From the treasury of folk art: homemade ATVs

The territory of the former USSR occupied one sixth of the land, which means that not all the corners had the opportunity to build good roads. The undeveloped expanses of the Far North, taiga trails, marshy plains of Tyumen, endless steppes of the middle belt are all places that become impassable in the autumn-winter period. There are no roads, only directions. Traditionally, crawler vehicles or aircraft have been used to move around in difficult areas.

For residents of remote villages, there is absolutely no chance of interest in any technique that can overcome off-road. True, the automotive industry had little to offer, especially if an all-terrain vehicle of small dimensions was required, economical and also inexpensive. Theoretically, there is an opportunity to purchase an import, but it is hardly affordable for a simple villager to afford it. The only way - to invent and build the right machine yourself - from improvised means. So make self-made all-terrain vehicles, based on the possibilities and using all available parts. And for lack of ingenuity, our people never complained.

History of invention

The bulk of all-terrain vehicles appeared in the postwar period. Cross-country vehicles were made on caterpillar tracks, ski-caterpillar, but the most promising were models of all-terrain vehicles on pneumatics (large-diameter wheels with internal pressure up to half the atmosphere). Such wheels allowed the car not to fall into the snowdrifts, confidently move along the washed clay soils and even overcome the marshy terrain.

One of the first "home" all-terrain vehicle was a carat-a motorcycle, put on the tires from the truck. Homemade cross-country vehicles, assembled by craftsmen in the north of our country, were very convenient for winter fishing, because they easily overcame snow drifts, and having landed in wormwood, they did not drown. In order for the camera, when inflated, does not become like a donut, it was girdled with belts, which, by the way, became excellent grousers, preventing slipping. However, it was necessary to warm up for a trip on such a "miracle". Therefore, many further developments were collected on the basis of bodies from cars or UAZs.

By the way, American and Canadian designers also conducted similar developments. For example, an all-terrain vehicle on pneumocates with an original engine was offered by the American company Lockheed. Instead of the wheels in this model - three pneumatic tools, for attachment of which used radial brackets with a connection angle of 120 degrees.

Constructive differences between all-terrain vehicles

Wheeled self-made all-terrain vehicles can have one bridge (three-wheeled), with the scheme 4 x 4 - two, and with the scheme 6 x 6 - three. On American and Canadian cross-country vehicles there are schemes of 8 x 8.

One of the design features of pneumocates is the articulated frame. This design makes it possible for each wheel to assume its position without regard to the neighboring one at different angles (within acceptable limits). This frame has the name of "breaking" and performs two functions: increases patency and reduces the likelihood of overturning or tipping the ATV. Such frames can be welded from corners, channels, pipes of all possible sizes and cross-sections.

Off-road vehicles of self-made large and medium sizes are equipped, as a rule, with diesel engines, and carburettors are often used on pneumocates for individual purposes - trips to the forest, fishing and hunting.

Homemade ATVs on low-pressure tires

What kind of equipment has been used by self-taught craftsmen to create all-terrain vehicles: motorcycles, boats, mopeds, trucks, cars and even broken tractors. The most unpretentious design consists of a motoblock, a self-made frame and low-pressure tires , tied with belts. In the three-wheel models, the main drawback is the lack of an all-wheel drive.

The creation of such an all-terrain vehicle does not require a lot of complicated parts, it is easier to assemble and lighter in weight, and the engine from a motoblock, mower or motorcycle is much cheaper than an automobile. Since the driver's comfort level on the frame without a car is zero, then most often put a self-welded cabin, which is either insulated, or put the heater.

An excellent example of the design idea is the brainchild of St. Petersburg engineer A. Gargashian - all-terrain vehicle Cheburator. The designer built his first model with an engine from the Oka, a box from the Niva, and the bridges were used by the UAZ. Such a hybrid on a primer could move at a speed of up to 60 kilometers and move 300 kilograms of cargo. The ATV was tested on the off road of various complexity and showed good results.

Where to begin?

To begin with, you need to decide what you need an all-terrain vehicle for and what type (caterpillar or pneumatic) you prefer. After all, the flight of creative thought can be limited not only by the availability of suitable details, but also by experience with various mechanisms. The next stage in the development of the concept of a future machine is the adoption of a decision on operating conditions, capacity and, of course, capacity (how many people can ride it). Knowing the initial requirements, you can start creating a scheme with the layout and placement of all units and units, planning places for the driver and passengers, as well as the cargo hold. If there is an opportunity to use Internet resources, then it is worthwhile to look at relevant forums, where the masters-samodelkin lay out photos, schemes, share problems and experiences.

How to choose the engine?

Not every engine is suitable for installation on self-made all-terrain vehicles, since the main requirement is forced cooling. If a motorcycle engine is used, a special casing is required, which will ensure a constant supply of air. Secondly, we need a motor with a reserve of power in case of extreme situations. Year-round operation is more responsive to four-stroke engines, which are easier to start with a strong cold.

With the increase in our market, the number of Chinese equipment in the course went the engines from the motorized blocks of Chinese production under Japanese licenses. These units are unpretentious, reliable and have an acceptable price and sufficient capacity.

Where to register a dressing?

Homemade vehicles should be registered in Gostehnadzor, which has no right to refuse such registration if there is a Certificate of Conformity.

The certification procedure is as follows. The first step is the writing of the technical specification for the manufactured homemade vehicle. The second is an appeal to the local certification body, which sends the inventor (and his product) to certification tests. The third is to pass the tests and get a Certificate of Conformity, with which to go to Gostehnadzor.

Gostehnadzor must register a homemade and issue a passport of the self-propelled vehicle (PSM), according to which it is registered in the bodies of the traffic police. Good luck!