Each driver personally decides for himself whether to buy tracks or make them himself. We will consider both aspects, but each of them is only advisable if the car drives not only on the highway. Tracks are a great way to increase a car’s off-road capability, and for many motorists such tuning is a necessity. Is it worth buying tracks for the Niva if you can make them yourself?
Problems with transporting incredibly heavy camp equipment and connecting hunting grounds to public transport are pressing for every hunter. An SUV, even one like the Niva, solves these problems only partially, since there remain obstacles in the form of gullies, slopes and off-road conditions that a car on standard wheels cannot cope with. There is an urgent need to convert your vehicles to caterpillar tracks. How to make tracks for a Niva in three ways, in which cases is it better to buy ready-made ones?
Mechanism design
In the production of tracks, special rubber is used with a special substance in its composition, thanks to which even aggressive weather conditions do not reduce their strength and elasticity. The weight of one caterpillar can vary from 75 to 110 kg, which is influenced by the design of the product and its type. Despite this weight, transforming the Niva into an all-terrain vehicle is not difficult, since the caterpillar easily rolls along the ground, there is no need to lift or drag it.
There is also nothing complicated in the design of the tracked mover - a powerful metal frame in the shape of a triangle, one large roller at the top and five pairs or more of smaller ones at the bottom. The caterpillar dresses on them.
The classic wheel hub is installed in the upper roller, then it is mounted on a rigid coupling so that when the hub rotates, it transmits rotational movements to the entire structure. The key advantage is the ability to turn the steering wheel as if it had wheels. If necessary, the tracks for the car are removed and replaced with regular tracks.
Niva design
Niva is a non-standard Russian-made car. It has a lot of advantages.
However, there are also disadvantages, the most important of which, using the example of the VAZ-2121:
- narrow tires;
- small wheel size;
- insufficient clearance;
- engine power - only 75 hp. (this is often not enough);
- the transmission is not securely attached;
- body is too heavy.
What are caterpillars for? Pros and cons of the design
The majority of the audience of drivers who install tracks on their cars consists of extreme sports enthusiasts, hunters and fishermen, who, in pursuit of pristine beauty and maximum comfort, do not skimp on elements of car modernization. Considering the purpose of using your own car and the size of your wallet, you will have to choose between buying tracks and making them yourself. If you go off-road extremely rarely, and most often your Niva only sees the highway, there is no point in buying it.
If you are interested in fishing and hunting, then increasing the cross-country ability of the vehicle due to such a modification is vital in order to master new cordons, as well as safely, quickly and comfortably get to the so-called fishing spots. After installation, you can notice the following positive changes:
- The level of comfort when driving off-road increases significantly; the difference between wheels and caterpillar tracks is felt immediately.
- The speed of the car increases when moving through snowy, swampy or sandy terrain. Indicators reach 80 km/h.
- The cross-country ability of the vehicle also increases and this parameter can be compared with the cross-country ability of the Belarus tractor. The only limitation is the ground clearance, which for the Niva is 30 cm.
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The first tracks on cars appeared about 100 years ago, and during this time car enthusiasts fully appreciated their advantages, but there are also disadvantages:
- A set of tracks is expensive, and when making a homemade structure, you cannot do without basic skills and additional equipment.
- Slopes, hills and terrain with sudden elevation changes can pose a challenge to the suspension and drivetrain systems as a vehicle of this size requires more track area.
- It is also not always possible to move over a fallen tree trunk or similar obstacle.
How to choose new tires
Large, low-pressure wheels are ideal for the swamp vehicle. They do not sink into soft soil, while maintaining the necessary adhesion to the soil.
Types of tires for swamp vehicles:
- Arched.
- Toroidal.
- Wide-profile.
The tires have the required pattern. They are distinguished by their long service life and high strength coefficient. Some models are equipped with systems that provide operational pumping. The driver has the ability to adjust tire pressure depending on the quality of the road.
Without cutting arches
If you install wheels with a diameter of 29 inches on a Chevrolet Niva, then there is no need to cut the arches. In rare cases, the corners on the bumper (front) are processed. A few years ago, special “Lapter” extensions were made for the pre-restyling Chevrolet Niva, but then their production was curtailed.
With the need for cutting
To install low-pressure wheels, a large amount of work must be carried out:
- lifting suspensions or body;
- cutting arches;
- removal outside the body.
It is necessary to cut the arches of the Niva in order to install elements with a diameter of 28-30 inches. This requires a special tool, as well as experience in performing such work.
The front arch is redesigned relatively simply, but with the aft block the situation is somewhat more complicated. The arch is formed from 2 elements (internal and external). After trimming, the 2 parts need to be brought together and bent correctly.
Advantages:
- The strength factor is high.
- Looks aesthetically attractive.
- The straightening and cutting of the arches is done together with the installation of the Lapter extensions.
The difficulty of the work lies in the fact that the strength and rigidity of the body material must remain practically unchanged.
For snow and swamp vehicle
The best tires for swamp vehicles have the following characteristics: VID 20, dimension 1300 x 530-330, can operate at pressures up to 0.5 atm. Sometimes they make tires for Niva with their own hands.
Karakat is also equipped using a similar algorithm. Used sources are taken from trucks, helicopters or airplanes; standard car tires are used.
Main manufacturers and prices
The first tracked mechanisms were developed in the USA, after which they were distributed throughout the world. Now several dozen manufacturers, including domestic ones, are engaged in the production of such structures. Of the imported brands, Mattracks is considered one of the most popular. Their prices correspond to the big name - one set corresponds to the cost of a Russian car.
Several companies are now engaged in the production of tracks for passenger cars, but such a purchase, again, will not be cheap. Pricing depends on the following factors:
- diameter of bearings and axles;
- metal thickness and quality;
- design features.
When choosing imported tracked mechanisms, focus on a price of 230 - 700 thousand rubles. By deciding to buy tracks for the Niva from a domestic manufacturer, you can cut costs in half.
Assembly of the Zaporozhets tractor
Assembling a tractor with your own hands is not an easy task, but you also don’t need a degree in physics or engineering. It is advisable to acquire a welding machine. Without it, all parts will have to be mounted either with bolts or brackets. The latter cannot be installed without welding anyway.
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Like any homemade product, the tractor is assembled from the base, that is, from the transmission. The engine is installed in the rear part. From it a cranked output is made to the bridge (the fewer cams, that is, bending angles, the higher the maximum power). The unit must be covered under a metal frame. A gearbox is installed behind the ZAZ engine.
The force from it to the motor is transmitted by a direct connection, but from the driver to the gearbox by a system of levers. It is allowed to use the original one from ZAZ. It must be taken into account that changing gears will heat up the gears. Therefore, you should carefully consider the cooling system of both the engine and gearbox.
You also need to include a mount for a plow or cultivator in the Zaporozhets tractor. True, all this will happen without hydraulics, since it is almost impossible to make such equipment with your own hands. Therefore, it is better to opt for the mounted option, when the tools are mounted on a movable or removable frame. It all depends on the user's convenience. All that remains is to add steering and, if necessary, a cabin and a seat for the driver. But this is already considered additional accessories.
Development of Chelyabinsk engineers
Engineers from Chelyabinsk offer an alternative design, thanks to which the vehicle will be able to conquer not only off-road conditions, but also water. Movement on water is ensured by quick-detachable pontoons fixed to the chassis.
When not needed, they can be stored on a wheeled ski trailer or trunk. Installation of tracks in this case is somewhat more labor-intensive when compared with classic track mechanisms, the installation of which does not take more than an hour. You will have to follow the step-by-step instructions:
- At the first stage, the car should be placed on the tracked module, get rid of the wheels and lower the suspension onto the catchers.
- Next, the car is attached to the frame, and the module bridge is connected to the cardan.
- At the final stage, the control unit is installed and the hydraulic system is pumped.
It takes at least 2 hours for such an all-terrain mechanism to be installed, after which control is available via the steering wheel. After the next off-road raid, the car is put back on the platform, and the tracked modules replace the usual wheels. The asking price is 100 thousand rubles. and higher.
Is it possible to make a mini tractor based on a ZAZ gearbox?
That is why many spare parts, such as a gearbox or Zaporozhets engine, are perfect for making a mini tractor with your own hands.
Such a machine is useful for performing any small-scale agricultural work.
So, with its help you can plow the area more efficiently, cultivate the soil or form beds. A mini tractor based on the ZAZ gearbox is also suitable for winter work, including snow removal, for transporting garbage or harvested crops.
Thanks to modern technologies and the ability to find all the necessary drawings and diagrams, a mini tractor from Zaporozhets can be made by any farmer with minimal skills and the necessary available tools.
Is it possible to make caterpillars with your own hands?
If the cost of a ready-made set of tracks discourages you, you can consider the option of making it yourself, but you should know in advance about the labor intensity of such a process. You must be proficient in metalworking equipment at a master level and have design skills. Garage production may not even be considered, since you will have to use special machines and tools for turning hubs, assembling and installing sprockets, shafts and bearings.
There are three ways in which the Niva track you make will perform its functions - from a conveyor belt, from car tires or from belts. These will be the simplest structures, which, despite their functionality and maintainability, cannot be called full-fledged tracks.
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Conveyor belt tracks
To assemble the track kit, you can use a conveyor belt 8 - 10 mm thick and a bushing-roller chain. Be sure to sew the edges of the ribbon with fishing line to strengthen it and avoid fraying. Use a blanket stitch. The hinge can be used to connect the ends of the tape. Connection by stitching can also be used, but the reliability will be questionable. In general, this design inspires confidence in terms of reliability and can be easily repaired.
Also, tracks can be made from a conveyor belt using a rectangular profile pipe. To do this, you must first give the tracks the required shape using a pressing machine. You can use nuts and bolts to secure the tracks to the tape. We will look at this technology in more detail. You will need the following tools and materials:
- pressing machine;
- hammer and set of keys;
- hole puncher;
- drill, angle grinder and welding machine;
- fittings and profile pipe;
- screws, washers, nuts and bolts;
- conveyer belt.
The step-by-step technology is as follows:
- Taking into account the width of the track being made, use a grinder to cut the track blanks.
- Press the workpieces on the machine to give them the required shape, use waste oil to lubricate the ends.
- Weld fangs-limiters onto each track and additionally V-shaped fittings at the top.
- At the track installation site, check the correct dimensions.
- Use an industrial hole punch to create holes in the conveyor belt. You can make such a hole punch yourself - it will be a tube sharpened at the end with a side hole for removing rubber waste.
- Drill two holes in the tracks on each edge.
- At the final stage, you will be assembled the caterpillar.
Caterpillars made from car tires
If you decide to use car tires to make tracks, you should choose them with the appropriate tread pattern, which will replace the lugs. Tires from tractors or trucks will do. Carefully remove the tire beads using a well-sharpened shoe knife. Periodically wet the blade in soapy water to make cutting easier.
If you have the skills to use an electric jigsaw, you can use this tool in tandem with a fine-toothed file.
To achieve the required level of elasticity, several layers of the inner ring can be removed. Compared with the first option (conveyor belt + bush-roller chain), car tires are more reliable, since the contour of the ring in this case is closed and the ends do not need to be connected.
Belt tracks
Track kits made from belts also fall into the category of easy-to-manufacture designs. Grousers are used to assemble the track from V-shaped rubber belts. The connection is made using small bolts and rivets. The interval between the belts must correspond to the dimensions of the drive sprocket. Use rivets to secure the ends of the resulting fabric.
How to make a mini tractor with a ZAZ engine
In order to make a mini tractor with a ZAZ 968 engine, you will need the following components:
- Front axle and rear axle. It is recommended to shorten them in advance and digest the parts. In this case, the front axle can be used directly in conjunction with existing rims. The tires on them should be changed if necessary.
- The brake, as well as a couple of sets of hubs, which are useful for the wheels located at the rear of the tractor.
- Clutch and steering box.
- ZAZ gearbox for a mini tractor, equipped with axle shafts. Of course, you can replace this structural element with another, more powerful one, since initially the gearbox models were not designed to work with strong traction. However, consider the case when everything is taken from the car.
- Hydraulic system. In some cases, some of the hoses and fittings need to be updated.
No difficulties should arise with the ZAZ engine and its crankshaft. Again, as with the gearbox, you can replace the unit with a more powerful power plant, but this is not always advisable.
The tractor cabin from Zaporozhets is constructed from several corners made of metal material and steel sheets. All these elements are welded and equipped with a standard driver’s seat, taken from the same Zaporozhets.
In order for the tractor hitch to work smoothly, a homemade mini tractor from a ZAZ gearbox can be equipped with a selection box taken from a VAZ car or purchased in a specialized store. If you do this, then the agricultural machinery will be able to carry out work with a bucket, harrow or any other attachment needed to make work on the ground easier.
Experts urge farmer-designers not to forget that absolutely all structural elements taken from an old car must be thoroughly reviewed. They need to be checked for wear, cleaned and those elements and mechanisms that have become unusable over time must be replaced. This will make the service life of the resulting mini tractor long, and the process of operating the vehicle more enjoyable.
If you doubt whether you will be able to construct a tractor yourself, you can study the drawings prepared by craftsmen and posted on the Internet. There will be text descriptions of the machine construction process and video recordings. On some forums, you can contact farmers who have already made mini-tractors or other agricultural equipment on their own, and ask them what alternative elements can be used to make the machine.
