Mini Quad

[karl]

I be doing it

 

[karl]

Was doing some thinking on how to make cheap front control arms bushings, this is what I came up with.

Had some 5in x 7/8 x 5/8 steel sleeves lying around. Happens that PEX water pipe
fits inside nice and snug. 5$ got a 5ft piece, that can rebuild the control arms for a lifetime.

After welding the arms up, and drill/tap for a grease zerk, just ream the ID with a 1/2 drill bit until the bolts
fit tight. Done!

 

[karl]

Well the last few days it's been 15-20° , so every time I went to the garage,
I just stood in front of the heater for several minutes then gave up.

So I decided to work on the motor, in the warmth of the basement

Wanted an american made power plant, so I pulled out this 305cc
8hp briggs I/C that ive had for a few years.

Had a mouse nest in the shroud, some broken fan fins, valve issues, snapped a pushrod and bent the other.
And now sat with fuel in it for 3 years.

But she'll be better than new! Luckily I have a nice cylinder head from another motor I parted out prior,
and flywheel fan, pushrods, ect. Just need to order a gasket kit

Going to put a 30 series on it and maybe FNR box?

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Glad I have a front row seat for this.

 

[karl]

Well im glad someone is following along

The front shocks are from ferris zero turns , the brake caliper is/ will be from a Mahindra side by side,
and brake rotor sourced from a billy goat leaf blower impeller

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Where did Rocky come from?

 

[karl]

How could I forget about rocky! He was rescued from the belly mower of a yanmar compact tractor.

Some lady ran the poor guy over! He also destroyed the gearbox of the 60in deck for her too.

 

[karl]

Possibly?

Ran out of acetylene so the spindle brackets will have to wait

 

[pearl111]

I say it's looking good so far.

 

[karl]

Tested the front suspension , works well. Need some pillow blocks to start on the rear.

 

[Dingocat]

Why a single arm front? Simplicity's sake?

 

[karl]

Yeah just for cost and complexity , and years ago I seen these plans and always wanted to build something like it,
but better

https://www.gizmoplans.com/product/grasshopper-atv-building-plans/

Front wheels are 4.80x8 trailer tires, rear 16x7.50x8 turf savers. It's quite small.

Bought a pair of 1in pillow blocks for the rear axle, and ordered most of the components.

A 1in jackshaft is going to be the swingarm pivot, whatfor keeping the rear chain tension and such.
#40 chain between the clutch and pivot, and #50 from there out.

 

[Dingocat]

Sounds like it'll be a fun one. Ima have to come ride.

 

[Functional Artist]

Interesting project
...but, that "single arm" front suspension seems a bit "sketchy"
...especially where the lower shock mounts are positioned

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Interesting project
...but, that "single arm" front suspension seems a bit "sketchy"
...especially where the lower shock mounts are positioned

probably depends on the power plant/how fast it is. I would want as safe of quad as possible because they are kinda sketchy anyway.

 

[Functional Artist]

Moving the lower shock mounts, further toward the wheels, would strengthen that type of a suspension set up
...& help it handle up & down forces (better)
...but, it wouldn't help it handle the forward & backward forces (any)

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Moving the lower shock mounts, further toward the wheels, would strengthen that type of a suspension set up
...& help it handle up & down forces (better)
...but, it wouldn't help it handle the forward & backward forces (any)

camber changes could be unsettling when driving. Forward and back forces could be strong because the kind of riding that happens on a quad. Jumps, mud, hills, etc. On a fast quad I want to know it won’t fall apart.

 

[karl]

Moving the lower shock mounts, further toward the wheels, would strengthen that type of a suspension set up

Then it would not have any suspension. The shocks are very stiff.

The original application is on the rear of the mower below.

I think the arms are gonna be just fine. The only way to bend/ break them
is to crash into something, or send it off a big jump, ect.

It's going to be rode on pavement and flat lawns mostly under 35mph. Nothing extreme.
No front brakes.

Check out the front end on the ATV plans Im loosely copying, there is nothing
to help it handle the forward & backward forces (any)

Also look at the rear axle, where most of the weight is on. What is supporting the
single beam axle from forward & backward forces?

 

[Functional Artist]

Hey Karl,
I'm just tryin' to help.

A design can rely on material strength
...&/or, on the design

The best design tries to incorporate the strengths of both

Check out the front end on the ATV plans Im loosely copying, there is nothing
to help it handle the forward & backward forces

Notice the location of the lower shock mounts
...& I agree it's NOT the BEST design

look at the rear axle, where most of the weight is on. What is supporting the
single beam axle from forward & backward forces?

Yup, they are relying on the strength of the materials
...& again, I agree it's NOT the BEST design

 

[MWKarter]

Nice work! I have a 47cc two stroke China one for the grandkids. Pretty much had to go thru and fix / redesign the whole thing to make it safe and dependable.