Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5pkawgqv.jpg

Forgot one :)

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Where do you source those little metal clamps from? How much range do they have?

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

KMS Tools have them in Canada Joe. They open just over 1/2". Cleko makes them.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Trailer is looking awesome RW!

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Looks to be the same ones we use for making repairs or panels on aircraft if you don't mind my asking what do you pay for them? Maybe can get ya some cheaper as we order them in bulk.
liking the idea of the welded channel to make "I" beam and the bag suspenion:jaw:

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Last time I bought them here in Canada they were $4.50 each on sale. Pliers are about $17 I think. The work really well until they get too hot! Then they just melt....lol

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Joe I get them from McMaster-Carr. Yes they are a bit pricey. And they definitely don't take heat well :(. Lol!! Work great for tacking welds and pretty strong springs in em. The round ones are for sized holes.
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...pswfvu43jj.jpg

Don't know what I'm doing for decking but am keeping the topside flat, ground fairly flat any high welds.

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...pstxkvyn9h.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psxgurne9w.jpg

And thanks guys, as always one idea that looks simple in my sleep transpires into a full blown project with lots of work and melting brain matter :). I got the deck done now trying to figure out a super strong way of attaching, and incorporating side extensions. Might try the slide out kind, or just the regular triangle swing outs, or the slip fit detached ones,,,, hummm all this thinking!!!!!!!!

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Yup:)

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Well let me know if ya need any more the ones we buy are $2.25/each for that type (1" or 1/2" jaw) we also have the "C" clamp type

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Is the m3 bolt binding when you try to cycle the suspension? The trailing arm is trying to moving in a radial motion and the bolt is (probably) holding the arm to linear motion. I might be missing something but that's what i'm seeing.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

I don't think I've seen the C clamp type. Have any pictures?

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Here you go RCP i'd never seen clamp style cleckos before either.
This is the third time i've seen pictures of cleckos today. People from Kansas must talk funny because I've been convinced for years it clenkos.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

The blue ones are Clecko's? I was thinking they would be small like the others but I guess not...

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

That pic was just to show underside. The axles will not move in a tilting motion, just up n down. The m3 rod was the hard part, bending and taking in the slight arc of the suspension travel. I think I hit on that before, that's what was tricky. Setting the rod in just the right spot before welding. The holes in the aluminum arms were drilled slightly bigger than rod for welding. Using them as sort of a jig for holding. After tacking into place I removed them and hogged them oblong to allow the threads to pass through travel unimpeded. But the springs were intentionally sourced to be strong as I'm planning on 60# plus. But after all the axles were in place the combined spring strength was realized to be a bit too strong. All the foam is doing is hiding the springs, gives no resistance. Another thing I'm trying to figure is weight distribution. I don't want the load to squat front axle and spring last axle. Before welding I'm going to preload the axle part of trailer. Or use different rate springs front to back. Just don't want it to arc and flex belly down and a$$ up :lol: that's why this part is kind of a critical area.
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psnqcnpujf.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psmbhxdxbo.jpg

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Lol, the blue ones are just c clamps, I picked up some wider clamps the other day and they were nicely painted,,until I heat em up :jaw:

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...y25/clamps.png
1/2" jaw vs. 1" jaw & 5lbs vs. 10lbs
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1.../c%20cleco.jpg
"C" type

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

OK, that what I thought...

Those C type are cool! I can see how those would come in very handy at times. Thanks for posting pics Joe.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Me too reg, just got done looking on fleebay for some :).

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Not a prob, if ya find em cheaper please let me know. They are life savers when your building a spar or an instrument panel
I get a 2" opening for $5.95 or a 3" for $7.95 as much as mine get used (lost) at school... lol I gotta quit loanin tools

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psbhnjwr8t.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psbhnjwr8t.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4pxtr2au.jpg

I was trying to have the load transferred to back axles first then progressive stiffer springs as forward axles.
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psgjuw6hfr.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psgzx4fene.jpg

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Sorry about double pics, working from phone :(.
I think I figured out how I can use the actuators I have, thanks to the advanced prototype tools I have. :)
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psr8hejk2v.jpg

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Made up this little jig for welding up the neck arms
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psig87wqyn.jpg


And the arms with steel bushings.
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psw6nnryag.jpg

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

After eating too much for bday dinner I tried to get some more done but it's couch time:).
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psicexxinc.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psmcfnmsza.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6ug2vaas.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psdgf0d8be.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psh7mwpx1w.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7grolxee.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...pskqlmgodn.jpg

The top shaft will be able to pass from side to side, the bottom will be two separate on each side as actuator will interfere with it. Trying to make it torsionally stiff as possible.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

gettin better and better each day

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

That scissor neck is coming out sweet. I like it! Good job

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psykzmexg8.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8uen6dgz.jpg

Getting towards the end :). Or the front I guess. Been trying to keep things square. And just a quick pic of the future employee, he is like the poster child for Applebee's--- eatin' good in the neighborhood!!!! He just looks bulky in that pic :). Figure bulk him up before introducing him to the outdoor population of seasonal employees.
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psva9zvurk.jpg

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...pskpwztolw.jpg

It's a panoramic pic, and I'm not steady!!!

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Both the trailer and napoleon are lookin good . What is the height of your I beams in the trailer deck ? Mike

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Thanks for the complements guys, like I've said my welding skills are quite a bit rough but almost all will be hidden :).

Mikem, the I beams are almost one inch tall. I did not look into actual dimensions of trailers, just went with what I thought. The panoramic pic has distorted it quite a bit. Tomorrow I will try and get a better one. I know I'm about to run into a problem with the actuators, the top (black plastic housing) is just a bit taller than what the decking will be. One of those things of my redneck engineering, measure after you build it,,, then engineer some more:).

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

That's awsome that's all I have to say!!

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Put a live roll on the back of trk frame & a winch behind trk cab, then the scissor neck will function like a real one. :)

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

http://youtu.be/PS5cvTpWmn8

This is what I'm aiming for joe :). I will figure it out somehow whit the actuators I have :). In that video you can see the landing legs and also how the fifth wheel pin is able to slide up when the deck hits the ground. That is also going to be a little bit of challenge. Easy to do but withstand some weight being pulled will be the creative engineering. But if all else fails, yes, she will be a roll-up scissor neck. Many different names, hydraulic folding gooseneck, sissorneck.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

http://youtu.be/WRoj1bkmcxc
And another video I found. Now how cool will that be? Stay sitting in my lounge chair and not have to unhook anything!!! That's why I was going to make this have its own radio system. Just have to install a fifth wheel unlock servo in the truck and I'll only need to get up to pee or refill beverage. :) !!!

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Those lil winches RC4WD sells would handle the job. ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi05hjyHpT8

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

http://youtu.be/6FWF0a1Rt7w

Finally got it figured out somewhat!!! Still need to limit the lifting legs so the neck will elevate completely. But it is self contained rc!!

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Putting a floor on the main deck, would that work for leg stops?

Looking good. :cool:

Turn your Iphone a 1/4 turn when filming. ;)

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Next video I'll remember to do that. You have to reprogram me every so often :lol:

Yes putting 1/8" thick bass wood on for decking. But I am going to place a metal stop in frame rails to facilitate the landing legs to stop and allow neck to raise higher. I still don't know if two actuators will be enough power to lift when 60# plus load on. If not I can add one in middle or two. Haides or high water I'm bound to make this work!!!! Also have to figure out the movable kingpin. That might just be gravity to facilitate that or simple spring band. Figured you guys have remote quick change buckets for the excavators, so when I'm not around the easily motivated kids to unhook something I can still enjoy my lounge chair:lol::lol::lol: :D:D

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

You've done a fantastic job on this so far! We had a military tri-axle foldable goose neck at work for a couple years that required a winch to hook up to. Since we were using it for testing and didn't take it on the highway, we cheated and welded a couple legs to each side so we could use any available tractor to move it. It was a pain because the legs weren't timed, you had to crank each side separately:(.
The king pin was in a tube and was gravity activated. It was a 4" pin (read heavy) vs. a standard 2" pin. I would think you could do the same, maybe add a lite spring to make sure it drops when it needs to. :)

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Cooper why don't you use alder as opposed to basswood it is harder nice grain and would take a 60 # load better load . If you want some email me off list with a list . Mike

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

I really haven't thought about much other wood. Reason for that was that I have quite a few sheets of 4" x 24" . For me I think it would look cool if it does get torn up from use. I like the dented and scratched look. It really hides a lot of other imperfections :). I was thinking of milling very small slots in it to appear to be planking. Just rub some stain on and it will penetrate to the grooves, then rub off leaving the appearance of multiple strips.