Re: New Project!
 

Nice work Stuart!

Re: New Project!
 

This a really cool build. I've seen the Blocher kits, and I always thought they were nice. I am sure those kits inspired you, and there is nothing wrong with that! I like the simple, clean, and functional chassis design. Those gearmotors have a definite advantage over the ones used in the Blocher kits. I like how the output shaft is centered in the planetary head. Where did you find motors like these? Are they as powerful, or more powerful then the ones that the Blocher kits run?

Re: New Project!
 

Thankyou!

Thankyou for the kind words, its very much based on the Blocher kit although not an exact copy;)

I'm yet to find out if the motors are strong enough:eek:
I posted where to get them earlier in the thread, they were quoted as 2.6kg/cm
I don't know what torque the Blocher ones have, I think they are made by Modelcraft.

Not much of an update, I made a new bottom plate for the rear, I wasn't happy with the original, also got the lift servo mounted, will swap this for a high torque one later, some goodies arrived so I fitted the lower bearing for the swivel:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3d3be08c.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps170de18c.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps54ac350a.jpg

Will start on the rear motor tubes whilst waiting for more stuff to arrive.

Thanks for looking
Stu

Re: New Project!
 

Got some more done:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps49d30a18.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...psc719ea85.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...psa6cabe8b.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1698b1f8.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...psa675de92.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1c44a448.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps95c099be.jpg

Still have the rear hitch and the pivot to sort out
Cheers
Stu

Re: New Project!
 

Looking good, have you powered it up for a test yet?

Re: New Project!
 

Looks awesome!

Re: New Project!
 

my guess is something realy nice and that i will realy want

Re: New Project!
 

Thanks for the comments

I've bench tested the motors, once its a roller I will shoot a vid;)

Stu

Re: New Project!
 

Very nice work Stu. I'm looking forward to the videos. This such a cool a project. Thanks for sharing the info and answering my questions.

Re: New Project!
 

No worries, its why I joined the forum, to learn and to share:)

Ally arrived for the pivot:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1cf3c547.jpg

A couple of hours later:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps395eb7e6.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...pse0c5366c.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5bf60a43.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5cbf3fdc.jpg

Soon be ready for the first test vid:D

Stu

Re: New Project!
 

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?

Re: New Project!
 

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

Nice machine work!

Re: New Project!
 

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.

Re: New Project!
 

Ha Ha! Like this you mean:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...psc0fdfcc5.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps56d8736a.jpg

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

Re: New Project!
 

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

Enjoy:D

Bench test

Articulation test


Stu

Re: New Project!
 

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

Re: New Project!
 

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.

Re: New Project!
 

Not yet, that will be the next big test!

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

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...pse0916e1f.jpg

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:confused: it does however provide limits to the travel just like a servo, so no problem with stalling out the motor against the stops:cool:

Stu

Re: New Project!
 

Made a little progess on the rear end:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps535b8823.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps71c52397.jpg

Front hitch servo:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps035d2909.jpg

Battery fits under the bonnet (hood!):

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps23d25033.jpg

Couldn't resist a quick body mock up:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...psaf91a26c.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...pse6497752.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps707c75bc.jpg

Cheers
Stu

Re: New Project!
 

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.

Re: New Project!
 

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

Made a start on the front hitch:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps76a0365b.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5990f82d.jpg

Thanks for lookin
Stu

Re: New Project!
 

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

Re: New Project!
 

Bien sur!

Front hitch arms & linkage:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0f8c9760.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps380e41de.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps895b5b4d.jpg


Stu

Re: New Project!
 

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!

Re: New Project!
 

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?:eek: long time since i've done those sort of claculations!
Should be way more than I plan to use anyhow.

Stu

Re: New Project!
 

Awesome work!

Can't wait to see it fully operational.

Re: New Project!
 

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

Re: New Project!
 

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.

Re: New Project!
 

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

Thanks for looking

Stu

Re: New Project!
 

Some pics of the steering setup.

The 10k pot fitted to the steering pivot:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps219430d2.jpg

This is the speed controller, 3 wires go to the pot, 2 to the motor, 2 to the battery and the other 3 to the receiver. Its less than an inch square and 1/4 inch thick:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5981ba00.jpg

Started on the wiring, I'm using jst connectors so its all "plug & play" and all the electronics are mounted to a removable plate, so far I have 4x speed controllers (1x throtle, 1x steering, 2x for the implement I plan on making;)) and a ubec. Next is the sound unit, speaker and lights, hope it all fits:eek:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps11ad1a93.jpg

Cheers
Stu

Re: New Project!
 

Got some more done this weekend:

Sound module

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps799dc065.jpg

Receiver

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps14ced918.jpg

Speaker

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps67d6349c.jpg

Lights

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps10b9106e.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...psf52e56e2.jpg

A quick vid:

Sounds & Lights test

Will do an outside vid soon

Stu

Re: New Project!
 

Sun was shining this afternoon so I thought I would find out how well it pulls a trailer:

Trailer full of sand

Stu

Re: New Project!
 

Stu;

Very good job on your engeering and maching.

I think that with 4 geared motors you will have more power than traction.

Thank you for posting your build.

Ken

Re: New Project!
 

You must be quite pleased seeing your hard work & great planning in motion. Well done Stu :cool:

Is the start up adjustable so it doesn't take so long? ...I like my stuff to start at the touch of a key. ;)

Re: New Project!
 

Looks and works nice, Stu. Great job with the lights and with fitting all the necessary electronics in such a small space. I like the front speaker placement too. What are your thoughts on the wheel motors, now that you've had a chance to run them?

Re: New Project!
 

Thanks Ken, yes your right the tyres loose grip before the motors stall, so thinking of adding more weight. Maybe in the wheels???
It weighs about 4kg at the mo.

Yes I love it when a plan comes together :D

All the sounds are adjustable on the pc, then you load them onto a micro sd card and put the card in the sound module.

It has 2 sounds for starting, a "cold start" & a "warm start" with an adjustable timer for how long to wait when stopped before reverting to the "cold start"

I must have it set for Artic conditions :eek: I need to do more tinkering with the sound files.

Thanks Nate, I'm pleased with the speaker as well, although it does loose a lot of volume when you close the bonnet, sorry, hood :p

May need to cut some slots in the grill to let the sound out???

The motors are great, maybe not as smooth starting as the modelcraft ones but seem to have good power and as I said above, the tyres loose traction before the motors are anywhere near stalling. For the money and the fact they are centered, I would recommend them.

Thanks for all the compliments, still more to come ;)

Stu

Re: New Project!
 

That is a great build, Thanks for the additional details on the steering. I did not realize it was a commercially available setup. I thought you were an electronics guru and built it all youself. That is a really neat product. I cant wait to see more videos of your tractor working hard.

Thanks again for sharing.

Re: New Project!
 

No worries & thanks for the comments, yeah the steering works really well, no fear of overloading at full lock.

I've shortened the warm start sound:

Another vid

Cheers
Stu

Re: New Project!
 

First time in the model room since christmas! Where does the time go!

So a little update on the JD, mounted the rear mudguards and fitted the rear lights, also made a start on the rear implement sockets:

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2583e2d4.jpg

Thanks for looking
Stu

Re: New Project!
 

Great job Stuart, now we need video clip.
Jack