LifeTrac III/Manufacturing Instructions

Tools and Materials

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Warning: The LifeTrac design is in development. Some information contained in these pages may be out of date.

Overview

LifeTrac is a low-cost, multipurpose open source tractor. It serves as a workhorse backbone for many of GVCS technologies.

Featuring a modular design and detachable PowerCube units, it has the ability to rapidly switch between a variety of GVCS machines 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 unique chain tread system enables navigation of fairly extreme terrain.

Preparation

Safety

• Hearing Protection
• Eye Protection
• Steel Toe Boots
• Welding
  • Gloves
  • Hood
  • Apron/Jacket

Workspace

This section describes the various workspace areas that we have found to be useful in fabricating the LifeTrac. It is provided as a suggestion for preparing your work area.

• Storage: For raw steel and parts
• Cutting Area: For use with cutting torch - Made from non-flammable materials
• Welding Table: Usually steel, suitable for use with arc welder (MIG, TIG, stick, etc)
• Ventilation for cutting / welding areas

Tools

• Welder
• Angle Grinder

• Hand Tools
  • Crescent wrench
  • Socket set
  • Hammer

• Metal Cutting Tools
  • Bandsaw
  • Chopsaw
  • Torch

• Paint Tools
  • Gravity Fed Paint Sprayer
  • Air compressor

Cut Sheet

• This list contains instructions for cutting the raw steel into pieces for assembly. Most will require further cuts before being ready for assembly.

3/8” Thick, 8" Plate

• 4 @ 12 1/2"

1/2" Thick, 4" Plate

• 6 @ 6"
• 8 @ 4" (cut each diagonally for 16 triangles)

1/2" Thick, 8" Plate

• 4 @ 6"
• 8 @ 10"

1/2" Thick, 10" Plate

• 8 @ 10"
• 4 @ 6 3/4"

1/2" Thick, 12" Plate

• 5 @ 12"

1" Thick, 8" Plate

• 4 @ 4 1/2"

1/2” Thick, 4" x 6" Angle

• 4 @ 6"

¼” Thick, 2 3/8" Dia Steel Tube

• 1 @ 4 1/2"

¼” Thick, 4" x 4" Steel Tube

• 3 @ 44"
• 2 @ 52"
• 2 @ 55"
• 2 @ 59"
• 3 @ 60"
• 2 @ 68"
• 4 @ 76"

5/16” Thick, 2 1/2" Dia Steel Tube

• 4 @ 5"

3/8” Thick, 3" x 6" Steel Tube

• 1 @ 45"
• 2 @ 100"

1 7/8" Shaft

• 4 @ 28"
• 1 @ 56"

Parts Fabrication

• The purpose of this section is to prepare the components for final assembly. This includes cutting steel into required lengths and shapes, drilling, welding and shaping as required for final assembly.

¼” x 4" x 4" Steel Tube

• Verify the following 4" x 4" tubes have already been cut:

• To simplify hole placement, here is an image of a jig (click to enlarge):

Drilling Tubes

• Unless otherwise specified, drill all holes at 13/16" diameter.
• Drill holes through entire tube (ie: through both sides).
• For each tube, measure all holes from one end of tube.

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3 Lower cross tubes, 60" long

Drill holes at 14", 46"

Rotate 90 degrees, drill holes at 2", 10", 50", 58"

2 Bottom Inner North-South tubes, 76" long

Drill holes at 6", 9", 13", 30", 63", 67", 70"

Rotate 90 degrees, drill holes at 2", 10", 50", 58"

2 Bottom Outer North-South tubes, 76" long

Drill holes at 9", 13", 63", 67"

Rotate 90 degrees, drill holes at 2", 34", 58 1/2" 62", 74"

2 Front Vertical tubes, 55" long

Drill holes at 6", 50"

Rotate 90 degrees, drill holes at 2", 46"

2 Middle Vertical tubes, 52" long

Drill holes at 6", 24", 50"

Rotate 90 degrees, drill holes at 2", 46"

2 Rear Vertical tubes, 59" long

Drill holes at 2", 21", 29 1/2", 47 1/2", 54"

Rotate 90 degrees, drill holes at 6", 50"

2 Top North-South tubes, 68" long

Drill holes at 6", 22", 62"

Rotate 90 degrees, drill holes at 2", 26", 66" and a 2 3/8" hole @ 48" (with cutting torch)

3 Top Cross tubes, 44" long

Drill holes at 6", 38"

Rotate 90 degrees, drill holes at 2", 42"

Assembly

• Use 6 blocks to support the 3 bottom cross members

• Place the 4 bottom North-South members on bottom cross members, secure loosely with 9 1/2" bolts, washers and lock nuts.

• Align the 6 Vertical members with holes in the lower frame, secure loosely with 9 1/2" bolts, washers and lock nuts.

• Align the 2 Top North-South members with upper holes in the vertical members, secure loosely with 9 1/2" bolts, washers and lock nuts.

• Align the 3 Upper Cross members with holes in the upper North-South members, secure with 9 1/2" bolts, washers and lock nuts.

• Tighten all bolts / nuts.

See Also

• LifeTrac III Solidworks CAD
• LifeTrac3 2D Fab Drawings