CAT 14M Motor Grader

[Hemi1966]

I got the lift cylinders done

[elliot330]

Ari, you might have said already, but how many valves/channels you going to be using on this?

Good progress by the way..

Elliot

[JensR]

Your speed and quality are both absolutely amazing!

What ball heads are you using?
I wasn't impressed with the metal heads I found (either not enough articulation or the ball would pop out too easily), so am back to using the Tamiya plastic ones, which are strong enough for me needs...

Cheers
Jens

[Hemi1966]

Originally Posted by elliot330

Ari, you might have said already, but how many valves/channels you going to be using on this?

Good progress by the way..

Elliot

Just made a quick calculation, and it appears the there will be 7 hydraulic functions/valves + blade rotate control, drive motor control and all the possible electric switches (sound, lights, rotating beacon...)
It appears that I don´t have enough channels on my radio
I will make all the hydraulic cylinders functional but I might not be able to use them all.

JensR,
I´m using these rod ends: http://store.rc4wd.com/Aluminum-Mini...l-1_p_637.html

[JensR]

Thanks Ari!

I take it you are happy with them, so I might consider them if I run into the limits of the plastic ones.

As for controls, I have 13 functions on my grader, more info here:
http://www.rctruckandconstruction.co...ead.php?t=2056

I have since then added mechanical floating positions for the blade lifts. Each counts as a "on-off" channel on my transmitter.
I will try to get the 6x6 working and will add another ESC for the front wheels, with a mixer relating to the main drive.
I didn't want to spend a fortune and have looked at many ways of achieving this many controls while keeping it operational.
I have opted to go for a modified transmitter set-up, using two Turnigy 9x transmitters - more info also in the above thread. As you can see, this is rather backyards engineering, but someone with your machining skills could do some _really_ nice mounting/housing.
There's also a solder-yourself bluetooth kit from Germany that does a lot of channels: http://www.blauzahn-online.de.vu/
Not sure how good your German is?

I'm not an expert, but in my opinion having easy control of the grader is essential for operating it with fun and I had a good look at actual user interfaces and also some futuristic ones where I found patents.
I personally think that the Caterpillar M-series controls, which I adapted to my grader, are very intuitive and as your grader is a 14M, it would be a perfect fit.
Just an idea

Best wishes
Jens

[Hemi1966]

Thank you Jens, I´ll have to check on those.

Made a little video while testing the blade lift cylinders.

[JensR]

Very nice again, Ari!

I like how the circle side shift cylinders fits neatly even at full lift!

I notice a bit of slack when you lift the grader up, but that is admittedly a rather extreme manoeuvre!

What is the maximum clearance between the blade and the ground which you get?

Original has:
Maximum lift above ground 16.5 in
Maximum depth of cut 17.3 in
http://www.cat.com/cda/layout?m=308648&x=7

In 1:14.5 that would be 28mm and 30mm.

Cheers
Jens

[Hemi1966]

Originally Posted by JensR

Very nice again, Ari!



I notice a bit of slack when you lift the grader up, but that is admittedly a rather extreme manoeuvre!

What is the maximum clearance between the blade and the ground which you get?

Original has:
Maximum lift above ground 16.5 in
Maximum depth of cut 17.3 in
http://www.cat.com/cda/layout?m=308648&x=7

In 1:14.5 that would be 28mm and 30mm.

Cheers
Jens

I have some temporary loose bolts in all of the joints in the mechanism, so most of the slack is due to those bolts.

I can get the blade 26mm off the ground, and then the center shift cylinder starts to get pinched. Downward it goes about 35mm.