Articulated rear suspension

[shaggyslaser]

other than adapting a rear section from a atv with engine trans, and rear axle, has anyone tried to figure this out? I was thinking that making a triangulated design with solid live axle in the rear, the axle being the bottom end of the triangle, and ppoint at the top is mounted as a multiple direction swivel. The engine would be mounted on this triangle as well that way you dont have to try to devise some crazy driveshaft.

 

[Justin]

other than adapting a rear section from a atv with engine trans, and rear axle, has anyone tried to figure this out? I was thinking that making a triangulated design with solid live axle in the rear, the axle being the bottom end of the triangle, and ppoint at the top is mounted as a multiple direction swivel. The engine would be mounted on this triangle as well that way you dont have to try to devise some crazy driveshaft.

I would use a Vertical Lawn Mower Engine and a Lawn Mower Transmission. I will post pictures of my Lawn Mower Thing tomorrow. It is a 1989 Husqvarna Rider 850-12. Also if I was you I would make it 1 wheel drive, If you use a Live Axle I would suspect it would be hard to turn. Also how do you plan to steer it?

 

[Scout]

other than adapting a rear section from a atv with engine trans, and rear axle, has anyone tried to figure this out? I was thinking that making a triangulated design with solid live axle in the rear, the axle being the bottom end of the triangle, and ppoint at the top is mounted as a multiple direction swivel. The engine would be mounted on this triangle as well that way you dont have to try to devise some crazy driveshaft.

You would need a panhard link to restrict the side to side motion.

 

[shaggyslaser]

I'll draw it up in paint to should you guys what I am talking about.

 

[shaggyslaser]

 

[shaggyslaser]

The large triangle itself is the whole rear arm. The little triangles would be the left and right shock mounts.

 

[Justin]

The large triangle itself is the whole rear arm. The little triangles would be the left and right shock mounts.

How do you plan on steering this?

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

I dont like the swing arm/solid axle setup, too much stress. Independent swing arms are better, no twisting forces.

 

[modelengineer]

I agree completely with Russ... even though I am currently building a swingarm kart.

However it also is more complicated and expensive, requiring uni joints or CV joints.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Your not thinking what im thinking, imagine two motorcycle rear ends hanging off the back. My internet name is Kenny, not Russ, Russ is older than I am and slightly more intelligent.

 

[minibugger]

Hey Shaggy, why don't you check out www.trophykart.com or www.extremebajakart.com , both of these offroad karts are used for racing. Trophy karts use a solid axle on a swing arm with the motor mounted in the kart frame and Extreme Baja Kart uses individual swing arms like kenny mentioned.

 

[minibugger]

But if you want to try the articulating set up, you will probably need two link arms that form a triangle with opposite orientation to the axle triangle. Meaning that the point where they meet would have to be above the centerline of the rear axle and would have to be able to swivel, something like a heim joint. Google up a picture of a rock crawler rear diff. and see how it is mounted. Hope that makes sense.

 

[crazycart]

and slightly more intelligent.

Slighty eh? I see you think pretty highly of yourself.

Anyway,there will be a lot of stress on that one spot, but if done right, its possible.

 

[modelengineer]

Woah! Sorry Kenny, completely stacked that post. I meant that I agree with you.

 

[shaggyslaser]

See, that's my idea though, not rear suspension for travel, but more for articulation, like rock crawlers. If I could find a wrecked ATV, that'd be perfect.

 

[rubberducky]

any progress on this design shaggy ?

 

[KingCobra]

Your not thinking what im thinking, imagine two motorcycle rear ends hanging off the back. My internet name is Kenny, not Russ, Russ is older than I am and slightly more intelligent.

YEH! What he said.