Great Dane excavating co.
 

After reading all the other threads and enjoying the builds and work I decided to join in. I'm Cooper, actually my name is R.W. . Cooper was one of my Great Danes , hence the excavating company name and logo. I am on my first year in the rc construction toys but hooked!! I'll post pics, builds and just some general thoughts involving the equipment.

So some company info, I'm in central pa. Every job is too big. The customer is not always right. If you don't like the work we can work for as long as you like (it's your dime). Our hours are from sometime in the morning till whenever we get tired of working. We are open seven days a week but will be closed when you need something. Disagreements will be handled by receiving complementary sand and boxing gloves. Just remember you pay, we play:)

Right now the equipment is
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psmpmxxe5b.jpg

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Welcome Cooper to the forum. Thanks for posting this fantastic build, please post up most pics.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Welcome Cooper very nice

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psnt8yhf4w.jpg

I got this in the mail a couple days ago,,,,,,

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...pshtet9qh6.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...pssomzpfb8.jpg

I wanted to build my own excavator but I do not have the knowledge of how the components work like turntable and undercarriage. My thoughts on this excavator after reading a lot of others are something to play with and over winter hope to build my own. I may use parts like tracks and arm. Things that are difficult for me to make. And I have some immediate work for a digger. :). Initial thoughts--wow this is cool!! Later thoughts-- need better bucket, very slow track speed and hydraulics are much in need of rebuilding. (Like rebuilding from scratch with different materials and design). 3 of the 4 cylinders leak, weep and just ooze fluid. Need a filter also. But,,, I am happy with having something rtr that I can work. Oh and need to change controls, cat control is what I would prefer. I don't have a funmotec (ideal digger for me) to compare but with some tlc and a bit of work I think this ex is a fine addition to my growing fleet of overpriced waste of money toys as my wife says :).

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

A wile back over winter I obtained a tamiya areomax. Had to go with a ford as my last name is ford :)!! After some thought on building a circus attraction heavy hauler (going to build a cage trailer to stuff the cat into and charge $ .05 for ticket to see worlds largest tiger 1:14 scale) lol!!!! Or a dump truck,, the dumper won out but I can still build a rolling cage and stuff cat into!!! (At least I'm not into airplanes or the cat would be in serious trouble!!).

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psto4jhtpl.png
Something like this.

Going to see if I can use this style of lift.
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...pskyh6x3az.jpg

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psthgmsps8.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...pszwn9axeu.jpg

And thanks to this forum I found figelli actuators instead of having to build a hydraulic setup. Some testing will revile if it has enough power to lift a overloaded bed.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

HA! You had me going for a second. Congrats on the excavator! Also glad you are finally putting pictures up of your truck build. Have you cut the sleeper off already?

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Yes Avel, sleeper is off. I have to get some styrene. I think that is what to use ,? I'm also looking into the reduction unit for these trucks. It's like a race car!! For what I'm using it for I would like slow hauling speed. And I'm going to have to beef up suspension. As far as axels and drivetrain, I'm just going to use stock till something wears or breaks.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Welcome to the forum and nice fleet you got there
My buddy got one of the excavators and he loves it he turned it into a linkbelt 700 he messed with the radio some and turned the pump down and he hasnt have any problems with

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Awsome RW you work fast.
i like waht you have going so far .nicley tucked in the frame with the low profile ..Looks as though you may be able to double up on the cylinders if need be .. I tested one of mine in the pup trailer with about 20 lbs of batteris..no problems ..What voltage did you decide on ?
Grreat way to waste $$ ..Congrats on the New EX

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Hmmm, might be time to start another forum section for construction companies & their work sites. ;)

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Ok So whats the R in R.W. Rob, Ralf, Rupert, Rinaldino, Ron, Rick, Richard??????
Titandigs (Paul)

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Got to remember I had no say in the naming process,,, it's Ralph.

Ugg more rain here!! Well it may be too muddy for pushing some dirt but not for digging!! I will soon have interned land line at home so some digging videos will follow.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

I 2nd that motion, ,.............and good idea with the dump truck bud

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Cool a new forum!!! I enjoy how you other guys have rolling threads, always having some work or working on something. And now that I have a prospering excavation company I feel right at home!!! I should have a landline internet connection this week so till then the videos will have to wait, at least the hd ones.
Got a cheep tool tray today and the company mascot had to help!!
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psivfc9oru.jpg

And did some more work on removing the fishpond waterfall box. This project should take some time as it's is about three feet from top to bottom. Front is completely accessible but sides are tight and back is impossible to dig. A 2" hose feeds the bottom of the box, I forget if its from front or back or side, but I'm going to dig that up also. So far I have been digging and piling dirt for the dozer to push away. That is working for now.
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...pschppjtjw.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6wwj0hjw.jpg
These were taken just after dark. They actually provide good light for digging, too bad the bugs like them too!!!

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Nice job, keep the pictures coming.cant wait for the videos

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...pspkajswtr.jpg
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4y0sqzn0.jpg

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...pse6vzpu7d.jpg

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8a1znc6n.jpg

Got a couple hours into the waterfall box now.

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...ps79dehn1k.jpg

In the last pic you can see I unearthed the input hose. It's a 2" line and now that I have located it I'm pretty sure in connects into the back side.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

I do have to correct my initial opinion of the bucket teeth. As I said it needed new teeth. I hade been digging in a rooted area and dirt was getting packed/clogged with dirt and roots rendering the penetrating force ineffective. After stopping and cleaning the dirt out of the teeth they penetrate the rooted sandy wet soil quite well. But the bucket is still just a thin steel construction and in heavy force you can see it flex.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Took me about a week to build a heavier bucket. Build a few buckets and ripping tooth. Seem to run the bulk bucket most.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Will do dieselchopper,

Some more work on the dump truck.
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psjwlgo15y.jpg

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psz9c9k3sw.jpg

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psqvdddh1y.jpg

I have the servo (actuator) on the gear channel but with a disabling mix replaced with a dial pot. Flip the switch on gear then any position of raising dump bed with the rotation of dial. Or dial all the way up and then when gear switch is activated bed goes up whole way.

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9pyvysen.jpg

I am still not sure of a wet heavy load will be too much for this little actuator. This was just a vise I had at hand. Solid steel, it's got some weight. I did place a 10lb weight on the farthest spot on lift arm. It did lift it. I'm making the bed and sides from 1/4" plate aluminum. I'm going to try and cut as much weight by milling in the side profile, leaving the vertical supports. And same with bottom.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

I got the one that you just plug into your receiver. So it's probably 6-7 volts. I'm not sure. Makes it real simple. It is basically just another servo.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Did some more work on the dump body and lift. The servo I purchased was a L16 50mm stroke and 63:1. I'm just not that confident of how much this can lift. Options are, I may get the 150:1 actuator that will have more torque/force. (Newton meters or whatever it's rating science is :). I need to figure box size and weigh amount of dirt for the volume. That way I'll know before I get too far into it. I was looking at a way to increase the initial couple inches of travel. That is the most demanding part of the stroke. I had some cheep clamps laying around that I pulled the springs out of. I'm using them at the back pivot to help unweight the load. They apply most of the force from all the way down and then gradually let off. Just what I was looking for. I have two installed and a place for third if needed. The empty box will still have enough weight to settle down.

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0crasrtt.jpg

That is one of the larger springs. I have two of the smaller one installed.

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...pslkslnxr5.jpg

And if needed they can be cut down so nothing protrudes. Even if they are left that way none of that area in in conflicting with other things.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Well done. Excellent use of torsion springs.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

I have been thinking about the same thing, adding springs to help with that first part of the lift. Nice to see someone else doing it.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Slick idea with the springs... :cool:

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Great idea. Wish I thought of that a long time ago.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0ec7868e.jpg

This is what I may turn the 4200 into. Looks most like this.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

some ideas - comments

do you have enough room for 2 firgelli side by side?

also - go with 3 springs - maybe the firgelli can pull the box down

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Izzy, I may shorten the arms, it has more than enough dump angle. Probably about 80 degrees. I think most of the lift weight is my lack of correct placement and location of lever forces. My redneck engineering may need altered a bit :).

Here's a vid of the d11. Sorry about the aspect, I'm still learning on these darn electronic devises. I'm use to carburators not computers!!! Ya know when things were fixed with tools not laptops :). Anyway it will get better. Have about 6 hours or more on the d11 and no problems. Running at 20 bar (need that for the tilt cylinders).
http://youtu.be/u3p1UB7QO_E

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Ok I need to do some work on the 4200. Leaking cylinders are down to just the bucket. I may take apart again. I think the pump is leaking, kept noticing oil inside. That may also be from some spitting out the vent fitting they use. But I had a towel stuffed around that so I'm pretty sure it's something in pump. In the pic there is oil everywhere but that is because I tried to jockey up onto two 4x4s and forgot about the tank and breather- didn't have the hydraulic power to lift itself- because I emptied the hydro dank!!! Lol!!!' Just going to do some revamping for now. Wintertime will get a whole new machine.

Going to eliminate the on/off switches for drive and turntable esc's. No need for um. Add filters. Re rout hoses to be more finger friendly. Possibly make a new tank but at least get rid of the vent. Not eliminating it but changing or running a hose to outside at least. Possibly relocating everything to help battery placement. And making some sort of user friendly hood. Oh and adding some on/off switch , possibly consield in cab. I have anniversary this weekend so I have about two weeks before she needs to be running.
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psefsuyyvg.jpg

The dump truck project has become a filler job :)

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

My whole life I've been concerned with scratching the paint, but now I'm proud to have scratches and paint worn off!!
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psup333ndw.jpg
And I have to make some new pins for boom and arm. These keep coming loose. They have threads into both sides and I don't want to over tighten them to make disassembly trouble.
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psbmg7ifem.jpg

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Question for you guys, this is the pump set up they use,
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psafg1mare.jpg

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

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psadwtgtl5.jpg

It is four valves. But only three active cylinders. And the way they have it plumbed. Are they using the first valve to deadhead the pump and then mixed with other valves when input applied to sticks? I don't know much about these but that's not how I did the dozer. Would it hurt this style pump to change around to prv being the deadhead and then gaining another valve for say a thumb? And if so what advantage is this configuration? Or is a disadvantage ?

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Sorry to hear about your troubles with the excavator Ralph. I've got about 5 hrs total run time on mine and all has been good. Cylinders dry and no leaks in the body. I did have my first hiccup yesterday. The relief jammed and suddenly had so much power the stick function pulled the whole machine like there was nothing to it! After it cooled down things went back to normal.

Anyway, I'm a little embarrassed I never noticed myself but after seeing your post, what the heck IS the 4th valve for? :confused:

I'm off to the basement......:bounce:

Mario

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Easy way to find out would be to disconnect the pump and watch the servo's as you operate the hydraulic controls.

Have you had a gauge hooked up to check your operating pressure?

Also, on the RC4WD site they have the Pressure Relief Valve for sale but the specs have it only going to 72.5PSI. But the info sheet for the excavator says it operates at 290PSI.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Apparently the purpose of the 4th valve is to redirect oil straight to the tank if no other valve movement happens. It keeps the oil from travelling thru the prv causing the pump motor to strain unnecessarily - conserves battery amperage.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

The valve that the pressure enters has a mix to activate it with each of the other valves. Must have it slightly open as you can see fluid flowing when no stick movement with pump running. I'm assuming the mix opens the (input) valve more as the other valve activates. ?!?? If that servo is disconnected and not working then the hydraulics don't work. Unless the ports on the inside are different I don't see why it couldn't be optioned to re plumb / re radio mix and end up with a forth valve for attachments (thumb)?? I don't know how far I will explore this at this time but if unanswered by winter I'll find out. :). Wonder if anyone else knows how this works or why they choose to run this way. To me it seems like more work all the way around and harder on the pump. Unless ,,,,,, maybe it is acting like the prv only diverting flow until stick input is required then pressurizing and then relying on the prv to handle excess pressure? That seems logical. That make some sense to me with being able to see the flow in the clear lines.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Wish I would have refreshed before I just posted that!! :lol:

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

And speaking of battery life, I timed the dozer over the weekend. Had 1hour and one min on an 8.4 amp battery!! (8400mah) still had 13% left!!! Was running ripping and long passes.

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Well just got back home and found a solution to my hydraulic leak,,,



http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...pspomtgq9d.jpg

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psfczaijr8.jpg

Lol!!! Stoped at a civil war relic place (yea I know , I didn't think they had frag granades back then either). Lol:). Just couldn't resist getting some to throw at my vet buddies!!!

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Lol..Looks like a very good solution..Im sure with some upgrades you will end up with a great machine ..With your skills I can see a complete set of new cyclinders in the works if need be..

Thats awsome runtime with the dozer ..Yes an awsome build for sure

Re: Great Dane excavating co.
 

Lol, thought somebody would get a kick out of that :). This forum is and has been a wealth of good information!! Ya know I've been "tinkering/improving" things all my life and yet have had a chance to purchase anything that I deem as perfect . Not complaining as I have purchased many things good and things cheep. Like some tools, cheep tools for the shop but good lasting quality expensive for the home (or my no one else touch) toolbox. And if I'm ignorant or not sure how much use something will get then then I usually get the less expensive to get by stuff. As far as the 4200, I think it's a pretty good platform, mind the price. Sure I wish I would have got my top pick of a funmotec ex, but twice the price too. And from what I've been gathering bits and pieces of all of these priceless "toys " need some personalization. Not complaining about anything as I'm rather grateful that I have the ability to be able to sit in my umbrella covered lawn chair with arm rest holder containing a ice cold beer while running some heavy equipment to do the yard work. Just need to time the pee break with battery swapping. Lol!!!!
Yes, Lou, come winter I plan on some more personalizing, new cylinders, metal hoses, shrinking cab to be more 1:14 scale, bucket, track motors, engine hood, decals,,,, ya know stuff to make the customers feel as though I know what I'm doing with their money :)

This is what I've been working on, it's the waterfall box from fish pond fill in project. It's rather fulfilling doing the work with these toys. At first I was thinking, boy this is going to take a long time to do. But now I've found it rather relaxing after work to come home and "work" some more. And now I look at it as boy I hope I don't get it done too quick!!!

http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7b50a1d7.jpg