Another KAT on the prowl

[rc_farmer]

Much has been already written about the chinese KAT, so i won't bore you with many of the particulars. I have been asked a couple of times though what i thought of it........I would venture to say that some unique building skills are required to make this a more working models. I was disappointed but not supprised at the workmanship. Loose screws, missing screws, filled-n-holes, bent-undercarriage (when received) loose turntable, etc. Over all though, i figure that i have a good set of parts to work with at a relative inexpensive cost. For the time it would have taken me to get all the pieces drawn, laser cut , time involved, i would have spent close to this money money.

I have already started changing some things on it.



Square-up body


Replaced these with.......


With this aluminium C-channel.....and machine shop making idle wheel, this is not a bicycle, two sprockets on one chain doesnt work.











Tapping M5 holes


Nylon bushings with nut inserts

[Rimrock]

Welcome to the club I am not surprised to see another 'demolished' KAT on the 'operating table'.. My guess is that the fabricator have $150, maximum?, in labor and materials put into the basic machine) But as stated before, with some modifications, it can turn out a fine machine. I most of all like the tracks, I think that the fabricator has done a good job on them.

[rc_farmer]

I agree with ya on the tracks........going to get mine sand blasted

[rmunson21]

I also have this excavator. I received mine on 1-16-14 I also had damage on delivery. Mine has a bent track drive outer plate at the rear sprocket, the undercarriage is bent, I also had missing bolts. I guess every body that buys this excavator can expect to do some fab work.

[cdm]

give that its not cheap, is it worth it? looking at input so far, you have to basically rebuild it...

[liftmys10]

Originally Posted by cdm

give that its not cheap, is it worth it? looking at input so far, you have to basically rebuild it...

I too would like to know this.
If it needs the 4200xl cyl.and all this modification to make it worthy, wouldn't it be as expensive just to purchase the 4200xl as it's a proven sting digger compared to wedico? Don't get me wrong, I like to see different companies building them to allow competition and lower prices.

[JAMMER]

Looking good there Rob. When I saw you got one I knew there were going to be some good modifications coming. Ed

[rc_farmer]

A lil more progress....












Track runs much smoother now

[DADSGARAGE]

Looking better all the time...good job well done!!

[rc_farmer]

Video of Track test

[rc_farmer]

Originally Posted by oztruck

Great idea. Fixed 2 things with the 1 mod. how much to make me a pair?

Chris

I might be crazy, but this thing is kinda fun to work on.



Chris, i farmed them out to a machine shop.....it was 200.00 for all the peices excluding the rods and springs. If you interested, ill check see with him. He does this in-between his real work. Took three wks for all parts.

[dirtpusher9]

Hey Rob,I forgot to ask you on the phone, how are you getting access to too the slack adjusters? The tracks work great.

[rc_farmer]

A few more upgrades:

[rc_farmer]

I would be further along if I could get rc4wd to answer their emails or get a phone.......geeeeze! By the time they answer your questions, the part is out of stock again.

[dabears]

Looking great so far!

[Azonic]

The tracks looks really nice, steel, alu or die cast?

What's the measurements of the track pads?

[rc_farmer]

These are the same tracks that came with the KAT......I just had them sandblasted.

[Chrisbird]

I've been thinking of scrach building an excavator to go with my rc low loader. But seeing this thread has made me think of buying one of these kats and modding it. So the question is can the flimsy sounding kat take it and can it take the hydraulics and the power that goes with them

[rc_farmer]

I think i made a good choice. I am redoing it a bit to make it stronger and up to my spec's. Im using rc4wd cylinder and a brushless pump.

[rc_farmer]

Got Slewring today.