Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer

[Originalrob]

Originally Posted by Lil Giants

Well done Robert!

Have you weighed it yet?

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

[Originalrob]

Originally Posted by sparkycuda

Being an avid Komatsu guy, this build is great! Detail, proportion, function are just like the real Super Dozer. Congratulations on a successful first hydraulic test.
Ken

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 👍🏼

[sparkycuda]

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

[Lil Giants]

80kg WOW

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.

[sparkycuda]

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

[skeeter]

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

[Originalrob]

Originally Posted by sparkycuda

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

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



My own version:







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

[sparkycuda]

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

[Originalrob]

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.





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

[sparkycuda]

Keeps looking better all the time!

Ken

[Wibb]

Impressive machine!

[skeeter]

That machine looks fabulous with that ripper on it!

[dozerbuilder]

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

[Orange RC Works]

This is one amazing build...

[Originalrob]

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

[dozerbuilder]

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

[Originalrob]

Hi Everyone

still working on this project to get its pushing dirt but as always life gets in the way ! anyway more determined than ever to get this done as people who have seen it really want to see it pushing dirt ( including me !)
Basically it needs blade tilt rams installing and finishes to cosmetics like the cabin, decals etc.

quick question to the Komatsu boys out there on color. I am still not sure its the right yellow and I would like to know before I go further. the yellow I have painted already is darker that the some of the pics i have seen on the web. is there a "right" color ? or does it even matter ?

cheers Rob

[Zabco]

I'm sure Komatsu has an "official" color. All manufacturers do (and usually copyrighted). Can't really go by photos on the web. What was the lighting like when the photo was taken? What were the camera settings? Was the photo edited? Was the photo just a quick snapshot or taken by a pro? If you have to go by a photograph I'd look at a Komatsu dealer's web site. Your monitor is calibrated isn't it? Best is to just go look at one in the wild if at all possible, or get a can of touch-up paint from a dealer. I agree with everyone else too, that's one good looking machine you've built.