Skeeters contracting services

[skeeter]

A lil more progress was made on the skidsteer, before it came to a screeching halt! I just knew this project was progressing too smoothly. One of the Servo horns I received has NO splines on it. They drilled it, instead of placing splines in it.

unnamed (75) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

At least one side is finished!
unnamed (74) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

The servos fit so close in this project, I had to use some Polish ingenuity to make them fit. On one of the bolts, the nut is resting atop the nut of the other servo.
unnamed (73) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

[skeeter]

Since I'm NOT sure if the video from Flicker works here, I'll link to the Youtube video of them.
Testing the bucket curl
https://youtu.be/WlRAZTQLdU0

Testing the drive train......well, the one side that I was able to finish.
https://youtu.be/vfCVtoQJmNc

[skeeter]

If I were to re-do this skidsteer project, I would space the wheels apart 10(ISH)mm more. that would allow a little more room for strength where the center servo bolts go through! It would also make it so that the bolts wouldn't have their nuts stacked atop each other, thus achieving a better hold to the model.

Additionally, I WOULDN'T epoxy the wire for the bucket curl into the boom arm as I did. I forgot just how heavy that stuff was. It adds up FAST. IDK (I DON'T Know) how much weight this thang will be capable of handling once I get er did.

[frizzen]

On mounting the drive servos, maybe make an inboard sandwich plate that lets you clamp plastic body between aluminum sheets, and also wraps around the servo bodies (square holes they slide into) with the center mount holes tapped instead of using nuts?

Also for visable wire management, i like to clear tape over wires on the hidden side of the part.

[skeeter]

Originally Posted by frizzen

On mounting the drive servos, maybe make an inboard sandwich plate that lets you clamp plastic body between aluminum sheets, and also wraps around the servo bodies (square holes they slide into) with the center mount holes tapped instead of using nuts?

Also for visable wire management, i like to clear tape over wires on the hidden side of the part.

I would much rather had the Aluminum plate, or other structural addative(s) on the inside, but there wasn't room. The micro servo's are a=right against the floor board of the model.

Remember this?
unnamed (9) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

Well, it now looks like this!
unnamed (76) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr
SOMEETIMES it pays to be a serial builder. I robbed it from that drive sprocket, & re-purposed it to the Bruder skidsteer conversion. Although it is a different thickness that the others, I was able to use shims to make them the same thickness.

Now I've got this.
unnamed (77) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

I didn't get any farther tonight. It's getting late & it's dinner time.

[frizzen]

Nice repurpose! Looks good

Ok then how about just making an inside plate wrap the servos on sides and bottom? tap mount holes, then throw in a couple more random screws to tie both plates to the body.

It'll hurt the ground clearance a touch, but i think the extra strength and low cg would still be a positive

[skeeter]

That's not a bad idea, Frizzen. IF I already had my new computer & was able to do CAD stuff, I'd be trying to do CAD one up right now. The servo's can use all the help they can to be sturdy(fied) in there. Once the new computer is acquired, I WILL be initiating your idea for that.

[skeeter]

Now it's just a waiting game. I've ordered the Sabertooth 2X5 from www.robotshop.com that will run the drive train, AND one that will for a future project. Since they didn't make it before the holiday, I'm not expecting them until next week some time. Guess I'll have to leave this one sitting for a bit, & dive into a different project tomorrow to keep my mind occupied.

[skeeter]

The LHS (Left Hand SIDE) wheels for the Ertl skidder conversion JUST came outta the printer. A 33 hour printing marathon it was.
unnamed (78) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

I had the shop foreman looking at the front loader tonight, preparing to fab the new bucket for it. He said he hired on here to turn wrenches, not to burn metal. I told him that as the HMFIC (Head MF In Charge) of the maintenance division, he'll do ANYTHING in the shop that I want him to do, even if it's as simple as pushing a broom, or as complicated as fabricating from scratch a new loader.
unnamed (79) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

[frizzen]

I like CAD, but run the old version... Cardboard Aided Drafting.

33hrs is an impressive print. any grip or does it get coated with something?

Might want to hire it out to a real welder, your shop lead is just gonna booger-weld it up and fail. Then tell him to go hire a Safety Guy to chew him out for how the loader bucket's supported. Need some wood cribbing in there, or he'll need the cast and bandage set.

[skeeter]

For now, I'll just be running the tires as is, made from PLA. Possibly in the future, i might could add something to them to make grip more gooder.

Yeah, I'm sure this project may hire out. I think I know someone that once upon a time has made these buckets I think his name was RCP57.

Frizz, there's NOTHING wrong with CAD, I still use it a LOT around here. Speaking of which, I think it's time to swing by office depot, & acquire some more manila file folders!

Here's wishing everybody a HAPPY Thanksgiving! Hope you all have a great holiday, & can enjoy time with friends & family, while sharing good food.

[skeeter]

Well, we did it, I bought my FIRST piece of HYDRAULIC equipment. I got this one \/

unnamed (81) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

I'd LOVE to have made the MOSTLY 3D printes, & a little bit of CNC excavator, like Stein did, but I DON'T have access to a CNC machine! Without access to one, I decided I'd just bite the bullet & buy one during RC4WD Black Friday SALE! I feel I got a decent deal out of it. The machine, battery, extra hyd hose, plus S+H was $1644.27! By far the MOST expensive RC I've ever bought, but I feel it'll be $$ well spent.

[Northern Farmer]

Originally Posted by skeeter

Well, we did it, I bought my FIRST piece of HYDRAULIC equipment. I got this one \/

unnamed (81) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

I'd LOVE to have made the MOSTLY 3D printes, & a little bit of CNC excavator, like Stein did, but I DON'T have access to a CNC machine! Without access to one, I decided I'd just bite the bullet & buy one during RC4WD Black Friday SALE! I feel I got a decent deal out of it. The machine, battery, extra hyd hose, plus S+H was $1644.27! By far the MOST expensive RC I've ever bought, but I feel it'll be $$ well spent.

Congrats on your new purchase You got a good deal. Check out DiggingWithMartin on youtube. He’s had his 4200 for a couple years now and know’s everything there is to know about these excavators. In the future if you ever want to upgrade the track motors take a look at Soyland Industries (Rimrock) on here.

[skeeter]

Originally Posted by Northern Farmer

Congrats on your new purchase You got a good deal. Check out DiggingWithMartin on youtube. He’s had his 4200 for a couple years now and know’s everything there is to know about these excavators. In the future if you ever want to upgrade the track motors take a look at Soyland Industries (Rimrock) on here.

I feel after searching around for a LONG time, that I got a good deal price wise. I just hope it's a good deal in the long run. Meaning I hope it holds up well!

Thanks fir the info, I'll check those 2 out.

[skeeter]

Originally Posted by Northern Farmer

Congrats on your new purchase You got a good deal. Check out DiggingWithMartin on youtube. He’s had his 4200 for a couple years now and know’s everything there is to know about these excavators. In the future if you ever want to upgrade the track motors take a look at Soyland Industries (Rimrock) on here.

Today after the maiden excursion of the 4200, I sent PM to him. I think I will buy his upgade kit for the drive motors. the stock motors are junky, & already not working properly. I didn't even run a full battery through the machine, before the stock motors acted up. the machine wouldn't stay in place while digging. the tracks free wheeled, & allowed the machine to move as I tried to dig.
Thanks again for the info on his upgrade parts!

[Northern Farmer]

Originally Posted by skeeter

Today after the maiden excursion of the 4200, I sent PM to him. I think I will buy his upgade kit for the drive motors. the stock motors are junky, & already not working properly. I didn't even run a full battery through the machine, before the stock motors acted up. the machine wouldn't stay in place while digging. the tracks free wheeled, & allowed the machine to move as I tried to dig.
Thanks again for the info on his upgrade parts!

Sorry to hear about the issue you already had with the track motors. Rimrock’s track motors are a great upgrade over the stock motors on the 4200, you will be happy with the upgrade The kit also includes stiffer idler springs. He’s kind enough to include an easy to understand installation guide to go along with the kit.

[skeeter]

Originally Posted by Northern Farmer

Sorry to hear about the issue you already had with the track motors. Rimrock’s track motors are a great upgrade over the stock motors on the 4200, you will be happy with the upgrade The kit also includes stiffer idler springs. He’s kind enough to include an easy to understand installation guide to go along with the kit.

I'm glad his springs are stiffer! The stock springs are weak. Already they are allowing the tracks to sag, & be sloppy lose. When I lift the machine off the shelf, the tracks DON'T stay tight, & droop downwards.

[skeeter]

Tonight, after everybody had left to return to their homes, I started a new project. The Bruder Delta Loader. This d@m thing was by far the WORST Bruder toy to dismantle! I thought the disassembly would be the WORST part of this build! WRONG was I! There's like ZEREO room in this thing. I think it'll sit in pieces on the shelf for a bit, whilst I ponder it over a tad. Who knows, I my just slap it back together, & give the d@m thing to one of the nephews.

unnamed (80) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

unnamed (80) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

[skeeter]

Today in the mail was my batteries. The SLOW boat from China FINALLY arrived with my 2/3A 1600MAH batteries. I sat down & did what any RC enthusiast would have done, & made them into the battery pack I wanted!
unnamed (82) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr

Here's a comparison pic showing the size difference between the 2/3AA 600MAH pack, & the 2/3A 1600MAH packs.
unnamed (83) by Anthony Kalnoski, on Flickr
There isn't much differnce in the amount of room that they need to have inside the model. There IS, however a HUGE difference in the amount of time I can run the Bruder D5 before a battery swap is necessary. Now I just need to get the tiny hardware sourced, & bolt the brass wear plate onto the dozer blade. I'll also be adding some more weight into the model. Since I'm running low on room inside it, I'll be adding that weight the inside of the track bodies.

[skeeter]

I had a video to upload of it pushing gravels in the driveway today. At 56 seconds long, it's too long to email from my phone to myself. IDK any other way to get it from the phone into my computer to upload it here.