Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

I managed to get some paint on.......did some more detail work on the blade, added steps, mesh on cab, a/c unit, air intake and exhaust. It's rumored there are hyd. pumps headed this way....we'll see. I need to get some decals made now......
http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/P1120475.jpg
http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/P1120476.jpg
http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/P1120477.jpg
http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/P1120478.jpg
http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/P1120479.jpg
http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/P1120481.jpg
http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/P1120483.jpg

Thanks for tuning in

Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Ben! The Skidder looks Awesome!! Great paint job! Almost ready to skid some wood!!

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Wow!:eek: That turned out great!

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Your skidder is awesome!! It looks too clean though. Here is a 1/50 Cat 545 from back in my weathering days.
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/HPIM1354.jpg
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/HPIM1351.jpg

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

great looking skidder, you did a great job on this can't wait to see pics and video of it working

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

nice work i like it keep up the great work

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Very nice! Just needs the decaling and it be perfect!

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

very nice paint job...

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Thanks guys!! I still have a lot to do, hope to get it completed in under a year, we'll see though, pumps are rare these days as you know...... hope to find somewhere to make get some accurate decals made.

Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Snochaser, Your skidder is looking good. Decals are easy enough to make with water slide off decal paper and a Ink Jet printer. I have an old Windows 95 program for lettering and with a little working at it, I have been able to use the paint program to make some. I believe that some of the newer Windows programs have some useful features that may lend themselves to making decals. Once again, I'm anxious to see your skidder complete and powered up. Fred

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Wow that really looks awesome, well done! Hope you plan on taking some videos of it pulling some logs.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Wow, that's looking great! Keep it up.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Well done Ben !
Your skidder looks great and even better with fresh paint. Looking forward to seeing it in action. Almost time to put it to work....

greg

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Very nice Ben! Boy, this thing is almost done, huh? It looks great. Even without the decals, it's a very nice model. Just goes to show you don't always need really expensive equipment to build nice models.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Now that's a very sharp piece of equipment Ben!:) And as others have mentioned just imagine how awesome it will look when the decals are applied!

Not having a whole lot of exposure to forestry equipment of any kind it's neat to watch a build like this take shape.

Keep up the excellent work!

-Alex

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

looks very nice, did you do the articulation with a servo and links or is it hydraulic also?

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

The new paint job has transformed it... looks a load better now, good work.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Looks great! Hope you're able to get your pump soon and get it running.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

I received a nice little box of goods in the mail the other day! Finally after 11 months. Time to dig in.

Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

A lil paint can make a huge difference, looks really good!

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Ben, any new progress on the Skidder! Can't wait to see it in action.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Yes, finally! A little at a time. Time has been rare for the hobby as of late, but I'm making a few progressive steps.:D

Thanks for checking.
Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

I'm slowly getting there...
http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/P6110725.jpg

http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/P6110724.jpg

Waiting for a little more hose and some additional time.

Will I have problems with the lines coming off if I don't use the sleeves on the ends?


Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Probably so, especially if the hose fits rather easily and the cylinder is under alot of pressure for an extended period of time. I don't like the big sleeves, so in certain places, i have used very small, black tie-raps and tucked the head underneath. Hope that helps.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Won't be long now. Ben I used the 2.5 mm hose and fittings and haven't had any trouble except when I didn't leave enough hyd. line. It needs to be square with the fitting. Looks good , ready to see it dragging a load of logs.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Thanks for the input guys.

They do fit very tight on the barbs. Hope they don't come off, but any sign of it I'll try the zip ties 1st. I'm hoping to get it nearly completed this weekend.

Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Keep up the great work, can't wait to see it pulling some logs. Need to have a Swamp Logging contest 2 Indy....:D

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

looks great Ben :) I got the logging truck just about ready :p

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Ihbuilder, I'll be more than happy to drag some logs to you in Indy.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

I'm waiting on a return call from Ric to send me some 1/8" od tubing. That's my hold up at this time.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

It lives! Finally. I will post a video once my computer is up and running.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

I am pretty tickled with the performance for my first attempt at one of these models. Finally after 16 months I have found the time engineering and money to do this. The battery (12v pack from PMD) seems to die fairly quick from what I thought it would. I can't figure out why my speed control will radomly just go into full reverse or forward without warning (as you can see in the one of the videos when it starts to just back up at the end), if I mess with the dip switches it will go back to "normal". I hope in Indy I can get some hands on help from you guys to help me fine tune it. The bottle in the video is a 32oz. Gatorade bottle to show the strength. I think it does pretty well.

Video below
http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_P7040766.jpg

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

That is on-point Ben!

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Ben;

I like your skidder. Very good.

What did you use to "weld" some of the aluminum parts together?

Ken

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Very very nice!
About the ESC acting up: Do you use a "self-learning" ESC? If those switch off, due to an intermittent connection, over-current or over-heating, they will come back after a short while and take whatever position the stick is at as their new neutral. I therefore strongly advise against using them, but I know some people prefer them.
Not sure what your problem really is, just had this idea...

Cheers
Jens

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

look very good seeing your working so well make me think i should take my skidder down off the shelf and finsh the grapple and the blade up.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Snochaser-your model looks great and seems to perform really well! Nice job!

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Thanks guys. I will try to post a few more videos tomorrow if I get the time. Gotta find some "logs".

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

No shortage of power, I can see that! My favorite thing about this build is that it didn't require a whole bunch of expensive metal working machines to complete, and yet it's looks good and runs good too.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Ben, are you using the DE Sabertooth 2x12 RC ESC?