Grassgrinder - an outdoor vehicle with custom-built tracks

[Sariel]

So, I didn't like how fragile Lego ready-made tracks are when driven outdoors, so I've made my own tracks. They're extremely durable, and quite flexible, but also almost 3x heavier than the 5L wide Lego tracks.

Please note that beams-built tracks are not my idea, I've seen them on various vehicles over the years. I just decided to build my own tracks with 2L beams, as they need only axles to stay together. Lots of people thought these tracks would slip, but they don't - as you can see here:

Pics & reading: http://sariel.pl/2014/06/grassgrinder/

[jorgeopesi]

Nice, I love all type tracks .

[PhyBuilder]

I'd bet the main reason for you to have your models get a drive in the park ist to get footage of the nice girls there .

No j/k, it's one of the finest tracked vehicles I've seen in Lego: running over obstacles naturally and smooth, good and scale-correct speed, etc. You're right, that due to the weight, the smooth 2L connectors still have grip. The large surface of both the tracks also contributes, off course. Like your idea with the two PF-Switches.

Edited June 28, 2014 by PhyBuilder

[Kelkschiz]

Runs very smooth. Nice choice of wheels there. I like it.

[Tommy Styrvoky]

It looks nice and runs well too. Would It help the improve flotation of the vehicle if there was another sprung swing arm on top of the pendular suspension?

[Sariel]

I'd bet the main reason for you to have your models get a drive in the park ist to get footage of the nice girls there .

Actually, I missed the best of them. Still feeling sad about it ;)

Would It help the improve flotation of the vehicle if there was another sprung swing arm on top of the pendular suspension?

I'm sure it would.

[TheItalianBrick]

That was a nice promotional video of Warsaw!!!

Ok, now seriously. Love the idea, works quite great, but it has it's issues aswell. First of all the weight. What I liked more it's the steering system! I would focus more on that honestly!

P.S. I reckon it was a nice footage anyway.....high camera quality and smart views within description!!!!! Thanks Sariel!!!!

[timslegos]

Wow nice idea with the tracks, it sure takes a lot of pieces though!

tim

[Essge]

I dont know if someone has asked the question, but how many of the gray http://brickset.com/parts/4515183 part and the 7L axle did you buy to make this?

[Sariel]

It's in the video, at 2:32.

[sonar]

Any candidates for a sprocket job? Maybe this guy (Expert Builder gear g21)?

Edited July 3, 2014 by sonar

[Sariel]

I think the teeth are too close too each other. Besides, I have considered a sprocket - perhaps a custom built rather than a single gear wheel - but seeing performance one can get from just tires, I didn't think it would change much.

[Lakop]

Great creation and video. I wonder if you could keep wheels at the front and rear of the tracks for drive and maybe use sprockets or some other guide in the middle of the track. Also, if you can keep the electrics out the way it could go through a bit of water and some mud.

I think our main problems with tracks is grip. The lego tracks could do with some rubber as could any custom track. It would be interesting to try it.

Good job and nice to see Poland. (image is of my favourite sweets we got from the Polski sklep as children). Still love them now.

H

[AlmightyArjen]

Using the servo motor in that way is just brilliant :)

[Sariel]

Using the servo motor in that way is just brilliant :)

Just to avoid confusion, it's not the PF Servo, it's the steering output of the RC unit.

I wonder if you could keep wheels at the front and rear of the tracks for drive and maybe use sprockets or some other guide in the middle of the track.

That's not doable even in real vehicles, because anything sitting in the middle of the track has minimal contact area with it. It's always front or rear sprockets that are driven. And yes, Krówki are still delicious :)

[jorgeopesi]

I think the teeth are too close too each other.

You are right Sariel but everytning can be fixed, I thought a lot about tracks and I will continue thinking more . Someday you may want to try some of these,

First idea

Working tracks [media]

[media] Edited July 3, 2014 by jorgeopesi

[barman]

A nice an simple vehicle that does the job well.

Although the weight of the tracks is high, it runs very well in the video, a specially down hill :)

It must have been a pain in the megablocks the make the tracks. If I have to do a repetition action on one of my MOCs, I'm already bored after 4 or more units...

Nice to see that you used the old system of making tank steering system with the RC unit. The PF switches are stronger then the old 9V ones, it only takes more space with all the connector wires ;)

Last year I had the idea to remake my Black Panther and perhaps make a real Lego version of the Howe & Howe Ripsaw, because the Black Panther was based on that vehicle.

Black Panther 01 by Barman76, on Flickr

I didn't had the time to make it. Seeing your tank the idea popped up again, so thanks for thank.

[Essge]

I made a Ripsaw myself a couple of years back. Since my rcunit broke, I coulcnt use that and the IR-receivers was to weak. I chose to use RC-parts.

It runs by 4x RC buggy motors connected to a Tank-speedcontroller. Most of the info are in the description.

I want to do a remake with some stronger tracks, cause those lego made falls off when driving on grass.

Maybe I'll try to make something that someone else did post over here.

[DrJB]

As much as I like the design/idea (they seem to be inspired by Mahjqa rubber tracks), I call it a 'crime' to subject such fragile plastic parts to the harsh gravel/sand. Plastic always looses the battle against such environment but, then again ... I tend to be very 'protective' of my lego parts.

Edited July 6, 2014 by DrJB