4 Hour Bruder Dozer

[RCP57]

Originally Posted by Ben1272

That's great! I will order some and have it sent to my local home depot. I have been wanting to try this approach for years, ever since reading about Greg (RCLOGGER) using it on his equipment!

Thanks for posting your find! Now I can stop bothering Reg offline.

-Ben

Haha, you were no bother at all Ben. I hope this works out for you guys!

Reg

[DieselKid]

These are so cool Reg!!! Love the ROPS cage!

-Alex

[Rvjimd]

FYI ...

I got my aluminum edging stock today. Looks like the rest of the free world can order grouser raw material!

Thanks Reg!

Jim

[RCP57]

That's great Jim! I'm glad it all worked out.

[Ben1272]

Reg, do you think plastic sprockets could hold up for use with the #35 roller chain based tracks? I can design and print them on my 3D printer in ABS plastic or PLA plastic, which is a bit harder than the ABS. Will sand, etc., just wear them away prematurely?

I think I am going to give it a shot and see. Can always convert to aluminum if it is a no go.

My aluminum extrusion is due here any day.

Thanks for your help,

Ben

bruder sprocket concept.JPG

[RCP57]

I guess it depends on how much sand you are running in but I'm sure they will last a while. It's not like it's a really heavy model. You can always print more anyway right! I like the design! They look good. I need to get myself a printer that's for sure. What type do you have?

[Ben1272]

I have a solidoodle4. It is not bad for the $599 price tag! I have mine adjusted pretty nice right now and get pretty decent prints now. It definitely takes a little bit to learn about the machine and what it can do and how to design parts given its limitations. The parts being ABS allow solvent bonding so larger more complex parts can be broken down into smaller more manageable parts and then bonded together. The sprocket I showed was printed from two parts, designed to be keyed together, and then solvent bonded.

I am going to make the entire drivetrain with this approach and will post pictures as I get further along.

I think I am also goinf to use the printer to make a fixture to hold the extrusion while I mill the sides clean and drill holes and mill slot.....we'll see how that idea pans out!