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snowtrac steering safety for the st-25

Cidertom

Cidertom

Chionophile
GOLD Site Supporter
Between the children, and such, one of my fears with the trac is someone attempting to steer with the track not moving. Which appears to be a way to fracture the st-25.

So, has anyone thought about, or tried, a safety on the system? I was thinking a ball detent torque limiter on the wheel mount. Set just tight enough for normal operations. It would seem that there should be an increase in resistance before the st-25 pops and that window could be used for a safety. Or is there no appreciable increase in wheel torque required to break it when the tracks aren't moving?

Trying to preserve the unobtainium.
CT
 
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redsqwrl

redsqwrl

Bronze Member
GOLD Site Supporter
I lock the back door.


removable steering wheel couple(r) is where I am headed...
 
A

Alaska Jay

Member
What about a quick disconnect coupler and remove the steering wheel when not in use?

They're popular now and inexpensive. Also, could make it easier to get in and out of the drivers seat.

Jay
 
Cidertom

Cidertom

Chionophile
GOLD Site Supporter
I'm also concerned with inexperienced operators. Something passive, I don't have to do anything to enable.
 
A

Alaska Jay

Member
That part's pretty tricky. It's got to be a mechanical thing that disengages upon movement.

Maybe an electric solenoid that engages a locking pin somewhere in the steering mechanism when the rig is sitting still. Have it retract electrically once a switch of some sort detects motion. Like a microswitch with a friction trigger that drags on the drive sprocket or something. That would be pretty trick.

Maybe some operator training would be much less effort.
 
300 H and H

300 H and H

Bronze Member
GOLD Site Supporter
I have a spare ST 25.

If there is interest, maybe we should get a mold made, and cast up a bunch for every one who would like one.

Make the unobtanium. :smile:

Redsqwrl? :flowers:

Regards, Kirk
 
W

willd

Member
I am very interested in a spare ST 25. If someone could get the measurements, I imagine one could be either cast up, or fabricated. I would be willing to put up some coin for a prototype.
 
nikos

nikos

Active member
ST4 The Bracket,:brows::brows: ........................:hammer::hammer::hammer:..................................................................................................................:hammer::hammer::hammer..
:to be continued

Nikos
 
N

nwerring

Member
willd said:
I am very interested in a spare ST 25. If someone could get the measurements, I imagine one could be either cast up, or fabricated. I would be willing to put up some coin for a prototype.
Click to expand...

I could get the ST-25 3D-scanned into a CAD file. Maybe it would be good enough to make a pattern for a new ST25.. I just did this for the ST-52 drive sprocket to make UHMW plastic sprockets for my Snow Trac.
 

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N

nwerring

Member
I just contacted an Aluminium Foundry here in Norway regarding making 30-50 new ST-25 steering brackets. I´ll post the answer when I get it.
 

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Cidertom

Cidertom

Chionophile
GOLD Site Supporter
Push comes to shove, you could make a st-25 out of plate fairly easily, It would be a time hog to be certain, but do-able. Cast parts were the cheap way to make many of a complex thing.

I'm still thinking a ball detent clutch, but getting it set is going to be a chore in it's self. I want the clutch as it would be a way to protect the whole system.

CT
 
teledawg

teledawg

Member
If a new ST-25 design is being conceived maybe a shear-pin or ball-detent could be integrated into a hinged ST-25 so the part would yeild in a non destructive way. Sort of like a shear-pin on an outboard motor prop. May be worth considering...
 
300 H and H

300 H and H

Bronze Member
GOLD Site Supporter
I have a new unused ST25 I would make available here in the lower 48 for a pattern. If some one has a foundry that they know of...

Regards, Kirk
 
JimVT

JimVT

Bronze Member
GOLD Site Supporter
300 H and H said:
I have a new unused ST25 I would make available here in the lower 48 for a pattern. If some one has a foundry that they know of...

Regards, Kirk
Click to expand...
lyndon had many made. I would bet yours is one.
I also have a spare but it nos.

I really don't see a need to have a steering lock. it has a spring in the variator and very few have been broke.
 
Snowy Rivers

Snowy Rivers

Well-known member
The large sprocket could be easily cut with a WATER JET CUTTER

UHMW (ULTRA HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGH...POLYETHELENE) can be cut readily with water jet

Do an accurate tracing of an original that's in good shape and any good shop with a water jet can duplicate it easily.

Far better than a casting.

I assume by the look of it that it's aluminum ???

Cut it from 7075 T6

Water jet cut parts look like they were machined.

The steering bracket could be easily roughed out of a piece of aluminum plate in a band saw and the holes located and drilled. (Or water jet cut them)

Cast aluminum is inherently weak (Relative term) and a "Billet" part of either 6061 or 7075 alloy would be far stronger.

Casting such parts are done for mass production to keep the broad spectrum costs $$$$$ down as machining individual items gets spendy.

Butttttttttttttttttttt.... For personal use and durability the billet part can't be beat.

Aluminum that is "sand cast" is or can be very grainy in the metal texture and thus causes the tendency to fracture.

Aluminum that is "investment cast" (process done under inert gas shielding) spendy too.

Water jet the ST25 from good alloy (7075 T6) and you will not break it.

Actually the part could be fabricated from steel and be a simple fix.



Just some thoughts
 
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Snowy Rivers

Snowy Rivers

Well-known member
I just watched a video on how the steering works.

I would fabricate the part from steel pieces.

The variable sheave design is so simple.

The best prevention of breakage is education though.

Without the sheaves turning the stress is gonna be high on the parts no matter what you make the part from.

Upgrade the ST25 and then something else is gonna break.
 
3512b

3512b

Junior Member
GOLD Site Supporter
One of mine is bronze
I looked into having a run of 10 made think we came up to pretty close to 400 bucks a shot with the machining and the pattern made
I lost interest at that price
 
N

nwerring

Member
First hurdle is over. Got a nice 3D scan of the ST-25 part. Now of to the foundry with the scan and model so they can make new parts..
 

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