Still Here (Just about!)

[ukrobotics]

Si: Not 100% sure about the wheels. The £5 sack truck wheels from northern tool seem like the ovbious choice though im a little concerned the small 10 diameter might reduce my top speed too much.

(That is assuming that the wheel diameter affects the speed in a gravity kart in the same way it would a powered one)

Rob - Tried the skid steer idea last year on the grounds of minimal moving parts and maximum simplicity but it didnt work!. When one wheel stopped all 3 others did too.

Im thinking the lever on the tyre might be the better appoach ..the more I look into it the more I realise discs are complicated and expensive.

As for calling constrictor a rotten; how dare you! :P Ill remove it if you remove the rotten carrot from yours.

I actually have nothing to show right now as everyting is just in my head or scribbled on paper. Once ive made some progress ill share some photos.

[simon]

What if you used two moped wheels on the rear, then you could use their drum brakes.

PS, how long is the course ?. A heavier cart might be slow on the take off but would be faster later in the course

Finding a cheap scrapped moped might be difficult and I guess it would be excessivly heavy.

Course is no more than 200m.

[woody]

This approach seems simplest..
http://www.gravityengine.co.uk/redbull/viewer.php?id=153http://www.gravityengine.co.uk/redbu...wer.php?id=153

Tiller for steering ...std push bike brakes ...reclined seat.

Perhaps you could get clever and add a lean mechanism?

[ukrobotics]

Someone made one like that last year - it was very unstable and buckled two of the 4 wheels.

Heres the video from the 2006 event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgLngG9rUyc

[aliboy]

Another idea for brakes is just the flinstones method . Just cut a hole in the floor and put your feet in to stop or alternatively just something that would create friction .

it was very unstable and buckled two of the 4 wheels.

Sling yourself LOW ,reclined with bum just off the floor....cut the frame and cant the rear wheels in a little at the top ....make a foot rudder bar to steer.
Edit :- A long hand tiller and foot operated brakes might be better ... a lot of probs seem to come with oversteer.

Come on your an engineer!

Or just get a racing wheelchair.

(Message edited by woody on March 31, 2007)

(Message edited by woody on March 31, 2007)

LOL ....A similar design at approx 4 mins in to the video didnt do very well!

His rear wheel buckled under the side strain before he crashed.

(Message edited by woody on March 31, 2007)

- The kart at 4mins into the video is my kart being driven by me!