LifeTrac GrabCAD Challenge
Abstract on Design Goal: The following materials exhibit the current state of LifeTrac - Open Source Ecology's open source tractor. The goal is to take this design from a Mad Max ghetto rider to a quality, high performance tractor with articulated steering. The articulated steering is used to reduce wheel loads compared to skid-steering configuration - thereby simplifying the design of the wheel units drastically. We are currently designing the tractor for use with 1 or 2 Power Cubes - our 27 hp hydraulic power units. The goal of this challenge is to improve on this design based on past builds. See the results of LifeTrac 5 - and the numerous comments there on design issues in the videos. All details of this 'lifesize erector set' design are to be evolved until we have a satisfactory tractor. By helping this project, you are helping to develop a 'peoples' tractor' that can be built from stock parts - and that can be maintained easily by the user for a lifetime of service.
See intro video on the LifeTrac history -
The LifeTrac Story 2012. from Open Source Ecology on Vimeo.
Last Model - LifeTrac 5
This tractor has been deployed for testing at the Our School at Blair Grocery urban gardening project in New Orleans.
See LifeTrac 5
Existing Model of LifeTrac 6 - in Development
This one has one power cube. Loader cylinders need to be added.
Download Sketchup file (18MB): File:LifeTrac6.skp
General Requirements
Cab Module Requirements
Click edit to access links in the drawing.
The hydraulic connections to and from the cab are all organized on a single panel: see Hydraulic Panel concept.
Loader Arm Requirements
Power Cube Module
Quick Attach Module
We are using the Bobcat Standard Quick Attach module:
Bobcat_Standard_Quick_Attach_for_LifeTrac
Modular Wheel Units
These wheels mount on the frame tubing as quick-connect modules for the tractor:
This is a detail of the wheel module frame:
Rear Wheel Base
This is the current design of the entire rear wheel base.
Steering Pivot
This is a detail of the suggested pivot that joins the front and rear sections of the tractor.
General Requirements
LifeTrac 6 Product Requirements
First Cut
Links
- TED Talk
- OSE website - http://opensourceecology.org
- OSE documentation site - LifeTrac Documentation at Dozuki
- Prior work on current model of LifeTrac - see LifeTrac Modules
- Last version of this tractor - LifeTrac 5
Other Links
- Application form for this challenge - File:Lt6GC.odt
- GrabCAD Challenge Template
- See also LifeTrac 6 Product Requirements.