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{{breadcrumb|Food and Agriculture|Farm equipment|LifeTrac}}
{{Lang|LifeTrac}}
{{ToolTemplate|ToolName=LifeTrac}}


[[LifeTrac]] is a low-cost, multipurpose open source tractor.
<html><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/49216792" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/49216792">The LifeTrac Story 2012.</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/opensourceecology">Open Source Ecology</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p></html>


=LifeTrac Concept=


LifeTrac is an open source tractor/ loader. It is an articulated tractor that steers by bending in the middle. It also has a flexible coupling between the front and back, so that the wheels stay on the ground at all times.
{{Header Parent|ToolParent=LifeTrac|ToolName=LifeTrac III|}}
[[Image:LiftTracWithTracks.jpg|thumb|right|400px|LifeTrac Tractor - Prototype III]]
[[Image:ltonfire.jpg|thumb|Night time photography on LifeTrac IV by Parker 2012]]
=Overview=
[[LifeTrac]] is a low-cost, multipurpose open source tractor. It serves as a workhorse backbone for many of GVCS technologies. Prototype III stage has been completed, and field testing determined the need for Prototype IV prior to product release.  


The concept was inspired initially by [http://www.cadplans.com/cadtrac.htm CADTrac, a set of plans that you can buy]:
Featuring a modular design and detachable [[PowerCube]] units, it has the ability to rapidly switch between a variety of GVCS machines and/or Commercial [[Of-The-Shelf]] tools via the [[QA Plate]]. The machine is overbuilt with a focus on lifetime design and ease of repair.


[[Image:CADTrac.jpg]]
Four hydraulic motors provide skid steer power to the wheels, and a chain tread system enables navigation of extreme terrain.


But it is redesigned thoroughly by enlarging the size and making construction simpler, to fulfill [[OSE Specifications]] for Post-Scarcity Economics.  
Join discussion at [https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28827785 Hacker News] - tractor discussion got the longest thread on Hacker News so far.
==Details==
Latest version of LifeTrac as of Jan. 2013 is LifeTrac IV - with [[Quick Connect Wheels]] and [[Bent Loader Arms]], where III had straight arms and non-detachable wheel units.


==Goals==
*Lifetime design
*Scalable
*Modular
*Easy to maintain
==Features==


It has a number of features that set it apart from skid loaders and make these vehicles suitable for agriculture. The main features for agriculture are a 3-point hitch, power takeoff, and high-flow hydraulic takeoff. These features make the [[LifeTrac]] capable of using any agricultural implements.
==Versions==
See [[LifeTrac Genealogy]]


LifeTrac is also designed with a winch, and is designed to be equipped with [[Well-drilling rig|well-drilling equipment]] with 10-foot drilling pipe sections.
=Remote Repository=


As such, the design is one of highest utility and versatility, combining the power of skid loaders with agricultural tractors and construction tractors. A Compressed Earth Block press [[CEB Press]] is designed for use as an implement with [[LifeTrac]], and a backhoe as well.
[https://github.com/Amakaruk/OSELifeTrac Lifetrac Github Repository]


The unique feature is the modularity and design for dis-assembly. Priority one is lifetime design, where any problem can be troubleshooted and fixed readily. Bye-bye to $1-2,000 transmission jobs at the shop. No transmission is required - it's built-in to the hydraulic drive.
=Distributed Collaboration=


Components are designed to be standard steel as much as possible. The goal is to have the user-owner fully capable of maintenance. By design, no issue in LifeTrac should be more expensive than $250 to fix. Standard steel components (sheet, tubing, shaft, etc.) is used, with no forming or machining outside of minor welding and lathing, for repair and construction of [[OSTrac]].
[[Distributed Collaboration]] is a way to manage the digital files that describe the machine in such a way that people all over the world can work together through the internet. The process is made up of three steps: definitions, projects and reports.  


==General design goals==
[[LifeTrac III Definitions]]
The definitions are any files that specify what the pieces of the machine are. An experience fabricator would be able to make all the pieces from just these files.


*Skid loader concept
[[LifeTrac III Projects]]
*Articulated steering
The project(s) is a database that turns the definitions into steps which, if all accomplished, will result in a finished machine. At the moment, we're just using an existing project management program.
*4 wheel drive
*2 wheel drive for doubled speed
*Front-end loader
*Backhoe attachment available
*[[Well-drilling]] attachment available
*CEB attachment available
*Hybrid between a skid loader, agricultural tractor, and construction tractor


==Specifications==
[[LifeTrac III Reports]]
The report(s) is a polished document that compiles all the definitions and project steps together in a way that is easy to follow. Additionally, the report includes background, context and any other piece of information that is relevant to the machine but is not strictly related to making it.


*5-10 mph in 4 wheel drive
=Product Evolution=
*29 gpm auxiliary hydraulics, 3 channels
Use the Product Evolution tree below to learn about the different versions of the LifeTrac and how far they got in product development (shown in italics). Follow the arrows to see where branching occurs. The dashed outlined represents the most complete documented version to date and tested at FeF.
*Weight: 3000 lb
*Modular: 2 OSTracs may be mounted together for double traction power
*3500 lb winch
*55 hp Deutz diesel engine
*Four 32 cubic inch hydraulic motors
*3-point hitch
*Power take off, hydraulic - 0-700 rpm


==Maintenance==
*Yearly maintenance costs designed to be no more than $100 with heavy duty usage
:What are the key points in a maintenance check?
:What are the skill sets required to perform a systems check accurately?


==Evolution==
{| style="text-align:center;"
*Flash-steam bladeless turbine drive being explored
! Major Design <br> Style
*Flash-steam electric hybrid drive being developed


=Versatility=
|-
| '''Articulated <br>Design'''
| [[File:LifeTrac.jpg|100px|link=LifeTrac I]]
|
| [[File:Arrow_right.jpg]]
|
| [[File:LifeTrac4_(v5)_snip2.PNG|100px|link=LifeTrac 5]]
|
| [[File:Arrow_right.jpg]]
|
| [[File:Lifetrac6.jpg|100px|link=LifeTrac_6]]
|
|-
|
|'''[[LifeTrac I]]''' <br> ''Prototype 1''
|
|
|
|'''[[LifeTrac 5]]'''
|
|
|
| '''[[LifeTrac_6|LifeTrac 6]]'''
|-
|
| [[File:Arrow_down.jpg]]
|
|
|
| [[File:Arrow_up.jpg]]


For us at [http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/ Factor e Farm], LifeTrac will be the backbone of our agricultural, agroforestry, and land stewardship operations. It will also be used in construction, power generation, and possibly other workshop tools. Interestingly, hybrid hydraulic drive also applies to cars - here's an example [http://www.fordmuscle.com/blog/ford-to-build-60-mpg-f150/112114]. The identical hydraulic design, minus agricultural implement features - can be used with a car - simply by using faster, lower-torque wheel motors.
|-
| '''Skid Steer <br>Design'''
| [[File:LTIICompleted.jpg|100px|link=LifeTrac_II]]
| [[File:Arrow_right.jpg]]
| style="border:3px dashed green"|[[File:LiftTracWithTracks.jpg|100px|link=LifeTrac III]]
| [[File:Arrow_right.jpg]]
| [[File:LifeTracIII_bent_arms.PNG|100px|link=LifeTrac_IV]]


The basic drive is all hydraulic, and all implements are run hydraulically as well. Three hydraulic motors - PTO motor, high torque motor, and winch motor are used for accessory power applications. These can drive the following devices which we are also building contemporaneously:
|-  
|
| '''[[LifeTrac_II| LifeTrac II]]''' <br> ''Prototype 1''
|
| '''[[LifeTrac III| LifeTrac III]]''' <br> ''Documentation''
|
| '''[[LifeTrac IV| LifeTrac IV]]''' <br> ''Retrofit''


*Tilt-blade sawmill
|-
*Rototiller
|
*Post-hole digger/tree planter
|
*Mixer
|
*Winch
| [[File:Arrow_down.jpg]]
*[[Well-drilling rig]] (future work)
|-  
|
|
|
| [[File:LifeCat 1.0.png|100px|link=LifeCat 1.0]]
|-  
|
|
|
|'''[[LifeCat 1.0| LifeCat 1.0]]''' <br> ''R&D''
|}


Other implements that we are preparing are:
=Safety Concerns=
*[[CEB Press]]
No structural engineering analysis has been performed on the LifeTrac III or IV. If you choose to replicate this product you are doing so at your own risk and with this understanding. We will be performing analysis soon and will post those results as we get them.
*Backhoe
*Trencher


The unique feature is that the motors can be mounted on the front-end laoder quick-connect plate - which serves, in effect, as an implement attachment mechanism that is much more versatile than a tractor 3 point hitch. All implements may be mounted on the quick-connect
There is also [https://groups.google.com/group/ose-europe/browse_thread/thread/3d0fcd5477ea94a4 an email] to OSE Europe mailing list describing some concerns about LifeTrac safety of use, and points out possible issues with: Frame, Steering, Brakes and Roll-Over Protection.


As of 5.24.08, the current working program surrounding LifeTrac is:
=Product Ecology=
[[Image:LifeTrac program.jpg]]
{{Product Ecology


=Articulated Tractor Design=
|From=
*{{Power Cube}}
*{{Hydraulic Motor}}
*{{Induction Furnace}} Steel


After examining the function of skid-steering, we decided to add articulated steering with a 2-degree of freedom flexible coupler. The tractor can both bend and rotate around the middle joint. This allows the tractor to minimize impact on the ground when turning. It also allows all 4 wheels to remain on the ground in uneven terrain - where otherwise it is likely that 1 wheel is off the ground often in uneven terrain.
|Uses=
*{{Power Cube}}


|Creates=


=Bill of Materials=
|Enables=
*{{CEB Press}}
*{{Rototiller}}
*{{Backhoe}}
*{{Universal Rotor}}
*{{Well Driller}}
*{{Trencher}}
*{{Baler}}
*{{Seeder}}
*{{Spader}}
*{{Rototiller}}
*{{Hay Rake}}
*{{Hay Cutter}}


*Wheels
}}
**Shaft collars, 1-7/8", double split - 4 of them - [http://surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2008101413105967&catname=&item=1-2768-193] - $6.75 each
*Tires
**Tire chain quick links, 18 per wheel - 1/4" - [http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92412] - 60 cents each
*Wheel control
**50/50 divider to allow equal flow to front and back wheels when front wheels come off the ground while doing earth digging with loader - [http://surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2008101413105967&catname=hydraulic&qty=1&item=9-1048-c] - $88


=Bill of Materials for Industrial Counterparts=
*One tire and rim - a flat proof one - costs $500 for skid loaders - [http://www.radmeister.com/m-14765-743ds.aspx]. Compare to $5 used truck tires with $35 for open source chains - under $50 for a tire. The latter affords the same traction, at 10-100 times less cost, depending if you count the chains or not.
**Which is more cost effective over a lifetime?


**I've heard that you can fill a tire with insulation foam - as a dirt-cheap alternative to professional puncture-proofing gels. Has anyone done this?
I tried this with a small garden cart.  My experience was that because insulation foams are non-elastic, once they are compressed, they stay compressed.  This would cause a flat spot on your tire each time you hit a rock.


***That makes lots of sense.  Similar foams are available with some rubberiness, for e.g. upholstery.
=Videos=
{{Video:Tractor}}


The tyres of most Elevated work platforms are foam filled. Brand names Genie, JLG. They are sealed with a 3/8 (10mm) bolt. I presume  the tyre needs to be sealed while the foam goes off


=Attachments on Other Machines=
[[Category: Farm equipment]]
*Dingo attachments - [http://www.toro.com/professional/sws/loaderattach/photogallery_attachments.html]
[[Category: Earth moving]]
 
[[Category:GVCS]]
=Cost Comparisons to Industrial Counterparts=
 
[[Image:lifetraccomparison.jpg]]
 
*NOTE: Industrial prices are taken largely from Northern Tool catologue - [http://www.northerntool.com/] - your local, global supply chain.
*Commercial hydraulic rotary well drilling rig quote - [http://www.hydra-jett.com/1573687.html]
*Note: Tractor and Bulldozer add up to $9k, for an infrastructure that shares wheel motors, controls, and [[Power Cube]]s. Power Cubes are $1750 each for 27 hp using off-shelf components. For about 100 hp of drive, this is $7k.
*Note: Since Power Cubes are not included here, the real cost of the package should be closer to $40k for the GVCS implementation prior to the ability to melt steel into virgin metal. This ability, combined with advanced CNC machining, will bring the cost down to about $5000 for 50,000 lbs of steel obtained from scrap sources.
*Note: Each device takes on average 1 week to fabricate after optimization to digital fabrication. This implies a total labor time of about 20 weeks for the devices above, or only $15/hour at the labor cost given. This may be acceptable for DIY value, but is a low rate for market production.
 
=Outstanding Tech Questions=
 
 
== See also ==
See [[LifeTrac Red Pages]]
* [[LifeTrac Questions]]


[[Category: Farm equipment]]
{{GVCS Footer}}
[[Category:GVCS 50]]
[[Category:Earth moving]]

Latest revision as of 00:19, 2 May 2022

The LifeTrac Story 2012. from Open Source Ecology on Vimeo.


LifeTrac LifeTrac.png
   LifeTrac III Home  |  Research & Development  |  Build It  |  User's Manual  |  Community Feedback   
LifeTrac Tractor - Prototype III
Night time photography on LifeTrac IV by Parker 2012

Overview

LifeTrac is a low-cost, multipurpose open source tractor. It serves as a workhorse backbone for many of GVCS technologies. Prototype III stage has been completed, and field testing determined the need for Prototype IV prior to product release.

Featuring a modular design and detachable PowerCube units, it has the ability to rapidly switch between a variety of GVCS machines and/or Commercial Of-The-Shelf tools via the QA Plate. The machine is overbuilt with a focus on lifetime design and ease of repair.

Four hydraulic motors provide skid steer power to the wheels, and a chain tread system enables navigation of extreme terrain.

Join discussion at Hacker News - tractor discussion got the longest thread on Hacker News so far.

Details

Latest version of LifeTrac as of Jan. 2013 is LifeTrac IV - with Quick Connect Wheels and Bent Loader Arms, where III had straight arms and non-detachable wheel units.


Versions

See LifeTrac Genealogy

Remote Repository

Lifetrac Github Repository

Distributed Collaboration

Distributed Collaboration is a way to manage the digital files that describe the machine in such a way that people all over the world can work together through the internet. The process is made up of three steps: definitions, projects and reports.

LifeTrac III Definitions The definitions are any files that specify what the pieces of the machine are. An experience fabricator would be able to make all the pieces from just these files.

LifeTrac III Projects The project(s) is a database that turns the definitions into steps which, if all accomplished, will result in a finished machine. At the moment, we're just using an existing project management program.

LifeTrac III Reports The report(s) is a polished document that compiles all the definitions and project steps together in a way that is easy to follow. Additionally, the report includes background, context and any other piece of information that is relevant to the machine but is not strictly related to making it.

Product Evolution

Use the Product Evolution tree below to learn about the different versions of the LifeTrac and how far they got in product development (shown in italics). Follow the arrows to see where branching occurs. The dashed outlined represents the most complete documented version to date and tested at FeF.


Major Design
Style
Articulated
Design 		LifeTrac.jpg Arrow right.jpg LifeTrac4 (v5) snip2.PNG Arrow right.jpg Lifetrac6.jpg
LifeTrac I
Prototype 1 		LifeTrac 5 LifeTrac 6
Arrow down.jpg Arrow up.jpg
Skid Steer
Design 		LTIICompleted.jpg Arrow right.jpg LiftTracWithTracks.jpg Arrow right.jpg LifeTracIII bent arms.PNG
LifeTrac II
Prototype 1 		LifeTrac III
Documentation 		LifeTrac IV
Retrofit
Arrow down.jpg
LifeCat 1.0.png
LifeCat 1.0
R&D

Safety Concerns

No structural engineering analysis has been performed on the LifeTrac III or IV. If you choose to replicate this product you are doing so at your own risk and with this understanding. We will be performing analysis soon and will post those results as we get them.

There is also an email to OSE Europe mailing list describing some concerns about LifeTrac safety of use, and points out possible issues with: Frame, Steering, Brakes and Roll-Over Protection.

Product Ecology

Product Ecology
From Uses Creates Enables

Components


Videos


The Global Village Construction Set
Habitat CEB Press Cement Mixer Sawmill Bulldozer Backhoe
Agriculture Tractor Seeder Hay Rake Well-Drilling Rig
Microtractor Soil Pulverizer Spader Hay Cutter Trencher
Bakery Oven Dairy Milker Microcombine Baler
Industry Multimachine Ironworker Laser Cutter Welder Plasma Cutter
CNC Torch Table Metal Roller Rod and Wire Mill Press Forge Universal Rotor
3D Printer 3D Scanner CNC Circuit Mill Industrial Robot Chipper Hammermill
Drill Press Induction Furnace
Energy Power Cube Gasifier Burner Solar Concentrator Electric Motor Generator Hydraulic Motor
Steam Engine Heat Exchanger Wind Turbine Pelletizer Universal Power Supply
Nickel-Iron Battery
Materials Aluminum Extractor Bioplastic Extruder
Transportation Car Truck

Imprimante 3D Scanner 3D Extracteur d'Aluminum Pelleteuse Four à Pain Presse à balles de paille Extrudeuse à bioplastiques Bulldozer Voiture Presse BTC Betonnière Broyeur à marteaux Imprimante de circuits électroniques Table de découpe numérique Trayeuse Perçeuse à colonne Moteur électrique Gazogène Faucheuse Râteau à foin Moteur hydraulique Fourneau à induction Bras robotisé Poinçonneuse Découpeur Laser Laminoir à plaques Microcombine Microtracteur Multimachine Batterie Ni-Fe Machine à granulés Torche plasma Power Cube Presse hydraulique Laminoir à barres et fils de fer Pulvérisateur de terre Scierie Semoir Concentrateur solaire Roto-bêche Moteur à vapeur Echangeur de chaleur Tracteur Fraiseuse de tranchée Camion Alimentation électrique universelle Rotor universel Poste de soudure à l'arc Plateforme de forage de puits Eolienne

Key Design Planning Prototype Almost done Full Release
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