tree farmer c7

[Nikaem]

hope this is where I should put this
junk pile skidder
so I finished the KMC awhile back. I have a collection of toy grade tuck axels and all kinds of other parts so I was trying to figure out what to do with them. after looking at the pile for about a week I decided that the one set of tires looked very much like they belonged to a log skidder. so I figured why not build a skidder out of this pile of junk. I now have two different chassis in the works. Since I have never seen a true scale looking grapple and I already perfected my chokers I am building an old line skidder. so if you start looking at skidders buck in the 80's and 90's there were a lot of brands to choose from. I did a pile of searching and downloaded a pile of pictures and finally decided on the now out of business Franklin Tree Farmer they have some nice lines and a lot of detail. that said the problems start not the build that is progressing okay it is the color it is sort of the color of Mountain Dew but more green
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/7567.png
as you can see it is a specific color I thought I had no pics but here is a couple
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/086.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/088.jpg
The wheels were truck style so I re modeled them to look more industrial.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/002.jpg
I finished the blade but it is the wrong color will remedy that soon
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/010.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/008.jpg
started the trays for esc servo receiver and battery.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/005.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/004.jpg
then I got started on the body.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/012.jpg
cut out the windows.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/013.jpg
built the window screens.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/016.jpg
so got the right paint and here it is as a roller
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/017.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/020.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/019.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/017.jpg
I really think the body is narrow and one axle seems wider so after some looking I found that there were two different axel ends now they are all the same but I did chop the body and made it wider so it looks better now
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/008-1.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/007-1.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/005-1.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/001.jpg

[sparkycuda]

That's a really good start - more than a start with so much done! Am looking forward to seeing this in paint and a video. Keep it up!

Ken

[woodhog]

Got a good start :cool: can't wait to see a vid of it running:)

[Nikaem]

Got a good start :cool: can't wait to see a vid of it running:)

thank you I got all the electrics figured last night

[RCP57]

Cool!

[Nikaem]

well another week gone slow week but some stuff done
new winch installed
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/016_1.jpg
finished molding the belly of the frame
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/001_1.jpg
got the new grill in and filled the section where I made the blade wider
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/003_1.jpg
molded the rear log stops not sure if I like the look or not. new arch design more like the picture I have seen
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/018_1.jpg
some of the side covers are done I really dis like the servo arm for the blade lift but what can I say I might find a way to hide it
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/012_1.jpg
well that is all for now

[Nikaem]

as I said the log stops really look like crap and when I look at the skidder from the front the arch is not square also the wife says the blade is not tall enough. I figure the whole back end needs a rebuild so I started over and it was a failure so I figure I would just start modifying what was there so no real progress was made this week

[Nikaem]

okay we got some head way. First the blade taller and painted the grill reshaped and painted plus started the front tow eye
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/003_2.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/009.jpg
I will add some more screws to the grill so it looks better the 2 the are not centered so the grill is still off looking. got the side vents and access doors on one side done also the air breather
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/008_1.jpg\
this is a better shot of the side
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/002_2.jpg
the re-vamped arch with logs. if you look close you can see the exhaust pipe tip that is new
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/007_1.jpg
here you see the new log guards and arch with logs
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/006_1.jpg
and just a simple side shot .this is the slow time when all the details start
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/001_2.jpg

[Nikaem]

it is done

[Rakthi]

Congrats! Any chance to see some pictures?

[Nikaem]

finished a while back just too busy for pics
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/001_6.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/003_4.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/005_3.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/006_3.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/Nikaem_/007_3.jpg
that is it for now .I think I came out ok. Supposed to look like an auction queen not show room new so it is a little rough in places but that is what I wanted.

[sparkycuda]

Very nice! Plenty of detail and great overall looks. You should be very proud!

Ken

[bigford]

having never seen one in real life i'll take your word that it looks the way you built it!!
killer machine you made

[Nikaem]

having never seen one in real life i'll take your word that it looks the way you built it!!
killer machine you made

first picture is the real thing

[Rakthi]

Great job indeed! You've really captured the essence of it.
Nice model, hope it gives you lots of fun!

Stephan

[Nikaem]

well we have run it some and a real problem has showed it's ugly head. The motor I used was stock for the pos toy truck it is way too fast and has no torque. I suppose this should be a simple fix just change the motor well never thought that out and the motor is sort of sealed in there. I think if I do some cutting I may be able to get the motor out. or this may become a shelf queen or I may sell it as is and see if someone else can give it a fix. got to think it through