Projects Derek's new project: The Snow Skidder

[wolfman76]

Almost done with the beast feet some photos shortly the BEAST is 3'Lx20"w

Here is the edf tower and Derek i believe as fast as i think the BEAST will reach topspeed if i can get her wide open possibly 40-50 mph maybe faster but one drawback i have a esc for it but it is on the 500 Setup for a heli and i don't Havre a programming card anymore might have to order another one as soon as i can out they to get my other one back long enough to reprogram it for plane either way i will bring the BEAST to life...

 

[wolfman76]

Edf tower

 

[pvolcko]

Derek, the fin is interesting. I would have added a narrow strip of foam on the bottom left and right to act as runners to keep it in line and make it controllable. Maybe keep the central fin and add the runners? IF you're still having stability issues, that is. IF the fin covers it, then rock on with that alone.

 

[Derek]

The continued support and enthusiasm behind this project has been so much more than I thought it was going to be. I've gotten a list of suggestions from people on RCH, as well as Youtube. I'm going through the list, one suggestion at a time, to see what works and what doesn't...what helps and what doesn't. I think I'm going to remove the fin on the underside of the Snow Skidder and add two strips of foam board, about 1/2" wide, to the left and right sides of the flat bottom. I'm gonna give it a test run and see how it goes. It snowed quite a bit yesterday and with the sub-zero temps right now, the snow has definitely stayed around.

Some of my neighbors and their kids have really enjoyed seeing the Snow Skidder and hearing the EDF screaming.

 

[Stambo]

I have been watching this thread with interest but where I live it doesn't snow.
However I do have water and large flat car parks.
How do you guys think a hovercraft along similar lines would go.
Could be awesome in the snow too.
I have seen a two man hovercraft with a ducted fan type setup that had part of the fan output ducted under the craft to give lift. I wonder if there is some calculation to decide how much to divert.
A small float to keep it from sinking in the water, maybe a bicycle tube attached somehow for dual purpose skirt and float.
Hmm there may be an EDF and a reversible ESC in my next HK order.

Hey Derek what about throwing some wings and ailerons on that thing.
Or maybe an adjustable wing of sorts to give it slight lift at speed to reduce friction.

 

[EyeStation]

Snows a bit to deep and not packed. Not sure how much heavier the nose is than I thought. But the results are short. I did not even have the chance to go full throttle.
[video=youtube_share;7ElEKFH87B4]http://youtu.be/7ElEKFH87B4[/video]

 

[Derek]

I think a Hovercraft would be pretty cool to do. Can't imagine it would be all that difficult. It would probably involve some trial and error but the end goal should be easily achievable.

As far as my Skidder, no, I don't have any plans of adding wings. I wanna keep this one on the ground.

 

[Derek]

Snows a bit to deep and not packed. Not sure how much heavier the nose is than I thought. But the results are short. I did not even have the chance to go full throttle.

Well, it's a start, Eyestation! Is there a way to move some weight more towards the rear? I bet it would do real well on the packed down snow on a plowed street or parking lot.

 

[Tony]

do you have a smooth ramp up on the under side of the nose? If not, that could be your issue. It needs to be very gradual do that it cna pack down the snow before going over it, not dive into it. You can also try adding some angle to the motor. Point the prop more up into the air.

 

[wolfman76]

Nope a Digger definately is not good... I save thinking of like you Derek using a gyro but using it in unison with canards incase it tries to grab air it will keep it level until it is back on the ground... ordering the programming card tonight for the esc out is on 5 bucks but how it gets here in time...

 

[Derek]

oh, how I wish I could understand what you just said, lol

 

[Gerald]

Quick update on my skidder, very quick on packed snow, tried to transfer to deep snow and keep up speed to plane on it, not a good result, completely knocked both blades off of prop nothing but hub left and splintered the motor mount in half. Repaired it and added a flat plate 1/8th inch recessed between the pontoons with an angle at the front to help it plane up on the snow. Had to get a run at the loose snow but got up on it and as soon as I tried a turn, instant snow plow! any dips or humps, snow plow. I think this design will work but might require a angle change to the motor and shift in the weight to the rear. Sorry no video was running last night in the dark after work and snow was pouring down. Too cold to even try now 6 deg. outside!

 

[Tony]

Dammit guys, don't make me build one of these just to show you how it's done hehehehehe.

 

[Ken Jackson]

I think a Hovercraft would be pretty cool to do. Can't imagine it would be all that difficult. It would probably involve some trial and error but the end goal should be easily achievable.

As far as my Skidder, no, I don't have any plans of adding wings. I wanna keep this one on the ground.

Derek,

With your passion for this sport I bet we'll see that hover craft soon!

I think the snow skidder needs to be called "flat frozen surface skidder"

Seriously if its going to really be a snow skidder it either needs to have Skis or a waxed bottom like a tobagon. I'm guessing it will end up being a snowmobile! Plus I'm going to wait for spring this year. Last year I froze too many times just to get a flight in. But hey its all part of the experience, LOL!

Ken

 

[wolfman76]

with all this talk about a hovercraft i almost completely forgot about mine will post update of it on the thread.... skirt is have done might give you idea for when you do yours..

 

[Derek]

Quick update on my skidder, very quick on packed snow, tried to transfer to deep snow and keep up speed to plane on it, not a good result, completely knocked both blades off of prop nothing but hub left and splintered the motor mount in half. Repaired it and added a flat plate 1/8th inch recessed between the pontoons with an angle at the front to help it plane up on the snow. Had to get a run at the loose snow but got up on it and as soon as I tried a turn, instant snow plow! any dips or humps, snow plow. I think this design will work but might require a angle change to the motor and shift in the weight to the rear. Sorry no video was running last night in the dark after work and snow was pouring down. Too cold to even try now 6 deg. outside!

I completely understand about the issue with the temperatures. I've wanted to go out and play today but it's just too cold to be out for more than 5-10 minutes. Just keep doing some testing on your own, when you can, and just have fun with it. Good luck buddy!

Dammit guys, don't make me build one of these just to show you how it's done hehehehehe.

I dare ya!

Derek,

With your passion for this sport I bet we'll see that hover craft soon!

I think the snow skidder needs to be called "flat frozen surface skidder"

Seriously if its going to really be a snow skidder it either needs to have Skis or a waxed bottom like a tobagon. I'm guessing it will end up being a snowmobile! Plus I'm going to wait for spring this year. Last year I froze too many times just to get a flight in. But hey its all part of the experience, LOL!

Ken

I may work on some sort of hovercraft, eventually. It's hard to tell what I'm gonna do from one minute to the next.

I can't see changing the name of the Snow Skidder to flat frozen surface skidder. I like the name Snow Skidder. It's just fun to play with. I've never made anything like this before but with my imagination and the imagination and help of RCH, I'm sure my Skidder will turn out to be impressive. I'm already just blown away by the following that the Snow Skidder has received. It's just awesome to see other people try it out with variations. Is someone's Skidder better than another Skidder...nope...just have fun with it.

 

[breeze400]

I think you guys are going to limit these skidders to packed down snow and ice! Lol

 

[Derek]

I actually haven't tested mine out on the snow. Mostly just the packed snow. I'll try mine in the yard tomorrow.

Either way...packed snow or the yard, I've still had fun with it...that's what's important to me.

 

[breeze400]

I here you bro! Lol that's all I would do. Hard packed snow and a frozen pond would do me just fine.

 

[wolfman76]

Finished the main deck last night and started the rear fin and two rudders. ..



Here is mock up of the motor and tower and rear fin...