Re: 140H Grader
 

Thanks EVERYONE for the kind words! There are 6 things I want to change on it........the WHEELS, these are bad for traction and steering, overall, I am satisified.

Here is a size comparison:

Build material: Wood
Build time: Approximately 1 year
Length: 43"
Width: (outside of tire-to-tire) 13"
Height (ground to top of Cab) 15"


http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1/602bpilot/2769.jpg

Re: 140H Grader
 

The final result is outstanding that first photo looks so real I had to check it was a model

I had a quick look back but couldn't see any reference what was the final scale ??

Re: 140H Grader
 

Rob. Thanks for the great photo. My complements again for such a great build. Anything on the burner yet for your next build.
Rob

Re: 140H Grader
 

Rob, that is phenomenal!! I haven't viewed the thread for a while and I am astounded!! This is a great piece of work.

Brian

Re: 140H Grader
 

Absolutely awsome!!! Great job, Rob.

GREAT JOB!
 

The grader looks fantastic and runs just as great.

..and a great presentation too. It can easily be mistaken for a real one!

WELL DONE!!

Cheers

Pip

..and I admire your perseverance.. I started my truck years ago and it still isnt' done.. and it's an easy project compared to yours.

Re: 140H Grader
 

Great to see you, Rob :)

As you mentioned the tires, maybe going a bit smaller with these?
http://store.rc4wd.com/Rock-Crusher-...res_p_730.html
Those are the popular 2.2" wheel size.

Next size up is Series 40 - with tire diameters of 200mm or more - so these would be too large.

Apart from that, maybe the traction could be improved a bit with more weight? I guess your wood construction is fairly lightweight?
If so, some people put lead or steel into the tires. I am a bit scared of lead's toxicity, so would look at different solutions first

Cheers
Jens

Re: 140H Grader
 

Incredible work, Rob. I hadn't checked this thread for a while, and all of the sudden, when I do, the grader is done! Imagine that! It's a great looking machine. Like the others said, almost impossible to judge the difference in the photos, if it is a model or the real 1:1 machine. There is only one thing I could possibly suggest. It needs a full set of working lights and maybe a couple other little finishing detail touches. Grab handles, windshield wipers, ect. I'll bet you have that in the works already, knowing your attention to detail. It'd be really neat if you decided to go all out and turn it into a snow fighting machine too. V-plow and all.

Re: 140H Grader
 

Hey Nat, I do plan to put some lights on it and I do have an idea for GPS gear on it too. I am having some rippers being made now for it. All of these items were planned as accessories. The windshiled wipers and grab handles are already attached in the major places. The doors have handles also and all the hydraulic levers move as well as the column is adjustable. The seat swivals for ease of exit....:D

Re: 140H Grader
 

Contrare to belief about the weight, it is quite heavy, I estimate about 30 lbs at least. I have plastic BB's in the rear tires. I had them in the front, but turning was harder.....it just pushed the frontend. The other issue is the surface area of the tires. They are very flat and covers the entire foot print on the ground. There needs to be some hump in the tire. I will experiment with additional weight attached to the front.

Re: 140H Grader
 

Guys and Gals, I can't say thank you enough for the kind words. I don't know what my next major endeavour may be as of yet.

Again thanks everyone.

Re: 140H Grader
 

Ah, good with the extra weight!

Yes, the tires are not known to be great performers...

I couldn't resist a bit of numbercrunching.

From

http://www.ritchiespecs.com/specific...&modelid=91709

I get the scale as:
width 2464/(13*25.4)=7.5
length 8713/(43*25.4)=8
height 3131/(15*25.4)=8.2

So, let's go with 1:8.

Then the rule of thumb for the weight would mean we should be looking at a weight of very roughly (models tend to be lighter almost always) 14677kg/8^3=29kg :eek: which would be about 65lbs!

Cheers
Jens

Re: 140H Grader
 

:):):) Really a great model. Details and finish are awesome and it functions extremely well. I like the cab interior detailing the best because it is something that does not always get finished and you really hit it - including the color. Closeup pictures match the sales brochures!

Congratulations on a fine build!

Ken

Re: 140H Grader
 

Great job Robert- your attention to detail inspires me.

Chris

Re: 140H Grader
 

Im lost for words.this is an awesome build and you are a true master craftsman.

Re: 140H Grader
 

Got to put my grubby mitts on the controls of this puppy today!! What an awesome huge custom build! Thanks for letting me attempt to operate the beast Robert.

Re: 140H Grader
 

Man i was just blown away with this. Great work!!!!!

Re: 140H Grader
 

I got to see the grader in action on saturday and the pics and video do not do this justice. It is HUGE and very realistic. It performed very well. Great to finally meet you and a little birdy told me today is you birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROB!!!!!

Re: 140H Grader
 

Thank you for the Happy BD wish Madza

We had a great time and it was a pleasure to meet each of you and put a face to a name.

Re: 140H Grader
 

Rob, I've been gone wayyyyyy! too long!!! you never stop amazing me:eek: Great job again.

Re: 140H Grader
 

Fantastic model Rob and thanks for the opportunity to take it for a spin it definitely works as good as it looks.

Travis

Re: 140H Grader
 

Hey Greg, glad to see you made it over!

Thanks!

Re: 140H Grader
 

Rob, Great build, you've set the bar pretty high, Thanks for sharing. Fred

Re: 140H Grader
 

Rob, I had thought long and hard about buillding the 140, but now seeing this, I'm glad you built it. I look at these pics every time I get on here. Once again well done!!! Wished I could have made it to the show and seen it in person.

Re: 140H Grader
 

Joe, i remember you talking to me about that some time ago......i was looking forward to you building one too. Your work is truly an amazing piece of craftmanship. I was hope we could push some dirt together last wknd. :D

Re: 140H Grader
 

your grader is an awsome work of art it is very amaizing with the materials you used and it all looks like metal keep up the awsome work

Re: 140H Grader
 

Like wise it was my pleasure to meet you i had alot of fun ...i guess i see things in my model that i shoulda done better with but it was hard at the time for the lack of tools and a tape measure lol when i shoulda been a lil more picky ..... and on the the other hand Your grader is very awsome I kid you not guys and gals this grader is smooth and quiet very cool to run and i also thank you for the oppertunity to run your grader

Re: 140H Grader
 

Rob your grader was a treat to run. So smooth and amazing complexity.

Ben

Re: 140H Grader
 

Rob, Good to see you and your grader in Toy Trucking & Construction Magazine. Great job! Congrats!! Fred

Re: 140H Grader
 

Rob, your model is really great and I envy you already being able to run it after such a short completion time.

Stefan

Re: 140H Grader
 

Since Indy, I have been asked to post some video of my grader, so here is a lil sinppet of it doing some dirt work....enjoy:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=ldAlbO33oRQ

Re: 140H Grader
 

Thanks for the videos Rob :) looks and sounds great! It was nice to see it pushing pellets at the Indy show but looks way more at home in the dirt :cool:

So if it's completed......what's next ?:D

Mario

Re: 140H Grader
 

I like the video Rob. Would like to see it and you in St Louis next month.

Re: 140H Grader
 

I love that grader! Awesome work

Re: 140H Grader
 

Great looking grader there mate...

Well I revisited this thread today, and actually read the posts instead of a quick flick through lookin at the pics...
Your craftsmanship is brilliant... To get a glimps of how you created the model without the use of lathes and mills, is extraordinary...

I've been in the dirt game for around 20 years, with alot of that spent on graders... I've always wanted to build one, but just couldn't see how to even start it... So to see what you have done using photos and brochures is simply awsome...

Very inspiring... Now I guess I need stop making excuses... And have a crack at it...

Again... Brilliant work...

...Luke...

Re: 140H Grader
 

Rob, it was a pleasure running your blade at the show and I thank you for it. I sure wanted to get a couple pics of it and my dozer together and forgot all about it. For those of you that have not seen this 140 in person, pics do not do it justice.

Re: 140H Grader
 

I am just discovering this project. I first opened to the last page and saw the finished product. I thought it was all metal. My wife asked if it was a scratchbuilt model. I went back and am so impressed with the combination of materials. Wood, brass and aluminum look so beautiful together before paint, and even better after. This is art! Dan

Re: 140H Grader
 

Joe, U seemed right at home driving my grader. I deem it an honor to get such praising words from U and all the other fellows. I have no time or experience on the 1:1., I just studied the machine and took many pictures in hopes of getting it close to the real thing as possible.

I managed to get a couple of pics of ours together.

Rob's 140H and Joe (dirtpusher)'s D9R

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...t/IMAG0984.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...t/IMAG0985.jpg

Again, thanks for the all the KIND words!

Re: 140H Grader
 

those two machines look so good together kinda like a construction job site with the iron all parked

Re: 140H Grader
 

Rob, it was great to see this in person job well done ;) only thing , there's 1 cat missing in that pic :p:p:p