CAT 14M Motor Grader

[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.

[JensR]

That's great!
I hope I do not sound too critical - I think your project is a dream!