New Project!

[RCP57]

Originally Posted by Espeefan

Looks nice Stu. Quick question though. The articulation joint looks rigid. Will you make a pivot point for one of the axles, so it can oscillate?

Looks like the whole arse end articulates to me...but what do I know anyway!lol

Nice machine work!

[Espeefan]

Oh crap. You're right! I was studying the articulation joint so much that failed to see the pivot behind it. D'oh! Actually looks like there is a bearing in there.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Espeefan

Looks nice Stu. Quick question though. The articulation joint looks rigid. Will you make a pivot point for one of the axles, so it can oscillate?

Originally Posted by RCP57

Looks like the whole arse end articulates to me...but what do I know anyway!lol

Nice machine work!

Originally Posted by Espeefan

Oh crap. You're right! I was studying the articulation joint so much that failed to see the pivot behind it. D'oh! Actually looks like there is a bearing in there.

Ha Ha! Like this you mean:





Both the steering and rear end pivot on bearings.
Thanks for the comments.
Stu

[Stuart]

Time for the first test vids.
The banging noise in the back ground is the wind, its between 30 and 80 kph today!

Enjoy

Bench test

Articulation test


Stu

[Espeefan]

Looks and runs great! Have you tried pulling anything yet? I'm curious how the motors perform under loads.

[RCP57]

Awesome! I steer my Skidder in a similar fashion and I am wondering if you are going to put limit switches on there somehow? I don't have anything on mine but I guess it would be nice if someone else that wasn't familiar with it was operating it.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Espeefan

Looks and runs great! Have you tried pulling anything yet? I'm curious how the motors perform under loads.

Not yet, that will be the next big test!

Originally Posted by RCP57

Awesome! I steer my Skidder in a similar fashion and I am wondering if you are going to put limit switches on there somehow? I don't have anything on mine but I guess it would be nice if someone else that wasn't familiar with it was operating it.

I've fitted a 10K pot to the steering pivot, not the best pic but you get the idea:



It's connected to a special speed control which makes it work like a big servo, it doesn't self centre completely, wondering if I need to change the pot for different resistance it does however provide limits to the travel just like a servo, so no problem with stalling out the motor against the stops

Stu

[Stuart]

Made a little progess on the rear end:





Front hitch servo:



Battery fits under the bonnet (hood!):



Couldn't resist a quick body mock up:







Cheers
Stu

[Espeefan]

Looking really good, Stu. I can't wait to see what you come up with for the 3 point hitch. I might find myself in the same situation someday. I really want to build a tractor.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Espeefan

Looking really good, Stu. I can't wait to see what you come up with for the 3 point hitch. I might find myself in the same situation someday. I really want to build a tractor.

Thanks, go for it, its a challenge but great fun

Made a start on the front hitch:





Thanks for lookin
Stu

[FlyingBeagle]

This is a fantastic build, I can tell this tractor is going to work very well. Please go into more detail about how you set up the pivot motor with the pot and speed controller so that it functions like a servo. I am not very good with electronics, but I am very intrigued by your setup and would like to know more.


Thanks for sharing with us all.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by FlyingBeagle

This is a fantastic build, I can tell this tractor is going to work very well. Please go into more detail about how you set up the pivot motor with the pot and speed controller so that it functions like a servo. I am not very good with electronics, but I am very intrigued by your setup and would like to know more.


Thanks for sharing with us all.

Thanks FB, no worries I will take some more detailed pics of the steering setup over the weekend.

Thanks for looking

Stu

[ricm]

nice job - it's not uncommon for the big tractors to only have a towing eye. 3 point hitch is used for implements which need to be lifted, which is frequently not the case for the large ploughs and seed drills that require high towing forces. I'd be looking to get that tipping trailer to work first

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by ricm

nice job - it's not uncommon for the big tractors to only have a towing eye. 3 point hitch is used for implements which need to be lifted, which is frequently not the case for the large ploughs and seed drills that require high towing forces. I'd be looking to get that tipping trailer to work first

Thanks ricm, I know what you mean but I still like the idea of a working hitch, must be a european thing

The trailer is on the to do list, I want to make a new ally chassis for it, need to get the tractor finished first though.

The rose joints, clevis's and brass arrived so found some time this week and cranked up the mill:





Thanks for lookin
Stu

[kaptain Jack]

Machined from solid piece of aluminum... life must be good.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by kaptain Jack

Machined from solid piece of aluminum... life must be good.

Bien sur!

Front hitch arms & linkage:








Stu

[Espeefan]

Nice work Stu. Are the lifting arms pinned to the shaft, or just secured with set screws? How much power does your lifting servo have? The parts are looking good!

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Espeefan

Nice work Stu. Are the lifting arms pinned to the shaft, or just secured with set screws? How much power does your lifting servo have? The parts are looking good!

Thanks Nate, I machined a flat on each end of the shaft and they are set screwed in place for now, there's enough meat there to drill and pin if required.

Its a metal geared servo rated at 15Kg/cm stall @6v 13kg @4.8v

My lift arms are 60mm long and the crank is the same length as the servo arm so should stall at around 2kg if my maths is right? long time since i've done those sort of claculations!
Should be way more than I plan to use anyhow.

Stu

[Acadieman]

Awesome work!

Can't wait to see it fully operational.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Acadieman

Awesome work!

Can't wait to see it fully operational.

Thankyou, yeah I'm looking forward to it too, can't wait to see how much pulling power these motors have.

Waiting on more stuff to arrive, then I can get it wired up properly.

Cheers
Stu