Compactness, maneuverability, and good traction characteristics are the undoubted advantages of the single-wheel tractor built at the young technicians’ station in the city of Novotroitsk. They were achieved by using a layout unusual for walk-behind tractors — “wheel–motor” — which gives the machine minimal dimensions and a simple transmission. It is no secret that large-diameter Read more…
Perhaps in every adult’s memories, childhood winter fun is inevitably linked with sleds. And one can say with confidence that even today you will rarely find a home without them: they still serve children, and adults too — to take a toddler to kindergarten, or to carry a small load from or into the house Read more…
We named our potato digger a screw-drum digger after its two main working elements. It is intended for harvesting tubers on educational and experimental plots, as well as household plots and gardens. That is why an electric motor is used as the drive, although of course an internal combustion engine of suitable power can also Read more…
For many years I have been a regular subscriber to “M-K” and find in it a great deal that is interesting and useful. I hope my experience will also be of use to other readers: I want to share my thoughts and practical recommendations on making and operating a tandem bicycle. I built such a Read more…
It is no exaggeration to say that the most important part of a glider-autogyro is the rotor. The autogyro’s flight qualities depend on the correctness of its airfoil, on mass, centering accuracy, and strength. True, the unpowered craft on a car tow rises only to 20–30 m. But even flight at such a height requires Read more…
For more than a decade G. Malakhov has worked as the chief mechanic of the tool shop at one of Moscow’s aviation plants. But he has spent even more time (since the age of 13) on amateur technical creativity, without which he cannot imagine his present or his future at all. His record includes aerosleds, Read more…
Ecology and environmental protection are becoming increasingly relevant topics worldwide. Requirements for harmful emissions from vehicles are constantly being tightened. That is why major manufacturers are developing and starting to produce electric and hybrid cars. These trends are also reaching our country. And while the evolutionary direction of automotive development has been defined and is Read more…
The bicycle is probably the most widespread means of transport. And there is no doubt that it is also the most economical: two buttered sandwiches are enough to pedal for two hours. But can the efficiency of the human “engine” be increased? Reducing “fuel” consumption will not help. Friction and the weight of the machine Read more…
If you recall that cross-country racing skis are designed mainly for travel on a prepared track, while wide hunting skis handle any snow, it becomes clear how the proposed homemade sled design differs substantially from store-bought ones: above all, it does not require packed snow slopes. Even the fairly popular three-ski snow scooters “Chuck and Read more…
Improving drive efficiency is a problem that concerns not only bicycle designers, but also the owners of these machines. Since the invention of the bicycle, the pedal drive has been brought, one might say, to perfection. Increasing its efficiency without complicating the mechanism is hardly possible. On sports and touring bicycles, for example, multi-speed transmissions Read more…
