1/12 John Deere 870G

[carp]

So this is my first scratch build after converting a bruder excavator, its made from steel, 50mmx50mm box for track base, cant remember what gauge the boom steel is, tracks are made from 1/2 inch roller chain with every other tooth removed from sprocket, the track pads are carpet gripper cut into bit and bolted through every other chain link.

I know people like to see the universal scale coke can to get an idea of the size but we couldnt find 1 so i had to use the universal pint glass

[RCP57]

Nice start! It's gonna be big...SWEET! What kind of valve is that???

Reg

[carp]

the valve block is from fumotec

[RCKiwi]

wow! Monster build fella! Do you have only one bolt holding the cleats onto the tracks? No fear of them skewing around in use?
Glenn

[pumptech]

Nice metal work ,looking good so far ! ,look forward to seeing more of this build.
Do you have a build thread for your bruder excavator?

[carp]

Rckiwi : yes there is only 1 bolt holding the cleats this owrried me to start with also but the aluminium is soft and bites into the chain once the bolt is tight and cant be twisted.

Pumptech : i cant take credit for the metal work that was my dad, i cut the shapes out and he welded it for me when i was at work didnt make a build thread for my bruder to be honest i struggled with the screwdrives they didnt seem to have any power, we got it working i moved some sand with it then it got shelved and i started building this.

[pumptech]

.

Pumptech : i cant take credit for the metal work that was my dad, i cut the shapes out and he welded it for me when i was at work didnt make a build thread for my bruder to be honest i struggled with the screwdrives they didnt seem to have any power, we got it working i moved some sand with it then it got shelved and i started building this.[/QUOTE]

Well, you and your dad are off to a good start , looks to be thin gauge sheet metal ,seeing the heat coloration ,have to be speedy welding that.May have to beef up the boom were it meets the arm a little (pivot point) ,just a thought.
As for the Bruder ,had my troubles with mine in the beginning, finally got it where I want it,finding the right servos,made a metal bucket for it,digs sand ,loose dirt ok.

[Lil Giants]

A great start that both you and your dad have done.

Is your dad as ambitious about this hobby as you? The two of you could build alot of great models together.

[carp]

Joe: Im not sure hes as ambitious as i am but he was an engineer before he retired so he doesnt mind helping with a bit of welding, i think he can see the practical uses of it to do work in the garden

A few updates from yesterday, track base is tacked together i think its slightly crooked so may have to knock it apart and straighten it , still need to find some bolts for the top rollers so i can connect the tracks together.

Dropped the base plate on top to see what it would look like height wise, its made from 5mm steel.



my sister came back just as i was taking photos so i got her to stand on it to show better scale



Rob

[carp]

update! she rolls, bought some cheap escs from ebay then realised the were forward only powered by 2 12v drill motors running at 7.2v

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XzrYqIGpYE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUxneBpI1VM

[caterpillar]

Great idea with the carpet gripper.

[carp]

slew drive finally in place, used an old car trailer hub we had lieing around stands a bit tall but didnt pay for it so cant complain really, slew motor is fitted temporary, the shaft needs shortening so it fits better





some video testing the extra weight it now weighs 25kg, might want to turn the sound down a bit camera picks up alot of background noise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J13Y6En4ayM

[RCP57]

Looks good. What did you scoop the gears from? They look like motorcycle parts...

Reg

[carp]

RCP57: i couldnt find anything suitable in the workshop so got the gears from technobotsonline, they were on sale so quite cheap, finished the swing drive today, i think its got some nice power http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlS8KPnAJoY

[doodlebug]

Like the home brew angle Keep up the creativity!

Cheer's, Neil.

[bigford]

i bet you this machine will dig better then any store bought digger!!!
that is some heavy duty machine

[BOBCAT]

Im with bigford, this is a right piece of ironwork, i cant wait to see this digging up paving slabs.
What soet of money has it cost you so far?

[Iron Art]

If you feel that it is a little high, maybe you got enough room to let the body hang down below the car body platform, kinda split the difference. Looks good. Fred

[carp]

Bobcat : about 250quid maybe not counting the valve block, but thats including motors bought by mistake would be cheaper if i knew what i was doing.

Had a go at making a cab over the weekend, failed woodworking at school so didnt expect a masterpiece

[RCP57]

Looks good to me... Reminds me of the machines they use for logging with it high up like that.

Reg