RC Mule - Ideas needed.

[Jerold]

I have the need to haul stuff around on outdoor surfaces, dirt, gravel, etc. and I'm thinking about addressing that with a custom RC Mule.

I need some thoughts on this, to see what is feasible and what is just stupid.

The Army has something called a mule. It's flat cart that can haul equipment, people, whatever.

I'm thinking about doing the same thing but without the seat and make it RC.

• Scaled down a bit too.
• Carry 100 lbs min
• Run at brisk walking pace
• Navigate the yard and gravel roads
• Transportable by car is a must

The HF wagon might be a good base.

But no matter what there will be some metal work, which means I could also build it off a tow hitch rack and put axles on it. That would make it easy to transport if I need to.

The other option is full custom from extruded aluminum. That would give me the most options for easy modifications and attachments, like racks.

For the power, I'm thinking Hover Board wheels. They seem to be pretty inexpensive and you can stuff a larger pneumatic tire on them.

The other option is a Power Wheels drive train or Scooter Axle. The Power Wheels look a bit cheap (weak)

and the Scooter Axle are expensive.

For the steering I could 1 or 2 1/5 scale servos or possible tank steer. But if I do tank steer and only power 2 of the wheels will it work, will it be weird? It might work if I'm not turning tight, or make it FWD and have the back wheels on caster? I have some doubts there, sound complex.

Any thoughts on this, particular to

• platform/chassis
• drive train
• tank steer, vs linkage

 

[9x19]

Shop craigslist/etc for a used wheel-chair or scooter... lots of older folks got them for a very low cost thru medicare and you can sometimes find them cheap.

 

[ferrebee88]

https://www.reddit.com/r/rccars/comments/17fhr75/pulling_mryself_in_a_cart_with_the_scx6

 

[WoodiE]

Shop craigslist/etc for a used wheel-chair or scooter... lots of older folks got them for a very low cost thru medicare and you can sometimes find them cheap.

I came here to suggest the same thing.

 

[Chubaka]

@Greywolf74 used those on the lawn toy. Just look up the brake bypass.

 

[Jerold]

Shop craigslist/etc for a used wheel-chair or scooter... lots of older folks got them for a very low cost thru medicare and you can sometimes find them cheap.

Thought about that, but people wan too much money. Used Mobility Scooters/ electric wheelchairs are hard to find and are all really expensive around here. On CL the start under $500 up to $3K+. I've seen people use electric quads to make beach carts, but again several hundred dollars.

 

[Jerold]

Here' the problem with CL in may area.

 

[ZaneC]

This thread looks pretty dead, but I'm gonna post here anyways
My TRX-4 Sport can pull me around in a wagon, and it's pretty much stock. So, go on Jenny's RC and pick up a TRX-4 transmission, then pick out a motor/ESC combo and fabricate a mounting plate. Attach it to a wagon and some wheels from Harbor Freight and-
KABOOM
-you've got yourself an RC mule.

 

[Jerold]

This thread looks pretty dead, but I'm gonna post here anyways
My TRX-4 Sport can pull me around in a wagon, and it's pretty much stock. So, go on Jenny's RC and pick up a TRX-4 transmission, then pick out a motor/ESC combo and fabricate a mounting plate. Attach it to a wagon and some wheels from Harbor Freight and-
KABOOM
-you've got yourself an RC mule.

Similar to what I was thinking. Bigger motor/ESC. The tough part is the metal work and figuring out the steering.

 

[ZaneC]

Similar to what I was thinking. Bigger motor/ESC. The tough part is the metal work and figuring out the steering.

Your idea of a 5th scale servo should work. Kevin Talbot put a Little Tikes car on an X-Maxx and he could haul kids around in it.