Based in Alberta
 

Hi folks!
Belated "new member" post here - I first came to the forum and joined shortly after Joe/Lil Giants was on "youTube GOLD!" I don't remember how I first stumbled onto that show, but that and some of the videos of the European shows opened my eyes to the fact that my childhood dreams of "construction toys that *ACTUALLY WORK*" was in fact a reality.

As such, I have not yet acquired any; I am in the process of figuring out how to squeeze a little bit out of the monthly budget to get started, most likely with the likes of the Huina 1570/1573/1580 trio (dump truck, wheel loader, and excavator). Either that, or Bruder conversions.

Longer term visions are doing yard/garden work around my place with said equipment, and working on building heavier/larger versions, either from kits or scratch. The various threads on here are quite inspiring. "Bailey's Landscaping" just might show up as a thread on the Construction Sites and Companies forum...

Looking forward to more time digging around on here, and time digging in the yard.

All the best,

Reuben Bailey
Leduc, Alberta

Re: Based in Alberta
 

The huina excavators with a lil modification can be GREAT machines! The Bruder conversions are good machines as well. For almost a year PNWSTE had ONLY a Bruder tracked loader as our primary loading equipment. Several videos of converting the Bruder toys to RC can be found on my YouTube. I post weekly videos of our clubs RC gatherings there as well.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_j..._as=subscriber

Re: Based in Alberta
 

Hey Skeeter! Any particular mods you would recommend for the Huina 580? I’m guessing weight and power/speed are most likely the weak points?

Re: Based in Alberta
 

The 580 if I remember correct already has screw driven actuators to operate the booms, & bucket, unlike it's predecessors.

I would add some weight into the counterweight area. I think they are still a lil light in that area.

Re: Based in Alberta
 

Welcome to the forum Reuben.

They are pricey but good fun well spent.

Re: Based in Alberta
 

Thanks for that, Skeeter - more weight is often the answer with these things, I'd say. Looks like the main boom is driven by a gear still (a close look at Sandbox Time videos is where I was seeing it), but the stick and bucket are linear actuators.

Thanks for the welcome, Joe!

Re: Based in Alberta
 

Howdy from SE Sask!