Excursion into history: caterpillar motorcycle

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Recently, a topic has appeared on motorcycle sites for discussing novelties in the field of two-wheeled vehicle design. The conceptual model of the presented technique was developed by a group of Chinese students. They presented a caterpillar motorcycle, which in its design resembled a sports bike. The miracle of technology has a standard suspension, but the movement is due to the tracks.

The presented vehicle caused a storm of discussions. Motorcycle enthusiasts immediately had a lot of questions about the driving performance and capabilities of the new motorcycle. Some began to doubt the performance of the presented model. However, it should be said that the development of Chinese designers is not only a conceptual development. Stories are known for real crawler motorcycles. This motorcycle had a number of interesting features.

First developments

Crawler motorcycle is a rather complex structure. It was developed by professional and private designers at the beginning of the last century. The prototype of suchThe motorcycle became a caterpillar bicycle, which was developed in 1900 by Henry Steese. He even received a patent for his invention.

Further in the UK in 1927, one of the first motorcycles was created, which had two rear wheels on a caterpillar track. It was named RASC Triumph. This vehicle was made by order of the royal army. The model was remade from a similar development with a 2x1 propulsion unit. RASC Triumph received a 3x2 propulsion unit. This motorcycle was made in one copy. In testing, its driving performance was excellent. However, the development was not further developed. Regular motorcycles, which at that time were owned by the royal army, received improved mobility.

RASC Triumph is now in the Army Transport Museum. Restoring the presented vehicle is almost impossible. Museum officials claim that the motorcycle's authentic 11-inch rear tires have been lost.

OES Motorcycle

Crawler motorcycle, developed in the UK a year later (in 1928), was manufactured on equipment from the Osborne Engineering Company. At the same time, the company presented two prototypes at once. The motorcycle could be used with or without a track that was put on the wheels of the rear bogie.

The rear second wheel of the presented designs was connected by a toothed belt with the first wheel. Such motorcycles were created for the army and private use. They were used as tractors. However, there is great interest innew equipment did not cause buyers.

Similar developments were carried out in Italy. The model, released in 1931, was called a tractor cycle. Initially, it was developed for the needs of agriculture. However, over time, fascist policemen in Italy began to exploit it. Initially, the developers of the "tractor-motorcycle" planned to use it for economic purposes.

The first German motorcycles

A German caterpillar motorcycle was needed for military purposes by the government. Therefore, the development of new vehicles here was carried out quickly and on a large scale.

One of the first caterpillar motorcycles was the Victoria model. It was introduced to the general public in 1931. This transport place was designed for 3 seats with a 3x2 propulsion unit.

The presented model was created over 4 years (from 1927 to 1931). He could reach speeds of up to 120 km / h. The engine on this motorcycle was a four-stroke with a volume of 596 cm³. The power of revolutions was 18 liters. With. A sports model was also developed. She had a power of 24 liters. With. At the time, it was a high-end motorcycle that was widely accepted by consumers.

BMW Schneekrad motorcycle

The army needed full technical equipment. Therefore, funding was allocated to the creation of new models of equipment, vehicles and weapons. The most famous caterpillar motorcycle of the Wehrmacht was created on the basis of a BMWR12. The new model was named BMW Speziel TR500 Schneekrad. It was presented to the general public in 1936 in one copy.

To date, not a single copy of the presented equipment has survived. This motorcycle had a sidecar that was mounted on a ski. Its chassis was taken from a light tank. It fit completely inside the caterpillar.

The handling of this technique was poor. Turns were extremely difficult to perform. The motorcycle developed a speed of up to 125 km / h. For civilians, 20 thousand copies were created, and for the military - 10 thousand pieces of equipment. Moreover, the speed of motorcycles with a Wehrmacht caterpillar was less than that of civilians (up to 85 km / h in total). This model has become a classic, but has not received much distribution.

NSU Kettenkrad HK 101 all-terrain vehicle

The first German tracked motorcycle to go into series production looked more like a small tank. This model was released in 1944 and was called NSU Kettenkrad HK 101.

This all-terrain vehicle is called a motorcycle due to the appropriate riding position and the presence of a front wheel. Braking is carried out using track clutches. One turn is enough for this.

In the post-war years, the presented equipment was used by the German Forestry Commission for their own purposes. Today, the presented cars are still preserved. Refurbished equipment was even auctioned off in 2015. The box has been completely restored.gears, differential, engine and final drive.

Snowmobile

Crawler motorcycle has been constantly improved. In 1980, the Italian company Pozzo di Recoaro created a new type of vehicle called the Alpen Scooter. This motorcycle is more likely to belong to the class of snowmobiles. Initially, it was used for their own purposes by the Italian army to move through snow-covered mountain ranges.

Included with the bike was a front ski. For movement on the ground and ice, a caterpillar of a certain type was used. The early models used the 200cc engine³, then changed to the 250 and 300cc engine^{3. The equipment shown has also been used to move he althcare workers to patients in snowy weather.}

Homemade improvements

Crawler motorcycles had a number of disadvantages. It was problematic to stabilize them in a vertical position at high and low speeds, as well as when moving over rough terrain. Therefore, private users have always been skeptical about such a technique.

However, in the 60s of the last century, homemade caterpillar motorcycles appeared. Their designers created a similar technique from improvised parts. Such motorcycles were used for driving in the snow and for agricultural needs.

One of the first and most famous motorcycles of this type was "ANT-1". Its prototype was the models of Soviet snowmobiles, which at that time were presented on the pages of the magazine "Modelist-Constructor". Karelian engineer A. Koksharov developedseveral models of a motorcycle with caterpillar tracks "ANT". This technique was able to drive on snow up to 25 cm deep. The weight was 110 kg.

Motorcycle "Ural"

There are models of the presented equipment, which are now assembled from various mopeds. For the population of our country, vehicles of domestic production are more accessible. Therefore, it is not surprising that, for example, the Ural caterpillar motorcycle could appear.

Amateur engineers modify the design of their vehicle for various purposes. This makes it easy to move through the snow, to carry large enough loads.

When creating such a miracle technique, parts from a combine, as well as a motor from a Ural motorcycle, are used. The movement of such equipment is quite maneuverable. At the same time, fuel consumption is about 6 liters per 100 km. The equipment develops speed on virgin soil up to 60 km/h.

The principle of making homemade equipment

Many amateur engineers are trying to make a caterpillar motorcycle with their own hands. This is a tempting idea, which rather belongs to the category of constructive delights. Such a vehicle will allow you to move on a viscous surface, such as snow, mud or wetlands.

The movement speed of such homemade products is quite low. Therefore, the presented technique is not sufficiently effective. Today, there are special kits on sale. They are purchased by amateur designers forcreating their own models of caterpillar-type motorcycles. This is a complex process. It allows you to create an all-terrain vehicle or a snowmobile based on a finished motorcycle. Usually the caterpillar is mounted on the rear wheel. In this case, the weight will be distributed incorrectly. If the track is not properly loaded, it will not be able to do its job.

Disadvantages of homemade designs

It is quite difficult to create a caterpillar motorcycle with your own hands at home. First of all, you will need to do a lot of welding work. Most often, an amateur engineer will not be able to solve the problem with the correct distribution of the weight of the equipment. In this case, he may try to move the caterpillar forward. However, this task is usually not feasible at home.

So engineers can compromise. Two small caterpillar tracks are placed on the sides. They are shifted forward to a lesser extent by a maximum of a third of the length. Such a caterpillar will be able to perform its functions fully, but only on a flat road.

Therefore, many technologists argue that the creation of a caterpillar motorcycle is not a practical necessity. Rather, it's just a design puzzle. Although to date, many worthy copies of the technique have been developed. They take into account the conditions of the area. The very process of creating such a technique brings fans a lot of positive emotions. This is a real challenge for any constructor.