The 1926 "Snow-Motor"

[Duck Soup]

Anybody got one in their garage?

Linky

edit: (non MC, but very cool if you like this kind of stuff)

 

[Braenen]

That thing is about as safe as a 12 gauge fly swatter.

 

[Panman]

The machinist in me tells me that it might have been a high maintenance machine. Very cool though, thanks for sharing.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Very cool. I'd hate to get caught in it's way when moving, but it would be high tech in the lumber industry where (motorized) donkey's were a big deal.

I loved the guy riding it in a suit and fedora, LOL

 

[C&C]

Very cool; assuming those pontoons are hollow, it would probably be able to be used on the water as well.

 

[Moosehead]

That is one of the coolest things I've seen. Imagine modernizing that propulsion system to be used in ice rescue. Somethng like an Argo but with that screw drive instead of wheels. It can drive on land, ice and water. Probably scoot pretty good in the water.

 

[Canadian FJR]

You can think about the proper design during your 6 week road trip

Canadian FJR

 

[RsvlFeej]

edit: (non MC, but very cool if you like this kind of stuff)

More MC oriented, in a centaur-like way:

https://www.carpictures.com/vehicle/07FHA092508063.html

and, one in modern use:

https://jalopnik.com/5450273/no-snow-tires-...penhagen-street

 

[FJRGuy]

Now that is COOL!!!

Very cool; assuming those pontoons are hollow, it would probably be able to be used on the water as well.

Hadn't thought about that but you're right. Would be a safe ice fishing machine. If you break through, I'll bet it would climb right out! I think I want to build a set for a Quad for out at the lake!

 

[Bungie]

That is one of the coolest things I've seen. Imagine modernizing that propulsion system to be used in ice rescue. Somethng like an Argo but with that screw drive instead of wheels. It can drive on land, ice and water. Probably scoot pretty good in the water.

That thing, while cool, will not work at all in powder snow, or, water. It's to heavy for the amount of traction available.

 

[C&C]

It works on bare ground, so powder would be no problem. If the pontoons are hollow, argueably, it might work on water.

 

[FJRGuy]

It works on bare ground, so powder would be no problem.

I don't see the logic here. I believe Steve is saying that in light 'powder' snow, the snow would not generate enough resistance to the screw to propel the machine . On bare ground the resistance to the screw would be much higher. Now had you said "It works in air..." it would be logical... although incorrect. I don't entirely agree with Steve but I guess we'll never know.

If the pontoons are hollow, argueably, it might work on water.

Here I agree with you with an emphatic "absolutely!" Actually it would probably work better if it were heavier to submerse a greater proportion of the screws. I'm not saying it would be fast by any means but it would definitely get you moving.

 

[exskibum]

It works on bare ground, so powder would be no problem.

I don't see the logic here. I believe Steve is saying that in light 'powder' snow, the snow would not generate enough resistance to the screw to propel the machine . On bare ground the resistance to the screw would be much higher. Now had you said "It works in air..." it would be logical... although incorrect. I don't entirely agree with Steve but I guess we'll never know.

Yep, except that doesn't take account of the weight of the vehicle compacting it enough that it almost certainly would get purchase. Even in the deepest and lightest powder, the snow compacts under a ski to provide a platform that it turns off of, and waxless nordic skis work in the lightest and coldest of fluff, too. If it didn't compact, then like ball bearings (and there is a metamorphosed type of snow that occurs at depth in dry climates that IS like a layer of ball bearings), you'd both be right and it wouldn't be able to propel itself.

My $0.02, anyway.