If you are going to make a tow truck with your own hands, then it is necessary to take into account the design features of this device before starting work. As experienced craftsmen note, for any person the manufacture of this equipment will not be too difficult. If you do not want to use the help of specialists, then you need to familiarize yourself with the technology of the work. The high popularity of the described towing truck, which is also called a motorized dog, is due to the fact that it has small dimensions, as well as good cross-country ability. Such equipment is unpretentious in operation, and consumes quite a bit of fuel in the process.
Design Features
If you are going to make a tow truck with your own hands, then before starting these manipulations, you should understand all the design features, as well as familiarize yourself with the assembly process in more detail. Considering this equipment, it can be noted that it is a small motorized caterpillar block, which is used to tow various cargoes with small dimensions.
Motor selection and installation
If you decide to do a motorized tow with your own hands, you need to think about an important component of homemade work - the engine. A common moped engine, which is known as the Sh-58 brand, is used in the manufacture of such models. He is of Russian manufacture. In the role of the main advantage of this device, we can distinguish that it is designed to use exclusively manual switch box. It should be noted that in motorized dogs engines of foreign production can also be used. If you want to create a do-it-yourself towing truck that will last a longer time, then it is best to use engines that are manufactured under the brands Yamaha and Honda. The role of the main feature of these motors is universality, since such equipment can be used to create both a motorized towing vehicle and any other device that requires an engine. Among the latter, homemade walk-behind tractors and oversized power plants can be distinguished.
We take the issue of engine selection seriously
Homemade towing provides for a quality engine. You must choose the right characteristics. The master should think about the number of strokes of the motor. It is preferable to use a push-pull variety, which have impressive dimensions and weight compared to a four-stroke. But as for the power characteristics, they remain almost at the same level.
The important part is the controls
A homemade motorized towing vehicle for operation must necessarily have controls, this should in no case be forgotten before starting the manipulation. Experienced craftsmen recommend using a steering wheel with built-in controls. The design will have a switch, as well as a throttle and clutch handle, which can be borrowed from used equipment.
Motor Dog Assembly Technology
Before making a motorized towing vehicle, it is necessary to prepare a design diagram that will avoid errors. Assembling the chassis is only necessary after you have prepared the thrust bearings. At the next stage, bushings are machined under them. As a supporting structure, it is necessary to use a welded frame. It will have in its composition tubes of different diameters, in order to give these elements the desired shape, they must be filled with dry sand. Now the master plugs both ends with corks, which can be made independently of wood. The workpiece is placed in a vice, and then slowly bent using a blowtorch. Exposure to hot air should be in place. It is important to ensure maximum bending, for this it is recommended to use a reference template. You can do this blank yourself using a plywood sheet.
Methodology of the work
After the variator for a motorized towing vehicle has been selected, you can check whether all the elements have the necessary shape. Components are fixed among themselves, while welding tack must be used. These works are carried out so that in case of defects during assembly, they could be easily removed. After all errors are eliminated, the frame is well fixed by welding. Drawings of a motorized towing vehicle, of course, can be borrowed from the article, however you can prepare them for work without the help of professionals. In order to install the motor on the frame, you can use blanks that are previously made of sheet metal. They should be made of fairly dense cardboard. It should be equal in size to the frame. Billets are well fixed on the engine, only after the structure is fixed in the frame system by means of all the same welding tack. Now the master disconnects the engine from the workpiece in order to finally strengthen it to the frame system.
Collapsible shaft manipulations
A motorized towing vehicle, the technical characteristics of which will depend on the elements used in the process, can be made independently, however, before starting the manipulations, it is necessary to think through each step. In the caterpillar block, it is recommended to use collapsible shafts made of bearings and bushings. The latter are carefully machined for the former, while the wall thickness should not exceed a figure of 5 millimeters. The most powerful loads of the motorcycle dog will be tested on the rear axle. She should be leading. To do this, a drive sprocket is attached to the rear shaft, which must be connected to the gearbox. This is done through chain transmission. You can make a sleigh for a motorized towing truck using wooden skids and a frame based on lumber. In addition to composite shafts, the structure must have composite wheels. Each of them consists of cheeks, the dimensions of which are 3 millimeters. In addition, several dozens of hooks are used, they are necessary for traction with the soil. They are made using metal pipes. In order to dampen the vibration of the wheels, rubber sleeves are mounted on the hooks, and specifically at their ends.
Information about movers
If you are thinking about making a motorcycle dog, then it is important to decide how the tracks will be made. Here we consider an example that involves the use of conveyor belts.
The width is a parameter equal to 220 millimeters. Tracks for motorized dogs are made of flat tarpaulin rails, their length should be equal to 1260 millimeters. In order to ensure the strengthening of the tracks, metal ridges should be used, which are installed on the bars during the assembly process. The components of the caterpillar are fastened using bolts, it is necessary to choose those that have an M6 thread.
Finally
If before starting the assembly you thought that managing a motor dog might seem unnecessarily complicated, this belief is false. Manage this design - no more difficult than a moped. The gas handle will be located on the right handle of the steering wheel, but on the other there will be a lever used to switch the gearbox. There is also a clutch handle. The steering wheel is fixed to the frame using two tubes, which are fixed by welding using a U-shaped fork. The latter is fixed on the rear axle, and metal washers must be used for this.
For the reason that the motor is located inside the track, it will not be possible to use it with the kickstarter. It should be somewhat modernized. What is the pipe segment used to make a hole in, the size of the latter will be sufficient to drive the lever. By welding, the pipe and the kickstarter lever are fixed to each other. Sleds for motorized towing can be made from improvised materials, for example, dense rubber is often used for this.