During cold weather, transport on two wheels becomes irrelevant, and sometimes it is impossible to drive through snowy expanses even by car. What to do in a situation where there is no money to buy a vehicle more adapted to the harsh winter?

In this case, you can make a homemade snowmobile. Winter vehicles are most often equipped with a tracked drive and steering skis are installed at the front. The snowmobile has high cross-country ability, light weight (70-80 kg), which allows it to drive both on valuable snow and on hard-packed snow-covered roads. Driving this vehicle is easy and the speed is low. So riding a snowmobile in the countryside in winter is not only convenient, but also safe.

Features of homemade snowmobiles

A huge number of companies sell snowmobiles in the CIS. But their prices are high even for families with decent incomes. If you don’t want to overpay for advertising and are a hardworking and creative person, then try making a homemade snowmobile.

A self-propelled gun made by yourself costs 7-10 times less than the cheapest factory-made models.

The success of making a snowmobile yourself depends on several factors:

• your personal skill;
• your engineering and design thinking;
• availability of parts and assemblies from other snowmobiles, motorcycles and other things.

It should be kept in mind that riding a snowmobile, like riding any vehicle, is associated with increased danger. Despite the fact that homemade devices, as a rule, are not capable of reaching speeds of more than 15 km/h, the quality of parts, welding, and bolting of elements should be approached with the utmost seriousness. The issue of operational safety and reliability of the final unit should be the main one for any person who intends to make a snowmobile with his own hands.

Preparation

Before you start making a snowmobile, you need to calculate the basic parameters of the device. If you are a bit of a design engineer, then it is appropriate to make a drawing of the unit. In principle, all snowmobiles are designed the same and simply. Your task is to make a reliable device modeled after all other variants of this class of vehicle.

What you will need for production:

1. Pipe for the frame, for pendants and other frame elements.

It was experimentally found that the optimal pipe diameter is 40 mm. If you are using a profile, then 25 x 25 mm will be enough. Wall thickness – 2 mm. With smaller parameters, the resistance of the device to deformation will be reduced. If they are large, the car will become heavier, which, accordingly, will affect the already not brilliant driving characteristics.

1. Wheels with rubber on the axle.

Wheels from ATVs (small models with a wheel diameter of 30-40 cm), some carts, etc. are suitable. A total of 2 axles with 2 wheels on each are required.

1. V-belts or conveyor belt.

The main element of the "caterpillars". The optimal thickness is 3 mm. This is enough for stability and wear resistance.

1. PVC pipes.

They are used to make lugs - the second element of the “caterpillars”. The optimal diameter is 40 mm with a wall thickness of 5 mm.

1. Propulsion system.

Typically, an engine, carburetor, fuel tank from a motorcycle.

1. Transmission mechanism.

As a rule, they use sprockets and a chain from a motorcycle, and sprockets from snowmobiles. Drive shaft from any unit, suitable in size.

1. Guide skis.

It is optimal to take skis from another snowmobile. Since this element must be as reliable as possible, designed for the load of the unit itself, plus the driver and possible passengers.

1. Steering wheel.

As a rule, they use a motorcycle handlebar, respectively, with a gas handle and a cable.

1. Platform, seat, body.

In principle, you can do without a platform by attaching the seat(s) and the body (optional) directly to the frame. But sometimes an additional platform is constructed on the frame, for example, from wooden boards, which provide slight shock absorption, allow you to place several seats, and at the same time lightly weight the structure.

1. Shock absorbers.

This element adds additional complexity to the design. Therefore, they often do without it, especially if they plan to drive on uncompacted snow. Shock absorption is installed on the front suspension and driver's seat. You can take it from an old snowmobile or motorcycle.

1. Small parts.

In addition to those listed above, other standard parts will be required to make a snowmobile: bolts, studs, nuts, hinges.

How to make: instructions

First, the frame is welded. Obviously, the larger the frame, the heavier the device will be and the slower it will move. The optimal frame length is 2 m plus/minus.

The following are sequentially fixed on the frame:

• drive shaft with receiving star;
• power point with transmission sprocket and gas tank;
• front wheel axle (fixed fastening to the frame by welding or bolts);
• rear wheel axle (fixed with a movable guide element);
• front suspension with steering structure and guide ski(s);
• seat(s) and body.

Caterpillars are made of drive V-belts or conveyor belts. The optimal track width is from 40 to 50 cm. With a smaller width (40), the snowmobile will be more maneuverable and better controllable. With a higher value (50+), the patency of the device improves.

The function of lugs is performed by PVC pipes of the diameter indicated above, sawn in half lengthwise. They are attached to the rubber base using bolts and nuts. V-belts of insufficient width can be fastened to each other with metal grousers.

In order to be able to adjust the tension of the track, the rear wheel axle is attached using a movable guide element, which allows you to fix the position of the axle in a certain position.

Additional notes:

1. The center of gravity should be approximately the center of the structure. Since the power plant is mounted at the front, the driver's seat should be centered over the front axle or slightly offset to the rear.
2. The distance between the drive shaft and the power unit should be minimal to minimize losses of energy transmitted to the shaft.
3. If you install a shock absorber under the seat, then the front seat support is rigidly mounted on a profile arch, and the rear seat rests on the shock absorber.
4. If you are making a snowmobile with a heavy load in mind, then to remove some of the weight from the tracks, it is advisable to install an additional ski in the middle of the base (between two tracks). This ski, 50-70 cm long, is attached directly to the frame. However, this design requires a more accurate preliminary calculation with subsequent leveling of the height of the “leg”, which complicates the manufacture of the snowmobile.
5. It is advisable to maintain low pressure in snowmobile tires to avoid rapid wear of parts and high fuel consumption.

The considered version of the snowmobile is the simplest in design. If you have the tools and a welding machine, it can be assembled in the garage without any problems.

In the harsh Russian winter, it would be nice to have a snowmobile. Previously, such a car was a luxury and could only be bought abroad. Today, this vehicle can be found in almost any motorcycle dealership. You can buy a snowmobile just for fun (for winter fishing and hunting), and sometimes you can’t do without it at work (for rescuers, foresters, surveyors). The cost of a snowmobile depends on the manufacturer, modification, power and other factors. The simplest model can cost about 100,000 rubles, and the price of a more advanced snowmobile reaches 1,000,000 rubles. Of course, if this equipment is necessary for work, then there is no point in saving, because people’s lives may depend on the reliability of the snowmobile, especially if it is operated by rescuers. But for fun, you can assemble this miracle machine at home.

Homemade snowmobile, anyone with the slightest knowledge of technology can build it. Before you start making a snowmobile, you need to understand what benefits you will get from it.
Pros of self-assembly:

• Price. For some, this may be the biggest advantage. The price of a homemade snowmobile will be several times cheaper than if you buy it in a store.
• Characteristics. When making a snow machine, you control the entire process yourself, choosing the configuration, power and appearance.
• Reliability. When assembling the device yourself, you will use the best components and parts.

A well-made car with your own hands can be used not only in the city, it is quite safe to travel outside settlements, to ski resorts and off-road travel.

Where to begin?

It is best to start assembling the device with your own hands from the drawings. To create a drawing, engineering skills will not be superfluous. However, if you are not successful in this, then you should use the Internet and print out the finished diagram. On the World Wide Web it is possible to find drawings of snowmobiles different modifications, from the simplest and cheapest options to complex ones, which only an experienced mechanic can construct. The drawings are publicly available, and by printing them you can easily build your dream car.
When studying the drawings, pay attention to the weight of the unit; the lighter it is, the higher its maneuverability will be. The snowmobile will easily maneuver on loose and deep snow. However, not only the mass of the finished product affects cross-country ability; the supporting area of ​​the track is no less important.

What does a snowmobile consist of?

Any snowmobile consists of basic parts that will not change regardless of the modification of the device, such as:

1. Frame. You can use a frame from an old motorcycle or scooter; if you don’t have one, you can weld it to order. A turner can easily cope with such a task.
2. Engine. You can use a motor from a walk-behind tractor, although it is worth saying that with its power, the resulting product would be better called a children’s snowmobile; it will not be possible to accelerate it to a decent speed. There is an alternative to using a motor from a motorcycle or scooter. The choice of engine also depends on the weight of the snowmobile.
3. Caterpillars. The most important and at the same time complex part of a snowmobile.
4. Drive unit. Connects the engine and the track. A chain from a motorcycle is perfect for the drive.
5. Steering wheel. Here you need to build on personal preferences and convenience, but most often it is also taken from a scooter or motorcycle.
6. Skis. Here we use a ready-made option, if available, or you can make skis from plywood. It is better to give preference to sheets of plywood with a thickness of at least 3 mm.
7. Fuel tank. For this part, you should choose a container made of plastic or metal. The capacity of 15 liters is quite sufficient to cover long distances without taking up much space.
8. Seat. It is best to make it to order, since a homemade snowmobile will be used in harsh conditions, preference should be given to durable, wear-resistant materials. Don't forget about convenience, you should feel comfortable on it.

Is it possible to make caterpillars yourself?

This is the most difficult element for self-made. The tracks of the machine play a decisive role in what speed the unit will develop and what grip it will have on the ice surface. High-quality homemade caterpillars can last for quite a long time. Most often, car tires are used for tracks. First you need to free the tires from the beads, leaving only a flexible track. Now you need to make the lugs. To do this, use a plastic pipe with a diameter of 4 cm. It needs to be cut into pieces 50 cm long, and the resulting blanks should be sawed further along. These parts are attached to the tire with bolts. It is important to maintain the same lug mounting interval, otherwise the caterpillar will jump off the roller. It is optimal to mount them at a distance of 5 cm from each other.
Caterpillars are made using a similar method. To make them, you need to use a conveyor belt, which should be cut to the optimal length for homemade unit. It is important to connect the cut tape correctly and securely. To do this, its ends overlap each other by 5 cm and are fixed with bolts.
Alternatively, you can use V-belts to make tracks. They are fastened with lugs, forming a track with ready-made recesses for the gear.
When making tracks with your own hands, you need to take into account the following nuance: the larger the track area, the better the device will pass through snowdrifts, but the control will be worse. In stores, finished products are most often presented in three versions, with standard tracks, wide tracks and extra-wide.
To make your task easier, instead of making it yourself, you can purchase tracks in a store. Thus, you will have the opportunity to purchase tracks suitable for the terrain and travel conditions.

Assembly Features

A finished frame, welded by yourself or borrowed from other equipment, must be equipped with a steering wheel using welding. The engine is installed strictly in accordance with the drawing. It is best for it to be located as close to the carburetor as possible. On the finished structure you need to install tracks that were made in advance.
When the main work is done, you can start connecting the tank, gas and brake cables, and installing the seat.

The easiest way to make a snowmobile

Taking a walk-behind tractor as a basis and modifying it into a snowmobile is probably the most easy way to create a unit for moving on snow. It can be used completely, you can only take some parts.
If the walk-behind tractor is used completely, then a frame with rear axle and modify the drive shaft into a drive that must transmit rotating motion from the engine to the track.
If you do not use the walk-behind tractor completely, then only the engine and steering fork should be taken from it. You will need to install tracks on the bottom of the fork.
In this case, you must also take into account that the power of the walk-behind tractor is designed for the weight and pressure of the wheels, which are smaller than the tracks. In order to avoid unnecessary waste of gasoline and depreciation of parts, snowmobile wheels should be of low pressure.
The mini homemade snowmobile is easy to operate. By the way, if a homemade snowmobile is not very powerful and reaches speeds of up to 15 km/h, then it is not necessary to equip it with brakes. To stop a homemade snowmobile, simply reduce the speed, and it will stop on its own.
Having approached the work seriously and studied all the available information, you will probably be proud of your unit assembled with your own hands!

In regions with heavy snowfall in winter, using two-wheeled vehicles is not advisable. But you don’t always need a car. In such cases, a snowmobile comes to the rescue, but this type of transport is expensive. If you wish, you can make a snowmobile with your own hands, and there are many ways to do this.

How to make a snowmobile

You can make a snowmobile from different vehicles that are in the garage.

From a motorcycle

You can make a snowmobile from a motorcycle using different models. The most popular are IZH and Ural. The advantages of such a rework are that no special changes need to be made. If the product is in good condition, you can even keep the original frame.

The conversion technology is as follows:

1. Make a rectangular frame from metal pipes or appropriate corners. Its optimal dimensions are 150*43.5 cm.
2. In addition to the IZh motorcycle, it is necessary to make a steering beam. It is made from metal corners. Optimal sizes— 50*50*5 mm. Additionally, the beam is sheathed with metal plates.
3. After this, it can be installed horizontally on the drilling machine. Treat the connection area. Do the same with the frame. In these places you need to make special grooves for reliable fixation. Additionally, attach a corner to the front frame.
4. Now you can attach the seat for motorcyclists.
5. You need to make holes in the side members.
6. A channel must be placed between the front and middle parts of the frame to strengthen the structure.
7. Regardless of whether the snowmobile is made from a Ural or another model of motorcycle, it is necessary to select a track sprocket and rubber band in advance. The optimal dimensions are 220*30 cm with a thickness of no more than 1 cm.
8. Before installation, it is recommended to cover the track with nylon, which will allow the material not to delaminate during operation.
9. Now you can move on to the transmission. It consists of two parts. The first, the front axle, is the drive axle. It is made of a tubular shaft, a track sprocket and a roller. Second - rear axle. It is made from a caterpillar drum and a tubular shaft.
10. You need to complete the snowmobile manufacturing process by welding sheet metal skis.

When converting a motorcycle into a snowmobile, it is important not to change the steering system. In the final product, this part must perform its original functions.

The principles of modification are the same, they do not depend on the vehicle model. But the snowmobile from the Ural motorcycle will be heavier.

From Zhiguli

The design of the car is characterized by simplicity, ease of operation and high maneuverability. To make it you need to follow the instructions:

1. Frame assembly. It's better to make it from pipes. The frame consists of front and central beams (steel pipes with a diameter of 5 cm), two lower diagonal elements (bent pipes with a diameter of 3 cm) and a rear strut. Welding is used to fix the elements.
2. Installation of steering columns. To do this, you need to place two bushings on the front beam.
3. Fixing the axle shaft. It is located on the rear frame; first you need to weld the body under it. It is made from a metal pipe with a diameter of 6 cm. Secure the axle shafts using bushings and electric rivets.
4. Installing a car engine. First you need to make the front and rear fastening units on the central beam of the frame. First they need to be placed on the engine itself, and only then welded to the frame.
5. In a homemade snowmobile, you can install large diameter wheels or skis made of sheet metal. In the first case, the rear and front wheels need to be connected in pairs with a metal pipe. At the same time, make grooves in the hub for the bearings, which are subsequently secured with spring rings. Additionally, install a spacer between the bearings.
6. Install a sprocket on each wheel depending on the intended maximum speed. This snowmobile can be used at any time of the year. For a snowy winter, a design in which the front wheels are replaced with skis is suitable.
7. Installation of the steering system. It is taken whole from a car, for example, from a Zaporozhets, or a motorcycle. The choice depends on personal preference. In the first case, gas, clutch and brake pedals are additionally installed. The gearbox is controlled using a lever and a rigid rod.
8. Installation of a snowmobile cabin, the role of which is played by the car body.

Making a snowmobile with your own hands is much easier than it seems. To do this, you will need desire, a few parts from equipment sitting idle in a barn or garage, amateur skills in working with metal and a little time. Purchased components will most likely also be required, but the cost of a snowmobile or snow scooter with a motor, assembled in a few evenings, will be much cheaper than a purchased one.

General rules of constructions

Homemade products for driving on snow are varied in appearance, size, layout, power, and even the principle of movement. But in each variety there are components that provide the properties necessary for snowmobiles, namely:

1. Don't fall into the snow.
2. Move along the surface with minimal friction and in the desired direction.

Obviously, the probability of sinking into the snow and the friction force depend on the weight of the unit, the contact area, and the shape of the surface of contact with the snow. Of course, the condition of the snow has its influence, but this must be taken into account.

To fulfill its main purpose, the following components are always present in the design of a snowmobile:

Making homemade products is simplified by the availability of parts from specialized equipment. Often spare parts are taken from Buran snowmobiles or any tools and vehicles with a motor - scooters, motorcycles, walk-behind tractors. The scope for creativity when creating each node is huge. There are many varied and proven solutions for every detail.

Simple children's snowmobiles

The easiest way to make a support is to install wide skis under the frame. The option of creating a motor sleigh is especially attractive because it uses a children's snow scooter and a tool with a low-power motor - for example, a screwdriver, a hand-held lawn mower-trimmer or a 2-horsepower chainsaw.

A children's snowmobile is assembled from a chainsaw without strengthening its frame, but to transport adults in winter clothes, it is worth adding strength to the structure.

Ice motor sleigh

Walking along the river in winter is a slippery experience. However, if you replace the snow scooter with a sled and attach to it a motor from a Druzhba chainsaw with a power of 4-5 hp, you will get a safe means of transportation on ice:

The efficiency and speed of the sled on ice is significantly higher than that of other designs. But such a design will work with great difficulty on loose snow.

Inflatable wheels

In terms of time spent, the second most attractive design after snow scooters and sleds is a homemade snowmobile made from a chainsaw on wide inflatable bladders from truck or tractor wheels. For strength, a uniform layer of liquid rubber is applied to their surface or another flexible and waterproof material is glued. Chains are placed around the circumference at equal distances from each other across the chamber or crossbars are firmly attached to increase traction. Wheel rims can be used for bicycles, motorcycle or do it yourself.

If the inflatable structure does not have runners, then it will be able to ride on the ground even without snow. Frames can be installed on such all-terrain vehicles along with engines from Izh, Ural or Dnepr motorcycles. The disadvantages of the design are the dimensions, weight and high degree of vulnerability of the wheels, but this does not affect the popularity of high-speed homemade pneumatics.

On caterpillar tracks

Track supports are used more often than others, simultaneously performing the function of propulsion. The reason is high efficiency and reliability. This design allows you to reach high speeds while maintaining stability and maneuverability. There are several options for how to make tracks for a snowmobile with your own hands:

• from a conveyor belt;
• from truck tires;
• from driving V-belts.

Plastic or PVC tubes no larger than an inch in diameter, sawn along the axis, must be bolted across the conveyor belt.

Even a child can handle such a lightweight device.

Old truck wheel tires with winter protector can also be used as tracks if the sidewalls are cut off from them. They don’t need crossbars, but you will have to sweep the edges with fishing line in centimeter increments, otherwise the tire will quickly become frayed.

Drive belts, just like the conveyor belt, must be equipped with lugs. Several parallel belts, 2 or more, are connected to each other by transverse strong lugs, attaching them to the belts with rivets or with screws. The distance between adjacent hooks should be equal to the pitch of the drive sprocket.

Tracks made from conveyor belts or belts are often reinforced with chains, which increases the reliability and durability of the propulsion unit.

These snowmobiles combine lightness with a reliable drive.

One of the varieties tracked snowmobiles is a motorized dog, which received its name from its resemblance to a sled dog. At the expense of maneuverability, the design was lightened, and the traction force also increased. But this is the most effective towing mechanism in the snow.

To change direction, you need to make significant efforts to shift the center of gravity of the motorized dog.

The basic dimensions for assembling a two-seater snowmobile, indicated in the drawing, will help make the ride comfortable. Other sizes will depend on the availability of spare parts and assembly diagram.

When driving, discomfort from headwinds is alleviated by installing motorcycle glass and mudguards for the feet. But it is impossible to completely protect yourself from the cold wind on such transport. For comfort, you need a completely enclosed cabin, which means the weight will increase and a more powerful engine will be required.

Snowmobile with car engine Designed for long trips over long distances. With heat-insulating body material, the ride is comparable to the comfort of a passenger car.

And the easiest way to achieve comfort is to simply place a rear-wheel drive car on wide supports such as skis, tracks or pneumatic wheel tubes, and also put the drive standard wheels to the snowmobile propellers and attach the front ski to the steering bipod.

During manufacturing, it would be useful to provide a replaceable scheme for replacing wheels with skis and back, if you use spare parts for the conversion.

Upgrading homemade snowmobiles

Having taken a ride on a self-assembled a simple snowmobile, it is impossible to resist thoughts about improving transport. First of all, you can reduce the influence of frosty wind. For this, ready-made fairings and windshields are usually used - for example, like the popular Buran:

On short winter days, the light from a motorcycle or car headlight will come in handy more than once. To make the lamp shine, you need a generator. For mini-structures, it is enough to install a bicycle generator driven by a motor gearbox. High-speed devices will require more powerful lighting.

There is no limit to perfection. One day assembled snowmobile You can endlessly equip everything with new devices for work, comfort and reliability. Many forums on this topic exist online, allowing you to share your own experience and take into account others’ experience in designing winter transport.

Attention, TODAY only!

With the onset of winter, two-wheelers lose their relevance. Using a car to cover short distances with heavy snow cover is not particularly practical and, in most cases, impossible. A snowmobile copes much better with this task.

Winter mechanical vehicle in most cases it is equipped with a tracked rear wheel drive and front steering skis. High cross-country ability, versatility and ease of use make the snowmobile today the most popular means of transportation in winter time of the year.

Features of homemade snowmobiles

Nowadays you can buy a snowmobile at any motorcycle dealership, both in a large metropolis and a small city, but the prices of this equipment force many winter driving enthusiasts to make a homemade snowmobile on tracks with their own hands.

There are four important advantages of a self-made vehicle over a factory one:

1. Price is the most important factor for most. The cost of some units from leading manufacturers of motorcycle equipment can exceed the cost of those assembled from scrap materials by 5-10 times.
2. Parameters – the ability to assemble a vehicle of the desired configuration. This applies to both appearance, as well as power reserve, type of chassis, etc.
3. Reliability is a point that products from even well-known manufacturers cannot always boast of. When making it yourself, a person uses the highest quality materials and pays special attention to Special attention the most important components of the mechanism.
4. The benefit is the ability to use materials, parts and devices lying around in garages and utility rooms from other devices.

At the same time, homemade snowmobiles find their use both on the streets of populated areas and on off-road areas of suburban expanses and ski resorts.

Do-it-yourself homemade snowmobile on tracks: where to start?

1 — rear light; 2 — tow hitch; 3 — body (plywood, s16); 4 — side reflectors; 5 — rear shock absorber (from the Dnepr motorcycle, 2 pcs.); 6 — gas tank (from the starter of the T-150 tractor); 7 — seat; 8 — main frame; 9 - switch electronic ignition(from the Voskhod motorcycle); 10 — ignition coil (from the Voskhod motorcycle); 11 — power plant (from a motorized stroller, 14 hp); 12 — muffler (from a motorized stroller); 13 — steering column; 14 — steering joint in a leather case filled with lubricant (joint from UAZ); 15 — limiter of vertical movement of the steering ski (chain); 16 — steering ski rotation limiter; 17 — steering ski; 18 — side ski (2 pcs.); 19 - generator; 20 — clutch lever (from a motorized stroller); 21 — drive chain guard; 22 — footrest; 23 — drive shaft drive chain; 24 — caterpillar drive shaft; 25 — lower track chain guide (polyethylene, s10, 2 pcs.); 26 — caterpillar chain (from the header of a forage harvester, 2 pcs.); 27, 31 — upper front and rear chain guides (polyethylene s10, 2 pcs.); 28 - shock absorber articulated frame propulsion unit (short rear shock absorbers motorcycle "Dnepr", 2 sets); 29 — support ski; 30 — rear spacer frame; 32 - rear axle.

A drawing of a homemade snowmobile is the most important stage at the preparatory stage of production. Here to help engineering skills will come in handy, and in the absence of such, superficial sketches are made, creating a general image of the future mechanism.

Before creating a drawing, you must determine the list of required components. The basis of a standard configuration snowmobile is:

1. Frame - depending on the complexity of the design, it can be borrowed from an ATV, scooter, scooter, motorcycle, etc. If they are not available, the part is usually welded from thin-walled metal pipes with a diameter of about 40 mm.
2. Seat - given the difficult operating conditions of the equipment, the material of this element must have high water-repellent ability.
3. Engine – selected based on the required speed and total weight of the vehicle. The most commonly used engines are walk-behind tractors, scooters, motorcycles, etc.
4. Tank – a 10-15 liter metal/plastic container will provide carefree travel over relatively long distances and will not take up much space on the unit.
5. Skis - in case of absence ready-made options, for self-production it is recommended to use nine/ten-layer sheets of plywood with a thickness of about 3 mm.
6. Steering wheel – selected for convenience and practicality. Like the frame, engine and seat are removed from the specified two-wheeled units.
7. Drive is a part that transmits rotating motion from the engine to the track. This function is performed well by a motorcycle chain.
8. The caterpillar is the most complex and important element. Their types and methods of self-production will be discussed further.

How to make homemade caterpillars?

One of the most common materials for making propellers at home is car tire . A homemade track for a snowmobile from a car tire has one thing over other options: important advantage— it is made in the form of a closed loop, which significantly reduces the likelihood of rupture.



The beads are separated from the tire using a shoe knife, after which a flexible treadmill remains. Grousers are attached to the drive blade - plastic pipes sawn lengthwise with a diameter of about 40 mm and a thickness of about 5 mm. Cut to fit the width of the tire, the half-pipes are attached to the canvas using bolts (M6, etc.) at intervals of 5-7 cm.

The same method is used to produce homemade caterpillars from conveyor belt. Their main advantage is the ability to choose the length of the propeller. After cutting to the required length, special attention should be paid to the hitch. The ends of the tape overlap each other by 3-5 cm, and are fixed across the entire width with the same bolts as the lugs.

Such improvised materials as V-belts often help to make homemade tracks. Fastened along the width with the help of lugs, they form a full-fledged track surface with cavities already existing on the inside for the gear.

Please note that the wider the track, the better cross-country ability snowmobile, but its handling is worse. Factory options have three sample widths in inches: 15 – standard; 20 – wide; 24 – extra wide.

Let's move on to practice

The frame, made of pipes or angles, is primarily equipped with a steering mechanism. Having chosen the height and angle of inclination, spot weld the element. Install and secure the motor according to the drawing, taking care not to tilt too much. A snowmobile should not have a long fuel line, so try to locate the tank close to the carburetor.

The next step is to install the track. Mount the driven axle with the blade on at the back of the frame (on a fork, suspension, shock absorber, etc., depending on the type of construction), the drive axle - in the middle part of the snowmobile (most often under driver's seat), in the shortest possible connection with the engine. The gears of both axles are pre-engaged.

Homemade snowmobile from a walk-behind tractor



This transformation is especially popular today. The walk-behind tractor can be used either partially or completely. In the first case, the unit (engine with steering fork and wheels) is welded supporting frame with rear axle. The most difficult stage in this case is the transformation of the working shaft of the walk-behind tractor into a drive gear.

A homemade snowmobile from a walk-behind tractor with partial use of parts is more versatile. In this case, only the engine and steering fork are removed from the “donor”, ​​to the lower part of which skis are attached instead of wheels. The motor itself can be located in the rear part of the structure.

It should be noted that the engines of the main part of the walk-behind tractors are designed for the weight and pressure of the wheels, which is several times less than the caterpillar one. Therefore, in order to avoid increased wear of parts and fuel consumption, it is better to equip such a snowmobile with low-pressure wheels.