How Does a 6wheel axle work?

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J_Walker

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Anyone got pictures? I want it to be 6 wheels evenly spaced, But I don't know how the axle works, and Is 4x6 better or 2x6 for steering, amusing the military uses 4x6, I would guess that's better.

Pictures would be AWESOME but Explaining in detail will be just as cool, Trying to come out with a sketch based off the basic layout.

Edit: Were Could I get the parts for an extended axle too?
 

fowler

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the military uses 6x6 and each axle has its own diff driven straight from the transfer
case
all so the front and rear wheels are both steering wheels

the diffs are very important to allow for steering
and to answer your last question 2x6 would be best for steering but rubish off road

assumiong this question is related to the airsoft machine then can i recomend another army vehical.
The tracked truck, this would be alot easyer to make useing 2 snow moble tracks connected by a diff < < (very important) then simply to free spinning steering wheels.
what i want to do is put tracks on the toyota landcuiser ute i rolled.

i constructed this out of lego (lego is a great prototype creater) and it was much more successful with a diff and alot of weight (the battry pack in small scale the engine in big) over the front wheels.
 

The Mechtician

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On one episode of my favorite show ever (How It's Made, on discovery channel), the design & assembly of the infamous Argo amphibious vehicle was featured. They drive the wheels with sprockets and chains, like a skid-steer (aka Bobcat), and use driveline brakes for steering just like a tank. The center differential was a highly specialized unit, but you could probably build something similar with junkyard parts. Good luck!
 

Rustydog2010

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On one episode of my favorite show ever (How It's Made, on discovery channel), the design & assembly of the infamous Argo amphibious vehicle was featured. They drive the wheels with sprockets and chains, like a skid-steer (aka Bobcat), and use driveline brakes for steering just like a tank. The center differential was a highly specialized unit, but you could probably build something similar with junkyard parts. Good luck!

I have seen very little skid-steers with chain drive. Most just have a Hydraulic motor in them, a simple setup such as diggers.

This is the episode The Mechtician mention, a good watch. http://loombo.com/arodlnqgjat3

Jeremy.
 

redsox985

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You would need an open differential, too. Not a limited slip. IIRC, to test, when you spin one wheel, the other remains completely still. You would need a way to power 3 individual axles assuming all 3 would be powered.
 

J_Walker

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Well I Kind of like what fowler Said about the snow tracks, but I LIVE IN FLORIDA! and importing them i would assume if I could, be a lot. Makes sense tho, But to push something this of size, And I want it to go like 40MPH at the lowest, What engine would be the best? i would assume something over 20HP?

How does tracked vehicles work? Like snow mobiles? Is it like 1 axle spins a gear like object and pulls the track along? Or is it like a car, with the wheels with tracks? Explain please! Ive lived in Florida my whole life. so only thing Ive seen were ATVs DirtBikes and 4x4s. And are tracks gonna still be able to travel on the road without slipping and sliding? I still need to work out how big I wanna make it, So idk about track sizes yet. and but I would say its gonna weigh quite a lot, im trying not to go over 1000 pounds Max weight, that's with the peoples weight added < Going for 2 in the front and 3 in the back sorta thing. Kinda like an armored medivac vehicle, or an armored supply vehicle. But I don't wanna lose the simpleness of the basic go-kart either. < easy on field repairs and fixes+ light enuff that we can tow it with any normal 4x4 truck because if My max speed is 40mph and I DON'T wanna get it street legaled, I need a way to tow it safely.
 

The Mechtician

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I have seen very little skid-steers with chain drive. Most just have a Hydraulic motor in them, a simple setup such as diggers.
I just helped one of the contractors here @ work fix a leaky steering spool on his old bobcat, it was chain drive (although admittedly, the prime mover for each set of wheels was a hydraulic motor). It also wasn't the first one I've seen like that. I don't doubt that other skid-steer manufacturers use multiple direct drive hydraulic motors or other drive methods instead, there's more than one way to skin a cat, as they say :roflol:

Thanx for the link to that episode btw, it was one of my favorites!
 

Doc Sprocket

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Regarding the 6x6 questions.- A "normal" 6x6 does not have the axles spaced evenly. To do this would require a very complex steering system, OR skid steer.

To deliver the power to all three axles- Much like a 4x4, a 6x6 uses a transfer case connected to the transmission. The transfer case has outputs both front and rear, for the driveshafts. The forward driveshaft simply goes forward from the T-case to the front axle. The rearward shaft goes back to the first rear axle. Then- here's the trick-, the differential in that axle actually has double pinion yokes, one in and one out. The output pinion yoke points out the back towards the second axle. A driveshaft connects the two.

As far as skid steer goes, there are several ways to achieve it. The simplest is not the best, but is by far easiest and cheapest. This assumes your vehicle has standard, open differentials with no locking mechanism or anti-slip. The braking system must be re-plumbed with two master cylinders, one each for left and right brakes.

To steer left, apply left brake. To steer right, apply right brake. Simple. Again, not the best, but functional.

@Redsox- How to determine an "open" differential: Jack up the vehicle so that BOTH tires off the ground. Turn one by hand. If the other turns the opposite way, it is an open diff. Make sure the driveshaft is not turning (IE vehicle in park, or in gear if standard).
 

redsox985

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@Redsox- How to determine an "open" differential: Jack up the vehicle so that BOTH tires off the ground. Turn one by hand. If the other turns the opposite way, it is an open diff. Make sure the driveshaft is not turning (IE vehicle in park, or in gear if standard).

Thank you! I couldn't remember exactly. I thought open was no connection between the two wheels when one is spun by hand. I guess not...
 
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