snow-mo-ninja

landon · Post by **landon** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:19 pm

I've been working on this for my daughter for a couple months now and hoped to have it ready for Christmas. I greatly underestimated the amount of work this build would take and recently scrapped the Christmas deadline. Here's the progress, so far...

It started with a free KFX Ninja:

One inebriated evening, I had an idea:

Which became:

And then:

To where it is now:

I still have a long way to go on it! I have some drive system tweaking to do before I can run a full speed 4-wheel test, but smaller tests have been good. For now, I just want to get it moving at 18V to make sure my design actually works and that the kid is happy with it before I look at doing something more involved (like differential steering using a twin 24-volt controller setup ;) ). I'll probably seal the wheels (I'm thinking epoxy resin) and make the front axles next week. Assuming things line up and it works like it's supposed to, this might be ready by Feb.

Question:
Can I use MAPP gas to bend the axle stock? Will that get hot enough or should I just buy the oxy-torch thing from HD?

taz11 · Post by **taz11** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:36 pm

OMFG!!!!!! DUDE! :shock: :shock: :o :o :o :o

Speechless :D :D :D :D :D

taz11 · Post by **taz11** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:39 pm

Ok,got my speech back....

Are all 4 rear wheels powered?

mapp gas will work but it will take f o r e v e r.

landon · Post by **landon** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:43 pm

taz11 wrote:Ok,got my speech back....

Are all 4 rear wheels powered?

:lol:
Of course they are! :D
19s at the moment. I have a feeling I'll be changing them to 16s, though. But that's if this thing works, at all!

and thanks for the MAPP gas answer... looks like I'll spend the extra $20 on their little oxy-torch thing. I can't fit/afford a full blown tank setup and I find myself needing to make axles a lot!

daveweber34 · Post by **daveweber34** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 12:09 am

I love how this is looking! :D How wide is your track pad, 8"? What material is your track pad?

Also, just an option since you obviously have good fabrication skills with common materials, but did you see the OCC "bike" they built last year?

If you put the tracks all the way to the front and put six motors on it, maybe you could have the rider lay flat on their belly and use two joystick controls to control the tracks independently of one another. Then you don't have to concern yourself with a complicated electrical system where, when turning, the inner track is run in series while the outer track is run parallel.

Just an idea. I'm not saying that is necessarily the best or easiest option either.

Keep up the work. I love it!

Edit: If you could put flame throwers on it too, that would be awesome. :D

landon · Post by **landon** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 3:57 pm

Thank you, Dave!
That's the first I've seen that ride. um, insane. But... Not too insane to try one day ;) sans flame-throwers. for the kid's version, at least...
I don't know how I feel about the kid having to lay down to drive it, though. Might be somewhat unsafe!
I'm still working out foot-rest placement on this thing. the driver may be a little less-than-comfortable.

The tracks are about 7" wide and they're 1/4" HDPE (high density polyethylene), half of them with mountain bike tread gorilla glued (and riveted) on.

Do you think the front wheels will work or should I try to build skis? i kind of liked the idea of wheels up front, so it could be driven in something other than snow, but worry that they won't perform well in the snow. I guess I'll find out, eventually!

and ps... not gonna lie, it feels pretty great to have made Taz speechless (even if it was only for 3 mins)!!!
:)

wired · Post by **wired** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 6:00 pm

I think wheels would work best with a counter rotating drive system. If the rear wheels were all going the same direction and being steered by the front end only I vote skis. you could always add roller blade wheels in the center of the skis for terrain versatility. Just throwing that one out there. Crazy looking machine you have there. I like it.

SAHDman · Post by **SAHDman** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 1:55 am

I can't wait to see this thing in action. You need to get on it before the snow goes away!

madmaxdecals · Post by **madmaxdecals** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 1:21 pm

Wow! That is pretty darn cool...can't wait to see more!

landon · Post by **landon** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 10:40 pm

Ty, Max! I put about 6 hours into it today. Made the front axles, tweaked the drivetrain a bit, and started sealing the plywood wheels. I've probably got another 6-8 hours of work ahead of me to get it running... Then another 8 or so to make it pretty.
Keeping my fingers crossed!

aVWguy · Post by **aVWguy** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 12:02 pm

that thing is :shock: EPIC!
now i wanna go tweak out the gator for snow :|

landon · Post by **landon** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 11:03 pm

It's ready! well, sort of....
It's buttoned up enough for a few test runs. I finished all the tweaking to the drivetrain and wired it up over the past couple weeks. I flipped a Harley harness and wired three 6V batteries to some switches to control 18V run and 6V charge configuration. My throttle uses the original Ninja twist switch to trip a relay for "go".
Static tests at full 18V have been very encouraging :D I Can't wait for it's maiden test run!! I wish I was small enough to just hop on this thing and try it out... wah. Next time, I'm making one my size, too. :lol:
All we really need is some fresh powder!

Wiring:

Body and stuff

I really don't like the fact that it looks a bit like a junkyard dog at the moment... I need to make sure that my little driver really enjoys it and can physically handle it before I sink more time and money into this thing to make it pretty. I've got some ideas, like carbon fiber vinyl wrapping the body and tracing the edges of the body with EL wire.
Even if the kid hates it, I definitely see another track vehicle in my future. I put too much time into this to just scrap it all!!

ceejkay · Post by **ceejkay** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 11:44 pm

thats sick. ive thought of this before but only got to the thought process.

daveweber34 · Post by **daveweber34** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 2:16 pm

And the crowd shouts:

Video! Video!

SAHDman · Post by **SAHDman** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 12:03 am

Of course it's going to be 50's and 60's the next few days. I hear it's supposed to snow again next week so send me a video when you get it out on it's maiden voyage!

Whitepup · Post by **Whitepup** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:33 am

This is so freakin cool! Video!!!

landon · Post by **landon** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:46 am

SAHDman wrote:Of course it's going to be 50's and 60's the next few days. I hear it's supposed to snow again next week so send me a video when you get it out on it's maiden voyage!

yeah, of course! :roll:

Oh and there will be videos posted, even if the first run is an epic fail! :lol:

taz11 · Post by **taz11** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 11:31 am

landon wrote:
Oh and there will be videos posted, even if the first run is an epic fail! :lol:

Well yeah!!!!! If you are going to fail....FAIL BIG! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

melonmanrev2 · Post by **melonmanrev2** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 9:39 am

Jealous.... I did a "Snow-Cat" back a couple 2-3 years back and had front skis but no real track drive... It is in the archived section on You tube with quite few hits now sold it just this past summer-used the caterpillar dump truck and had Quad handle bars with fairing paddle wheels...I always wanted to do a track drive on it but just couldn't mange it keep up the awesum build and post some video!!

Cheers!
melonman(rev2)

daveweber34 · Post by **daveweber34** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:56 am

Yeah, what's up with the delay? MPW members are not known to wait patiently for awesomeness. I need something to watch when I put that adult beverage in my hand at the end of the day you know! :D

landon · Post by **landon** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 2:16 pm

:lol: :lol:
Ya'll are just gonna have to be patient!
I decided since it could be a while before we get a good snowfall, to go ahead and start the beautification.
I re-enforced and riveted the 'extra' fenders on and have started filling in the cracks with bondo. filling/sanding/prepping should be finished this week. Painting next week. Lights whenever my order arrives from East Asia.

Trust me, no one on here wants to see this thing run more than I do!!

landon · Post by **landon** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 12:19 am

I've been busy this past week/weekend...

Now, I've got a really pretty machine that I'm not 100% sure will actually work :?
What have I gotten myself into?? :roll: Anyway, here's what the sled looks like now:

I still have some EL wire coming in from China, headlights and taillights to install, but mostly it's ready to roll.
One interesting (or crazy, or just sad) side note... A couple nights ago, I had a dream where I drove this around the yard.
And it was awesome :lol: :lol:

***4-6" is expected on the ground by this weekend. I smell a (REALLY REALLY COLD) maiden voyage coming, finally***

landon · Post by **landon** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 10:51 am

t -48 hrs
:)

daveweber34 · Post by **daveweber34** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:12 pm

I have a small request for your upcoming video. I want to see that puppy flying off an X-games style jump with pyrotechnics shooting up around it for the its maiden drive. :)

taz11 · Post by **taz11** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:36 pm

:o :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :?

landon · Post by **landon** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:48 pm

daveweber34 wrote:I have a small request for your upcoming video. I want to see that puppy flying off an X-games style jump with pyrotechnics shooting up around it for the its maiden drive. :)

I've got the ramp and a half-dozen school buses all lined up and ready. But the only pyrotechnics will come if (when) my motors go up in smoke! :lol: :lol: :lol:

daveweber34 · Post by **daveweber34** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 5:46 pm

landon wrote: I've got the ramp and a half-dozen school buses all lined up and ready. But the only pyrotechnics will come if (when) my motors go up in smoke! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ahhhhhh. If that is the case, might I suggest you converse with Taz. I've heard he has a box filled of motors that have been lit off for pyrotechnic enjoyment. ;) I believe he could give the needed advice to make sure your maiden voyage is a youtube top 10 success. Fast and smokey. :P

mxracer700 · Post by **mxracer700** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:30 am

AMAZING job on the finish!! Very impressive!! Hope she goes as well as she shows!!

taz11 · Post by **taz11** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 12:10 pm

daveweber34 wrote:
landon wrote: I've got the ramp and a half-dozen school buses all lined up and ready. But the only pyrotechnics will come if (when) my motors go up in smoke! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Ahhhhhh. If that is the case, might I suggest you converse with Taz. I've heard he has a box filled of motors that have been lit off for pyrotechnic enjoyment. ;) I believe he could give the needed advice to make sure your maiden voyage is a youtube top 10 success. Fast and smokey. :P

Clothes pin is a must....(for your nose) wear gloves....if you touch them with bare skin you will smell electronic death for days!

taz11 · Post by **taz11** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 12:13 pm

This may help prepare you.... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: [video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR0w6yYh ... Q&index=88[/video]

Watch just ahead of the front tire.... smoke out the top and sparks/parts out the bottom :o :? :? 8-)

Houdeani01 · Post by **Houdeani01** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 1:16 pm

This thing is awsome, I want one and I really want to see it in action. This is giving me all kinds of Ideas for my next build. Nice work and I hope everything works as planned.

daveweber34 · Post by **daveweber34** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 2:51 pm

Landon. Buddy. Pal. Amigo. Your thread is falling off the rails here. Get that maiden voyage done partner. :D

landon · Post by **landon** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 3:48 pm

daveweber34 wrote:Landon. Buddy. Pal. Amigo. Your thread is falling off the rails here. Get that maiden voyage done partner. :D

:lol: :lol:
Nah, not totally off the rails... folks are just kindly letting me know about some of the 'fun' I might experience tomorrow morning! And boy, am I grateful :roll:

Having a fire extinguisher handy might be overkill, but the kid will definitely get a lesson/lecture about what to do if she sees or smells smoke.

We are ALL less than 24 hours away from finding out if this thing is an epic fail or not.

---oh and Taz, thanks for sharing your video... that 4x4 is still one of my favorite builds I've seen of yours. tons of speed and power!
I love the orange/red glow you can see in the wheel well. I didn't see any pieces parts fly away, though... maybe I didn't look hard enough. or maybe I just don't need any help imagining parts flying off my build!

gratefuldad · Post by **gratefuldad** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:30 pm

Is this a Popcorn Smiley moment?
I foreword the motion :) and will be anxiously awaiting the maiden voyage.
Looks Cool BTW!

taz11 · Post by **taz11** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:09 pm

Split second before the smoke you can see sparks shooting down just inside the front of the wheel....a quick "poof" :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Usually the fire is rare....... :lol: I did have one of those plastic fans inside the motor burn for quite a while one time :shock: :o

:P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P

taz11 · Post by **taz11** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:12 pm

***4-6" is expected on the ground by this weekend. I smell a (REALLY REALLY COLD) maiden voyage coming, finally***

"I smell a"....probably not the best choice of words in this case :P :P :P :P :P :P :P

Good luck!

DefensiveWound · Post by **DefensiveWound** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:44 pm

I've been quietly watching. Whether it works or not, that thing is epic!!!

gratefuldad · Post by **gratefuldad** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:56 pm

Do I hear a Second for Popcorn Smiley than?
I just wish we that kind of snow down here. We're mudding it here in "the South".

joeyz400 · Post by **joeyz400** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 10:49 pm

Just as I was feeling good about my 1st build, I saw this..... HOLY FN CRAP!!!!! This thing is awesome. Good luck and I hope your kid loves it. It started snowing @4pm by me and I couldn't wait to get my son out for his first ride in the snow on his quad. At 6pm we went for a ride.

joeyz400 · Post by **joeyz400** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:00 pm

I'm sure you could make ski's to swap out with the front wheels that just slip onto the axles.

taz11 · Post by **taz11** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:13 am

joeyz400 wrote:I'm sure you could make ski's to swap out with the front wheels that just slip onto the axles.

........or mount to the wheels.

landon · Post by **landon** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 11:47 am

It lives :D :D :D
Ok, the VERY first run wasn't caught on video, because I was a little too excited and forgot to press "record"... :lol: :lol:
The first video is a fail moment for sure. I start recording, kid stops moving, sled dies (blown fuse)! Replaced fuse, took two more videos. In one of the videos she says it's not working and I say it blew another fuse, but she just wasn't twisting hard enough. Personally, I think someone couldn't wait to go sledding :roll: :lol:
Overall, it ran GREAT! I'm very happy wih the performance and the handling seems to be ok, too. I'm getting a tiny bit of rub when it's in a full turn, the front wheels rub the track a little. I'm definitely going to design and build some skis for the front to replace the wheels. That will let me drop the foot rests lower, too. That way I (I mean she) can hopefully get more than one winter's fun out of it!

Last night I wired the headlights and taillight, too. Might get some night riding video tonight!

So, there you have it! Granted, it only ran for a total of about 10-15 minutes, but it WORKS!!! WOOOO!!!!!!!
:D :lol: :D :lol: :D :lol: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Can you tell I'm pretty happy about that?!

gratefuldad · Post by **gratefuldad** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 12:34 pm

Awesome Job Man!

joeyz400 · Post by **joeyz400** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 1:53 pm

There is nothing better than making something that looks as cool as that and it works just as good as it looks. Great job. I fixed the video I posted and made it public.

SAHDman · Post by **SAHDman** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 2:29 pm

That looks and runs awesome! Well done! What voltage were you running? The lights make it look even cooler

DefensiveWound · Post by **DefensiveWound** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 2:42 pm

I am impressed! That is a beautiful build and one of the coolest I have seen! Great work!

wired · Post by **wired** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 4:46 pm

My hat's off to you sir. You have much skill and your imagination is off the chart. Keep being a good dad. She won't forget. Great...great build. I can't wait to see the skis.

daveweber34 · Post by **daveweber34** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:17 pm

Let me be the first to recommend that this one should be a "Moderators Pick". +10 on this one brother!

taz11 · Post by **taz11** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:10 am

daveweber34 wrote:

Let me be the first to recommend that this one should be a "Moderators Pick". +10 on this one brother!

Sold me on that one! DONE.......

landon · Post by **landon** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:04 pm

You guys rock, thanks for all the compliments!
As cool as it feels to have impressed all you fine folks, I'm just stoked by the fact that my daughter loves it as much as she does. She rode it around the house about a hundred times today... :lol:
I think I have a switch wire coming loose or they need a good cleaning, because it will just stop unexpectedly but will start again after the switches are thrown back and forth.
Skis are a must, so I'll start designing something this week.
SAHDMan, it's running four 19t GBs at 18V. If things were a little flatter around here, I bet I could put 21s in it.
I'm going to try some night riding tonight, hopefully I can get some video to post!