Interesting small tracked rig

Picked up this unit from the Forest Service they had water tanks mounted on it for wildfire supression. It was missing a wheel/tire and had old gas but other than that it runs and drives fine it was made by a company called Otter
Manufacturing, In Minnesota it has a 20hp Kohler engine and the cutest 3 speed manual transmission I have ever seen. 14" wheels/tires with Spicer differential disc brakes for turning and then it goes on to a final drive. It will lock one track up and turn the other one around it. weighs about 1000 pounds and has 2300 square inches of track area which equals .434 psi.
18" wide tracks. with 1.5" angle irons The simplicity of the machine makes it intresting. thought that some of the members that are trying to build a rig from scratch might like to see.

Re: Intresting small tracked rig

Well isn't that the coolest little toy!

The simplicity of it is amazing.

Re: Intresting small tracked rig

Otter Mfg. Co.
Manufacturers of the [SIZE=-1]OTTER[/SIZE], a small, versatile tracked vehicle. 50365 121st St., Amboy, MN 56010, (507) 674-3131.

From: http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/kb13/misc.htm

Re: Intresting small tracked rig

Can you get some part numbers for the big components on that? It would be interesting to know the details on the tranny.

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As far as I know they are now out of business, The phone is disconnected, and I do know that that Tranny is forgein in origin. but do not know who made it. it has a clucth and pressure plate and all. So damm cute.

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Isn't there some text cast into the housing? What is it? Maybe google will turn something up?

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Very cool little machine. Good find. Thanks for posting it!

I didn't see a clutch .... do you just shift from one gear to the next without the clutch while moving, or do you have to stop and shift then go with whatever gear depending on the speed you want to go?

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Doc said:

Very cool little machine. Good find. Thanks for posting it!

I didn't see a clutch .... do you just shift from one gear to the next without the clutch while moving, or do you have to stop and shift then go with whatever gear depending on the speed you want to go?

Click to expand...

I think it's in the second photo, right beside the shifter. It's just round metal with some rubber on the end.

Re: Intresting small tracked rig

PBinWA said:

I think it's in the second photo, right beside the shifter. It's just round metal with some rubber on the end.

Click to expand...

Yep, I see it now. Thanks PB!

That Otter is pretty cute.

Here is a currently produced forestry machine that's similar.

http://www.radinter.com/radtech/anglais/forestery_division/1berfor.html

The Berfor skidder recently started using belt and grouser style tracks similar to J5s.

That's nice pixie but it's still too fancy for a low-end hobbiest.

Simple Gear transmission with brakes for steering! Now that is simple!