Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

I was sent these months ago when they first became available but I'm just finally getting around to them now. I was fortunate enough to receive two of them. One for my customer and one for me:D:cool:.

Here's what I have so far after two and a half days of messing with them.lol It doesn't look like much but it has been a welcome break from building trailers.

PS, just in case someone wants to ask... No I don't want to do more of these.

The video explains where I'm at and headed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHh4umbN7CQ


http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...pswksfe2ny.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psqqxs4nwb.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psneypa266.jpg

look out!

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6jeft8ay.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...pspkgkzma8.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psnpepwoel.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psvpmedrbs.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psexsfuhmz.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psmjsif6bw.jpg

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Great job reg

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Awesome job on this conversion Reg :), are you adding any wieght ,like lead,to the machine ,in the drum

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Thanks guys. I will probably add some weight to the roller. I think the rear will be heavy enough by the time I make rims from solid stock for the rubber tires and a battery is added. I'm not sure if we will retain the blades on them. I think I would like to have it on mine but we'll have to see what happens.

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Drill a hole in roller & fill it with sand? ...that might impede rolling, water?

What's its guesstimate weight before mods?

Any way to implement a cell phone vibrator?

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Or motor and weights from a Playstation controller or something, might be stronger..

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Or you could get a motor, add a weight on one side to throw it off balance and you have a vibrating motor.

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

A vibrating mechanism will work better because the emence weight on a water or sand filled unit could cause the machine to sink in loose ground and the machine will get stuck. Not to mention the sand could eat up the bearings or gearing if it makes contact with them which can cause other expensive problems.
Water could work, but it may rust the metal and leaks could turn the soil under the machine into mud. Combine this with the weight and you are stuck again. And the grease may not function properly if water hits it.

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

I didn't weigh them beforehand but I doubt they were two pounds. They will be a little heavier than that when finished. I finished all of the servo and axle mounts today and started making the rear wheels. These little buggers have a rigid body on the rear now with all of the aluminum bolted in. Should be strong little models even though the shell is plastic. I bought some vibrating motors for them months ago. They are a bit big but I will see what I can do...

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

If you went the water filled route, most small tractors with water filled tires use windshield washer fluid instead of straight water. It's really not worth the rest of the opitons unless you have a friend who has some left over 'rimguard' or something.

http://www.michelinag.com/Learning-a...llasting-tires

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/20...-tire-ballast/

If you think water or sand would weigh too much, maybe look into airsoft BBs.

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Check out these videos Reg :cool:
http://youtu.be/IFbLlsG-wmc
http://youtu.be/tONeWmi1zC0
http://youtu.be/LflZi0moZiQ

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Good videos Brandon. I saw the last one recently but hadn't seen the other two. Originally I was thinking about making a metal drum but it won't end then. Metal drum, metal frame, ect. We want to keep the sheep's foot rollers too and that would be a pain to machine. I do like the driven drum though. I can see that helping a lot with the way these get around. Again though, that would take a bunch more custom parts. We are going for the KISS method here.lol

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

I hear ya ;)

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

These Bruder toys really are amazing though in my opinion. They are so well built with good quality plastic that it makes them very easy to convert into a good looking scale RC. You can keep it basic and use the whole chassis or go crazy and only use the body. Our hobby would have a lot less options if it weren't for them. I wonder why they haven't built a Cat rock truck? An ADT would be pretty cool too! Come on Bruder!lol

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

How come you didn't use the rare materials I did for the drive motor holders? Haha. I was very pleased with mine after the conversion. Weight in the drum works well, just need the militant wheels to go it's the tires I purchased. I'm sure you'll do just fine Reg, you seem to be just okay at figuring these machines out. Lol

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Yeah, how come we didn't see your build Ben? You did this months ago! My drive motors are held in with stainless tubing from a yard light so I wouldn't talk trash about your way of doing it.lol I was actually thinking of emailing you to talk shop on this. I was wondering how yours was working and how much weight you might have added? What type of material did you add to the drum for weight? BB's or? I think traction will be decent with the rubber tires although I am a bit concerned about only having the tires doing the driving. I don't think Keith and I are expecting these things to climb mountains though so it should be alright.

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

hey Reg

Another good project, looking forward to the testing stage. What do you use for speed control these days ?

greg

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Thanks Greg. I'm just waiting for the paint to dry on the wheels and then I should be able to test drive them. I still have a few mods to make but it is sunny outside today and I'm having impure thoughts about playing instead of working.lol

I'm using the cheap Hobbyking ESC's on stuff that's under 9v. They are about $11US each and work really nice I think.

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

I've been really busy since I threw it together. Only used it one weekend in the dirt. Worked well just needed the softer tires for some better bite. I need to get the wheels, already have the tires. For the drum I filled 1/2 with BB's that were packed tight, then foam plugs sealed with silicone to hold it all still so it wouldn't rattle as it moves.

Ben

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Thanks for the scoop Ben.

I finished up the wheels just before lunch and it just so happened to be sunny so I squirted some paint on these. All totaled I have around 10 hours in these wheels. There were a lot of different steps to try and make them resemble the correct wheels but I think they came out close. I just took one for a test drive in the shop but the video won't be uploaded until later on.

Some pictures in the mean time...

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...pshpurlveq.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psfuhchgry.jpg
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http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psiygkh02c.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psesbenkif.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psbp9sjm3z.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psdf8jwlkn.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2gifie2u.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...psrrj7saiz.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...pswzgablwh.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3suj80ek.jpg

Reg

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Stylish Jewelry on Plastic Fantastic. Carry on Please.

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

LOL. Will do Bo!

Quick test

https://youtu.be/37mDHdy3ZlY

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Where did you find the tires. How tall are they.

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Reg another INCREDIBLE job !!!! It's really looking good !!!!

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Looks great. I am working on one as well and for weight in the drum I had a jar from some olives that was the perfect size. Taped some foam strips to make an extra snug fit. Filled with water it was around 4.5lbs for the model and filled with pennies it brings it to just over 6.5lbs.

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

eBay. They are about 4 1/4" tall. They are 1.9" crawler tires.

Glad you like it boss!

Thanks for the info! I haven't pulled a drum apart yet to see what's in there. After spending two days making 4 wheels I haven't made much other progress.lol I will be having a look at the front end very soon.

Has anyone made the blade function? I would like to keep it on mine perhaps but an actuator is too big and I don't really want to use micro servos.

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

It's a shame you had to paint them nice shiny wheels but they look great anyway!

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Another SUPER job Reg!!

GREAT job on the wheels and great find on the tires.

-Terry

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Thanks guys. It was a bit disappointing to paint the wheels after so much work but it needed to be done for the "look".lol

Here's an update on mine. Keith doesn't want the blade on his but I kinda want it on mine so here's what I came up with...

https://youtu.be/-N5Vado-YOQ

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Nice work Reg. You continually do a great job at your fab skills and conversions.

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

first its the aluminator now we have to call you the plasticizer

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Thanks Ben!

Yeah Mark, I've been known to wear multiple hats. I thought I could do the pair easily in a week but it didn't happen. Too much aluminator needed inside and out on the plasticizer....

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

alumiplastisizernator no one can do it greater than you Reg.

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Hahaha, yeah right.:rolleyes:

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

The Jewelry keep coming......one after another........It looks FACTORY MADE!!!.....Sir or should i call you Dr. Alumiplastisizernator from now on ?

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

I just call him Reg. Less typing that way:p:lol:

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

When i think of how lazy i am......Yes Mario you're right.......Reg it is :lol:

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Haha. I guess the KISS method should even applies to names.:D

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

First outdoor test. https://youtu.be/Av0wfXYgRvk

Re: Bruder Cat Compactor Coversion
 

Keith might change his mind about having a blade after seeing your vid, looks like a great feature to have for trimming level while packing.

If you were to jack the weight in the drum too much, then I suppose it would need to be powered as well? Use a steel pipe with drive motor inside & a vibrator as well... how much time ya figure to fab that?