S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Yup, it's official. Our trucking fleet has grown into the heavy equipment industry!
We now have a light duty wheel loader and a heavy duty, built for the tough jobs excavator for your construction needs.:D
Here is the very first footage of the new hoe and operator uncut.:) let the open pit begin!


http://youtu.be/eF234P55XXI


http://youtu.be/Xs1DT0M9AjY

Mario

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Woohoo! More RC construction!

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Great idea creating this sub forum allowing us to share our projects:D:bounce:

I been digging away in my backyard the last few weeks. did a little experiment with battery life.... Dropped the hoe in a good digging spot, used no track drive, just flipped the switch and kept digging till the low level cut off. pump speed was set to 95% and using a stop watch I got exactly 25 minute run time with my Gens ace 8400 which was at 60% when I started. Since that test I find that I operate better and more comfortable when I set the pump speed at 80% and the run time on the battery is way up.

anyway, here are some pics of what I got done in that 25 minute test. Not a smooth operator yet but still managed to move a decent amount I think?.....

the 2 piles is what I accomplished.

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...s99065da3.jpeg

then after a re charge and some more work until the bugs drove me out of the yard:eek::mad:

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...sc0a54875.jpeg


I plan on using the dirt for fixing and filling low spots in the road

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...s4f215328.jpeg
http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...sba697623.jpeg


I need to do something with the tires on the dump truck. with a full load it wont steer very well at all:eek: I have the rear axle locked and the front tires are too soft and this is what happened.....

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...s9c1096d8.jpeg

Decent size pile. I tried to clean it up the other day but once again, the bugs drove me crazy!:eek:

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...s2d12afb5.jpeg

ive had nothing but trouble trying to upload HD videos lately but heres what worked so far.

http://youtu.be/jCrfyZ0Wez0

http://youtu.be/HOZpq-M6aic

http://youtu.be/1fkCBV6kwnA

http://youtu.be/7Id8lS0ouRE


thanks for looking :):cool:

Mario

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Great videos Mario..


Wayne

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Thanks Wayne. As we all know, S&M is definitely the junior / low budget company compared to the Icons we have on this forum but hey, somebody has to come in last right?:rolleyes::lol:

Very happy to say we came home from the Clifford show with both loader and excavator in running condition and not broken :D

I did notice my first bolts coming loose on the hoe. during the show I noticed when I fired up the pump , it moved from the torque. Mounting bolts just coming loose, no damage to holes or bolts.All is good now:)

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...sb8395add.jpeg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...s6d36e0ae.jpeg

First signs of a weeping bucket cylinder. Stick n boom are still perfect.

yesterday was the first chance to do some digging again. Lots of roots but the excavator is getting through on its own with many of them. I pull the big ones out by hand:o

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...s51a6325a.jpeg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...sf7e89114.jpeg


My backyard heaven....:D

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...s6da4448a.jpeg

Things might appear relaxed and lay back at S&M construction but don't worry, we get things done! :cop::lol:

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...s103039ee.jpeg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...scb6a64e6.jpeg


oh yes I NEED a dozer! just not in the budget this summer for a "real one" but I did find something online that might fit the road work project.Should be here next week.:bounce:



I also realized it was time to get some more yard work done.:cop: Since the pit project began, I lost interest in the brush pile so it was time to move some brush:) this little plastic loader has been a real workhorse I tell ya!

http://youtu.be/YGELPDse6x4


speaking of power, check out the dump box with a full load of wet sand/dirt mix. Works great Reg!:cool: I figure atleast 30 loads run 0 issues :cool:

http://youtu.be/BgXve8ccp6M


thanks for looking.:)

Mario

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

:D Thats my Idea of a dream back yard ..no grass ..no flower beds ..lol..just dirt and roads ..Log it ..Burn it ..Dig it and pave it ..lol...keep those pics coming

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Lol. Thanks Lou.
I'm very lucky to have such a nice area to play in and it had a lot to do with buying this house :)

It's been awhile but I made up a video from a few different angles of the digger in the pit

http://youtu.be/YvdtPs7POJY


I also reloaded this video in HD for a better view of the loader digging

http://youtu.be/1dan-D-xykY

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

So I cheated a little today.....:rolleyes:

I grabbed a shovel and wheel barrow and moved some dirt!:eek::o:jaw:

I gathered all the dirt from the pit so far and made a stockpile area. time for a screening plant and clean up this dirt so I can use for road base material.

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/...sfa3edfb7.jpeg

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/...sb5077dcf.jpeg

the pit is coming along now that I have a new access ramp :D

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/...s460bf1e9.jpeg

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/...sa9044f25.jpeg


http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/...s5ab0b304.jpeg

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/...sa6b9a913.jpeg


like I said, no more cheating if im gonna makr this project last!:eek::cop::)

and a video tour of the pit.....

http://youtu.be/rQoLc4ll7VU

Thanks for looking.:)

Mario.

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Sometimes you have to bring in some very large equipment to get a job started like a large shovel.....:lol::lol::lol::lol:


Wayne

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

That's ok Mario, I have to cheat on occasion too... Like that pile of dirt in front of my house that I was hauling into back of workshop - with rain every week in June & the mosquitos getting worse by the day, I scooped the pile with my farm tractor a few weeks ago & dumped inside front of workshop... now it's a short haul in the shade & bug free to the back. ;)

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Yup, I've been digging up a 30' section of 2" pipe. All has been good but now the rain has stopped and ground is becoming rock hard so I too have had to bring in a larger shovel for a ground breaker. :). Guess it's almost like blasting. !!! On my 4200 I installed a filter before pump, kept getting slower and slower stick movements. I thought the pump was wearing but must have been too small of a particle size on the filter, removed and it's like a new machine again. !!! And I hear ya on the videos too, about every third time uploading I have a failure or something!!! Or my wife or some relative callers and stops the upload (video from my phone ) a real pita!!! But looks good, keep em coming !!!

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Did some more digging and some building. First step in creating a area for collecting, cleaning and storing material.

I had a good chuckle this morning as I noticed the black squirrels have been digging in the backyard and in the pit! I have a night shift working in my pit !:lol:

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps49d89262.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps69d179ab.jpg

And the new processing area....

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps83ef8086.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps859be505.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps75845249.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5c9191c8.jpg


And a video showing the unloading dock in use and my little workhorse plastic loader.:D

http://youtu.be/vPxG8CD4veo


Thanks for looking:)

Mario

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Thought I was done for the day.....
Did a little more to the dump zone.:D

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps39a3682b.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps12cc23ff.jpg

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

That looks cool!! I might use your idea on some of my own, still working on getting a dump truck.

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

I wanted to thank Joe and Ralph for coming forward and sharing their weak moments in the RC world of construction.:D:lol:;)

As in the real world, S&M construction is going through a breakdown, low production phase :eek::mad:

The HK hoe is down,
I was done for the day and as I picked it up to bring back to the house I noticed the swing motor moved on its mount. Sure enough, motor mount plate screws coming loose.
Figured it was time to do a circle check and see what else needs attention. Motor/pump mounting plate coming loose again:eek::mad:..... Time for some locktite.

New dozer down,
Blew the right final drive after testing with a 7.4 lipo. Haven't even opened it up yet.:rolleyes:

574 loader down,
Snapped the left side loader frame arm at the pin pivot.:cop:

Dump truck is up! :D. Hasn't missed a beat since hitting the backyard, besides the odd tire blow out.:rolleyes::lol:

So with production at an all time low, I figured great time to start setting up a loading dock area. I've been so caught up in the pit work haven't done a thing for the trucks and trailers!:cop:
Thanks to the non permanent shingle road, new plan is a " super dock" . 3 full size pallets, 4 stalls and a cargo area:D

A few pics of , what I call, " land reclamation" for the new super dock area:D

Going to remove the road near the bush and use entire area as a yard and dock.

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4a4af76f.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps193f12a0.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6939bd0a.jpg

You can't really tell in the pics how much space I gained... Here's all the brush I removed.

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3a3538ee.jpg

Thanks for looking.:):cool:

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Great news! The excavator is up and running better than ever!:bounce:

I contacted RC4wd requesting some help with how to set up the 4th valve. ( thanks Ralph for asking the question )
They gave me Martin's number. Known on YouTube as diggin with Martin.
In a matter of minutes I realized I met and spoke to him at Indy 2012:)
Had a great talk and in no time had the hoe running great.

I was running this thing all wrong up till now:eek: I ran the pump from 80-95%.
Now with the 4th valve, or " metering valve" I like to call it, running properly my pump speed is set at 25% !:jaw:

No more high temps , battery life is up by 30 minutes. I got about 1hr 20 minutes run time:bounce:

Channel 8 runs the metering valve and is controlled by the dial above the left stick. It is a fixed setting and does not move during functions. The pump puts out way more than the valve can handle at full flow which generates a lot of heat and motor works hard. The dial allows you to use only the amount you need to run properly and the rest goes through the 4th valve straight back to tank.

Still got all the speed and power I had before but much easier on the system.

I'm a happy camper!

http://youtu.be/3IciGMo5GyM

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Way to go Mario :D:D:D
Cheers, Neil.

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Thanks Neil .:)

Loading dock work has begun. I never did cover and take care of last years dock and rather than try to fix up, I went with all brand new pallets for this yard.
4' X 4' X 5 1/2 " hardwood last forever type pallets:D

Wanted to be sure the plywood I cap it all with is ready for the elements also. I will cover with a tarp when not in use but just to be extra sure I coated all plywood top and bottom with thompsons water seal. It will all be ready for paint in a couple days.

Here is where I'm at so far.......

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps58105d7f.jpg


http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...pse22ea38d.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0adf1ff4.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psba92cbbd.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...pscb2ad180.jpg

Here is where they sit. The off set on the right side is for a ramp down for the forklift.

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps519d0d8d.jpg


2 more dock slots to cut in this pallet....

Notice to the left by the dirt pile, there is plenty of room for 2 or 3 lawn chairs for operator field of view backing trailers and running the forklifts.
I made sure each work area has a proper seating area to go with it. :D

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psa3bca42e.jpg

The other dock will have 3 docks, a forklift ramp and cargo area.

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psd3020207.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psd1c41427.jpg


That's it for today. Back at it tomorrow and hope to paint and assemble by Monday. Gotta love a long weekend!:bounce:

Thanks for looking.:)

Mario

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Also added a little safety factor around the pit edge. Made my own fencing :D.

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4f45d56d.jpg


http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8d2de7d8.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps75c2fc8f.jpg

:lol:

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Very impressive Mario, enjoyed watching it all.
I love the sound of the dump truck, is it a build or can ya buy one complete if you don`t mind me asking.
Thanks for sharing :cool:

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Thanks bud.
The dump truck was built from spare parts and from all over the world. Sound system is servonaut I got from a guy in Spain . The light unit is from Checz republic, suspension parts from China, dump box from the west coast, tires from California ........ :)

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

My oh my, thanks for filling me in on that, I probably shouldn`t even be asking as a beginner .
Everyone here has some great set-ups. :cool:

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Very nice job your doing keep it up and enjoy the hard work

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Great work so far Mario keep it up
Love the excavator

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Love it that you state operator comforts (seating to go along with dock!!). My wife kept asking why it was so important to have a level spot for a chair!! Then she saw one day and now I'm the lazy one!!! Lol!! I have had the screws on the excavator arm keep coming loose, the ones that hold the end of arm cylinder and the pivot screws on the arm, and bucket bolts too, kinda a bad design as if you tighten them too much you can't get it apart at a later time,, just a heads up to check and keep ya from having to shut down production to bring in the metal detecting team for lost parts!!

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Thanks for the heads up on the screws Ralph. I've been keeping an eye on them since you first mentioned it. No issues yet. I wonder if your missing a spacer or washer that keeps the bolts from turning during boom and stick movement ?

So hear is the fruit of my long weekend labour. The weather did not go to plan yesterday so it's not complete yet. Still have the skirting to install and a bunch of details like railings and safety tape.
Like I said, plenty of room for good seating and view from all areas! :D

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps64e35a5d.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psba115d59.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...pscaa67a51.jpg

If your diggin in the pit and just a hoe operator, THIS is the best seat in the house! :)

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps227282f9.jpg

Truckers can sit on this side! :eek::D

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psbffad388.jpg


I'll let everyone in on a little secret... If you ever come play in my park, this is the best seats in the house. You can dig,load and haul from the pit to the stock pile area without moving at all. :) :lol:

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6d2ed64b.jpg

I found a better location for the chicken coop. It's on the only road out of town, no way around it :cop:, and close to the gravel pit which seems appropriate.:cool:

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps81958dfb.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...pseea40ace.jpg

And the next dock location ....

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psba5f624a.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5434d4fe.jpg

The best part of all this is the handy shed deep in the backyard. All my loading dock stuff , pallets, racks, cargo...etc can be stored in the shed close at hand and not have to haul it out from the basement everytime!

Can't say I have a plan but I love how things fall into place as you go.:D:bounce:

The one thing my zone is missing is a change in elevation. Everything is too flat right now. Once the 12X20 tarp garage is gone, I want to bring in a couple yards of dirt and build up that whole back corner into another work area about 3ft from ground level.???

Anyway, that's next year! Thanks for looking:D:cool:

Mario

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Wow!! Only thing I see for improvement is having the cooler next to one of those chairs or the wood stove I see!!! Lol!!! Where else can anyone drink and drive or operate heavy equipment under the influence!!! And still be completely legal doing so!!:).

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Looking pretty good Mario. :cool:

Do you have much for blood sucking bugs around there?

You're gonna have to get busy building a crusher & screening plant this winter so you can gravel your roads next yr. ;)

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Thanks Joe. We got LOTS of blood suckers this year with all the rain and a late spring. Last month was unbearable, had to wear long sleeve shirts and I bought one of those head net or mesh you cover your head with from princess auto. Without it I was done before the battery:eek:
As always August is better. Less mosquitoes and no need to bundle up anymore.:)

You read my mind on the crush and screen plant. I wanted to get started right away but keep reminding myself summer is for play, winter is build!
I'm starting to gather materials and figure out how and where it's gonna go for now.

Mario

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

I've been staring and drooling at pics of Lou's screening plant of course:D
Obviously not something built in a few days so it's a winter project for sure.

In the meantime, I had a eureka moment and thought of a cheap, simple and effective way to screen material! I remembered one of Joes older videos that had a simple screening deck that was struck by a cam on a motor!

With that type of set up in mind I did some more work on the stock pile area. The pegs are to give an idea of screen location and the conveyor will collect and pile the clean as the larger stuff can go directly into a dump truck or be pushed away and piled by the dozer.......

Anyway, pictures:)

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps051385a2.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psb442ecd3.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7768bef9.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps274ab5c4.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psc4fa73ea.jpg

What I like the most about this set up is I'll be able to grab the material with the loader and run it through the screen right away or stock pile it for the excavator to go through later.

Yup! ...I'm a RC backyard addict! :D:cop::lol:

Mario

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

I hear ya on the screening stuff!! When I started the pond project I left a lot of the river pebbles in the dirt, unknowingly I gave myself a reason for future screening plant and more work!! :)

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

You hit the nail on the head Ralph. That is the difference between Rc trucks and RC equipment! Moving dirt and digging holes is great compared to just driving rigs around. Don't get me wrong, I love our trucks and with a loading dock, it's a lot of fun hauling cargo around. At the end of the day, you don't see what you did, unlike digging or pushing dirt. After a couple hours I can SEE what I accomplished and makes you want to do more!

For those who haven't tried the equipment side of RC..... Beware! You think trucks are addictive?......you ain't seen nothin yet!:eek::D:lol:

Mario

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Very nice I like that. get the equipment to work and not you.:)

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Thanks and exactly. It already takes a lot of work to create the area. :)



Mario

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Screening plant project update!!!!!

For the last couple weeks I been thinking about a screening plant. Trying to think of what to use for a screen that I have around the house or can be found locally. No online orders for this build! :lol:

Well I had another eureka moment at work today.

Waiting for the next scoop to show up for rebuild so I was helping a co worker finish a service on a loader. As I pulled the air filter out to change it.....it hit me! The outer cage of the filter is metal mesh! :bounce:

After a trip to the garbage bin to find another filter and a damaged pre cleaner screen I now have 3 different grades of screen for my plant:)
So 3 screens to build , one structure........

Here's my drawing I'm working with .....:rolleyes: :lol:

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8a41a8e0.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psed0c0304.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5c97c7fa.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3f9a6586.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psa22355a0.jpg

The deck will shake using this motor from the air seat compressor which came from the pothauler rebuild. Another item from the scrap bin.:)

Comes with plastic mounting bracket and I can secure the existing piston onto crank and use as the deck striker.

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...pse3f016fe.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psd88e58a2.jpg


Only real cash I need to spend is on structural materials. I can get mild steel angle iron, flat bar etc for dirt cheap or a quick trip to homedepot and I can go aluminum 1/2 " angle 1/8 thick , flat bar etc, for less than a case of beer.
No online order and waiting crap and shipping fees.:).
I like this backyard building stuff ! :lol::bounce:

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

I was thinking of a similar idea. For what I'm thinking of doing I too am towards the vibrating shaker deck. I too am looking around the barn for things to use. Since I got into this part of r/c I now look at almost everything we have laying around and scrap as some potential use for the 1:14 scale construction site!! I found some metal wire closet shelving (ya know that white epoxy covered rack) it's 2" deep and pretty close spacing. Also a good bit of stretched metal. I'll be following your progress and hopefully get under way soon!! Are you going to have the racks spring mounted?

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

I'm also planning something similar. I was sitting around earlier tonight trying to think about how to easily build a crankshaft to shake the deck. Mario, I think you are onto something there and I believe I have a small compressor somewhere with a rotted hose(I know..hoarder). I will be looking for it tomorrow to see if it looks like that! If it does I'm gonna steal your idea before you can patent it!

I love this forum!

Reg

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

I got the dozer built and running so time to move on to the screening deck project.... Basic framework is up. Now to build screen decks and mount the motor.:bounce:

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps30ce415c.jpg


http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psede9bf99.jpg

Using this hinge and the studs to place different size screens easily

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1d13f450.jpg

Still got a week of vacation left! Time to get at it!

Mario

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Looks good, don't build too fast, cus I haven't got materials gathered!!!!

Re: S&M construction open for bizz nizz!
 

Mario I want to come up and play....