Newb from Aus

[Zeus]

The title pretty much says it all. Been lurking the forums for a while, so I figured I'd better join.

I've got an odd project in mind, a slow (emphasis on slooowww) cart for offroad, the idea is a little hunting rig. Low gearing lets things be quieter, and I don't need to do any work on the engine for more power. Even considering pulling an exhaust from those nearly silent generators to go on it.

If I were to buy one it'd be way too loud and bulky, plus I really don't need ROPS bars at 10mph, so I can swing a rifle or spotlight easily.

Anyway thanks to the folks who run the forum, and all the people contributing, plenty of good info here.

 

[fowler]

U will wabt a rops if u are going into the mountains

Just a bar over the back is all u need

Then u could mount a roof spot light to it

 

[landuse]

G'day mate

 

[OzFab]

That sounds interesting; you probably want a rather high seat too, yeah? Unlike a standard, low slung go kart...

 

[Zeus]

Thanks all

I'm not going to go through awful terrain, nowhere you couldn't get a quad. I'll leave room for a ROPS bar if it feels unstable though.

The seat is my favourite bit. I'll hack up an office chair, so it can swivel, much like seats on fishing boats. Then just bolt on a bracket so I can lock it facing forwards. I'll chuck on a thumb throttle so it can be moved while I'm not facing forwards.

Now for that kind of low gearing I'd need a jackshaft right? I was considering belt drive with a tensioner as a clutch, then chain drive from the jackshaft to axle, as they'll be more torque on the slow side. This will at most be a GX200 clone or smaller.

And don't worry, I'll be building karts with a more fun purpose in time, this is just because I can't afford a quad, plus I don't want to modify the exhaust which will kill sheep and cattle chasing performance. A purpose built shooting 'vehicle" will always be more useful.

 

[OzFab]

Now for that kind of low gearing I'd need a jackshaft right?

Well, that's one way or (hear me out) find yourself a ride on with a peerless gearbox; the beauty of that is:
1. multiple gears so you can get to the hunting ground quick, then slow it right down for creeping around
2. they run off vertical shaft engines, which are more readily available over here...

In fact, a medium sized ride on would be a perfect base for this project & you could pick one up rather cheap in the correct condition...