Mack DM truck, scale 1/24

[kerst]

A little side project. I needed a heavy duty truck in scale 1/24 to move various trailers. I had this MB truck, but it was in scale 1/20.



So I decided to convert it into a heavy duty Mack DM 800. Years ago I bought a cab with hood for a DM 600 and with a bit of work this became the cab for the DM 800. I made a new frame and front axle and managed to fit all the RC equipment in. The drive train was fine. It has a 2-speed gearbox and the tandem axles work OK. there is still a bit of finishing work to be done obviously.









Kerst

[sparkycuda]

Interesting conversion/kit bash. You are getting very good at making spoked wheels!

Ken

[jerry56]

Nice, but **** that is a tight space kudos for getting everything tucked in there.

[kerst]

I decided to add a low loader NYC 90's style, like Malbros and Confortti had to haul big crawlers like the 4100W around town. I am using parts of disused projects to build it. I just finished the axles with solid suspension and I am working my way forward.



I just glued the beams and it is sitting in the windowsill using the some solar energy to speed up the curing of the glue:



Kerst

[kerst]

This weekend I made some good progress with the Rogers trailer. I have some picture of 3 different Roger low loaders, which are all slightly different in detail. My version will be a combination of these.
It is all still pretty rough and unfinished, but it gives a preview of the finished low loader.












Kerst

P.S. Thank you, Robert Lynn McKenzie, for your help!

[jerry56]

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out, I've been thinking about building one too.

[frizzen]

Truck and trailer are looking nice.

Am i seeing a 2-speed trans on that truck?

[kerst]

Originally Posted by frizzen

Truck and trailer are looking nice.

Am i seeing a 2-speed trans on that truck?

Thanks and yes, it has 2 speeds. And it can be remotely shifted.

Kerst

[kerst]

I made some progress. Apart from some detailing and painting it is ready. I added a winch behind the cab and there is a motor in the gooseneck to raise the trailer. I use a switch to change from drive motor to the other motor.

This is the first test run. The 4100W is quite heavy, even without counterweights and the truck feels it. The frame of the low loader is plenty strong and even flexes a bit. The truck goes forward pretty well, but steering doesn't respond very well. There is too much weight on the tandem axles. Maybe I should add a dolly. Would be fun, but more difficult to reverse!
I made a start with load securing, but the elastics don't really do it. It actually needs a chain.









And 2 short videos:

https://youtu.be/oNGMZ76sZao
https://youtu.be/RFt46H56-ms

Kerst

[9W Monighan]

May have to go to planetary rears for that much weight.

[kerst]

Originally Posted by 9W Monighan

May have to go to planetary rears for that much weight.

The rears are doing quite well actually. But there is too much weight on them and too little on the front axle. maybe I can move the fifth wheel a bit forward.

Kerst

[frizzen]

The crane is a beast on that trailer

Tuck some lead up in the trucks front fenders toward the bumper?

[kerst]

Thanks for all the kind words!
I did some work on securing the 4100W.









I am still debating what color the truck should have.

Kerst

[kerst]

The painting is done and some details added.











Ready for work!

https://youtu.be/CAch470Hugo

Kerst

[sparkycuda]

As usual, a great job!

Ken

[egronvold]

A real beast :$