Homemade swamp buggies are the best solution for off-road conquest. How to make a swamp vehicle with your own hands How to make an all-terrain vehicle yourself

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Four-wheel drive light swamp-going vehicle, "breaking" frame. Very light and passable karakat with an economical engine. The photo after the overhaul with painting, so to speak, brought into a divine form and corrected something.

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This is before painting, so to speak in the field.

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Now a little about the design. The ZiD engine, single-cylinder four-stroke, power in my opinion is only 3 l / s, it seems to be designed for twisting an electric generator, I got a new one, so I began to make on its basis. Box "Moskvichevskaya", which I shortened. The engine is connected to the gearbox through a homemade clutch made from the flywheel of a "humped" Zaporozhets, its basket and clutch, the guide of the release clutch is homemade. Zaporrzhsky disk had to rivet the spline part to fit on the input shaft of the Muscovite box. The reduction gear is mounted on the engine.

Rear drive
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This karakat has already covered about 600 km. Fuel consumption is about 1.5 liters per hour. If you noticed that the steering wheel was on the right, it was done this way because the lace that starts the engine came out from this side, well, it is more convenient to start it while standing on the frame with your right hand. Karkat is transported on a trailer, a trailer from the Taiga farm. Wheels are removed before packing into the trailer and the karakat drives into the trailer on its own on bare disks. You can transport it with any car, it is unloaded and assembled on site in about 20 minutes, there is a standard compressor driven by the engine for pumping the wheels, the karakat is loaded with everything necessary and on the road off-road.

Despite the fact that there are no mudguards on the karakata and does not splash with water, in the worst case only bog boots suffer from mud. And even then only along the forest ruts. The speed of movement is low, so nothing is thrown from the wheels in all directions, well, in the swamps, except for grass and water, there is nothing else, there is no dirt.

The all-terrain vehicle is more designed for traction, it rides freely through the swamp with a load of 500 kg (fish, driver, passenger) at a speed of about 8-10 km / h by GPS. Which is completely satisfactory. When the karakat is not loaded, then you can go faster, the empty speed is higher. And for severe cases, there is also a downshift, which makes it possible, by loading the device, to pull the UAZ out of the mud, or cross deep ravines. There are no differential locks in both axles, but there are separate front hydraulic brakes on the front axle, which makes it possible to brake the skid wheel, thereby forwarding torque to the other wheel. Such brakes are very helpful if a wheel falls through a "window" in a swamp.

What is a swamp vehicle? This is a machine that is characterized by a high degree of cross-country ability even in places where there have never been roads. Such machines are most popular among hunters, fishermen and travelers.

Manufacturing or buying?

Many people purchase ready-made swamp vehicles due to the fact that making them on their own is quite problematic. First, for this you need to have a small car. Secondly, a huge amount of knowledge and skills is required. In addition, different goals of a fisherman, hunter or traveler will require different characteristics from the blanks. It is such an abundance of requirements that drives people to the point that it is better to make it on their own, even knowing how difficult it is. Of the most important criteria for assembling a homemade swamp vehicle, the following points can be distinguished:

  • good knowledge of car business;
  • it is important to be able to work with a welding machine, as well as carry out various locksmith work;
  • it is also important to understand that assembly is not only difficult, but also quite long, besides, not everyone succeeds in assembling a good product the first time;
  • the whole process of assembling a homemade swamp-going vehicle will require significant material investments;
  • you also need to know the features of machines operating on tracks and on low-pressure tires, so that in the future you will not regret your choice.

Start of assembly work

Regardless of which type of swamp vehicle was chosen, the entire design process will be divided into several stages.

  1. The first and very important stage is the drawing for a homemade swamp vehicle. It is highly recommended to entrust this preliminary stage to those who already have such experience. Any inaccuracy at this stage will lead to the collapse of the entire structure in the future.
  2. Next comes the stage at which you need to choose a base frame for the car. It is important to note here that you need to choose a frame based on the purposes for which the device will be used in the future. This can be a motorcycle frame, a car frame, or a homemade frame. It can be added that the first two methods are the most commonly used when assembling a homemade swamp vehicle.

Manufacturing process

The assembly stage begins with the manufacture of the suspension and rear axle. These two parts will be connected to each other using a steering bushing and a special rack. At this stage, it is highly recommended to use homemade designs. Of course, their production will be quite time-consuming and will also require certain financial costs. But in the end, a design will be obtained that is as comfortable and convenient as possible for the goals set.

The following is the process of installing wheels. The ones attached to the rear axle use hubs made of metal. Most often at this stage, low-pressure tires are used for a homemade swamp vehicle. These wheels, which can be taken from large trucks or their trailers, will significantly increase the handling of the device and the overall level of human safety. Instead of such tires, you can use tracks, as some craftsmen do. But the process of fixing them is much more complicated and time-consuming, and therefore it is strongly not recommended to use them during the first self-assembly.

Engine and tail end

The next step will be the installation of the engine. At this stage, it is very important not to forget one nuance - the installation of a cooling system for this part. Also, here you must not forget about the installation of various additional systems responsible, for example, for the clutch, exhaust gas discharge and so on. In parallel with these works, you need to take care of the installation of the case and wiring.

The final stage is a trial run and subsequent test of a homemade swamp vehicle. Here it is very important to notice even the slightest deviations or malfunctions in the operation of the device. If any are found, then they need to be eliminated at this stage.

Detailed description of engines

The stage of choosing an engine is very important, and therefore it requires a more detailed description. It is important to understand that almost any design is suitable as a motor for a homemade swamp-going vehicle, but the power of the device is very important here. The most common options that are used for self-assembly:

  • Motorcycle engines can be used. However, this option has not earned much popularity, since in addition to it, a more thoughtful cooling system will have to be installed.
  • The most preferred engine option was the four-stroke ZAZ. I use it more often than others, as it has proven its reliability in operation even at rather low temperatures.
  • It is possible to use other engines from passenger cars of domestic production, if they meet all the requirements.
  • Some craftsmen use walk-behind tractors, but this option is not very common. Most often, those elements are used that are removed from tractors. However, they have to be additionally equipped with other spare parts from other engines.

Tires or tracks?

Quite an important question is the choice of the driving part. Will it be tracks or low pressure tires? Homemade tire bogies are more popular due to the fact that they are much faster in terms of assembly and also require less material costs. The process is accelerated due to the fact that all the most complex nodes are removed from the structure.

If we talk about the tracked version, then, of course, it is much more difficult to manufacture. However, here the most important plus stands out - this is a huge cross-country ability. According to this characteristic, such swamp-going vehicles are practically unrivaled. However, it is worth noting here that an automobile power unit is used for the operation of such a device, which means that the fuel consumption will also be much higher, and this is an increase in financial costs not only at the assembly stage, but also throughout the entire period of operation. The biggest drawback lies precisely in the use of a caterpillar mechanism. The fact is that it is almost never possible to use factory units, which means that you need to assemble everything by hand, and this process is lengthy, complicated and expensive.

Swamp walkers are machines that are characterized by a high degree of cross-country ability. These cars are capable of moving where there are no roads at all and where a person cannot pass without special transport. Swamp walkers do an excellent job with this serious task, so hunters, fishermen and tourists are interested in them to see and admire the untouched nature.

You can find some factory-made models on the market. Unfortunately, such items are not cheap. In addition, they do not satisfy most buyers with their characteristics. In this regard, some amateurs make them on their own. They are not even stopped by the fact that this is not an easy task. Without certain knowledge and skills, especially for the first time, it is unlikely that a valid copy will work.

As a rule, novice anglers are not interested in this aspect, but experienced ones, who will not be surprised by anything, will certainly be interested in this machine. The presence of a swamp vehicle allows you to solve a lot of problems. For instance:

  • Overcoming impassable areas. After all, there are more fish where no man's foot has stepped.
  • Search for new fishing sites.
  • Fishing trips where there are no normal roads. This is very important in conditions where the weather does not spoil vacationers with sunny days, but abundantly watered precipitation.

Which is better, buy a swamp buggy or do it yourself?

People who have a sufficient amount of funds do not hesitate for a long time and buy whatever they consider necessary. Typically, their interest is focused on making money. Those who do not have a lot of funds are thinking about making it themselves: in any case, the car will cost much less. In addition, such people have a genuine interest in the manufacturing process itself. But this does not mean at all that everyone can do it. Despite this, self-manufacturing has its advantages: it is quite possible that it will be possible to assemble exactly the machine that is needed. Most anglers give preference to small-sized devices, which cannot be said about factory products that cannot satisfy all customers. They are either too big or too wasteful.

If a decision is made to independently manufacture this type of transport, then you will have to face some difficulties. For instance:

  • Knowledge in the field of auto business is required.
  • You must be able to work with many plumbing tools and accessories.
  • You need to be prepared for the fact that it will take a lot of time and you should not expect that the first time you get a good car.
  • In addition to time, other costs will be required, including money.
  • At the initial stage, it would be good to study some of the options for manufacturing such machines in order to determine which option is more suitable.

The process of making a swamp vehicle with your own hands

Regardless of the selected version of the machine, the technological stages of production have a certain standard and are suitable for the process of manufacturing any kind of similar product. There are such stages:

  • Selecting the type of product and providing it with working drawings. If there is no experience of such work, it is better to entrust this matter to a professional. Any inaccuracies in the drawings will negate the entire work.
  • The choice of the main frame for the swamp vehicle. There are many options when a motorcycle, car, or other homemade construction is used as a frame. As a rule, amateurs try to use what is at hand. This approach saves both money and time.
  • Making or using a suitable ready-made pendant. Despite the fact that when using a ready-made suspension, time is significantly saved, making a suspension with your own hands has its advantages. In this case, it will be possible to create a device that will meet all the requirements for cross-country ability and comfort.
  • Installation of wheels that are installed on the rear axle. Basically, metal hubs are used for this. The best option is to use low pressure chambers, which can be borrowed from large trucks or their trailers. Such an approach will not only increase the safety of off-road transport, but also increase the degree of controllability of the product in such extreme conditions. The use of tracks instead of wheels is accompanied by exorbitant complexity in the process of their installation. They are difficult not only to make, but also to get them.
  • Engine mount. This stage is accompanied by the installation of the engine cooling system, as well as the installation of other additional systems related to the exhaust gas discharge, the clutch system, the installation of the housing and the wiring of the on-board wiring, without which the headlights and interior lighting will not work.
  • At the final stage, you will have to start the engine and test the swamp vehicle, which will allow you to assess the degree of correctness of its assembly and confirm all the calculated characteristics. If any deficiencies are found, they should be rectified immediately, since the safety of the device must come first.

Engine selection

The main characteristics of the product will depend on the choice of the engine. As the saying goes, you can squeeze in any suitable engine, but it is better to pay attention to its power, since swamp-going vehicles work under heavy loads and for a long time.

In conditions of independent manufacture of swamp-going vehicles, it is possible to use:

  • Motorcycle engines... In fact, this is not the best option, since you have to take care of good engine cooling. In addition, motorcycle engines do not have enough power. If we get a device, it’s too weak.
  • Engine from car... The issue of using an air-cooled engine from a ZAZ car is especially relevant. These are engines that have all the necessary characteristics in the manufacture of a swamp vehicle. As practice has shown, they are trouble-free both at high and low temperatures.
  • Other engines from domestic cars are also suitable, although many of them do not have air cooling, which makes them difficult to use.
  • Engine from a walk-behind tractor... This option is also considered promising. Quite often, amateurs use parts from tractors, as well as from other engines.

Chassis

As mentioned earlier, making the undercarriage with your own hands should be a priority. But everything is not so simple here, since you have to pay attention to the following:

  • The quality of the suspension will affect the final result in terms of ride comfort and flotation. It will be felt by both the vehicle owner and the passengers.
  • Various drawings and diagrams will help to make a suspension, where all materials for manufacturing are indicated, such as pipes, corners, channels, etc. For manufacturing, you should take only strong steel, which will allow the homemade device to serve for at least 20-30 years.
  • The frame design can be either coupled or articulated. The second option is more difficult to implement, but the swamp vehicle can get additional cross-country capabilities.

Track or low pressure tires

The design of the swamp vehicle can be realized either on caterpillars or pneumatically. Each of the species is characterized by its own data.

Self-made vehicles on tracks are found, but much less often compared to pneumatics. This is due to the complexity of manufacturing. Despite this, the permeability of such devices is much higher, which deserves attention. The disadvantage is the fact that such engines require high fuel consumption. The complexity of the implementation of such a project also lies in the fact that such undercarriages are practically not produced by factories, so all the parts have to be assembled by hand, and this is very expensive, both in time and in terms of money. Most likely, high costs affect the production of such devices in the factory.

On the basis of a walk-behind tractor, home-made all-terrain vehicles and other high-traffic vehicles are often made. There are several reasons for this:

  • there is an energy-rich transport unit with high traction characteristics, assembled on a frame;
  • engine and transmission control moved to comfortable handles;
  • the mass of motoblocks is low, they can be transported to the desired place in the trunk, body or on a car trailer.

For hunting and fishing, a light mini all-terrain vehicle is quite in demand. But the industry has not yet seen commercial prospects in the creation of sets of attachments that convert a serial walk-behind tractor into a cross-country vehicle. There are some interesting examples of such machines. DIYers have created role models with their own hands. There is room for ideas when developing new interesting devices.

Features of all-terrain vehicles from a walk-behind tractor

The main units that should be purchased or made independently for a vehicle based on a walk-behind tractor:

  • frame, it serves to organize a mobile vehicle;
  • the rear axle is needed to install the rear wheels;
  • a seat for the driver, it is desirable to protect it from moisture and dirt from under the wheels;
  • a lighting system is needed to move safely at any time of the day.

An all-terrain vehicle based on a walk-behind tractor is created as a single-seat vehicle. Its carrying capacity should be about 200 kg. The width is calculated from the conditions of resistance to overturning, usually it is from 1100 mm or more.

Modern walk-behind tractors Neva, Ugra, MTZ and others are equipped with engines with a capacity of more than 10 hp. This power is enough to drive at speeds over 10 km / h. Off-road, when passing through slurry or swampy places, the speed can drop to 1-2 km / h.

How to make a homemade wheeled ATV

An example of a drawing of an all-terrain vehicle on low pressure tires

It makes sense to equip the base unit. The reason is that gasoline and diesel engines have the best torque ratings at a crankshaft speed of about 75-85% of the maximum.

The engine must have a forced cooling system. When driving at low speed, the incoming flow will not be enough to maintain an optimal thermal regime.

ATV frame

An example of a drawing of a fracture frame

A frame is created between the front and rear axles. It is better to use rectangular or square shaped pipes as a basis. They provide greater rigidity than rolled corners, channels and I-beams of the same mass.

Docking of the frame elements of a wheeled all-terrain vehicle can be rigid, then it will be formed in a one-volume format. When using heavy motoblocks "Neva" or MTZ, this option will be preferable.

As an option, a breaking frame is made (fracture), the option is used for areas with a complex profile. Here, the articulation is performed through the king pin. The front and rear axles have independent suspension. Masters create such all-terrain vehicles on the basis of the Neva and Ugra motoblocks.

For hunting and fishing, it is better to have a wheeled all-terrain vehicle with a breakable frame. Its permeability is higher than with a rigid frame design.

Rear axle and suspension of a homemade all-terrain vehicle

Some DIYers use a ready-made rear axle from a car to simplify the design. For example, from the car "Moskvich-412": its small weight allows installation on a light all-terrain vehicle. The suspension is made on shock absorbers for a smooth ride and reduced vibration.

Other craftsmen make independent suspension for each rear wheel. This approach is implemented on the "Ant" scooter. When driving, there is a slight swaying, at the same time, the wheels experience less resistance on bumps, and fuel consumption is noticeably reduced.

Connect the rear axle to the frame with long hardened bolts. For elastic joints, rubber inserts are used, for example, silent blocks. This improves the operational characteristics of the all-terrain vehicle based on the walk-behind tractor.

The rear axle on skis is used in winter. Movement resistance is minimal, and the design is greatly simplified.

Wheels (low pressure chambers)

You can use lugs to move on wet and wobbly ground. They provide high grip. Large diameter low-pressure chambers behave even better. Pneumatics have minimal ground pressure, and the presence of air trapped in the chambers of the all-terrain vehicle will create a floating all-terrain vehicle.

For installation on the rear axle, self-made or special wheels for all-terrain vehicles, swamp vehicles and snowmobiles are used. They are purchased as an assembly or as separate elements: a tire, a camera, a disk. Assembling the wheel is simple.


It is possible to increase the permeability of conventional wheels on low pressure chambers by creating an additional protector. For example, you can additionally secure the cameras with chains, conveyor belts, homemade tracks, or in another way.

Another option is to cut an overhead lug out of the tire. The hook depth of the structure reaches more than 20-25 mm. The rolling resistance is increased, while the slip coefficient is sharply reduced.

Assembling a homemade all-terrain vehicle from a walk-behind tractor

When all the tools, spare parts and accessories are prepared, you can start assembling. This is a rough plan of how to assemble a homemade all-terrain vehicle, it all depends on the chosen design.

  1. A walk-behind tractor is installed on a welded or finished frame.
  2. The rear axle is mounted and, if necessary, the front.
  3. The seat is placed on the frame.
  4. If provided by the drawing and diagram, the steering is installed.
  5. Protection is attached to the frame; it is made of plastic or metal sheet.
  6. The prospective driver should test the comfort of landing, if necessary, provide auxiliary devices for adjusting the fit.
  7. The performance of the brakes is checked.
  8. Electrical circuits and lighting fixtures are being installed.

As individual elements and assemblies are manufactured, their operability is checked. A fivefold safety margin is provided here.

After the completion of the bench tests, the field tests are started. You need to know how the car behaves in difficult conditions.

Buy a hitch and trailed to a walk-behind tractor in online stores

DIY homemade tracked all-terrain vehicles

The use of tracks will help to reduce the specific ground pressure. The weight is distributed over the entire track area. Such a propeller of an all-terrain vehicle based on a walk-behind tractor is capable of overcoming sand, wetlands, steep climbs and other obstacles.

Some do-it-yourselfers make metal track links from plates more than 5 mm thick. Rings from water pipes are welded to the plates. Another version of the track links is made entirely of PVC pipes, cut lengthwise. The tracks are attached to each other on a conveyor belt or other base.

It is easier to make tracks from composite materials. For this, fiberglass and epoxy are used. Glass-polymer reinforcement is used as a frame. Track links are made in special shapes. After making the required amount, they are collected into a caterpillar. In the manufacture of tracks from composite materials, articulation elements made of wear-resistant steels are used.

There are options for using timber tracks. They will need to be impregnated with protective mixtures.

The easiest way to make a track for an all-terrain vehicle based on a walk-behind tractor is to use a conveyor belt. One track requires two lanes. They are connected in a ring, and then a caterpillar is created using pieces of steel pipe.

In the video, you can see the option of making a waterproof case that is kept afloat. In this case, the tracked mover will allow you to move not only on the ground, but also on the water. The result is an amphibious all-terrain vehicle. For hunting and fishing, it will be irreplaceable.

In the vast expanses of the Russian Federation, you can still find areas where there are no signs of civilization. Traveling by ordinary vehicles is impossible, except perhaps by swamp vehicles.

For most compatriots, the cost of the factory version is too expensive, as well as its further maintenance. So it turns out that it is easier for a resident of some God-forsaken village to create a swamp vehicle out of component parts that literally lie underfoot.

Features of a homemade swamp vehicle

Good luck in creating a homemade off-road vehicle will accompany with minimal technical skills and experience, a flight of imagination. In this case, you can count on the fact that a self-assembled swamp vehicle will turn out to be no worse than its factory counterpart. To this must be added significant savings in the family budget. Homemade products such as swamp buggies can facilitate movement in swampy areas and villages where there are no roads.

The whole variety of designs of homemade all-terrain vehicles can be roughly divided into the following types:

  1. The most noteworthy is the all-terrain vehicle, which is designed on the basis of tires with low air pressure. Tires are one of the most important components of an ATV. High cross-country ability and quality of operation are directly dependent on the wheel design.
  2. The manufacture of a boat-type swamp rover is justified in those cases when it is necessary to overcome shallow waters.
  3. It is advisable to operate a crawler swamp vehicle in areas with very overgrown water bodies. On the one hand, it is characterized by high permeability, but, on the other hand, the laboriousness of the assembly process.

The procedure for making a swamp vehicle with your own hands

If the old Soviet motorcycle IZH Planet-4 is gathering dust in the household, then it can be disassembled, leaving only the frame. After some modifications, it will serve as the basis for the future swamp rover.

As for the question of choosing an engine, savings are inappropriate here. It will be great if you can find a new motor from the Tula motorcycle, for the following reasons: the presence of a forced cooling system and optimal use of energy. Due to the fact that the car will have to almost constantly move through the swamps, battery failure can cause a lot of trouble. Therefore, in the engine it is necessary to replace its "native" ignition with a magneto from a tractor, with the help of which the vehicle engine is started.

A gas tank, a seat and a steering wheel from the Voskhod-2M motorcycle are sequentially mounted on the frame. An old motorcycle will serve as a donor when it comes to front fork installation. Any motorcycle model will do, as long as this part is easy to disassemble. In most cases, this is a Ural motorcycle model.

The gear and chain drive must be matched with each other. This must be taken into account when choosing a chain. The old Soviet SUV UAZ-469 comes in handy when the question arises of installing a rear axle with semi-axles.

The specifics of the "roadbed" and the operating conditions are such that you can do without a brake mechanism. The homemade swamp vehicle will stop with a little braking distance after the engine is turned off. There are no special requirements for the front wheels. The perfect solution would be to install wheels removed from the combine. Before that, the top layer will have to be removed from the tires. Homemade swamp buggies are an entertaining hobby for those who like to craft vehicles with their own hands.

Before installing the rear wheels, you will have to work on improving the tread. The size of the tire must correspond to the design features of the homemade swamp vehicle. There may be several options, including wheels from Oka cars, ZIL-131 or GAZ-66 trucks.

The tread pattern of tires should be selected taking into account their functional purpose and at the same time there should be a self-cleaning effect on the tread, which is important for a swamp vehicle. Better wheel grip on peat bogs can be expected when the tires have relatively shallow and low tread patterns. Otherwise, destruction of the top layer of the tires may occur. If the car will be used on sandy or snowy terrain, it is advisable to choose tires with a sparse tread pattern.

To fit the disks under the cameras, you will have to use special inserts. In one case, it can be a strip-insert, and in the other - discs-basins. The fixation of disks with cameras is carried out with belts or transport tape.