JBC limited NZ

[andyathome]

hi bigford , no the KAT is still going to be using the original cylinders, but I will be turning the pump speed way down, and see what happens.
This was supposed to be a budget build using all leftovers but we all know how these things get out of hand....

I had a plan to make the thumb mechanism today , but things changed.
Mario asked a simple question on the length of the KAT compared to the 4200.
Over night I hatched a plan, any way heres the results, still unpainted but structurally completed.

I think it looks way better 50mm longer.














cheers andy

[Supermario]

Looks great! Now I see it and realize what a short tail end the 4200 has.
The reason I asked the question in the first place was the pic you posted showing the pump and valve next to each other on the right and battery laying front to back behind cab. Seemed like more room. Speaking of room, did you gain lots of space to rearrange things inside?

[andyathome]

the KAT has a bit of room in it , but now the 4200 has more.
Im going to leave the original placement set up in the 4200 but will now place battery next to counter weight across the back of the excavator as there is a lot more room at the back, and it will make changing battery easier.

now I have run out of paint , so maybe get started again on doing the KAT thumb.

cheers andy

[andyathome]

more progress, but I have a question .
Ive made some solid lines out of stainless tube to fit to the main boom, just sitting on there temporarily , but before I cut the plastic lines .
How do you guys seal the fittings on.
Ive tapped them at 5mm which is the correct size for my fittings , I will change the bottom fittings for right angle fittings, but do you use any sort of tread lock or sealant.





I have made some access panels to cover the ugly air vents, and will run a fan at the top of the engine cover to take hot air away.



cheers andy

[Cooper]

As far as the fitting for hydro lines , the fittings should have a plastic washer. That makes a seal on the flat of hardline. If you using the stainless turn the ends perfectly square to the pipe. That will give you the flat seat for the plastic washer to compress and seal. I'll try and find a good pic.

[andyathome]

cheers cooper,
I spun them up in the lathe, so nice and square, just worried the plastic washer wont do the job and end up with a big sticky mess.

thanks andy

[andyathome]

had to have a quick play

https://youtu.be/fGXRBMoZsYc

cheers andy

[andyathome]

im a happy camper....
very reluctantly cut the first hydraulic line ...
then another until all cut and fitted in their new home..

turn on pump and close eyes..

only one leak for the bucket curl at the end of the long line outside the excavator..

now I need to find some more bolts so they all match, and make a few clamps for the long line on top of the boom , and shorten a few lines.
then it all can go into the paint booth.

had to test it out properly , one hour of digging , no leaks and really happy with how it looks now.

the seal that leaked was the rubber o ring on the fitting.
I had a few spares but they are copper washers , so replaced all seals with copper ones.





cheers andy

[andyathome]

got a deliver out of the paint shop today.
also made a whole lot of little brackets for the solid lines , rerouted the light cables in hydraulic hose and used an original hose clamp to hold the ends of the hydraulic lines behind the cab.







cheers andy

[andyathome]

just some outside shots , paint finished but still a little soft.

play time tonight as it should be baked nicely in the sun














need to make a few air vents for the top sides of the engine cover, will do that on the printer and just glue on for looks.

now to finish of the KAT and start digging.

cheers andy

[Northern Farmer]

Quite a transformation! Great job

[Supermario]

Originally Posted by Northern Farmer

Quite a transformation! Great job

Absolutely agree. it's hard to spot any old 4200 and has now become a very nice hard rock mining shovel. Nice work Andy, I'm jealous but also motivated to tweak mine a bit, thanks!

[RCP57]

Looking great Andy! By the way, did you find a Hemi yet?

[andyathome]

Yeah .
found a couple that im realy keen on , gota wait for the guy to inspect and make a decision.
wife wants a 69 mustang so will do a double container and ship them both back home.
then we will fight over shed space.

cheers andy

[headers]

Andy you have truly transformed that 4200 into a beautiful machine great job

[RCP57]

Originally Posted by andyathome

Yeah .
found a couple that im realy keen on , gota wait for the guy to inspect and make a decision.
wife wants a 69 mustang so will do a double container and ship them both back home.
then we will fight over shed space.

cheers andy

Haha, yes my wife has wanted a new Cadillac for a while now and when it happens there will definitely be a fight over garage space here. Our garage is full already(too small) so I guess something of mine will get the boot. What engine are you looking to have in the Mustang? Big block?

[andyathome]

this is going to sound stupid, she wants the looks of the mustang
but she is talking about a 6 cylinder model.?????

now if that is what she wants to pay for Im not going to argue ...

but I may try and talk her into a 289, at least that way once its here we can upgrade it to a bigger motor legally ,due to NZ's over protective vehicle modification rules

cheers andy

[andyathome]

no digging with the 4200 as we were rudely interrupted by guests bringing beer and steaks.
so dragged the old go cart out and taught the wife what more power means



a few sore heads this morning but no one is dead , so all good.

[RCP57]

Oh that's good. The Big block Mustangs are a pain to work on. Pretty much have to pull half the car apart to remove a valve cover let alone do any serious work.lol A 289 or straight 6 will leave some room for your hands between the shock towers at least.

It looks like the carting was fun as well! Friends only show up at our place when they want something....

[andyathome]

so, with the 4200 nearing being finished , I stopped working on it and started to finish the thumb for the KAT .
I used a 8mm stainless tube and slid a 5mm solid shaft inside to make a fake cylinder , welded a couple of nuts on the ends.
I drilled a couple of holes in the shaft and used a clip of an old rc car to hold it in place, seems to work.

painted and done.









and because I had some paint left over , I decided to paint the cylinders and the 4200, two more to go.



cheers andy