Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Wanted to add that I bought this stuff in a purple spray bottle called Super Clean to clean up the oil spills. Works well. I've also read that undiluted Simple Green works too.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

http://youtu.be/X_EBvmhzqGc

Video of first run.

Also had a much easier time installing the collars. First I wore gloves, and used plenty of oil as lube. Everything went on very easily. Most of the collars I just used both my thumbs to push it on.

Also blew a line by pushing down on the shovel while the model was off. I learned to leave the valves open after that. Anyway it took less than 3 minutes to replace. I cut all the hoses 10cm longer than what the instructions called for. Ran it for awhile then changed the oil, cleaned the filter. I can't believe it's been 9 hours already.

Oh and to get the Dimension Engineering ESC to work without its BEC I pulled the positive wire out and turned off mixing. It wouldn't work with the onboard mixing enabled. This way I could use the BEC on the Brushless ESC for the pump motor. I originally bought the Dimension Engineering Sabertooth 2x5 RC because all this Radio mixing business seemed intimidating and I didn't know I could get a radio that could do it for so cheap. The Sabertooth is a compact way to control both of the brushed motors though.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Nice,looking good and smooth.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

went past the 20min limit, just wanted to add this.

I really should of gotten a 3 cell battery, the 2 cell doesn't let the pump motor spin up all the way. At least I think it doesn't

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

A 12 volt 3 cell battery is definitely needed. I had it hooked up to a 12v source and it was way stronger. The 2 cell is ok, but once it gets below about 8 volts, there is less digging power.

Spent about 2 hours outside digging in the dirt. I have this hole about a foot deep I dug about a year ago. Just enough to get below the majority of the roots in the field. It was FUN!! Finally went inside after strong wind and rain started up. Its going to take a lot of practice to get good at the controls. Still also messing around with the radio software and mixing things together.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Hooked up two 2S batteries in series today and the hydraulics were much more powerful. Had to adjust the radio settings so I still had fine control and so that the drive motors weren't as touchy.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Yesterday I got 50 minutes of heavy usage out of a 1350Mah 11.1 3S Lipo running the brushless pump motor! I had a 2S battery hooked up to the drive motors and to a separate BEC. I do have it mixed so the pump only kicks on when needed.

Then I got another battery and blew a hose. I turned up the pressure without using a gauge, so I am sure to blow some more until I get one.
I started making a video, and then it blew.
Then I took it apart, fixed it, took it out and a hose just popped off! Cleaned up and popped it back on, also routed the hydraulic lines a lot neater this time.

The loader

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5036.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5035.jpg

The work site. The hole was started by hand, the only thing carried/peeled out by the loader is the pile to the left.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5034.jpg

The burst hose, probably pinched it when forcing it over the nipple.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5039.jpg

Funny how the grease collected into a pillar. I am using Lucas Red'N'Tacky.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5040.jpg

Two Great Planes? fuel filters, using them as air filters basically.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5042.jpg

Just blew off, cleaned up the oil and slipped the hose back on.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5043.jpg

Video, hose blew about 6 minutes in, almost at end of video.

http://youtu.be/YFM1wXHt-SY

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Well that hose popped off again, this time I am cutting it down, should of done it in the first place.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Nice seeing the mountains in the background, where are you located?

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Columbia Falls, Montana

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Ran the loader for 2 hours using a 3S 3200Mah Lipo for the pump and a 2S for the servos and drive motors. No hoses blew off or split.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Well went to take it for a spin in the dirt and the drive motors would barely turn. Or turned in tiny spurts. Kept pushing and pushing, finally the Sabertooth ESC just got really hot. None of the LED's lit up, it just got hot. So I measured the amps the motors pull by holding one of the tracks in my hand and connecting a 2S 7.4v lipo, I applied for a second and highest I saw was 17amps and it wasn't stalled, I let go because I didn't want to break anything. I thought the 2x5 Sabertooth would of been up to the job because supposedly the motors only pull a max of ~3amps. Well maybe when they aren't geared down.

Anyway just ordered the 2x12 Sabertooth.
Also explains the stopping and starting yesterday when driving over 100 feet through the field after the pump battery died.

I have two Hobbyking 40amp brushed esc's but the low 16khz switching speed and the resultant sound drives me insane! I was using one on a car today and from over 60 feet away you could hear it when going slow.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Took the shovel and arms off to paint and noticed this.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5070.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5071.jpg

I cleaned it and put some JB Kwik in there and clamped it overnight.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

I have no experience with a hydro RC model but if weld didn't hold on your bucket heels I highly doubt JB Weld will. Good luck.

Seems these kits are not so easy for the novice like me.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Definitely a odd spot for welds to brake and then bend how it did. I would've tried brazing it back together with Harris safety silv 45 brazing rod.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Any idea how it occurred? I would check for any fouling over the buckets movement... Just in case it's hitting the arm at a gusset etc.

Cheers,
Ap

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

The stock kit weld did hold, it bent until that point. It's not hitting anything, just too many snagged roots. The JBweld is more for closing up the gap so that it doesn't snag again as easily. I formed the cold weld into a fillet like shape.

ngward79, I will try that. I've never brazed anything before.

Also took the tracks off and I am missing over 8 E-clips! Going to order some more. I need to lower the top speed too, the nylon tracks are wearing quite a bit on the inside. I think it happened when going over some smallish gravel and turning sharply.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

While waiting for the Sabertooth 2x12 I did some painting.

Too lazy to disconnect the hydraulics.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5096.jpg

Cut down the steel insert/divider thingy. Notch is for hydraulic tank breather hoses to come up through. Painted with this rubber stuff by Rust-Oleum, the red is just some permanent marker that was on there.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5097.jpg

Painted the tracks with a Metallic Dark Steel color by Rust-Oleum, looked cheap. Later sprayed with same gray as body, mostly on the track pads. Replaced the lost E clips.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5124.jpg

Started to drill out the back end ventilation slats, then stopped and glued some styrene from a "For Sale" sign to reinforce the area.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5126.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5125.jpg

The tools I used. I run the Dremel at the lowest speed and stop the chuck from rotating with my finger so that I don't put holes where I don't want them. Then I thread the saw blade through and cut the slot out. Then finish up with the knife, file, and sanding stick.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5127.jpg

The yellow paint is put on really thick so I might strip it a little before spraying this area gray when I am done with all the work.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5128.jpg

All paint was Rust-Oleum 2X spray cans, Sun Yellow, and some kind of gray.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Gloss Dark Gray was the color.
Some more painted parts here.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5101.jpg

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Cut down weight with a hacksaw.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5162.jpg

I used brake fluid and applied it with a paper towel to areas I wanted to strip and came back around 20 minutes later and scraped the paint off with a credit card and toothbrush.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5151.jpg

Fan hot glued in place. Carved out about 1/8" from each side panel so that it fit without any stress on the body.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5257.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5259.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5198.jpg

Two 3S 8amp batteries in parallel. Weight is for the temporary brace that I glued down. Had to cut the sheet metal divider plate to move the batteries forward a bit to clear the fan in the back.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5244.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5246.jpg

Testing. I had the fan running at 6v from a BEC that I could switch from the radio. I am going to try it out hooked directly up to the battery with the BEC activating it via a relay. I want to eventually have it run automatically when needed.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5253.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5252.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5254.jpg

I also added one more track pad to each side. Downside was that it skipped when turning in place quickly. I used some styrene from the kit and glued it on the back of the tensioner thingy. Two are visible, and added another one inside on the other end of the spring, inside where it is not visible.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5255.jpg

Now I am figuring out the cab and how I will attach it, I want it to be removable. Thinking of using more magnets for that. Also need to trim some wires and route them neater.

Waiting on my manometer so that I can see what I set my pressure too. Also thinking of ways to modify the teeth, maybe cover them with aluminum as they are wearing already.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

I need to put in a rubber stopper inside the spring, had the chain skip while backing up an incline with a fully loaded bucket. I ran the loader outside for about 3.5 hours. I thought I had the cooling fan running of off 6 volts, but it was 5v. This time I ran it off of 6v. I have the weight around 19-20 pounds. I need to move the weight forward, or just reduce how much is in the back. I used some magnets to attach the cab to the body.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5280.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5279.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5278.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5277.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5276.jpg

I am going to shorten the battery leads too, they are far too long. I cut the sheet metal divider some more so that I could route the servo wires differently.

The battery was at 11.3v when I decided to come inside because of the wind.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5294.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5289.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5288.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5284.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5283.jpg

Finally have everything running the way I want, and everything fitting in that removing the cab to plug in the power isn't a hassle. I rearranged some of the electrical components. The receiver and brushless ESC I wrapped in Kapton tape and then copper tape. Took the box off of the receiver and stock heat shrink off of the ESC. Added more magnets so that the body sticks to the chassis better and added some between the cab and body.

I fixed the track chain skipping by removing the plastic I added and inserting a short tungsten slug in the middle of the spring. I measured so that each side had about an 1/8" of give. Also used some cuttable tungsten, and tungsten putty to wrap around the slug and cut piece to keep them centered in the spring. All the tungsten is from my train hobby. The tungsten weights are sold for Pine Derby cars. Anyway, it was a bear to put the chain on but a credit card around the sprung idler helped it slide on. Also put one of the chains on backwards after struggling with it. Everything runs well now, played for about 20 minutes.

Just small details left.

Oh and limited the pump to 80%, much easier to control. Not sure what its called, I just have this Limits setting on the radio.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

I like how you cut the rear grille out. Out of curiosity, why did you need to add one extra track pad/grouser to the tracks?

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

well the prototype has 38 per side, and also I had problems in the beginning where a full bucketfull of dirt would tip the loader while backing up a steep incline. Although the weight I added eliminated that problem and now it is too heavy in the rear. Also I had plenty of extra track pads and thought a little longer track would be better. I wouldn't do it again probably, but I had already installed the track pad, and also it was fun figuring out how to eliminate the chain skipping.

I got the idea for cutting out the grill from someone else on a german forum, I think.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

The cut out grille is great! I was doubtful when I first seen you doing it as I thought the whole thing would become to weak and flimsy. Good job.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Yeah I was sure I was going to crack it or bend it while sawing or filing! But it is plenty strong. I would like to later on(unless I get another project going) replace it with a grill made out of brass. Although with how well this turned out, I might never do it. It's not perfect up close, but from 3' away it looks just fine.

Also a quarter of the way into sawing out the slits the handle on my saw broke off and my accuracy went to ****. I did a lot more filing and sanding than I anticipated.

I should take some macro shots to show all the errors. Thick paint, glue on the windows, CA on the cab, etc etc ;)

Am I satisfied with the model?, **** yeah!!!

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Video of the model going back and forth and back and forth, moving dirt.

http://youtu.be/gQE-OVST_vA

I was operating for 150 minutes and getting better and better when it stopped. I thought the lipo cutoff had hit. Took it inside and the batteries were at 11.2v. Kept unplugging and taking things apart, thought the brushless motor was bad because it wouldn't work, also one of the valve servo's didn't work. Took the pump assembly apart, then thought of trying to run the pump off a different channel, and it worked. Seems like the radio messes up sometimes.

Anyhoo, put everything back together and flushed twice with the cenex hydraulic fluid because I am out of the oil that was supplied with the kit. WOw! it was waaaayyy more powerful with the cenex fluid. So put it back together and did some more changes. Also while running I stuck a weight towards the front in the cab and it handled a lot better. So just a little more weight forward and I will be happy.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Nice video keep them coming

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

http://youtu.be/vzhl3heaNOU

More extreme back and forth action.

I have added some weight forward under the cab. That along with the different oil should improve the performance. I will post a video when I have some time to run the loader. I might pop a hose, the hydraulics seem a lot stronger.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Part 2

http://youtu.be/O0-yuhryej4

Also I made these videos after cleaning up fluid from a hose that popped off the T connector for the lift pistons. Also the other two connections on the T were loose, so pulled them off, cut them down and reinstalled them. All this after being outside for all of 5 minutes. Hopefully I get some time to play tomorrow. Also in this video you can see how strong the plastic grill is.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

I have taken apart the pistons and ordered some quad rings of various sizes to see if I can better control the slight leakage from where the piston rod comes out. The stock O rings seemed kind of loose.

Received my package yesterday from http://www.der-getriebedoktor.de/shop2/topangebote.php

Now I have a manometer, new bell crank and more hose and hose sleeves.

I was running it a couple days ago when one of the valve servos quit working, so I took it apart and it was fine. But then the other servo valve wasn't centered and I went to adjust it and got nothing. Motor was pumping but nothing was moving. So I started taking everything apart. I probably just had air in there from holding the pump assembly vertically, but now I had an excuse to finally take apart the pistons and see if I couldn't get different Orings for a better seal where the piston rod was coming out of the cylinder body.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Here's a video from the last time I played before I took it apart because of the servo.
I have the cooling fan running directly off of the battery now. I did something bad to the receiver and reception is good till around five feet. You can sometimes see the black on the pistons. That's oil and dirt, it isn't a major leak or anything, but I still want to try different O rings and see if I can't eliminate most of it.

http://youtu.be/u4D5c_Uv0-E?t=21m

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Nice job on the video, It's your best one yet ! I personally like the up close shots in most videos. Also, which I could be wrong but I'd get the smaller 2x12 speed control cause the 2x24 you got is just over kill for the motors in your rig and then you could put it under the hood and put the cab interior back in too. Don't take it the wrong way, it's your rig and you can do what you want with it and I'm sure smoked glass would look good in it as it is but I figured since you put all that time in to the body work you should have a full scale interior to go with it. Anyway good job so far and I'm looking forward to getting one for myself.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Sorry, just found out you do have the 2x12 , I didn't realize it came with the big heat sinks like the 2x25. Anyway I just wanted to clarify that I'm a stupid newbie ! Lol

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Well the RC version doesn't have the big heatsinks, I got the one with the heatsinks because I wanted to make sure that nothing happened this time. I am reconfiguring things slowly and moving more weight down low where the hydraulics are so that I will have room to tuck the 2x12 between the two batteries. Maybe eventually take off the heatsinks, or at least one of them.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

I hooked up the manometer and found out I had the pressure set to 20bar! So now I will either lower it or hope the new o rings seal better. I still don't have the orings because two styles were out of stock and they forgot to send me the email explaining the situation.

I am undecided on whether I should get the rear ripper hydraulic unit for the LR 634, or a King hauler with the flatbed trailer.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

I'd personally get the truck and trailer first so you can haul it around , or better yet get a dump trailer so you can load it to move dirt around. I thought about doing a bump truck and having a trailer for it to haul the 634 around when ever I get around to buying the loader anyway.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

Yeah that would be fun. I picked up a Tonka dump truck at a garage sale two weeks ago and recently purchased a Craftsman EVOLV 3.6v drill/screwdriver and I have an old Radio Shack 1/10 scale rear wheel drive car/frame I could adapt to the Tonka truck. I might make something of it, I might not.

With the King hauler and flatbed trailer I could try turning the flatbed trailer into a bottom dump like Joe (Lil Giants) has. Only the dump doors would be controlled by a servo. For hauling around the LR 634 I would like to get the Bruder trailer.

I actually spent some time on RC4WD today adding things to my shopping cart, just undecided. Then I went on Ebay and saw SemiJoes triaxle pete and that awesome lowboy he has in the picture with it.

First thing I need is those darn Orings to see if running at 20bar is feasible. I haven't had the hydraulic cylinders back together yet so I am not sure if the Leimbach pump can even maintain 20bar with both valves/functions open. Only reason I tore it down this time is because a valve servo wasn't functioning. After I took it out it worked just fine.

I purchased different servo's this time and noticed that I tightened one too much and it was almost binding when operating the valve. Maybe that's why my last servo quit for awhile.

After I get it together this time I will put the temperature probe against the pump assembly and see what kind of temps I see. With the fan running straight from the battery I think it keeps the motors/pump running cool enough that running things at 20bar won't destroy things too fast.

I also want to program my radio so that I can quickly turn off the pump and open the valves to relieve pressure when I am done playing.

Re: LR634 is HERE!!!!! Tracked loader
 

here's some pictures of what I did a week ago to the pistons. They had some metal left over from being tapped and it was really thin and I sanded it off to make sure it didn't break off later.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5359.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5358.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/IMG_5360.jpg

Wanted to add that I used 600 grit sandpaper from a Testors wet/dry sandpaper package, the red sheet.