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Trackmaster 4VL origins

V

vintagebike

Well-known member
Digging deep into my 4VL documents it looks like the rear end differential was sourced from 1940-1950 international Harvester Dozer TD6. Parts are still very available with steel clutch disc 43728d now on eBay.

More info?

 
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This is what the steels look like in 4vl
 
Looks like yours are different from mine. This pic is of 10 new fiber plates and 10 new steel discs that were ordered as spares along with those used by the previous owner to rebuild one of my 4VLs.
 

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I know that, generally, old machines like this are worth more if they are pretty close to original. But I also know that they have to be reliable. Has anyone converted an older clutch-and-brake machine to an automatic transmission? It seems like the torque converter might take up a little bit of the abruptness of the steering mechanism, but maybe having the power more controllable might be a better option?
 
disclaimer:
I don't own any snow track vehicles/machines/whatever other that some ski boots and Rossi skis . . .
I'm also a mega-reactionary Luddite in lovin' appreciating the old stuff.

but I gotta' say, if I'm going back country - I'll take a old machine that has been thoroughly updated for performance and reliability.
I hate hiking in deep snow . . .

were I a collector . . . different story . . .

I wonder when someone will put electric motors per wheel on a tracker - diesel gen-set/coupled battery for electrical power.
no trans, no gears, no diffs, no drive shafts, hundreds of hp available on each track drive . . . a Tesla SnowKitten/Cat on steroids . . .
 
chowderman said:
disclaimer:
I don't own any snow track vehicles/machines/whatever other that some ski boots and Rossi skis . . .
I'm also a mega-reactionary Luddite in lovin' appreciating the old stuff.

but I gotta' say, if I'm going back country - I'll take a old machine that has been thoroughly updated for performance and reliability.
I hate hiking in deep snow . . .

were I a collector . . . different story . . .

I wonder when someone will put electric motors per wheel on a tracker - diesel gen-set/coupled battery for electrical power.
no trans, no gears, no diffs, no drive shafts, hundreds of hp available on each track drive . . . a Tesla SnowKitten/Cat on steroids . . .
Click to expand...
Enter the Pisten Bully 100E . And with a very tesla-esque price tag. But I agree with you. Sometimes less noise is so good out in the backcountry. And having separate electric motors would solve any transmission issues, as they could be mounted directly to the driver like the hydrostat machines. However, while some batteries throughout history have done better in the cold than the heat, the lithium stuff doesn't seem to. I think the biggest issue with converting the old ones it price. The electric smallblock conversion kit is 30k by iteslf, and that would still require steering brakes. To make it all work like a modern cat, it would require two kits.
That said, I would absolutely do it if I fell into a big pile of money.
 
steering / braking all done by motor regen . . .
the battery is simply a buffer between power surges - could be any battery, lithium bombs not required...
yeah, not cheap . . .
 
Vintage Bike, would you by chance be willing to upload a PDF copy of your 4VL manual or send one to me, I have a 1958 4VL and really need to find the Manual. I believe you may have helped me figure out which rear I have in mine. I am sure an actual manual is a goldmine of information. My email is n7ron@msn.com. Thank You.
 
Yancey said:
Vintage Bike, would you by chance be willing to upload a PDF copy of your 4VL manual or send one to me, I have a 1958 4VL and really need to find the Manual. I believe you may have helped me figure out which rear I have in mine. I am sure an actual manual is a goldmine of information. My email is n7ron@msn.com. Thank You.
Click to expand...
Can I second this request? The motor and tranny is all ready to go back in, but I am waiting for summer to paint. In the meantime, I am trying to sort out the dash and wiring.
 
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