Ny-Lint Mobile Dragline Conversion

[Rvjimd]

Friz,

This thread probably has more stuff related to my crane conversion. It is the crawler undercarriage that I made last fall.

http://www.rctruckandconstruction.co...ad.php?t=10381

Jim

[frizzen]

Do you remember any details about the drag bucket, was it made off any plans or just eyeball? I assume its brass or steel?

Jeremy

[Rvjimd]

Jeremy,

It is all brass from the rack at the local farm store. I can get you some measurements if you want. The bottom is made from a pretty thick piece that was full width (1.5" I think) and I basically found a patent drawing of a bucket that I printed to a size that looked about right for the scale of the machine.

Let me see if I can find the link that I used. One of the photos in the build has the print under the bucket in one shot.

The video at 1:50 shows the drawing I used. I basically used the drawing to match the curve of the bottom piece. Still looking for the link, stand by...

Okay, let's see if this link works...

http://patentimages.storage.googleap...1/imgf0004.png

And this should be the full document...

http://www.google.com/patents/EP0321542B1?cl=en

And mine measures .070" center base plate 2" wide at the mouth and I tapered it a bit toward the rear to make it load a bit better. The sides are about 1" tall and I made them from thinner .035" but they could have also been .070" to add weight to the bucket. I thought about adding wear bars to the under side of the bottom and maybe sides to give it more mass.



Jim

[Rvjimd]

Guys,

I'm trying to improve the crawler on my crane. I decided to try the "Z" style drive tumbler. My question, do the lower idlers help keep the tracks centered?

Here is a pic of what I'm trying to do. Not sure what it is on? Old something?



Anyone have any drawings of the idlers for something like this? Why are some like this and other like center wheel and knobs on the driver?

Thanks, Jim

[Rvjimd]

Here is my prototype Z tumbler. Now I'm trying to figure out what to use for the new drive "stubs" or dogs or whatever they are called? The little nub on the track links. I need something a bit wider than the current version.



Jim

[Jared]

Originally Posted by Rvjimd

My question, do the lower idlers help keep the tracks centered?

Yep. And I think the bottom rollers should be spaced different than the spacing of the lugs so the track can't slip around them. That way at least one or two rollers and lugs will always be engaged.

Originally Posted by Rvjimd

Why are some like this and other like center wheel and knobs on the driver?

My guess is patents. Someone patents one style so the next guy has to figure out his own way. And always there's the quest for a better mousetrap.