Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

Hey !

So had a bit of free time this afternoon and weighed it up as I need to think about the balance issue that’s causing it’s to sit on it’s front idlers. I don’t know what happened but I have miscalculated the weight somewhere. Without the blade and arms it’s 51kgs. The blade and arms is 21kgs so that’s why it’s causing an issue.I weighed the ripper metal I have ready to assemble and it’s about 7kgs plus it hangs far about the back it will help balance some of the blade weight. I might have to add some steel ballast to get it right. So in total maybe 80kgs in the end. A bit heavier than I anticipated but the motors still move it about easily
I can see my glass bathroom scales getting cracked tho :)

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

Thanks Ken/Egronwold

It’s been a such a long process with limited time to work on it but I can’t wait to get it to a point where I can push some dirt around! I have promised myself this summer it will happen :) 👍🏼

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

Don't think you miscalculated on the weight/balance concern. The real dozer has a massive counterweight when not equipped with a ripper. The 1:1 machine is very nose-heavy without either. So, maybe just about right!

Ken

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

80kg WOW :eek:

Some general measurements of blade? LxH ...the dozer itself LxWxH? I'm not familiar with the background objects in your pictures to get an idea of its size.

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

Just some comparative weights from the real machine.

D575A-3SD Super Dozer. Operating weight 336,000 lbs. Counterweight was 11,900 lbs. Had a 90 cubic yard blade.

D575A-3SR Super Ripper. Operating weight 289,000. Single Shank ripper could rip 6'9" deep.

They were rather large!!

Ken

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

It's great to see this beast come to life! I LOVE scratch builds!

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

HI Ken

i think your right, i added some crude weight to the back and its rolling a lot better on the tracks now. Plus i added some stiffer rate springs to the tensioner and that seems to help as well. I have started the ripper now so should have it attached in a couple of weeks.

in the mean time i added some details to the blade:

must be like strengthening bars on the side of the blade

https://i.postimg.cc/xjR4vRJW/1.png

My own version:

https://i.postimg.cc/XJKDDK2B/2.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/NFgPhyVJ/3.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/FzDChrX9/4.jpg

I will take some pics to give a sense of size later today maybe with a can of coke or something but blade is about 500 mm wide ( 21 inch) x 250 high (10inch)

Rob

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

Yes, ribs for strengthening but also anti-abrasion. These machines were used to push in all kinds of material. WV and KY machines worked slot-dozing in a lot of sandstone, so experienced extreme wear on the ends - I've seen those ribs completely worn away. Often users would add more abrasion resistant steel on the blade ends before ever putting them to work.
While the weight is extreme compared to other RC dozers, it was huge in real life - largest production dozer in the world. Big dozers are just heavy!

You are doing a great job!

Ken

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

Hi all,

Had a bit of time over the weekend so put together the steel for the ripper and installed to test out the weight balance.

https://i.postimg.cc/hPVDNKK4/1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/zfGqLWK3/2.jpg

I dont have the rams yet just just mocked up with some bars and rod ends. Took it for a spin and the balance is much better.

Rob

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

Keeps looking better all the time!

Ken

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

Impressive machine!

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

That machine looks fabulous with that ripper on it!

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

Do we have an update on this fabulous build?. How did it go in the dirt?
Cheers

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

This is one amazing build...

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

Hi everyone!
Wow I can’t believe it’s been so long. Life gets in the way too much now but I’m determined to get this done !

Just finalising the rams for the tilt on the blade and should be ready. Below is a video of the ripper hydraulic test which worked out great. More to follow. Thanks for the interest in the build.

Rob

https://youtu.be/-w3CDwHl3Ww

Re: Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer
 

Do we have an update on this fabulous build?. How did it go in the dirt? Is it completed??
Cheers