The idea of ​​building a karakat did not come to me all at once. The first time I thought about this was when I saw the Trekol all-terrain vehicle and thought why it didn’t fall through where ordinary cars land on bridges. That's how I learned about the magic low-pressure tires. I started collecting information using the very slow mobile Internet from a well-known operator, although the fact that it was, like communication, in principle, in our area, can already be considered a success. So, after reading the forums of karkat breeders, I decided to remake the “Ant” scooter I had at that time.

The work began to boil, I welded discs from the reinforcement and put ZIL 131 cameras on them. I got the result.

But in the process I quickly became disillusioned; the whole design, especially the reverse gearbox and the drive on funny rubber donuts, did not inspire any confidence. It was decided to build an all-terrain vehicle from scratch. The scooter was returned to its original state and even slightly modified (replaced the iron box with a wooden body).

Thus began the collection of materials for the construction of a new monster. I’ll say right away that I didn’t have any specific ideas, and I didn’t have any experience in building anything like that. Everything was taken from pictures on the Internet, and low resolution ones at that.
During the search, a frame from a Ural motorcycle was found. They also gave me a bag of spare parts from which the engine from the Ant scooter was successfully assembled.

The construction process has begun, the rear transmission consists of UAZ axle shafts and a differential, onto which a large star is screwed. Next comes the chain to the engine. I installed the wheels made earlier for the “ant”.

Next, I began to break in the car. After driving around, shoveling snow out of the way, I noticed that the wheels needed fenders. They were made of aluminum. I also installed an iron box in the back, left over from the modernization of the Ant. I also swapped the motors with my “ant” and push-button start appeared on the caracat.

The car looked a little gloomy and I wanted to draw a little, collecting different paints, I started painting.

After traveling like this for several months, I noticed with bewilderment that the karakat was a jerk, especially with a passenger. As soon as you give a little gas in first gear, the front end immediately lifts up and there is a risk of completely overturning. The reason was that the rear axle passed between the driver and passenger, plus the box was a counterweight. It was decided to lengthen the frame. And in addition, I redid the wheel hubs, as they began to break.

After lengthening the frame, the karakat stopped “goating” and began to handle normally. Next came testing on severe off-road conditions and it turned out that the gear ratio was clearly not enough. Added an intermediate shaft and the problem was solved.

During the test I went into a ravine and as I descended at an increasing speed I thought it would be nice to have brakes... Yes, the descent ended with me somersaulting and a broken front fork.

The brakes were installed in the next few days.

All the improvements took about a year. The car turned out to be very interesting; during all the trips, I returned on a rope only once (when I broke the fork). Karakat passed all the tests, tundra, swamp, sand, snow, melted snow and even swam. It has now been sold and is still running successfully.

What is karakat

In simple words, a karakat is a lightweight homemade all-terrain vehicle with a simple technical base on tires, equipped with three or four wheels with large low-pressure tires. The main idea of ​​such machines is the use of ready-made units. For example, a variety of power plants can be used as an engine: from motorcycle engines to truck engines. There are caracats built on the basis of walk-behind tractors. At first glance, it may seem that such a car, due to its external clumsiness, is unlikely to have good driving characteristics. In fact, the opposite is true: caracats are durable, stable and truly “all-terrain.”

How to build a karakat

Construction of the machine begins with choosing a base. The scope for creativity here is limitless, but most modern designers prefer the frame of a small motorcycle (like the Izha). Such caracats have greater maneuverability, which means they are more useful in the forest and on uneven terrain. The suspension is welded independently and consists of two independent systems secured by a reinforced hinge joint. The wheels are the most interesting part of the caracat. These are either special low-pressure tires (it will be difficult to find cheaper than 50 thousand per set), or inner tubes from trucks or tractors. Cameras from helicopters and airplanes are best, but again, they are quite expensive. The cameras are put on standard wheels (stamping is also suitable) and are attached to the suspension on a metal hub, to which strong bands are screwed, braiding the wheel across. The engine, clutch, brakes and exhaust are then installed on the karakat. The car is ready - let's go test it.

Scope of application

Low-pressure wheels provide the vehicle with cross-country ability comparable to expensive all-terrain vehicles with tracks and wheels. Such a machine will easily overcome mud, snow, and swampy areas. Due to the caracat's buoyancy, it can also cross water obstacles. Small-volume engines consume little fuel, so the high autonomy of homemade pneumatic runners allows you to travel long distances. Especially relevant for advanced fishermen and hunters. The Karakat is intended exclusively for dirt roads and off-roads, and it has absolutely no need for high speed. On average, the maximum speed for homemade products of this type is 70 kilometers per hour.

Successful examples

The three-wheeled Samson karakat is built on the basis of the IZH Jupiter-5 and IZH 6.920GR (cargo motorcycle) motorcycles, so its owner is unlikely to have problems with spare parts. In terms of all technical characteristics, Samson holds a high standard. Sufficient engine power allows you to tow a large trailer, and the original design of the rims makes it possible to put on factory-made low-pressure tires BEL-79. Another successful example is an unnamed caracat with an engine from a Ural motorcycle with 36 horsepower. A distinctive feature of this specimen was the additional blades for overcoming large water obstacles. Sergei, the creator of the pneumatic hoist from Kirov, valued his creation at 160 thousand rubles.

Some magazines constantly introduce their readers to various all-terrain vehicles, amphibians, multi-wheeled vehicles, snowmobiles, snowmobiles, and motor skids. Such articles introduce their readers not only to individual successful machine designs, but also to drawings of all-terrain vehicles, and provide information about different areas of search, including amateur research.

Over the past seven years, magazines have published review articles that analyzed all the known designs of various amphibious all-terrain vehicles and other hovercraft. They also made forecasts for “tomorrow”, what changes in the designs of motorized sledges and sleighs are expected in the future. Various prospects for the development of equipment designed to work in difficult conditions in difficult places were considered. Not all fans of this technology have the opportunity to follow all the news and the latest activities of their colleagues, all the achievements of special companies located abroad. With the light hand of printed publications, review articles are published about new designs of micro all-terrain vehicles in foreign companies. This kind of article greatly helps fans of amphibious all-terrain vehicles to expand their horizons, choose the right design direction, and overcome difficulties in implementing their own projects, thanks to the provided drawings of all-terrain vehicles.

One of the publications examined an amphibious velomobile, which described in detail how it works, and also examined the snowmobiles that were created by Saratov homemade workers Bykov and Yakovlev. The rationality and completeness of the design solution, which immediately attracts attention.

The ski-wheeled snowmobiles created by Timokhin from Tula immediately won the sympathy of readers. The machines were tested in the Arctic and immediately after the tests became widely known among fans of this type of equipment. Drawings of all-terrain vehicles were also provided.

The most interesting news was presented to the reader about “all-average” and all-season all-terrain vehicles. Snowmobiles, snowmobiles, motor sleds and other vehicles of this type are usually used at certain times of the year, in one or two environments, either on land or on water. Whereas amphibious all-terrain vehicles on an air cushion are used at any time of the year and have no restrictions on use. This technique can overcome any obstacle in all four seasons. The only disadvantage of this technique is that it overcomes obstacles on flat terrain, but the wooded part of our planet is not subject to them. You can't speed up in the forest at the AVP.

For such places with rough terrain, articles were presented that talked about amphibious all-terrain vehicles with low-pressure tires. This equipment has wide-profile tires with low pressure; they can be used all year round, regardless of the terrain, since these machines can float.

An article about the pneumatic vehicle created by Gromov from Cherepovets, written after the “You Can Do It” program on Central Television, described this universal machine in detail and even provided drawings of the all-terrain vehicle. The pneumatic vehicle is truly universal, capable of overcoming any obstacles. Tests of the pneumatic duct were carried out in the vicinity of Cherepovets itself. A special correspondent who was present at the tests wrote that the testers did not dare to drive close to the swamp and unloaded parts of the pneumatic train from the trunk right in the forest. It took only seven minutes to assemble the pneumatic duct, and only nineteen nuts had to be tightened. The dimensions of the car are modest, a meter high and a little more than a meter wide, and a little more than two meters long. Four wheels, a body, a frame with an engine, very similar to the Kirovets tractor.

Immediately after assembly, Gromov got behind the wheel, started the engine, and we drove off. The “flexible” frame of the all-terrain vehicle easily allowed it to maneuver between the pine trees. The car's sufficient speed and good maneuverability helped us, when we left the forests, to easily overcome the sandy soil and the bumps that appeared after the mossy carpet. And so we drive through a green meadow, and here and there we come across stunted pine trees on our way. We added gas, and the wonderful all-terrain vehicle rolled easily through the short grass. And then the correspondent noticed that the wheels of the all-terrain vehicle were wet from water and realized that the all-terrain vehicle was driving through a swamp, leaving a barely noticeable trail behind it. The correspondent asked Gromov to stop and tried to stand on the green cover, but immediately fell into the muddy slurry almost knee-deep, and the car stood nearby as if in a parking lot. Having climbed onto the nearest hummock, the correspondent took a photo of Alexander Nikolaevich right in the middle of the swamp. When the testers drove back, the correspondent did not dare to leave the car in the swamp anymore... Further tests took place on the banks of the Mologa River, which are heavily cut up by external waters. The amphibious all-terrain vehicle easily overcame steep climbs, over which it was difficult to stay in the seat, and the car did not even think of slipping on any of the obstacles. The articulated connection of the frame halves allowed the wheels not to lose traction with the ground under any uneven conditions. The correspondent received the most exciting impressions when the tests were carried out on the water. Without slowing down, the car drove straight from the steep bank onto the surface of the water; the boys, who were not far away, roared with delight! The car passed along the bottom and... floated! True, not so fast, although the wheels continued to rotate at full speed, since Gromov at first did not intend to use the all-terrain vehicle as a boat, and therefore rowing surfaces (water hooks) were not provided. The car stayed securely on the water.

Tests have shown that the amphibious all-terrain vehicle on a frame with an articulated joint and low-pressure tires is truly all-terrain! It not only moves easily over very rough terrain, but also easily carries a load and two passengers, which are far from light.

The ease with which the vehicle overcame the steepest slopes suggests that the traction characteristics of the engine itself and the characteristics of the vehicle’s chassis allow it to be used as a tractor. And the creator also wants to adapt his machine for cultivating the garden at the dacha! So what do we have? The frame is hinged and drives all four wheels, which gives good cross-country ability. The wheels have constant traction with the ground, which prevents individual wheels from being overloaded. Good maneuverability of the all-terrain vehicle, which allows the vehicle to turn almost on the spot. Simple machine design. The all-terrain vehicle frame consists of two parts, which are connected to each other by a hinge that rotates vertically. The front part of the car is a rigid welded unit with a fuel tank, a driver's seat, and a control pedal. A hinge with a vertical axis of rotation is two forks connected to each other by powerful fingers. To ensure that the wheels do not have friction between themselves when moving, restrictions are provided on the hinge. At the rear of the frame is attached an axle, a removable body and a brake. The hinge on the rear has a horizontal axis of rotation, a casing is attached to the rear fork, it is fixed and has an internal thread with a bronze bushing, which acts as a bearing for the rear of the frame. The casing itself is held in the bushing by a pin, which serves as a limiter for the angle of the articulated frame.

VP-150M engine - installed on the machine across the movement, so it takes up less space and the cooling fan works better with this engine arrangement. The central mounting bracket is located on the casing under the engine cylinder. The rear bracket is located on the transmission housing, and the lower one is on the axle block on the right. The fuel tank is attached to the engine crankcase and has a capacity of 5.5 liters; fuel flows from the tank to the carburetor mechanically. On the front axle there is a clutch pedal on the left and a gas pedal on the right. The gear lever is manual, a ball is welded to the gear rod for easy gear shifting. The engine starts from the kickstarter. The exhaust pipe is located under the seat. The machine's transmission is symmetrical from the axis of the bearing frame. The cardan shaft creates torque using a chain transmission. A cardan shaft is machined from a rod, which has splines at the ends and seals in the neck.

Other cardan shafts with crosspieces were borrowed from the Ural motorcycle. A brake from the Vyatka scooter is provided on the rear shaft; the control cable is routed to the steering wheel. The axle differential of the car is traditional, it has two gears from Moskvich 412, and the semi-axial gears are made independently. The bevel gear was also taken from the Ural motorcycle. The steering of the all-terrain vehicle has a removable steering wheel, a worm steering drive, a vertical column, and the traction is adjusted by two rockers. The design of the wheel is also simple, the main element of which is an aluminum hub, and the wheels are also aluminum. Attached to the disks themselves are canvas belts that hold the tire, as well as two 720x310mm tubes located one inside the other; the canvas tape serves as protection with pinched lugs. The hub is covered on the outside with a cover that protects it from dirt. The body consists of a welded steel frame, the panels of which are textolite. Three channels give the floor the necessary rigidity. The body of the all-terrain vehicle weighs only 6.5 kg, but the size of the vehicle allows it to easily fit two people and cargo. The amphibious all-terrain vehicle does not require much technical maintenance. The most important thing is to ensure that the fuel in the tank does not run out, that the air pressure in the tires is at the level and that the transmission oil in the axles is in order. That's all the simple care that this wonderful amphibious all-terrain vehicle requires. If you want to make a similar machine, drawings of an all-terrain vehicle can be found on the Internet, printed on plain paper and, of course, contact the designer of this wonderful machine, and you can become the proud owner of an amphibious all-terrain vehicle and visit the most inaccessible places of our homeland.

The drawing shows the following nodes:

• chassis,
• fuel tank,
• steering column with mounting bracket,
• engine,
• engine mounting bracket, central,
• exhaust pipe,
• steering column,
• differential casings,
• articulated frame angle limiters,
• Tie Rod,
• steering worm drive.
• Body mounting bolt, limiter,
• connecting link,
• Cardan shaft with front casing,
• Body fastening loop,
• Cardan shaft with rear casing,
• Gas pedal,
• Gear shift lever,
• Engine mounting bracket, lower,
• Kickstarter,
• Clutch pedal,
• Axle flanges,
• Muffler intake pipe,
• Support frame (arc with muffler),
• Step,
• Exhaust pipe,
• Frame support arc,
• steering wheel,
• Brake drum,
• Brake cable,
• Steering gear bracket,
• Rear driveshaft,
• Front driveshaft,
• Brake handle,
• Engine mounting bracket. Rear,
• Chain drive housing.

There is a transmission diagram, a drive connection to the front driveshaft, a brake installation diagram, a detailed design of the articulated frame, a diagram of the rear axle and wheels, as well as a body diagram.

The use of standard vehicles in off-road conditions, typical of rural areas and remote areas of the country, seems impossible due to their insufficient cross-country ability. Having figured out how to make a karakat with your own hands, the user will be able to cover long distances without any problems, being far from the roads.

Before figuring out how to independently make a karakat swamp rover from improvised mechanisms, it is necessary to take a closer look at the existing varieties of this kind of product. The Karakat swamp all-terrain vehicle is nothing more than a non-standard vehicle that moves with the help of wheels on which low-pressure tires are installed.

Among its main advantages:

• excellent maneuverability;
• low cost;
• maintainability;
• high power (depending on the spare parts used).

Homemade swamp vehicle

Such mechanisms are most often constructed independently on the basis of some equipment, for example, a tractor or walk-behind tractor. Existing models differ from each other not only in characteristics, but also in design. The most widespread are all-wheel drive and three-wheel drive devices.

All-wheel drive

All-wheel drive models seem to be the most popular transport option among consumers. They are equipped with 4 wheels, thanks to which the design is stable and has high maneuverability. Such a caracat can overcome even impressive obstacles without any problems, but its assembly will require two wheels of the same diameter.

To make such a swamp vehicle, the breaking with your own hands must be done correctly, otherwise there is a high probability of assembling an inoperable structure.

Three-wheeled

An equally popular modification can be considered models of swamp vehicles with three wheels. Such vehicles are lightweight and have the same cross-country ability as their all-wheel drive counterparts. Such an option will be optimal if you need to quickly make high-quality karakat. Do-it-yourself fracture can be done if you have the necessary equipment.

All-terrain vehicle made from a walk-behind tractor

Affordable and efficient products are obtained from walk-behind tractors, but for this purpose it is important to use only those models that are equipped with forced cooling systems. Since swamp vehicles are often used in winter, it is strongly recommended to use 4-stroke engines during production, since their performance in low temperatures is much better.

Stages of creating a homemade karakat

If you want to construct a Vologda swamp vehicle, the Karakat, or its other models at home, you should first of all purchase the necessary tools in advance, as well as acquire suitable components.

The complete list of necessary components and tools may vary and directly depends on the selected vehicle model that is planned to be manufactured. When analyzing the assembly process of such a product, it is necessary to highlight several important stages:

1. Selection of the frame of homemade tractors or motor vehicles, which will become the basis of the future device.
2. Planning and assembly of the rear axle and vehicle suspension.
3. Selection and installation of suitable wheels.
4. Installation of the power unit.

Since these types of elements seem to be key in the design of a swamp vehicle, it is advisable to consider the features of their selection and installation in more detail.

Frame

The main structural element is the frame, on which other components and assemblies will be installed in the future. Its choice directly affects the appearance of the future caracat, as well as its performance characteristics. Experienced craftsmen recommend using the frames of old domestically produced motorcycles, for example, IZH or Ural, since it is much easier to make a karakat from a motorcycle than from a car.

Spare parts from them are characterized by low cost, high strength and optimal characteristics for use as the basis for a swamp vehicle. After all, such three-wheeled models boast high maneuverability and maneuverability, which makes them universal. During the manufacturing process, it is advisable to use a frame drawing due to the complexity of the assembly.

Swamp vehicle frame

Suspension

When designing the chassis, it is strongly recommended to give preference to an independent type of suspension. This is due not only to the ease of its manufacture, but also to its excellent characteristics.

If the user does not have the ability to implement independent suspension, standard pneumatic wheels can be used.

Wheels

The choice of wheels for a future swamp vehicle must be given special attention, since its maneuverability, as well as ease of operation, depend on this. Large wheels from high-power trucks are perfect for this type of use.

Low-pressure chambers are used throughout, allowing the all-terrain vehicle to overcome even large obstacles. If desired, you can make karakat discs, which will significantly improve the appearance of the structure. It should be remembered that for pneumatic tires it is necessary to use only truck tire tubes, and not the wheels themselves.

Engine

After the installation of the wheels has been completely completed, you should begin installing the engine, as well as the accompanying mechanisms necessary for the correct movement of the vehicle. As mentioned earlier, it makes sense to give preference to powerful units equipped with liquid and air cooling. A good option could be a product with a Lifan engine.

In addition, a home-made design can use not only gasoline engines, but also diesel counterparts, which will significantly increase cross-country ability, as well as make the vehicle more economical. However, this motor option also has a number of disadvantages that should be remembered.

First of all, this is unstable operation and starting in conditions of low temperatures, which is especially important for caracats, since they are often used in winter. The speed performance of diesel units is significantly inferior to their gasoline counterparts.

Brakes

Since, subject to the correct selection of components and their installation, a karakat can develop impressive speeds on a more or less flat road, it is necessary to equip the design with brakes that can quickly stop the vehicle.

Engine on caracat

This is extremely important, since in off-road conditions it is often necessary to overcome large obstacles, the descent from which can significantly increase the speed of movement. For use in construction, in most cases it is recommended to choose drum-type brake mechanisms, due to their high efficiency.

Reworking a walk-behind tractor

Walk-behind tractors are rightfully considered one of the most versatile types of agricultural machinery, which is why they are often used as the basis for various home-made units. Among them, home-made 4x4 mini tractors with a breakable frame are very popular, as well as caracats made from a walk-behind tractor, which in terms of technical indicators are in no way inferior to other types.

To successfully manufacture such a device from a walk-behind tractor, you will need to follow the following instructions:

1. Weld the frame using a metal profile/pipe.
2. Mount rear and front drives. To simplify the process, it is recommended to take the front axle, steering system, and other elements from the vehicle’s chassis.
3. Install the motor, as well as the gearbox included in the design of the walk-behind tractor.
4. Construct and secure the slopes, and then roll in the resulting structure.

It is important to note that for this type of swamp vehicle it is recommended to use a wheelbase with increased belt-type traction. Structures made from walk-behind tractors, as a rule, have impressive dimensions and can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h, which makes them universal and reliable off-road solutions.

In order for the karakat to have the necessary characteristics, it is necessary to use high-power walk-behind tractors, since the vehicle must not only move successfully, but also transport the driver, as well as various loads.

Conclusion

As practice shows, homemade swamp vehicles seem to be an ideal vehicle for transportation in rural areas. Their production does not require significant financial investments, since their design involves the use of scrap materials as a basis.

Many people ask how to make their own karakat from a walk-behind tractor. Now craftsmen are trying to modernize any equipment they can get their hands on and make something unusual. Every year there are more and more such people. Especially often, craftsmen try to build all-terrain vehicles; one of the types is the carakat, which is built from an ordinary walk-behind tractor.

How to make a karakat from a walk-behind tractor with your own hands

Even the simplest version of the karakat is capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h and can easily pass any off-road terrain and withstand all the loads placed on it. It can perform all these functions thanks to a strong suspension, which can easily be made from steel pipes connected by hinges and welding.

No expensive materials are needed to make such a unit. All that remains is to slightly adapt to the way you drive this vehicle.

Let's look at how to make a karakat from a walk-behind tractor with your own hands. In the process of creating a karakat, the following stages can be distinguished:

1. Making the frame - it is advisable to use a walk-behind tractor of medium or heavy weight (using a Neva walk-behind tractor is the best option for making such equipment), using this you will get a good quality all-terrain vehicle with three or four wheels. Some designers use spare parts from a Ural or IZH motorcycle as a frame.
2. Creation of the suspension and rear axle - the suspension design consists of two parts connected to each other by hinges. At the request of the developer, it is possible to design the front and rear suspension, ensuring their high independence.
3. The production and installation of wheels is the most expensive and time-consuming part of the caracat.
4. Most craftsmen do not buy ready-made wheels, but use homemade ones, which are tires and low-pressure chambers (it is preferable to use these products from trucks: Ural, KamAZ or their trailers).
5. Installation of the engine and systems (brake, clutch, exhaust of burnt fuel products).

See » Powerful and mobile walk-behind tractor Kubanets

Before using it fully off-road, you should test the manufactured device.

Homemade ATV from a walk-behind tractor

In addition to the caracat, you can also build a homemade ATV from a walk-behind tractor, which is a four-wheeled, safe and maneuverable motorcycle.

The main thing is that it must be equipped with a high-quality motor.

But it is worth remembering that a homemade ATV will be quite maneuverable and durable, like its original, but in terms of speed it will be much inferior to it.

The process of transforming a walk-behind tractor into an ATV is carried out in 3 successive stages:

1. Increasing the wheelbase, the need for which arises due to the location of the wheels on the walk-behind tractor under the engine. This process can be carried out by turning inserts on a machine or by purchasing ready-made options in the store.
2. Creating a frame that can be used as a basis for a bicycle or motorcycle. If they are not available, you can use ordinary steel pipes, which must be welded together. The frame is attached to the walk-behind tractor using the rotary joint using 2 pins.
3. Selection and installation of wheels - low-profile tires should be used. You can't do without disks here. You can use inner tubes from trucks, which will avoid installing additional shock absorbers. In order for the rubber to last longer on the ATV, you need to take a regular canvas watering hose and wrap the wheels of the unit in several layers. To prevent it from unwinding, its ends are fixed with glue.

Tricycle from a walk-behind tractor

Let's look at how to make a tricycle from a walk-behind tractor. The creation of such a vehicle will differ quite a bit from the construction of an ATV. The only thing is that you can use a scooter or motorcycle as a frame, and the walk-behind tractor itself will be located under the driver’s seat or immediately behind it. The construction of a trike is similar.

A tricycle is any three-wheeled vehicle from a bicycle to a car, and a trike is a three-wheeled motorcycle. At the same time, some experts argue that “trike” is translated from American English as “tricycle.”

See » Versatile and powerful walk-behind tractor Havert S-70

There is also a buggy with a walk-behind tractor engine. Do-it-yourself buggies are not created as often as the units discussed above.