Re: [mowbot] Drivetrain for my mowbot

Dave Everett (deverett nospam at idx.com.au)
Fri, 07 May 1999 09:03:27 +1000

At 10:46 06-05-99 -0700, Paul Jurczak wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>The grass started growing mercilessly, meaning it's the season to do
something
>with my mowbot. I'm modifying Black&Decker cordless mower. So far I cut
out the
>front wheel section and mounted big casters bought as the spare parts from
another >mower. The next task is to install the motors.
>I bought kid-cars motors - they are cheap, big, noisy, have plenty of
torque and >totally crazy output shaft. I'm trying to decide which
drivetrain to use: chain,
>timing belt or V-belt. I have no experience with any of them, but I think
I should
>be able to build with all of them. I expect maximum tension of at least
100 lbs., >occasional slippage would be acceptable and cost is not a
>factor (as long as it is below one or two hundred bucks).
>
> I would appreciate any words of wisdom.

First I'd try mounting the wheels directly to the motor shafts. If your
wheel diameter is too small or you need to mount the motors away from the
wheels then the belt would be the simplest method. You can get toothed
belts and pulleys from Herbach & Rademan amongst others.

I'll be interested in how you get on with the motors (which I assume are
PowerWheels). Some time back there was interest in a series of posts that
dealt with the construction of a base suitable for Mowboting and I was
planning on using powerwheels for that.

Dave Everett

Domestic Droids Website
http://members.xoom.com/Mowbot/