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I have made a RC robot from a wheelchair and I'm planning to attach a snow plow. I'm wondering if there is any mechanism that would be able to lift the plow when reversing. I have only 2 channel transmitter so I can't control the plow's movement through it so I was thinking of some mechanical lift that triggers when reversing.

Do you guys know about something I could use for it? Thanks.

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  • $\begingroup$ Yes you can! If you share more specific information, I could give a more precise asnwer I guess you some kind of controller+receiver on your "wheelchair" and using a simple commercial RC? Is the controller programmable? Is one wheel controlled with one channel? Do you want to drop the plow again remote controlled? $\endgroup$
    – TobiasK
    Sep 16, 2014 at 8:56
  • $\begingroup$ I'm using this controller instructables.com/id/RC-Riding-Lawnmower/step5/… but I'm looking for some mechanical lift when dragging in reverse. Not electronic... $\endgroup$
    – Grasper
    Sep 16, 2014 at 14:26

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I assume that your 2 channels control forward/backward and left/right. But even if the 2 channels control forward/backward in each wheel (differential-drive style), it should still be possible to do what you are suggesting electrically instead of mechanically.

You should be able to read the input signal to the motors, decide whether those signals are commanding a "reverse" movement, and trigger your snow plow lift motor accordingly.

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  • $\begingroup$ I understand that in theory it is possible but difficult in practice since I have no software to program the motor controller. There is just no way to detect the reverse from the sabertooth controller. $\endgroup$
    – Grasper
    Sep 17, 2014 at 15:02
  • $\begingroup$ Can you update your original question with some sort of block diagram? What prevents you from measuring the voltage (positive or negative) that goes from the sabertooth to the motors? $\endgroup$
    – Ian
    Sep 17, 2014 at 17:40

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