Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer

[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

[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!