New project...unique machine -- Prinoth P15

[cootbruce]

I recently picked up a project. Making my best effort to restore it in time for our Midwest Cat Clowder next winter.......I must of pulled 10 lbs of mouse and rat Sh*t out of the machine. To see just how unique this machine is, view the video I linked. Two motors, one in each car, then the cars are joined with rubber blocks and the controls from the one car (twin) is run into the other car (pilot car) Each control steering lever is a throttle for each motor. Tracks are almost 6ft wide and 9ft long on each car.........Units are known as Prinoth P15.
The units have almost perfect logos on the front of each car, those are protected with the black duct tape until I am ready to paint them. So far, both motors are running,(Fiat twin cyl, air cooled units) recent repairs made to the pilot car transmission. Now onto the wiring and fuel systems....then tracks and wheels......Man...I love a project!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LkxQ7Up_6w

 

[Melensdad]

Re: New project...unique machine

PLEASE post up PHOTOS and PROGRESS of the restoration.

I've never seen anything like that unit. Any history of it you can post up would also be greatly appreciated.

 

[undy]

Re: New project...unique machine

Bruce,

What in the world is (or was) this machine used for? It appears to be wider than it is long(?).

I can imagine using it to pack down a trail, even with no implement behind. Are the two "ass-men" weighting down the packer necessary?

I guess one wouldn't need to worry about floatation in deep powder.

WEIRD. I can't wait to see it next year.

BTW, did you ever dispose of the Bombardier with the lift bucket? My friend Robby was just talking about it again last week. He's always good for picking up an odd vehicle. He just got back with a couple Ford Burma jeep trucks...

 

[cloudcap]

Re: New project...unique machine





View attachment prinoth-p15-pdf.pdf

 

[undy]

Re: New project...unique machine

je suis désolé(e) , je ne parle pas francais

 

[Steinbruchsoldat]

Re: New project...unique machine

Awesome machine.

Let me know if you need something translated.

 

[cootbruce]

Undy....I still have the ski dozer and would like it to go to a good home. The P15 is going to take up most of my free time and the ski dozer will end up sitting again for the summer.

Steinbruchsoldat....Thanks for the offer, I may need to contact you for some help. In the mean time, do you have any experiance with the P 15? I don't think too many of them made there way over to the U.S. when they were being made. I have some good contacts at Prinoth in the U.S. As my project moves forward I may get more information from them regarding how many machine made it over here. This machine was built in 1969 and has the larger 650 engine.

It appears the "weak link" was the main axle shaft in the transmission. (see photo) looks like if the driver braked hard on one side, the clutch side would take all of the stress and twist the axle off at the splines........I am lucky to have enough parts to repair this transmission.

Bruce

 

[undy]

Thanks Bruce. I'll call him and pass that on.

I can't wait to see this thing in action. Here's a collection of photos of these units: http://www.snow-groomer.com/thumbnails.php?album=98

You mentioned that the sticks work to throttle the engine of each unit. What is used as a brake? In the pictures, I didn't see foot pedals or anything. Just the sticks.

Is it a system that declutches one track for a gentle turn and then brakes that track for a hard turn? I'm curious about your comment on hard braking twisting the shaft. What happens? Thanks.

Paul

 

[MNoutdoors RIP]

That has to be about the lowest PSI machine out there cool factor is real high

 

[cootbruce]

Each steering lever is both a brake and a throttle. When pushing the lever forward it will increase the throttle for that engine. When you pull it back it slows that engine, if you pull it all the way back, it will push a small rod into a brake master cyl. which applies the brake to that cars transmission. If you notice one of the photos shows the engine and transmission. On the transmission you will see a drum with groves on it, that is the outside of the back drum. Inside of that are the brake shoes.

The engine turns the transmission which in turn drives a clutch ( like a snowmoble clutch, to a final drive clutch using a belt much like a snowmobile set up, the final drive, drive a chain directly to the track. When the brakes are applied hard or under speed or heavy load, it appears the twist and force is too much for the main axle in the transmission, and it breaks where the clutch meets the shaft.........thats my guess........

Most of my photos are so I know how to put it back together, sorry if my photos don't match the discription that well..........

 

[Cidertom]

Oh, my. I think I would write the JD Distillery and ask for sponsorship as I would use a great amount of their product as (synapse) lubricant during restoration of such a contraption.

And I was thinking a ST-4 was a challenge...

 

[undy]

Okay, so for a gentle turn you just throttle down the inside pod and throttle up the outside pod(?). For a sharp turn you'd pull far back on the inside stick and brake that pod(?).

If I understand the theory and pictures right, it's a centrifugal type clutch located between the transmission and the engine?

If that's true, then I'd assume the engine must slow down before the clutch declutches(?). Is it possible that the brake was applied while the engine is still spinning fast enough so that the clutch has not yet disengaged - thus spinning that shaft?

I'm simply guessing here, but perhaps something is wrong with that clutch so that it does not disengage at the right time? (I'm thinking go-kart and chainsaw clutches, where a broken spring might cause such a symptom.)

In the spirit of full disclosure, I DO have an open beer beside me right now. I'm not that great of a mechanic (this may be the understatement of the year), but I'm fascinated by the variety of ways someone has come up with to move a vehicle.

Can't wait for the next cat's meow thing...

 

[cootbruce]

Update....both cars run now. The pilot car is now "self contained" it is running on its own fuel and electrical system. The twin car is running too, but still needs fuel system work. The twin runs when connected to the pilot car. Once both are running well, then I will most likely rewire them as the wires are pretty stiff and old. Then on to track work! After that, new paint and graphics.....hoping to have them running for the Cat Clowder this winter. A few photos of the fuel system,inside the fuel tank and of the machine and of the stable mates that live with it in my shop. They were both out for a car show this weekend so I snapped a photo of each. 1971 Corvette convertable and 1947 Willys CJ 2A.

Video link to starting pilot car.....https://youtu.be/n52wwltPmNw

 

[reino]

Hello!

I also have Prinoth P15. I'm repairing it for use. Could you please post pictures of the oil dipstick with dimensions? They both appear to be broken off the end. Also what are those two aluminium levers in each engine? One seems to be shift stick but what does the other one do?

 

[redsqwrl]

Ok, every one is thinking it.....

There is Two of those??????!!!!!!

awesome.!

Mike

Oh and Reino, WElcome to the fun house. are you in the states?

 

[reino]

Thank you. I'm from Finland. Snow groomer will be really useful in snowy Finnish winter.

Are you going to also restore the lombardini generator?

 

[cootbruce]

The two levers are.....one is the starter, when you pull it, it pulls a cord that extends the bendix on the starter and then pulls a lever down on the starter that engages the starter button. The other lever shifts the transmission. In the pilot car, the levers are in the drivers compartment, in the twin car, the levers are located both in the passenger compartment and on the engine side, (so the driver can reach them from the pilot car.

Do you need measurement of just the dip stick tops or the entire dip stick. Also, do you have good source for Fiat parts? I am in need of brake rebuild kits. I have trouble finding them over here.....I also have a parts manual if you would like a copy, send me your email in a personal message and I will send you a copy. Let me know if you have any other questions and I will do the same.

I do plan on restoring the generator. My intention is a fully restored, as new machine......

 

[Cidertom]

Ok, every one is thinking it.....

There is Two of those??????!!!!!!

awesome.!

Mike

Oh and Reino, WElcome to the fun house. are you in the states?

Of course there is TWO. Actually there is three, see the ad photo earlier in the thread.

 

[Bait Guy]

Bruce, when you get to the paint and graphic part, let me know, we make vinyl lettering and things here at the shop. All I would need is a picture of what you are looking for and the wife can do her magic and WOW, you have it.