It lives! The oil arrived today, poured it in, cycled the cylinders a few times, watched all the air come out and voila, it steers and the bucket lifts up… what more could you want! Apart from a loose fitting, there were no other leaks!
Set it up to run 10 bar to start with, but the steering was very slow, plus it takes a while to get used to driving something that bends in the middle! Upped the pressure to 12 bar and very happy now… It can go a lot higher, but not needed at the moment.
Programmed the transmitter to only activate the pump when needed, that took a while to get my head around!
At least it moves and steers… and empties!
I do need a better speed controller though it thermal overloaded towards the end…!
Couple of boring videos…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBgVZYWHqL4
Loaded the bucket with 6 x 1.5 litres (which I think equates to 9kgs in weight?) of Evian’s finest and it lifted it with ease…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0WBloKimnU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLjPuIL0EE4
Well happy!