carrying out the assembly
If you make a motorized dog with your own hands, the diagram and drawings of this design will allow you to eliminate errors. Before you start assembling, you need to take care of the availability. Afterwards, you will need to machine bushings for them. As a supporting structure, a welded frame should be used, which will include water pipes of different diameters. To give these elements the required shape, they need to be filled with dry sand, and then sealed tightly enough with plugs. After this, the workpiece must be placed in a vice, starting to slowly bend and use it in the required places. In order to ensure an even bend, you need to use a reference template, which is pre-made from plywood.
Work technology
If you are making a motorized dog with your own hands, the diagram and drawings of this device will help you with this. Once all the frame elements have the required shape, they can be fixed to each other using welding clamps. These manipulations are necessary so that if defects form at the assembly stage, they can be easily eliminated. After all errors have been eliminated, the frame can be finally fixed by welding. Drawings of a motorized dog with your own hands can be easily prepared without the help of specialists. For mounting the engine on the frame, blanks made of sheet steel are ideal. They are made according to a pre-fitted template, the last of which is made of cardboard. It must match the dimensions of the frame. The blanks are fixed on the engine, only after the resulting structure should be attached to the frame system using welding clamps. At the next stage, the engine must be disconnected from the workpiece, finally fixing it on the frame.
Working on collapsible shafts
You can easily make a motorized dog with your own hands if you first familiarize yourself with the technology of work. In the tracked block, collapsible shafts should be used, which are made of bearings and bushings. The latter are machined for bearings, and the wall thickness should not be more than 5 millimeters. The most impressive loads in a motorized towing vehicle will fall on the rear axle. She should be made the leader. Why is a drive sprocket attached to the rear shaft and connected to the gearbox using chain transmission. In motorized towing vehicles, in addition to composite shafts, composite wheels are used. If you are making a motorized dog with your own hands, the diagram will help you with the work. Each wheel will consist of two three-millimeter cheeks, as well as several dozen hooks for the ground. The latter must be made from steel pipes. To dampen vibration of the wheels, rubber bushings must be installed at the ends of the hooks.
Mover
Before you make a motorized dog with your own hands, you need to think about how the tracks will be made. In this example, we consider an option that involves using Its width should be 220 millimeters. The tracks for the walk-behind tractor are made from flat birch slats, the length of which is 1260 millimeters. In order to strengthen the tracks, it is recommended to use steel ridges attached to the bars. The track elements are fixed with bolts that have an M6 thread.
Conclusion
Driving such a motorized dog is almost no different from driving a moped. The gas handle is located on the right handlebar, while on the left there is a gearshift lever and clutch handle. The steering wheel is attached to the frame via two pipes that are welded to a U-shaped fork. The latter is fixed on the rear axle using steel washers. Due to the fact that the engine of a motorized dog is located inside the caterpillar, it is impossible to activate it using a kickstarter. In view of this, it can be slightly modernized. To do this, use a piece of pipe, at the end of which a slot is made of such a size that the lever drive fits into it. Afterwards, using welding, you can fasten the kickstarter lever and the pipe.
The “biting” prices for snowmobile equipment are forcing amateurs or professionals of winter hunting and fishing to make their own “sleighs”.
Motorcycle dog or motorized towing vehicle – perfect option active rest. Of course, the unit will be based on Buranovsky parts, but the main tool will be your hands and technical knowledge.
To create a motorized towing vehicle in your garage with your own hands, you should prepare: metal beams 20*40*120 of which we prepare the frame using a welding machine.
We will weld a mount for the motor and gearbox onto the frame. The motorized dog will move with the help of a caterpillar.
To do this, we take the element we need from Buran. Cut it crosswise. This is done in order to expand its chassis.
The connecting elements are jumpers made of “U”-shaped metal profiles. The caterpillar is “required” to rotate by two axles, specially machined to our dimensions - 25 mm thick, 50 cm long. “Cheeks” are welded to them for attaching the drive sprockets.
In addition, support bearings are attached to the frame on both sides (two in front and two in back). They are inserted into support housings. Three carriages with rollers were taken from the Buran snowmobile to provide support for the tracks. They are first subjected to expansion; for this purpose, the sawn carriages are connected with inserts.
Prepared carriages are placed on the “ears” welded to the frame. We install the motor with a pulley, connecting it to a four-speed gearbox with a belt drive (there is also a pulley on the box).
For control, handles are installed from a pipe (1.5 cm, 120 cm long), tightened with jumpers (in an arbitrary arrangement).
A Buranovsky gas trigger is installed on the steering wheel. A corresponding cable goes from it to the carburetor. There is a lever on the steering wheel, from which comes a tension roller, screwed to the frame on a hinge. By tightening the belts, he sets the vehicle in motion. The structure is designed in such a way that it allows, if necessary, to manually replace the belt.
For a homemade vehicle to move at a speed of 30 km/h in deep snow, it is enough to take a 6.5 horsepower engine.
For safety reasons, it is placed on top of the motor. protective housing. The installed shield is made of steel sheet (1.5 mm). To fill the fuel, a hole with a diameter slightly larger than the neck with a lid is cut from above the gas tank.
In addition, this technique is not without its convenient moments. “Stash places” are installed under the seat and on the opposite side,
for various little things that will be quite useful on the road, including food supplies.
The output is motorized towing vehicle homemade, with low weight, capable of moving on a snowy surface. Dimensions are relatively small (150x55x60 cm). With them, any transportation of a motorized dog is not a problem.
A motorized towing vehicle is an essential purchase in places where a car cannot pass - these are fields, forests, areas where there is deep snow most of the year. The advantage of this technique is that it has relatively small sizes, weighs little, can cope with various drifts, and also easily passes through hard to reach places. It is especially good to have a motorized towing vehicle for people who are interested in winter hunting, fishing, and also for transporting small-sized cargo and firewood. The device will be useful in winter and summer. You can buy a motorized dog in a store, however, if you don’t want to overpay, you can assemble it yourself.
What is a motorized dog for a walk-behind tractor?
The track attachment is represented by a module on which there is a seat for a person and a place for installing a walk-behind tractor. Instead of standard wheels, the walk-behind tractor is mounted on tracks.
You can control a motorized dog while sitting on a trailer or standing on a sled. The motorized towing vehicle starts and stops by pressing the gas or clutch lever, which are located on the steering wheel of the walk-behind tractor. You can set turns and hold them using the steering wheel.
The motorized towing vehicle can be easily disassembled and easily placed in the trunk of a car or in a garage. Making the device is as easy as disassembling it.
The assembly time of the motorized dog does not exceed 15 minutes. Does not require special care, easy to use.
IN Russian Federation launched the production of motorized dogs for walk-behind tractors. By purchasing a motor cultivator and tracks, you can make a reliable device at home. The snowmobile attachment will help hunters, fishermen in winter time drive through impassable places. The motorized dog pulls up to 2 ski trailers and standard sleds weighing up to 150 kg.
Factory motorized towing vehicles
After the hype for tracked attachments, they began to be produced in our country. Motorized towing vehicles for walk-behind tractors Salyut (Agat) and Neva can rightfully be called one of the most popular.
Snowmobile attachments for Salyut (for example, model SP-MB-S) and Neva (models SP-MB-2, SP-MB-23 and others) began to be produced 15 years ago and managed to win the hearts of many people for their ease of use and simple repairs .
Due to its small parameters, the motorized dog can be easily kept in the garage and transported by car.
Walk-behind tractors have a small engine, so it is better to buy a two-track attachment for them. Each track has holes, and standard models have the usual 2 plastic sprockets on the axle, where the tracks are mounted. Such technical point is more practical, since motorized dogs often break down due to this problem.
But there is a significant drawback: the engine has low power(7 l), so acceleration will be no more than 20 km/h, or even lower. It is difficult for these models to pull several drags, because... they are lightweight options. When choosing a tracked attachment, you need to pay attention to this fact, because The devices are not suitable for heavy loads.
Do-it-yourself motorized towing vehicle for a walk-behind tractor
It’s not difficult to make a motorized towing vehicle yourself. It is important to decide on the engine. You can buy both domestic and foreign engines. Yamaha and Honda engines have good performance reviews. They are universal, so they will fit any device model. As for the caterpillars, you can make them yourself; you only need materials, a little time and patience.
Homemade tracks for a snowmobile attachment
There are many ways to make a caterpillar, but today we will tell you how to make it from V-belts and chains. To do this, we take belts, fasten them to lugs or wheels, thus getting simple homemade tracks.
The assembly of a caterpillar from chains is no less simple. You need to take two identical chains, find the last links, open them and bend them to form a vicious circle. Then we fix the links and weld them with a soldering iron. Reinforcement of chains is done made from steel plates. They are secured with bolts. For presentation, you can see the diagrams:
If you don’t want to do it yourself, you can simply take a caterpillar from other unnecessary equipment.
More details about. or other materials, is written in a separate article.
Assembling a crawler attachment for a walk-behind tractor
When assembling a snowmobile attachment, you need to outline a drawing that will prevent unnecessary errors.
- First you need to select support bearings, and machine bushings for them.
- We take a welded frame in which the pipes will be located, and fill them with sand to give the required shape.
- We cover the 2 ends with wooden plugs, place them in a vice and slowly begin to bend it using a soldering iron. The bend should be maximum, so in order not to make a mistake, it is better to make a template that you can use as a guide.
To make it easier to imagine, you can familiarize yourself with the diagram:
It’s easy to make a snowmobile attachment; you just need a little time, ingenuity and provide for all the little things, since saving on good equipment is stupid. A self-assembled motorized towing vehicle will serve without interruption.
For lovers of hunting and fishing, a motorized towing vehicle seems to be an indispensable device. Since this kind of device is quite expensive, many are interested in whether they can make a motorized dog with their own hands. Scheme and drawings if available necessary equipment and materials will allow you to make this non-standard vehicle yourself.
Before you figure out how to make a motorized dog with your own hands, you need to take a closer look at this type of device. They are compact snowmobiles or swamp vehicles equipped with an engine. The main elements of a motorized dog are a caterpillar-type towing vehicle, as well as a sled attached to it.
Depending on the specific modification, this type of mechanism may have other components, for example, a loading platform placed on a tractor. The power units used in the design of this vehicle are equipped with low-power motors - from 6 to 13 hp, which allows you to move over rough terrain at low speeds, about 30-40 km/h.
The motorized dog has small dimensions
It should be noted that a motorized dog from a cultivator does not imply the presence brake system, this makes driving at high speed unsafe. The device is in high demand among lovers of fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreation. It is used to perform various household tasks and transport small loads.
To the number characteristic advantages It is advisable to include the following features of motorized towing vehicles:
- simplicity of design, allowing you to assemble such a device yourself;
- the highest cross-country ability, due to which it is possible to move even in difficult terrain;
- low cost of operation, maintenance and repair.
By design similar devices resemble classic snowmobiles, however, the driver’s position is located outside the towing vehicle, which can significantly reduce its weight, increasing cross-country ability.
Products are great for hobbyists winter fishing, because, thanks to their small mass, they easily move along the surface of frozen lakes without creating a threat of breaking the ice.
Motorized towing vehicle for difficult terrain
When planning to make homemade motorized towing vehicles, you must take into account that their cost will be similar to the most budget models on sale. However, they are mostly made in China, have low build quality and often break, unlike a homemade unit with increased reliability.
A self-made motorized towing vehicle is perfect for moving and transporting goods in the following conditions:
- marshy areas;
- snow;
- dirt roads;
- uneven terrain, replete with descents and ascents.
The device is characterized by its small dimensions and light weight, which allows it to be transported to the place of operation using standard Vehicle without unnecessary inconvenience.
Making an all-terrain vehicle
Homemade motorized dog
A homemade motorized towing vehicle, made from scrap materials, is characterized by reduced operating costs and more powerful technical characteristics, in comparison with similar purchased models.
Successfully making a motorized dog with your own hands involves several stages at once. Among them:
- Selection of basic structural elements with the necessary parameters.
- Studying drawings, diagrams and video instructions, which allows you to avoid errors during assembly.
- Direct manufacturing followed by testing.
This allows you to make the necessary changes to the design and achieve the desired operating parameters, for example, lower fuel consumption or increased speed. If desired, you can implement additional compartments for various useful tools, gear and other types of equipment.
Manufacturing of basic structural elements
There are several elements that need to be prepared in advance for successful self-assembly a similar mechanism. This is a power unit that has enough power to perform this kind of task. For this purpose, gasoline-type engines equipped with 1 cylinder are used.
Other elements worthy of mention are:
- caterpillar mechanism;
- suspension;
- motorized towing vehicle frame;
- transmission.
Each of these nodes requires careful attention, and therefore it is advisable to study them in more detail. Models from Japanese manufacturers, for example, Yamaha or Honda, as well as budget Chinese analogues, are widely used as engines. In this case, the use of motors from walk-behind tractors, chainsaws and other improvised devices is allowed.
Motorcycle dog frame drawing
The selection of suitable tracks should also be given due attention, since they are not only specialized, but also universal, designed for snowmobiles and other equipment. It is believed that the best option caterpillars will be at least 50 cm wide, since they will make the device stable and maneuverable.
When planning to implement a transmission, it is necessary to note the possibility of choosing between mechanical, automatic gearbox and variable. Despite the accelerated wear of parts, automatic transmission is considered preferable because it can significantly increase traction force. As budget option It is allowed to use a gearbox, for example, from a VAZ.
Its reliability directly depends on the strength of the unit frame, and therefore it is advisable to make it yourself using welding machine. For this purpose, pipes of at least 3 mm thickness are suitable, which avoids deformation under heavy loads.
“Doesn’t bark, doesn’t bite, rolls around the field”... Don’t rack your brains over this strange riddle.
It hides an unusual vehicle designed to transport people and cargo off-road. The association with a dog sled arises due to the separate location of the transport module and the drag sled. Therefore, a motorized towing vehicle is often called a “motorized dog.”
The usual operating environment for this machine is frozen lakes and rivers, snow-covered forests and fields. The vast majority of motorized dog owners are hunters, fishermen and tourists.
The lack of awareness of the majority of citizens about motorized towing vehicles against the background of their growing popularity requires us to detailed story about their types, capabilities and operating features.
What is a motorized towing vehicle?
Designed for winter off-road driving, the motorized towing vehicle has much in common with a snowmobile. The fundamental difference is the placement of the driver outside the platform with a motor on a towed sled. This is not an empty whim of the designers, but an important layout decision that reduces the weight of the vehicle and increases its maneuverability. Two other advantages in comparison with a snowmobile are simplicity of design and affordable price.
Of particular note is the compactness and light weight of this machine. It can be placed in passenger car with station wagon body.
The best time of year for a motorized towing vehicle is winter, and the ideal place for travel is the snow-covered surface of a river or lake. Initially, these machines were specifically designed for ice fishing enthusiasts. The operation of a motorized dog is very simple: it is brought to the shore of a reservoir in a car, unloaded and driven on the ice in search of a good bite. Most cars have a fuel tank that lasts 30-40 km, so at one refueling you can travel 15-20 km from your home base.
A good motorized towing vehicle confidently moves not only on rolled snow, but also on fairly deep snow. It can transport loads through the forest and over rough terrain, replete with ups and downs.
In summer, the transport capabilities of this equipment are reduced, since rocky soil quickly kills the rubber track. But for trips through swampy areas, fields and forest roads, motorized towing vehicles are used quite actively in the warm season.
The good traction characteristics and excellent maneuverability of this machine are in demand in household farming all year round.
In summer, a motorized dog does not rest, but works together with its owner
"Anatomy" of a motorized dog
Here everything needs to be broken down “to the bones.” Any motorized towing vehicle consists of the following parts:
- Engine.
- Support frame.
- Pendants.
- Transmissions.
- Caterpillars.
- Electrical equipment and control systems.
1. Engine most often a single-cylinder four-stroke with a power of 6 to 15 “horses”.
Three types of power units have earned the most popularity: the more expensive Honda, as well as the more budget MTR (the Chinese analogue of the Japanese brand) and Lifan. The price difference between them is quite noticeable and reaches 20,000 rubles. The difference in reliability is not that significant. Therefore, many buyers choose equipment with Chinese engines.
If we talk about traction characteristics, then a 6-horsepower unit is an option for one person traveling fishing or hunting with the necessary equipment (50-70 kg). Motorized dog with a motor of more than 9 hp. will cope with the transportation of two people and deliver two centners of cargo on a drag sleigh to the desired point.
2. Frame you need to pay due attention, since it experiences serious loads when driving off-road. Thin metal not allowed here. It quickly deforms, making the machine unusable.
Experts say that minimum required steel sheet thickness – 3 mm. Regarding reliability steel profile The frame is best judged by reviews from the owners of this equipment.
The frame is the basis of reliability and durability
3. Suspension of a motorized towing vehicle is an important indicator of its driving capabilities. There are two structural suspension systems: roller and slip.
Roller suspension
Slime suspension - the caterpillar slides along the internal “ski”
When driving on uneven terrain, a roller suspension is more comfortable than a skid suspension, but it overcomes deep snow worse (the cavities between the rollers become clogged). In turn, the slick system can only be used in winter. It needs snow to cool the caterpillar rubbing against the ski runner - the slick.
Among the modern modifications of roller suspensions, we can distinguish variants in which the rollers are supported not by rigid, but by spring support. Thanks to this solution, the motorized towing vehicle moves more smoothly on the hard surface of a frozen pond and dirt roads.
4. Transmission transmits the rotation of the engine shaft to the track drive sprocket. It comes in two types: automatic gearbox and variable speed drive.
The main advantage of an automatic clutch is its high traction force. Disadvantages include increased wear of friction discs and the need for frequent maintenance.
The variator ensures smooth, stepless transmission of torque from the engine to the track, less wear on parts and fuel economy. It is more reliable, but more expensive than the automatic one. The weakest point of a CVT transmission is the drive belt. It has to be changed frequently after active movement on difficult areas.
Motorcycle dog experts say that the variator is optimal for winter use. Automatic transmission and frame with sprung rollers – The best decision for all-season use.
5. Track designs differ in width, length, height and lug pitch.
Depending on the width, there are two types of tracks:
- Snowmobiles (38 cm).
- Specially designed for motorized towing vehicles (50-55 cm).
The Buranovskaya snowmobile track does not have high cross-country ability. It is better to operate equipment with such a propulsion system on compacted winter roads or on reservoirs. The narrow track width makes the machine less stable. Most often it is installed on budget models with an automatic transmission and an engine power of no more than 7 l/s. Buying a motorized dog with a narrow track can be recommended for those who travel alone and do not carry heavy loads.
The 50 cm caterpillar is the most popular option. The large width and high lugs make the motorized towing vehicle more passable, stable and maneuverable.
Standard track (length 2828 mm, width 500 mm, lug height 21 mm)
To increase cross-country ability, motorized towing vehicles are equipped with a so-called aggressive caterpillar. It is distinguished by a larger width (55 cm), a special “tread pattern” and lug height (32 mm versus 21 mm for the standard one).
Aggressive caterpillar
To move along bare ice and dense snow, a split design has been developed. It consists of two narrow tracks connected by metal grouser slats. The narrow specialization of this design makes it unsuitable for movement on deep and loose snow cover.
Split track
6. In addition to standard “electrics” servicing the motor, the motorized dog can, at your request, be equipped with an electric starter (manual start is provided in the basic configuration) and a lighting coil.
The need for the first device can be debated, since manual starting of the engine of a motorized towing vehicle works reliably. But there is no point in discussing the installation of a lighting coil. It supplies electricity to the headlight, without which you won’t get far at night.
The only nuance you should be aware of is the current generated by the coil. 3 amp will not be enough to power a standard 55 Watt light bulb in the headlight. Therefore, it is better if the motorized dog is equipped with a 7 Ampere lighting coil. It will be enough not only for lighting, but also to power the electrically heated control handles - an additional useful option for a motorized towing vehicle.
Control of the engine and transmission, choice of direction of movement - everything in this machine is performed using a two-handed stand, colloquially referred to as “horns”. It is pivotally connected to the power module and resembles the control system of a walk-behind tractor.
The free space on the motorized dog platform is not empty. It transports cargo and camping equipment.
Speaking about the design of the motorized dog, we need to say a few words about a useful addition - the ski module. It turns the car into a kind of light snowmobile, allowing the driver to sit on the cargo platform, comfortably controlling the movement.
Ski module of motorized towing vehicle
Five popular manufacturers
The popularity of motorized dogs today is such that only a lazy manufacturer does not try to offer the market its own version of the machine. It’s not easy to understand the motley variety of names and models. As always, videos posted on the Internet and reviews from owners are a useful guide in this matter.
In this regard, the company’s motorized towing vehicles deserve attention Burlak. The reliability of the design and the absence of problems with spare parts pleases the owners of this equipment. In 2016, the most budget model of this company (6.5 hp) can be purchased for 52,000 rubles, the most equipped (15 hp) for 82,600 rubles.
Tugboat Burlak
All-season cars are no less popular Russian company Koira (KOiRa). They are equipped with two tracks and pneumatic rollers, which increase cross-country ability in marshy areas. Price tags for them start at 82,000 and end at 135,000 rubles.
High-speed motorized towing vehicles do not cause any complaints from owners Chinook Russian assembly, confidently overcoming loose snow and spring thaw. Estimated prices for these machines range from 74,000 to 105,000 rubles (with ski module included).
Motorcycle dogs deserve positive reviews Pachus for high maneuverability, reliability and maintainability. You can purchase them at prices ranging from 51,000 to 250,000 rubles. in the richest and most complete configuration.
Motor vehicles occupy high positions in the popular ratings Leopard. The most popular models from this manufacturer are the Partisan and the Pathfinder. They are economical, easy to operate and maintain. The cost of cars, depending on engine power and configuration, ranges from 56 to 120 thousand rubles.
Leopard Pathfinder
How to make a motorized dog with your own hands?
Many lovers homemade designs managed to have a hand in creating motorized towing vehicles. This is not a simple matter, requiring good design and metalworking skills.
A homemade motorized dog assembled on the basis of a low-power engine from a chainsaw or moped cannot be considered a serious mechanism. It's more likely funny toy, and not a reliable assistant for hunting or fishing.
It is better to buy the main components of the future towing vehicle - engine, variator, chain, drive sprocket, rollers and caterpillar ready-made, concentrating the main efforts on the manufacture of a durable frame and high-quality installation of the purchased units.
Homemade frame - top view
Having welded the frame according to the drawings, supports for the caterpillar, shafts with rollers are attached to it, and the caterpillar is installed.
The next stage is the installation of a platform made of thick plywood or steel sheet and mounting the engine, variator and drive chain on it.
Making a motorized dog with your own hands without fencing the loading platform means spending time every time securing the luggage with ropes or elastic slings. The fence grid is welded from a small tubular profile with a cross-section of 20x20 mm.
