Bulldozer Specification

=Challenges= =Deployment Suggestions=
 * Use same frame as LifeTrac with modifications
 * LifeTrac is 4"x4"x1/4" tubing, the bulldozer should identical frame with 3/8" or 1/2" wall thickness instead of 1/4" walls - for design redundancy compared to the LifeTrac platform
 * 1/2" tubing is 27 lb/foot - approx. 100' required for frame - or 2700 lb for frame only.
 * Cubic yard of cement is 3000 lb, so 4 cubic yards are required if gross weight of bulldozer proper is 8000 lb.
 * Vehicle weight should be appoximately 20,000 lb - or about 7,000 lb of metal and with modular concrete blocks providing the remainder of the necessary weight
 * Metal frame should be a space frame to save materials while providing necessary structural stability
 * 8 foot wide 6-way Blade - should be 3" wider than body for clearance
 * Use 4 Power Cubes for 128 hp of tractor power
 * Use 2 Power Cubes per side to simplify hydraulic plumbing requirements
 * 3000 psi hydraulic system pressure
 * Cushion Valve on each wheel
 * 15,000 inch pound hydraulic motor on each wheel
 * Each wheel has 6-fold gear reduction via Jackshaft
 * Jack shaft uses heavy chain and sprockets
 * Number of jackshafts is 3 for the gearbox; oil-enclosed gear box
 * 30 gpm quick couplers on motors, valves, and cylinders
 * Use metal wheels as in Traction Engines
 * 42" diameter wheels, can be as wide as required to achieve desired traction
 * Dually configuration is favored for modularity, so each wheel may be handled more easily.
 * Tighten-on bolt clams key in keyway to lock wheel to shaft; this allows easy take-off of the wheel without having to fight to get a key out
 * Use 4-flange pillow block bearings with quick-disconnect wheels - see Quick Connect Wheels strategy for LifeTrac
 * Use 3" shaft
 * 3" bearings - https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=1-215-48-4-C&catname=powerTrans
 * 4 wheel drive
 * Must use bolt-through wheel attachment to shaft as in LifeTrac, for maximum wheel mounting simplicity
 * Complete materials cost estimate of under $16k in materials, not counting
 * 20,000 pound gross vehicle weight, weighed down with modular concrete weights
 * 24,000 lb of pushing force
 * Low cost ($20/linear foot for jackshaft [x3], sprocket for #100 chain -, chain - $6/foot or 9 feet total
 * Cost/performance differences between tracks and steel wheels including design for fabrication aspects - see Comparison of Steel Tracks vs. Steel Wheels
 * 3 separate design challenge for:
 * Main structure - frame, wheels, power cube mounts, hydraulic controls
 * 6-way Blade and fabrication procedure for it, inlcuding fabrication procedure for 8' shop press using 5"x20"x2.5" Cylinders
 * 6-fold Gear reduction mechanism via jackshaft and roller chain
 * All points are negotiable provided compliance with OSE Specifications

=Calculations=
 * Wheel coupler force requirements of double chain couplers - see Double Chain Coupler for specifications.