Re: CAT 374D L
 

Yeah slip ring is one of the easiest and best solutions. Some guys make their own custom solutions so I thought I would ask.

Have you started making the tracks? It is probably one of the most pain job to do.

Are you going to use Sabertooth ESC? If not then I recommend it, best solution for tracked vehicles, I'm very pleased with mine.

Re: CAT 374D L
 

love the Detail work looks exactly like the real thing look forward to seeing the finishe product

Re: CAT 374D L
 

hey guys the 374 does not have a sliding under carriage I am a heavy equipment technician and CAT is the majority of the equipment I work on it has a fixed undercarriage but all in all I think the model looks great and the site is great as well you guys are very talented

Re: CAT 374D L
 

I think you are wrong about that, if you look at the picture of 374 on a low loader couple of pages back, you can see how the x-frame is sticking out on the side and the tracks are much narrower than normal. Also the Cat 374 brochure talks about the variable gauge undercarriage. But I also believe that not all of the 374 are equipped with the variable gauge undercarriage.

Here's some progress I've made. Got the swing bearing done:)

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/IMG_0498.jpg

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/IMG_0504.jpg

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/IMG_0513.jpg

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/IMG_0518.jpg

Re: CAT 374D L
 

looks great Ari :) now where did you find that gear ? I've been looking forever for the right size .

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Got the gear from HPC gears: http://www.hpcgears.com/

Re: CAT 374D L
 

thank you Ari :):):D:D

Re: CAT 374D L
 

If you write for HPC, they will send a Catalogue (book) with all their products and the references thereof.

I requested the book and I was sent.

Carlos.

Re: CAT 374D L
 

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/IMG_0518.jpg

hmm... so what is the length from center pivot to the bucket teeth in this picture (or what its reach @ ground level)?

The 374 is progressing beautifully Ari... but have you been spending any time with the grader outside this summer? Need more eye candy of that machine in motion, plz! :confused: :p

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Once again Ari, you've excelled yourself. It looks stunning - When you taking orders :D

Technical question from a dumb *** ( me )

Shouldn't the super structure sit on a thrust bearing or can the bearing you fitted take the heavy load from above, ie side load??

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Looks to me like you're just stalling off on building those track pads:p.

Looks great!

Re: CAT 374D L
 

What a great model!!!:) I'm just speechless!!! I've learned a lottt from y'all. My MASTERS!!!!:)

Re: CAT 374D L
 

It's not a dumb question Elliot, I was thinking that myself but I think they will hold. If necesary I can attach bronce ring under the upper structure that will rotate over the ring gear. Those thrust bearings tends to be too high and they

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Has bearings and ball dual layers also have roller bearings that may come to serve for the application.

Carlos

Re: CAT 374D L
 

The length from center pivot to the bucket teeth is 95 cm.

And what comes to the grader I have used it few times but didn't have my camera with me:(

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Wow this is great! I was real interested to see how you did the swing. I think the dual ball bearings will be fine. My milling machine has a similar arrangement for the spindle bearings to keep the spindle from moving up and down and it can spin 3250 rpm.

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Great job so far,
I don't think you will have any trouble, with your swing bearing setup!

Cheer's, Neil.

Re: CAT 374D L
 

I couldn't make any more excuses not to start making the tracks:o so I started with the track links. I managed to make about 100 which is half of them. And there's still few a stages to do before they are ready. It's going to take some effort before tracks are finished:eek::eek:

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/IMG_0532.jpg

Re: CAT 374D L
 

fun , is it not :eek: ? I'm getting ready to run 400+ of those in aluminum:eek: then 160 in steel . I'm just trying to get the track pitch right for the 400+

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Finally got all track links done. I had to make a fixture for machining the other side and also for reaming the track pin holes.
It's hard to believe that I used almost 2 meters of 100x6 mm plate for the 200 links. I use to thing that factory made tracks are expensive but as I proceed with these they begin to feel cheaper and cheaper...

I also started to make the track pads but didn't got very far before I broke my last 3mm radius cutter:mad:

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/IMG_0553.jpg

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/IMG_0546.jpg

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/IMG_0549.jpg

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Got some track pads done today:)
I decited to make them wider than I originally thought. The machine looks much better with little wider tracks, they are now 80mm wide.

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps3cdb82c1.jpg

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps815d009e.jpg

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Ari, could you make me 156 of those for my Volvo?

Thanks in advance, Reg

Oh, I will also need the links as well! HAHA! Just kidding...

They look awesome!

Re: CAT 374D L
 

watch out Ari :eek: ^ this is why mine arn't posted :p:p great work as always ;)

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Nice progress, I can't wait to see this thing finished! :D

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Very nice, this will be good!!

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Guy's, if I ever get the tracks done and they even work I'll be very happy. But I think I wont even dream of tracks for very long time after they are finished, hopefully I don't get any nightmares of them:)

But seriously I wish there was an "easy" way to cast the pads and links together, but I have never done anything like that so not sure will that be any easier:(

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Not sure if it will be easier , Ari . I have a place down the road from me that does precision casting . they make a mold for the lost wax . A $200,000.00 + machine would be easier ;) but not on the pocket :eek: Just a 4th axis in my VMC would do it . but then you'd have chatter with the stick out . There's just no easy or cheap way :(

Re: CAT 374D L
 

"Chatter with the stick out" are you talking about a bunch of old women at Chip n Dales?

Anyway, I think the only easy way to build tracks is to order an excavator kit from someone and assemble it.lol You guys are doing a fantastic job machining all those individual parts. I only wish that I had CNC so that I could share your misery!

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Nice looking tracks, Ari.
Tracks are like tires, hardest part to get good looking. there´s a possibility to cast/make chains and pads together, I can´t remember a english name for it but then you need a $4000 mold. With this you can make very many but then you have to be a manufactor for all rest of parts needed. We have company here in sweden making this for toy manufactors like Märklin.
looking forward to the rest coming together.
Dan

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Got short section of track test fitted:)

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/IMG_0588.jpg

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/IMG_0590.jpg

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Looks very nice, Ari!
Stefan

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Looks great

Re: CAT 374D L
 

That looks good keep up the good work

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Still missing one-third of the first track :eek::eek:

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/IMG_0604.jpg

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/IMG_0592.jpg

Re: CAT 374D L
 

All this aluminum in the drivetrain.. not concerned at all with excessive friction of the parts sticking to each other?

.. oh what am I saying :confused: you'll never use it anyway once it's finished. :p

gonna be winter soon, how about some more grader vids before freeze up?! :)

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Looking good! Tracks look real nice!

Re: CAT 374D L
 

very very nice ..... thats gonna take a while to mke those track links lol :D

Re: CAT 374D L
 

patience will make for a better result. great job!

Re: CAT 374D L
 

Got the first track done:):)
Now I should make the other:mad::mad:

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...IMG_0636-1.jpg

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/IMG_0644.jpg

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k...L/th_Track.jpg

Re: CAT 374D L
 

That looks so awesome!