Open Source Tractor

#1

Post by vincent_s » Mon, Oct 11, 2021, 12:55 PM UTC

Open Source Tractor
opensourceecology.dozuki.com

Re: Open Source Tractor

#2

Post by engineer_22 » Mon, Oct 11, 2021, 2:39 PM UTC

I wonder why it's articulated.

Edit: drive shaft wear.

It just seems to be an extra complication and harder to steer if not hydraulic assisted.

Re: Open Source Tractor

#3

Post by pwr-electronics » Mon, Oct 11, 2021, 2:41 PM UTC

engineer_22 wrote: post #2

I wonder why it's articulated. Edit: drive shaft wear. It just seems to be an extra complication and harder to steer if not hydraulic assisted.

> the articulated joint that was present in LifeTrac I - to allow long-life on the shafts - which experience much less wear compared to skid steering

Re: Open Source Tractor

#4

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Oct 11, 2021, 2:54 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Open Source Tractor

#5

Post by Cthulhu_ » Mon, Oct 11, 2021, 3:01 PM UTC

I wonder why the frame is made out of bolted beams with holes in them, are bolts and holed beams easy to find or something?

I mean I can imagine that if you have the tools to build those, you'd have a welder as well. Granted, welding might be a bit more challenging than cutting beams and drilling holes.

Re: Open Source Tractor

#6

Post by Ardon » Mon, Oct 11, 2021, 3:06 PM UTC

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #5

I wonder why the frame is made out of bolted beams with holes in them, are bolts and holed beams easy to find or something? I mean I can imagine that if you have the tools to build those, you'd have a welder as well. Granted, welding might be a bit more challenging than cutting beams and drilling holes.

From what I remember from back when I first read up on this project: The goal is for as much of the construction to be done with simple tools and materials that can be stored long-term.

If you need to, hypothetically, bury your society-bootstrapping supplies, your wrenches and hole bar will probably survive. But a welder may not.

Re: Open Source Tractor

#7

Post by nimbius » Mon, Oct 11, 2021, 3:08 PM UTC

i work on heavy equipment such as tractors, diesel trucks and excavators in the USA. this is an excellent start, but its a long way from a tractor.

some of the pitfalls that need to be addressed:

"Modular Power Unit" is undefined. can i run it on white gas? diesel? kerosene? what is the engine displacement? air cooled or liquid? If we mean to say this tractor is all-electric, keep in mind most small farms arent equipped to charge anything more advanced than a cordless drill or flashlight.

Cab frame has no safety glass or panels, so the operator enjoys every rock and every tree branch :(. a shade canopy is a nice add as well.

no lights. this is a nonstarter for every farmer that wakes up at 4 am.

quick hoses are nice, but I cant find a PTO knuckle so its restricted to things like lifting and towing (and maybe ripping). this is okay, but for an un-weatherized vehicle ill need to use barn real-estate to store, its certainly lacking.

Re: Open Source Tractor

#8

Post by Cthulhu_ » Mon, Oct 11, 2021, 3:10 PM UTC

Ardon wrote: post #6

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #5

I wonder why the frame is made out of bolted beams with holes in them, are bolts and holed beams easy to find or something? I mean I can imagine that if you have the tools to build those, you'd have a welder as well. Granted, welding might be a bit more challenging than cutting beams and drilling holes.

From what I remember from back when I first read up on this project: The goal is for as much of the construction to be done with simple tools and materials that can be stored long-term. If you need to, hypothetically, bury your society-bootstrapping supplies, your wrenches and hole bar will probably survive. But a welder may not.

Fair enough, without electricity you might still be able to drill holes in things, it just takes a good while.

Mind you, I've seen some... interesting welders cobbled together, I saw one that was a load of wire wrapped around a rubber inner tyre. Here [1] is one made from a microwave transformer.

[1] https://www.instructables.com/Build-a-Microwave-Transformer-...

Re: Open Source Tractor

#9

Post by intrepidhero » Mon, Oct 11, 2021, 3:11 PM UTC

Is there more information on what the "power cube" is? I poked around the site and couldn't find details.

Re: Open Source Tractor

#10

Post by stagger87 » Mon, Oct 11, 2021, 3:13 PM UTC

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #5

I wonder why the frame is made out of bolted beams with holes in them, are bolts and holed beams easy to find or something? I mean I can imagine that if you have the tools to build those, you'd have a welder as well. Granted, welding might be a bit more challenging than cutting beams and drilling holes.

Punched metal tubing is very common and cheap.