Dozer GPS blade. How to d discussion
 

OK me and one of the guys at work where talking. And was trying to come up with a way
To drive a dozer and blade using GPS like the real ones. Not like going really do it but kind of cool thing to try to figure out and discuss. I know drones and airplanes use GPS for navigation. And then there all the ardreeno (spelled wrong) and raspberry pi boards that can use GPS. How and can it be done?

Re: Dozer GPS blade. How to d discussion
 

Take a look at this Vario excavator fitted with GPS

https://youtu.be/y1mZuqFsSjE

Re: Dozer GPS blade. How to d discussion
 

Even if you can find a GPS receiver small enough from, lets just say a cell phone, small enough for our 1:14 scale dozer, it would be impossible to use it because a civilian based GPS is only good for +- 5' feet horiz and vert. The best you can get in accuracy is with Survey grade GPS receiver ($30k) and that has 1" inch horiz and vert. and even that is too much tolerance for our 1:14 scale trying to level with. The idea is great though. Maybe use an accelerometer instead?

Re: Dozer GPS blade. How to d discussion
 

So is there a way to make a way to keep the blade level with some kind of gyro. Like a drift car gyro. The thing I see is how will the dozer know where the blade is.

Re: Dozer GPS blade. How to d discussion
 

Of course size is a big issue especially if you want things remain scale looking. As far as knowing where the blade is located, I believe there are many different ways to accomplish that. Here are a few:

Basically it would require some feedback just like a servo. So if you are using hydraulics to raise, lower the blade, perhaps mounting a linear resistor mounted with the cylinder rod that changes resistance with the cylinder extending and retracting. Feed this info back to an Arduino or some sort of microprocessor or circuit, maybe a hacked up servo to figure out it's location.

Another way would possibly be to use an ultrasonic distance measuring sensor (maybe even a laser). I'm not sure how accurate they or how well they would work at a close distance. Perhaps point one down at the ground mounted on the back of the blade. Also not sure how well this would do if it got dirty.

Another technique would be to use a stepper motor and a known pitch leadscrew to move the blade and count steps to calculate the location. Of course this could go horribly wrong if the stepper missed steps for various reasons.

Basically you are leaving the scale model realm and getting into robotics at this point. If you are really interested in this sort of thing, I'd suggest you start reading up on those type of sites. Neat discussion though...

Re: Dozer GPS blade. How to d discussion
 

Maybe an aircraft autopilot system could be adapted? Flying the blade off pitch and roll, could even try for heading hold to keep it straight.

It might also work to run something like the wii-mote hack. So you could put lighted survey pins out and try to resolve location and roll angle from those.

I do remember a couple guys working with computer controlled models, they might be willing to offer suggestions or advice on scripting.

What's the end goal you're looking for?
. Blade doing the technical work and you just drive?
Turn on DozerDrone, walk away and the hills are flat when you get back?

Re: Dozer GPS blade. How to d discussion
 

Kind of like you drive the dozer controls the blade. I think would be cool you wold like " oh the garden need a level grade and boom you and a buddy with his dozer make it happen !

Re: Dozer GPS blade. How to d discussion
 

Wonder if you make system that used mercury switch and it was simple if then type of setup if switch no level move blade up or down til the whole machine run level

Re: Dozer GPS blade. How to d discussion
 

Maybe all that's needed is an appointment with an optometrist so you can see what level looks like :p :lol: