Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Thanks very much! I hope it works as well as it looks.

Thanks John. I was going to name my business "Tungsten Art" but I kinda got swayed to name it RCP's because people knew me as that. I might have to change it.:rolleyes:lol I know that I have a long ways to go before I am even at the level of Scale Art's rejected parts but I keep tryin!

RW/Mike, Thanks guys! The 4 hour thing is at least 10 fold per dozer now! I think I have polished a bit of a turd into a gem stone now though. It looks better under my tree than Keith's so I might have to keep it!lol

Sorry Keith, as I said above I have decided to keep it. Haha, just kidding! I know you will take better care of it than me and you have waited long enough. Just to be sure though, which one would you rather have???

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...pse5c51d34.jpg

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Haha !!!! Let see ????? I'll take box number 2 lol !!!!! Good one though !!!! You should put rops on number 1 !!!!

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

OK, I will try to make sure that I ship the correct one...

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

What a delight it would be to go to toys-r-us and pick the one on right off the shelf!!

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

RCP57-this came out very nice. I like the new cab design. A blend of the old & the new. If I were a real dozer operator I would prefer this to the new closed in cabs with the small windows. I thought the actuators looked a bit big but after it is painted they don't look much different than round cylinders. Nice job!!! Do you know what the model weighs?

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Thanks modelman. I like the open style cab on this too. I think it changes the scale appearance without having to change the whole body. I wish there was an alternative to these actuators but I don't know of one other than hydraulics. I am happy with there performance and ease of use but they don't look very nice on a model with their square shape. Of course I'm sure they weren't built with our hobby in mind. I weighed the dozers. Stock they are about 1.5lbs and after modifications they are about 6.25lbs with battery.

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

I started fitting parts onto #3 today. The blade and all related parts are the same as #2. I'm using spherical bushings in the blade arms on #2-3. They provide pretty nice movement while tilting the blade.

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps498117ea.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4b15acfa.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps20877082.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psa1da65c3.jpg

I also just made up this piece so that I had a spring return on the throttle side of my DX6i. I had been given a screw and hook for the spring tension from a friend at my local hobby shop a couple years ago. The parts needed to be modified because they weren't from a Spektrum radio but with them , 3 short pieces of welding rod for pins and the aluminum part it works!

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps96de3071.jpg

Now I can run more stuff off of this radio!:cool:

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

CTI makes round actuator cylinders that have been used on some models I've seen published. Have not used them myself but seem to be popular in Europe. Cost and sizes appear similar to Firgelli.

Ken

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

only problem with cti is they wont ship to the u.s.
no

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

I have heard that before about the CTI actuators. I can't complain about the Firgelli's too loudly because they are built an hour from my home and Ian has gone out of his way to get them to me ASAP when I've needed them. Do I wish they were round?YES! But I will continue to use them because of the convenience/service. Maybe with enough pressure/demand they will design a different body someday in the future.

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

I am new to construction Rc I know how much mfg dozers cost how much do u have into conversion ?

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

There's easily $600 Canadian in materials not including TX/RX or battery. More if I factor in shipping on ordered goods, driving to pick up supplies from various places and keeping the lights and heat on in my shop.

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Great work RCP, you have created some masterpieces.

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Did not know that. Thanks for the info.

Ken

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

If you guys want round actuators - ask for them! Send an email to sales@firgelli.com so I have something other than my own opinion to show the Chief!
I have brought this up before with management and they are open to the idea but aren't convinced there is enough of a market. You guys need to be more convincing and let us know about it!

Ian

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Good to know Ian! There probably isn't enough market but it doesn't hurt to try and I believe the market is increasing. An actuator that more resembled a hydraulic cylinder would certainly be a hit with the RC crowd.


Looking at Cooper's killer hydraulic lines has been making me want to bend something so today I made up this canopy for my Dozer. The square stock started life as 3/16x1 flat bar that I split into 4 pieces on the bandsaw and then milled to true up the cut edges. Fiddly work but it needed to be done to get the size close to being right.

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psf931ddff.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1ff0b080.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6e78b0f8.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8f379cf6.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps12eee6bb.jpg

Here's what it looks like on #3

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps978debcd.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8a038e38.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3170a0cd.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psbc0717b6.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2117d5f5.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4df4ec6b.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psc4a07383.jpg

Personally I like the cab I built for Keith's more but this is starting to grow on me too.

Thanks for looking!

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Hi RCP you said you cut aluminum on your bandsaw and then milled it . When I need bar alum I cut it on the table saw with a fine blade slowly and a quick file smooth and knock the edge off , just a suggestion . Mike

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Reg , that looks really good !
A single blade ripper will finish it off nicely.

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Great looking protection for the dozer. And i agree a ripper would be cool.

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

I'm not really brave enough to make a cut that thin on the table saw. It would be faster though providing I still had all of my body parts afterward. I need to make a new insert for the table on my saw. It has a large gap around the blade for angle cutting so cutting thin strips is a struggle. A thinner blade would also be nice. I would have needed twice as much material by cutting it on the table saw and losing 1/8" or more with each cut. The best thing would be getting the right material for the job in the first place. Unfortunately it isn't available...:(

I want to build a winch for my dozer. A ripper would be OK but there isn't a lot of room left to hide an actuator inside the body. I guess it could be done with a servo mounted on the outside though. I'm just not sure how useful a ripper would be on a 6lb machine.

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Where does the madness stop?!?!?! Hey the rops look great!!! I agree a which would be a better fit, more of a logging/road building machine. I've often thought about some roll over protection, not for the machine working but for me working on it, pretty high drop or bump from the work bench!!!! Looks great reg, keeps getting better!!!

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

I'm not sure where it stops RW! My guess is, when we stop having the imagination and will to continue....or we run out of money....

I agree 100% that for me and this area a winch is a better fit. Someone posted a picture of a high track Cat set up for logging on another forum that was painted the same as my Hayes truck. I was trying to find the photo this morning but had no luck. I know the guy personally that posted the picture so I am going to email him and ask for a copy. If he can find it there is a good chance that my dozer will get a color change in the new year. Oh, and an arch to go with the winch.

I added some "bling" to Keith's dozer today. No drawbar is complete without a pin!
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps35b067be.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5dd0e0aa.jpg

I have to go into town today so I needed to clean off my "GMC bench". I managed to find enough space on the shelf beside my 850 Kenworth for all three dozers. Look at the size difference! Man I love that truck!:bounce:

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psa1a3c8e7.jpg

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Simply awesome reg great job.. Guess I better start saving

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Cool stuff as usual.. I didn't read the entire thread, but looked through pretty good. It is so cool to see what everyone does to modify the Bruder items. I have some modified Bruder equipment. I love it. I buy some for my kids to play too. I constantly come up with ideas for modifications to their out of the box basic bruder toys... But, I have too many other projects.. Cant go wrong with Bruder.
Love the blades. I would like to get a different blade for my Stahl dozer. Something that looks like yours, or the one that Mitch built for his a while back (The dozer that he sold). I read that you don't have a big shop for the modifications like some do, but you still have made some amazing stuff. I don't think I have the means to build a blade like that. Let me know if you are ever up for building a blade for my Stahl.
Thank you!

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Thanks very much guys.

I have been putting around the last couple afternoons on my Dozer adding some details. I made up some grab handles for the canopy yesterday and threw some paint at them today. While I had the spray cans out I thought I should make it look more like a typical slobbering Cat so I sprayed some black onto the exhaust tip and canopy. I also took the lazy route for now and instead of making new sprockets that look more scale I just cut up the stock Bruder stuff and glued it on. It doesn't look as nice as dozer #2 but I still think it is an improvement over what I made previously for this one.

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psef16d5b4.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psa42b3a14.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psfc991707.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps474c03ef.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...pse533943c.jpg

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Ahh quit painting the work wounds and put some real ones on,,,,, as in another video!!!! Looks great reg!!! Oh and ya need an operator in there!!! Lol!!! So when do you ever take some time off?? That's when I want to come out,, with a small van, when your not home,,,,, :).

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Looks good brother Reg !!!! Another masterpiece :jaw: !!!! You can accidentally drop # 3 in the bag too lol!!! Just kidding haha !!!!! Nice job and I think a winch will really set that thing off !!!!

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Correction # 1 lol !!!! Hey just put them all in a gift bag haha !!!! They all look great !

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

I do need an operator! I would like to go and put some real wear on it but the weather has been really wet here lately and I like being in where it's dry.lol
I was at a Xmas party last night and someone else asked when I wasn't going to be home so that they could drop by.... I think I should start boobie trapping my shop...

Hey Keith, you can have them all if you want! I'll work you out a special Xmas price for all three!:D

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Hey Reg these look great! I saw that your bench has a weight limit of 2500lbs. I think with all this equipment on there you got er' maxed out:D The "Forester" cab looks pretty sweet.

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

I love the diesel soot! Your craftsmanship amazes me!

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

After reading this entire build thread like 20 times, the craftsmanship and detail you put into these machines just blows my mind. I could watch your builds for hours, and I would still not have seen enough. You have inspired me to build my first Bruder dozer. I noticed that you had a carton of the metal track pads in one picture. Just wondering if they were just put in there, or were modified pieces of some sort? Also on #2 it looks like you used a different method of attaching the pads to the chain drive. I would like to use your ideas for my own build and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Once again well done, and thank you for your builds.

*TONTO*

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Thanks tonto and welcome to the forum. I see you are in Vancouver. Perhaps we will see you at one of our shows on the island this year? The track pads are made from trim that you can buy at Home Depot or Rona. It comes in 8' lengths so you will need to cut it to the size needed and drill the holes for mounting. The chain used on dozer #2 is #35(3/8 pitch) with K1 attachment on every other link. If you have any other questions fire away. Good luck with the conversion should you take it on!

Reg

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Thanks for the info. I just picked up a dozer from Winners, and will definitely be trying to do a chain conversion. I live in Abby, I just like to put in Vancouver just so people know the general area I live in. As for shows, how do you find out if there is going to be a setup for R/C's there? At the end of January there is an agricultural show at the tradex, I just don't know who to get into contact with.

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Reg,

Do you have a part number or measurement on the edging material for the track pads so I can make sure I get the right stuff?

And, I don't think I understand the slot in each pad? It sort of looks like it could be used to drive the tracks from the sprocket, but that is being done with the #35 chain right? Is the slot for looks or something else I do understand? :confused:

Jim

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

It's called 7/8 grooved edging(Rona part# DUA101MLU08). I have been talking back and forth with someone else in the US about finding some for them. It almost seems as though only Canadian stores carry it which seems odd. The slots in the track pads are to let dirt out. Without them I found that dirt packs up in the links and won't come out. Milling the slots almost doubles the time it takes to make the pads but I like the look of it and at least some of the dirt escapes.

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

Ah ha, great idea. I knew there was a reason and I agree I DO like the look. It sounds like maybe I won't find thAt stuff at my Home Depot huh... I have a new farm store, menards and lowes. I will let everyone know what I find.

Also, I assume you had to cut off one leg of the edging and bend down the leading edge to form the pads?

Thanks for you help!

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

It is already an L shape and has grooves on the other side. Bend it at the first groove for a perfect fit! It is almost like it was made to be used as track pads!lol

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

I've looked and looked for that aluminum and still can't find it after Greg introduced it years ago. Definitely a Canada only thing. ARG!!

Re: 4 Hour Bruder Dozer
 

It seems so! Weird! The other member I have been talking with said he had looked at Lowes and Home Depot with no success. I did an internet search a couple days back and came up empty other than a few Canadian home improvement stores. I would be willing to get some and ship it out but shipping will probably make it expensive.