Is 170 lbf thrust enough to move 400-500lb on wheels?

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: Kntx

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: Evadman
That equivelent to almost 100 hp. You should be good.

170lb-ft at 2000RPM is 64HP

What does RPM or pound-feet have to do with a rocket??? Nothin!!!

right.

I am pretty sure that 2 lb's of thrust = 1 HP. I am too lazy to look it up tho.

 

[Triumph]

Pounds of thrust is not in any way equivalent to hp, Evadman. Pounds of thrust is pounds, mass times acceleration. Hp is force times distance over time.

The easy answer to the question is yes, 170 lbf is enough to move 400-500 lbs on wheels. Think of a strong man pulling a bus with a rope, we've all seen that. A bus weighs approx 20,000 lbs, maybe. The man is using primarily his legs, using muscles very similar to those used while doing a squat. And it's not uncommon to be able to squat 400+ lbs.
I can't calculate an exact answer without more information, though. I would need to know the rolling resistance of the tires in order to calculate the force of friction. Need more details!

 

[sharkeeper]

Rolling resistance of tires, terrain that you're traveling over, vehicle drag profile, maximum speed desired, acceleration desired, altitude, weather conditions and/or atmosphere (is it terrestrial based), etc.

What is a "good speed"?

-STA-

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: Monel Funkawitz
At a good speed? Doing a project and I need to know if I have enough thrust to do this.

The answer is as simple as I have said:
F=ma
therefore a=F/m

The trick is that the question asks for speed, but you really mean acceleration.
I don't know what a foot pound is.
If it is a thrust, then it is a force, and a simple problem.
If it is power then P = F * V therefore, F=P/V....
convert all your units and then plug in your numbers