I seen this turn up on the YT site a few days back.
http://www.tractorshed.com/cgi-bin/gallery...l&what=identify
Pic is not the best...but it looks like someone made a conversion on a Sears belt drive tractor?
Can't really tell though..it may be just an ugly tractor with ags in front.

Morning all,
I had one of those "flash of inspiration" moments while trying to get to sleep last night.
See what you think.

If one of the back wheels spins there is still drive to the other 3.
If both back wheels spin then there is still drive to the front 2.
And if one front wheel spins, then there is still drive to both back wheels.

Not quite perfect, but better traction wise than 2 wheel drive with 1 wheel spinning

Another thought here, must be having a good day
With an extra belt and pulleys all 4 wheels would have drive all of the time
Not much good for turning, but quite handy should i ever need the traction to pull a train

Fit a WH style clutch belt tensioner and you have a 4x4 diff lock

I'm liking this book. Just like a magazine, don't really need to read the articles, just look at the pictures and illustrations.

Interesting ideas, guys. I like the idea of coming off the pto clutch, that sounds pretty plausible.

You guys had me thinking about this too. What about a Hybrid? Get a couple of good strong 12V motors and have a on-demand 4WD system. Maybe a couple of starter generators (might as well make electricity when you can). You can put in a couple of deep cycle batteries somewhere and have them charged by driving around. Then when you need quiet operation, or 4wd, just send some juice to the front.

I had actually thought about that same set-up too, Ian. It seemed like a lot of extra moving parts, and a lot of pieces underneath the tractor to get hung up on brush or in the mud and possibly get torn off when bogging!
The belt drive to the front still concerns me if it would get wet -- or worse yet -- a stick or ? would get caught in it and throw the belt off. You'll need LOTS of belt guards!

Perhaps something along the lines of a skid plate? Could make it out of expanded steel so it can breathe/dry off in necessary.

The drive belts do worry me a bit.
Theres no reason why the back two belts cant be swapped for chains, but i think a belt is need at the front so it can twist as the front axle tilts.

A few belt guards/skid pan 's would be a wise idea

What about hyd. motors? narrow the axle to fit the motors out board on the spindles, no need for u-joints. mount a hyd pump to drive the motors, unless you have a hydro. you can change the direction by revesing flow I'm not sure about how to control speed but I'm sure there is a way. Maybe this idea is all wet, but it's all I've got right now.
One thing looking at some of the pics the u-joints need to be in line with the spindle so they pivot the same or will bind the u-joint. If you look at a 4x4 truck old soild axle type, the axle u-joints are in the middle of the spindle for that reason.

Ian any updates on the 312-8speed 4wd project?
Or still in the process with a lot of I wonder if this will work part of the build up?
looking forwardto the next "Ian how too" novel.

I seen this set-up that Ian is contemplating on a C-series WheelHorse down at Brookeville In At the VGTCOA National Expo several years back. The front drive was made similarly then enclosed with aproximately .060 sheatmetal for that " big tractor front axle" look. It was driven the same from the rear to the front using a chain. The guy had made his own steering knuckles up front. It was kind of a crude looking tractor but it worked. Did anybody else see it or remember it? I'll try attaching a view of my front assist axle from the front in my 264. It has some heavy duty cast outer housings and steering knuckles.Not sure if it will work- but here it goes- looks like I dont have it down yet - sorry guys!

Maybe Ive got the wrong one but I saw one at that show Bob. I thought the one I had seen used a cut down front axle from a larger tractor or something. For some reason I even thought it was shaft driven. But thats a few years back and I cant find any pictures of it. I also didnt think it was a WH, maybe a bolens?

Looked for a picture of the 4x4 but only found this from the Findlay 2002 VGTCOA show.

Nick

Not much has been happening on the 4x4 project
Im still doing the ing collecting parts kinda thing
As ever cash flow has stopped me buying all the parts in one hit, but bits are coming in

The drive shaft s you have seen before, but i thought id stick another photo of em up anyway
Another big thank you and up to Wes for spotting these lovely bits of shiny sliding, bendy jointed bits of steel


I thought it would be a bit of a waist to have a 4x4 with grass tires on the front
so a pair of 16x650-8 Ag's found their way to me in the post
These have now both been fitted (with lots of swearing and washing up liquid) to a couple of Westwood rear rims


I need to order some bearings and work out what size pulleys i need
then the plan is to pile it all in a heap on the floor and work out the fine details from there

Thanks Nick - can always count on you for them pics- thought that one had long been lost! The guy who owned the 4x4 was a friend of Jerry Harris out of In.- do you know him? He kept telling me his buddy was building a bad lookin horse. Then I remember seeing it - it was a great idea but a hair on the crude side as far as craftsmanship. I specfically remember the castr/camber being way out of whack! Your right though- it did look like a cut down assembly.

Ian,
Nice front tires there. They definitely increase the looks and will help with traction once the project comes to fruition.