Land Speeder

[Functional Artist]

I've been bouncin' ideas around about a new project.

It's gonna be kinda like my Zero turn kart (same concept)
2017 - Hero (Zero Turn Go Kart) | DIY Go Karts

The Land Speeder is gonna be designed better (better maneuverability)
...& should be way more powerful too (2-48V 1,000 motors as opposed to 2-24V 250W motors)

I'ma gonna make it outta regular old 1/2" schedule 40 water pipe (7/8" OD x 5/8" ID with a 1/8" wall)
...& some expanded metal

I started off working on/building the main frame/super structure

I bent the expanded metal, to form "sides"
...& a front (foot pad)

Next, I bent the pipe, to create the exoskeleton
...& then, after (~100 spot welds) the 2 became 1

 

[Functional Artist]

It's gonna "mainly" ride on (2) (15 x 6.00/6") Cheng Shin turf tread tires
...that are mounted on steel split rims
...that are then, mounted on flanged hubs, with 72T driven sprockets
...& then, those entire assemblies will ride on independent 3/4" "spindles"

Something like, the pics below

* I added a "cross brace" to form the rear of the driver compartment
...& help strengthen the chassis

 

[7thofa2nd]

I like the looks of it so far...

 

[landuse]

Another project!!! Yes!

It looks great so far. I like the design

 

[Functional Artist]

Here is a preview of where the "power plant" & motor will reside.

I made up a "spindle bracket" that "cradles" the bottom of the "basket"
& also, comes up, on each side, to attach to the "main frame"

Using (2) independent axles helped lower the "floor" so, it wouldn't ride so high
...& to help keep the COG lower too

 

[Functional Artist]

I have the "axle" pretty much centered
...not on the kart, itself
...but, for even weight distribution (the driver "mostly" in front of the axle & the "power plant" behind it)

It's just "bolted in" for now
...so, we can "fine tune" that a bit more, later

Next, I welded in (2) bars, that will support that 50 lb. battery
...& that the motor mounts can/will attach to, too

 

[Functional Artist]

I made up a roll bar
...but, I didn't like it
...it just didn't look right

So, I made another, incorporating the 45* angle theme
...& then, added a couple of rear "support" braces
(cut out of the, first attempt/unused "roll bar")

It's probably a bit overbuilt
...but, there's gonna be some weight in that "tail"

 

[Bansil]

I like it




except your two tone grey seat is backwards

 

[Functional Artist]

I like it




except your two tone grey seat is backwards

Thanks, pal

The seat is for spectators
...or "if" my wife wants to ride along LOL

 

[Functional Artist]

Well, if ya notice, in the last few pics, I welded a couple of "out riggers"
...to the battery support bars
...on each side
...for mounting the motor mounts to

Then, I temporarily mounted them motors
...& made up a couple of chains

Now, with most of the major components mounted (the heaviest ones anyways) I could sit in the cockpit & check the overall "balance"

Hmmmmmmmm,
So naturally, it's rear heavy without a driver
...& the front is "up in the air"

Then, when I get in, it tilts down, (as it should, because I'm heavier than that battery & them (2) little motors)
...but, if I "retract" my feet back a bit (to mimic a faux acceleration scenario) the front "tilts" back up (as it should) to ease maneuverability

So yea, as far as weight transfer, it seems to do/perform as planned

 

[Functional Artist]

The main concept is to have acceleration & stopping with just (1) lever, on each side.

So next, I need to make up a couple of control levers

* I could mount a couple of thumb throttles down low
...so, ya would have ta push forward, on the lever, to accelerate
...& then, pull back to stop
or
mount thumb throttles on lever handles
...actuate them normally, with your thumbs
...& still pull back, on 'em, to stop

But, first, I needed to establish some "arm rests"
...then, once we know where the drivers arms will reside
...we'll know where them levers need to be

KISS
So, I just made up a couple of arm rest/fenders that will protect the driver from them spinning wheels
...& give 'em some where to rest their arms, well with-in reach of the control levers

Then, I made up some levers
...added some "brake pads"
...& the throttles will simply be mounted, at/to the top of 'em

 

[Functional Artist]

The arm rests needed to be tilted, toward the front a bit, for better ergonomics
...so, I used a piece of "stiff foam" as a "rounded spacer"
...then, used a board to align or "sync" 'em

Next, the control levers need to be kept "under control" when not in use
...& IMO they need to kinda stick up, a bit, from the frame, for easy gripping

My first thought was to just weld a piece of 1/4" rod to act, as a stop
...but, I can see the future, where someone (probably me) leans on them, when entering or exiting the kart (already inadvertently did it)
...& bends/breaks that little stop right off

So, I'm thinkin' a "springed" type of a "stop"

This will keep 'em where we want 'em
...but also, be more "forgiving" if/when leaned upon

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

As usual Kevin, an unbelievably clean build!

 

[Functional Artist]

As usual Kevin, an unbelievably clean build!

Thanks pal
I always appreciate it when the craftmanship gets noticed

 

[Functional Artist]

I made the battery mount outta some pieces of 3/16" angle

I used (4) 2" pieces (instead of (2) 10" pieces) in an effort to keep the weight down
...& tapped some threads into 'em to reduce the amount of "hardware" needed
...& then, welded 'em on, from underneath for a "cleaner look

Also, standard hardware store washers just weren't up to the task of trying to "clamp" stuff to expanded metal
...so, I used some of the steel "slugs/leftovers" from the Lunar Rover project

Their ~2" circles of 1/8" steel with a 1/4"hole
..."wal'la" heavy duty DIY washers

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Voilà please

 

[Functional Artist]

Voilà please

No' esta...ablo
...poly vous' fron cia'
or
Um...maybe jualla'

 

[Bansil]

No' esta...ablo
...poly vous' fron cia'
or
Um...maybe jualla'

Ugh.... ..........hold my beer?

 

[Functional Artist]

I bent/made up a plug/connection tray (nestles in between the seat back & battery)
...& painted it black
...& then, worked on the wiring/connections a bit

These brushed set ups are so simple to connect, just (4) required connections (for each motor)
...an on/off switch connected to the "Lock" plug (to turn the system on or off)
...the thumb throttle connected to the "Throttle" plug
...the motor connected to the "Motor" plug
...& the battery connected to the "Battery" plug

I also, made a "side" dash/control panel
...it's just a plastic box that I installed a volt meter & a DPST switch into
...& then, mounted/tucked under the left armrest

** I'm still tryin' to KISS
...so, I just went with a simple volt meter (kinda like a fuel guage, connected to the "Battery Capacity" plug on one of the the SC's)
...a simple on/off switch (didn't want a key stickin' out/into the passenger compartment)
...& a simple fuse holder with a 40A fuse (I'll just pull the fuse for maintenance &/or storage)

 

[landuse]

It is looking awesome so far FA!! Your work is always clean and neat