197 replies to this topic

[b550]

New snowmobile at 90%, I recovered elements of the Small-Doo M and I transformed everything (almost as much work as starting from scratch)

Tank to be too long we will go to the maximum, Conquer 2.8 '' X 174 '' track, 5 lbs lighter than my previous 153 'crawler. I changed the last third of the pallets for more flexibility (so it was less likely to dig)

 

New rear suspension, sturdy all-aluminum arm, self lubricated nylon busshing, lateral rotation of 10 to 15 degrees over the entire length of the suspension, not just at the rear like other ...

33.5lbs, the same weight Nexteck carbon fiber suspension at $ 5,500 USD, but the latter must be stronger than mine.

 

I bought myself a paint powder coat, a lot more beautiful than aluminum color and does not oxidize.

 

Quick opening cover in 3 parts.

 

Front of the tunnel which marries the caterpillar, to be able to turn back the motor of advantage.

No choice to put the exhaust behind the chain, everything is very tight. But there is always a way to disassemble the engine head without leaving anything else.

 

Under the tunnel covered with UHMW non-stick sheets, no snow ice, less weight

 

Carbon fiber panels in places where friction or shocks should not be important.

 

Electric starter with 2000A lithium cell battery, adds 6.5lbs instead of 20-25lbs for a conventional starter.

 

 

Front suspension with spheres joins and ball busshing homemade in the shock absorbers to ensure a large suspension travel with this configuration. Although this configuration is not the best in the bumps, I have retained it because it reduces the wheelbase compared to double-wishbone arm, then its strength weight ratio is better (less material required for its manufacture , if frontal impact it will be cashed in a straight line or instead of being transferred by leverage towards the center of the chassis)

 

Walk narrower feet for less resistance in the snow and easier to put a foot on the ground.

 

The entire triangulated structure serves to support transmission, driven, brake, more solidly than it takes.

 

Even block engine 460cc, with an improved head thanks to my flow bench, I will try to see the air fuel ratio directly on the ground instead of the dynamometer. I can already estimate the maximum power and speed with the flow and the compression ratio.

 

 

I have other innovations to make and things to add that can be done after. It was urgent to try it, there is a lot of snow.

 

[b550]

 

 

[vinci_78]

Love it! Great Work!

[SoloSldr]

I wondered what it would be like and I'm blown away by your craftmanship again. 

[TundraManDan]

Your skill continues to amaze me!

[Hardwoods]

Can't wait to see it on the snow!

[TundraManDan]

Under 300 pounds with a 174 inch track.  It will be difficult to find snow conditions to slow it down.

[Ditchbangr zx]

It is always amazing reading your threads, your builds are always cool to see, kudos to you 👍👍

Keep improving them, or start building them 😎🤑🤑

[b550]

Thanks!

 

First tests of the Small-Doo AMX.

 

The photos are scrambled, it was almost stormy.

 

There is a C clip of a top wheel which has let go (track rubs on the shaft of an edge) so I have been soft.

 

Its push at the top of the belt, and probably there is compacted snow under my boots. There is an ice about 1.5mm below the last powder, so as if there were none.

 

The disadvantage is that the snowmobile does not hit the snow, the pressure exerted on the snow is less than in snow shoes.

 

More than just climb the ribs, I can stop, start again, go back again, no need to go back to the bottom, I started slowly down the coast.

 

There is a hole so I thought I was badly caught (at 2min on vid)  I came quickly to get out of a hole on a small steep climb, it has dug well (footsteps well lodged in the compacted snow) The transmission not lapped did not help because more difficult to go backwards when the snowmobile is well stuck in the snow. Well after 2 3 very small reverse (behind pushed down 3 feet, because the rear of the snowmobile is 3 feet high) it came up, like a chain on a sprocket ...

 

 

 

I stopped a few times in ditches, the one of a long snowmobile remains more cantilevered in front of one edge and the end of the track on the other side, but still not really taken.

 

Funny feeling because it swings easily left right with swiveling rear suspension and front suspension close and very soft, its can play bad, I will try other adjustments. But allows a short turning radius when leaning inwards.

 

The Air fuel meter is installed temporarily.

 

 

There was a kind of stump under the right steps (see video) When it digs on a slope like that we must keep a momentum, but when we do not dig, it is not necessary.




Reverse

[b550]

Here he goes back up without digging. But if you start digging, it digs quickly, no bottom.

[b550]

[b550]

[TundraManDan]

Good Morning B550,

 

I watched both of your videos and will share my observations.  However, please take my comments with a grain of salt because I was not there and you are much more aware of how your machine was performing than I.

 

- I really like the 4-stroke and the way you have it clutched.  I could see that you were taking it a bit easy and breaking it in on the first video but in a couple of places could tell that you had power to spare.

 

- Watching the turning and a couple of sudden stops made me wonder if you needed a little more weight on the front skis and perhaps a slightly wider ski or skin to compensate for the high flotation of the track.

 

- I could see that with the long track that most situations could be handled using reverse without getting off of the machine with out some hand pulling backwards in the track as opposed to your shorter track small doos.

 

- One of the disadvantages of a long track that I have noticed with my 94 Tundra is when bridging a v-shaped gap.  Rather than conforming to the terrain the machine is supported by the front and back of the track.  However, overall, the advantages completely out-weight the dis-advantages.

 

- It amazes me how your home built machines perform so well on the first ride and are reliable and don't strand you because of some design mistake.  Also, the little 4-stroke single seems to turn the big track without a problem.

 

- With a long track sometimes it is difficult to get enough weight on the track to increase traction in some situations.

 

- Overall, looks to be an amazing new small doo and quite fun to ride and plonk through the woods in almost any snow condition.  Darn - I want one!  It also looks great.  You have a good eye for style.  And, I find it fun to be able to tractor slowly and safely over tough conditions.

 

Your videos are always excellent - very clear even at full screen.  Perhaps you could share how you set them up - what resolution, etc. before uploading them.  I will be waiting for your continued reports on this latest invention of yours.

 

Dan

[SoloSldr]

I'm amazed at the 'out of the box' performance of your machines. I love the hood decal,460HO! It's HOing that track extremely well and you've probably left some room for tuning of the drivetrain.

[Hardwoods]

b550,

 

As always, another great project! It's amazing! I suspect that as the AMX gets fine tuned, and you get more time on it, it will prove even more capable in/on deep snow than it is already. 

 

R&D (research and development) at BRP would do well to have a lengthy, sit-down conversation with you.

 

Thank you for your posts, pictures, and videos.