Merc rebuild
 

I decided to give my old Merc tractor unit a new lease of life by building it into a 8x4 tipper.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/6505/mercbluela4.jpg

I had a couple of frame rails left over from another build and a front axle, so joined it all together and came up with this.

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/4966/et83.jpg

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/5073/7iwg.jpg

One part of this build that had me doing a bit of head scratching was how to steer both front axles from one servo. This is what i came up with.

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/5821/2t5u.jpg

With playing about with the linkages i was able to get the second axle steering less than the front.

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/2893/haq6.jpg

Made a start on the tipper,i would have had more done but Mk1 tipper body was pulled apart as i wasn't happy with the way it looked, so this is now Mk2.

http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/240/1ckk.jpg

All made from 3mm plasticard and is loosly based on a Boweld Muck lite.

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/4224/zqt8.jpg

I have decided to have my wheel arches mounted to the chassis rather than the body, just makes things a little easier for me.

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/4974/z0kk.jpg

The bar across the top of rear opening is just to keep everything square, it will be remove later and the corner posts shortened.

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2203/2ul7.jpg

For the rear pivot i found a pair of hinges from a Tamiya F350 Hi Lift. Hope you can see them ok in the photo.

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/5825/yfk9.jpg

The back axle will be eventually changed for a driven one, if i ever find one at a decent price ! :(

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...8/DSCF2946.jpg

Re: Merc rebuild
 

I wanted a Carson style lifting mechanism so started off with a pair of scissors, some old corn flakes boxs, a few photos and lots of patience and eventually after lots of trial and error, i came up with this.

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/2403/vylt.jpg

All the brackets are made of 3mm aluminum plate, the threaded rod and tube section are from an automatic door ( whatever fits !! ) The motor/ reduction gearbox is from Maplins, 148:1 ratio.

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/7665/fq9k.jpg

At full height, ( still need cut the threaded rod to the correct length.)

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...8/DSCF2949.jpg

And at close.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...8/DSCF2952.jpg

Re: Merc rebuild
 

1st test of the new tipper mechanism. The pineapple and melon weigh 8 lb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rvTfpZ2DLk

Re: Merc rebuild
 

Fitted the stone deflectors and reinforcing angles to the side of the tipper body.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...8/DSCF2953.jpg

Made the tailgate and hinges.

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/2515/6kn3.jpg

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/4586/ys5t.jpg

I made it so that it can be easily removed.

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/421/2e2f.jpg

Attached a Wedico diesel tank,

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/9496/01hc.jpg

and made a battery box and air tanks.

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/951/fhnt.jpg

Lastly, attached a towing hitch for a future trailer build.

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2741/g3ek.jpg

Re: Merc rebuild
 

I have been trying to get some sort of a latch mechanism for the tailgate that could be operated remotely, so after many different designs this is what i have come up with.

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/527/yq0b.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2928/895y.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...ie38/claw3.jpg

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/9215/63lm.jpg

And a couple of quick videos to show it in operation. Sorry about the quality, i was forced to use my phone.
I am using a servo tester to operate it at the moment so it is a bit slow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPRQ-ElOOek

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNYxQCnXRUY

Re: Merc rebuild
 

Well done that works great..

Wayne

Re: Merc rebuild
 

I like this build, the dump body looks great and you have some ingenious ideas on the latch and removable gate. Nice job.

Re: Merc rebuild
 

Its Got Paint! Decided to go with some gray paint for the body. Its actually gray primer with a clear coat over the top, but it looks ok.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...mercside-1.jpg

I have also removed the solid walkway and replaced it with an expanded metal one. I think it looks more realistic.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...ercwalkway.jpg

Also made a wheel holder out of an old parts sprue.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...elholder-1.jpg

and some steps to get up to it.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...8/mercstep.jpg

Re: Merc rebuild
 

How did you have your maplin motor hooked up electronically? To an esc? Great build, styrene is always great to work with

Re: Merc rebuild
 

I used an ESC to start with but it wasn't supplying full voltage to the motor so i am in the process of making up a controll system using a RX controlled switch, relays and limit switches.

Noel.