LifeTrac III/Research Development: Difference between revisions

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{{ToolTemplate|ToolName=LifeTrac}}
{{ToolTemplate|ToolName=LifeTrac}}


=Prototype I=
See [http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=797 Make Magazine article].
[[Image:lifetrac_loader.jpg|thumb]]
[[Image:lifetrac_bend.jpg|thumb]]
[[Image:Backhoe.jpg]]


=Prototype II=


[[Image:lifetrac2.jpg|600px]]
==Research==


=Prototype III=
{{wanted|Brief description about the highest version of the LifeTrac}}


Prototype III at KC Maker Faire:
===Theory===


<html>
{{wanted|Brief paragraph regarding the reasoning behind adding this tool to the GVCS}}
<object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=27027669&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=1&amp;color=00adef&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;loop=0" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=27027669&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=1&amp;color=00adef&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;loop=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/27027669">The (Open-Source) Ecologist</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/news21berkeley2011">News21 Berkeley 2011</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
</html>


=Versatility=
===Relevant Links===
 
{{wanted|Sources for information regarding relevant technology}}
 
===Conceptual Notes===
 
{{wanted|Ifs, ands and buts.}}
 
==Development==


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.
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.
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[[Image:LifeTrac program.jpg]]
[[Image:LifeTrac program.jpg]]


=Articulated Tractor Design=
===Design===
 
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Requirements|Requirements]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Speed|Speed]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Throughput|Throughput]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Weight|Weight]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Size Constraints|Size Constraints]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Feed stock|Feed stock]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Design Description|Design Description]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Calculations - energy, efficiency|Calculations]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Drawings and Diagrams|Drawings and Diagrams]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Concept and Alternatives|Concept and Alternatives]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Full Design Views|Full Design Views]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Cut-away Views|Cut-away Views]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Exploded Parts View|Exploded Parts View]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/3D Renders|3D Renders]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Decisions|Decisions]]
*[[LifeTrac/Research Development/Project Team|Project Team]]
 
 
 
===Industry Standards===
 
{| cellpadding="6" cellspacing="2" border="1" align="center"
|-align="center"
! '''Industry Standard'''
! '''LifeTrac'''
 
|}
 
===Funding===
 
{{wanted|List of expenses for prototyping and documenting LifeTrac}}
 
===Peer Reviews===
 
{{wanted|Peer reviews from the scientific community regarding the R&D of LifeTrac}}
 
===Experiments and Prototypes===
 
{{wanted|Empirical data on performance}}
 
====Experimental Results====
 
 
====Prototype Notes, Observations, etc.====
 
 
===Failure Mode Analysis===
 
 
===Testing Results===
 


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.
===Recommendations for Improvement===

Revision as of 03:49, 22 August 2011


LifeTrac
   Home  |  Research & Development  |  Bill of Materials  |  Manufacturing Instructions  |  User's Manual  |  User Reviews    LifeTrac.png



Research

Wanted: Brief description about the highest version of the LifeTrac

Theory

Wanted: Brief paragraph regarding the reasoning behind adding this tool to the GVCS

Relevant Links

Wanted: Sources for information regarding relevant technology

Conceptual Notes

Wanted: Ifs, ands and buts.

Development

For us at 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 [1]. The identical hydraulic design, minus agricultural implement features - can be used with a car - simply by using faster, lower-torque wheel motors.

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:

  • Tilt-blade sawmill
  • Rototiller
  • Post-hole digger/tree planter
  • Mixer
  • Winch
  • Well-drilling rig (future work)

Other implements that we are preparing are:

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

As of 5.24.08, the current working program surrounding LifeTrac is: LifeTrac program.jpg

Design


Industry Standards

Industry Standard LifeTrac

Funding

Wanted: List of expenses for prototyping and documenting LifeTrac

Peer Reviews

Wanted: Peer reviews from the scientific community regarding the R&D of LifeTrac

Experiments and Prototypes

Wanted: Empirical data on performance

Experimental Results

Prototype Notes, Observations, etc.

Failure Mode Analysis

Testing Results

Recommendations for Improvement

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