Bruder small Cat conversion

[skeeter]

Tonight, I started a Conversion of the small caterpillar, D4 I think it is.

[skeeter]

Once my Email quits lagging, & I can get them to show up in my INBOX, so I can upload them to flilcker, I'll post up a few pics.

I CAN'T take credit for the inspiration on this build. Jug has done it & posted it on his YouTube page. I liked the idea. I wanted to use Micro Servo's for it, but was having a problem finding a part that would connect the micro servo to the track sprockets. Since I couldn't source the parts I wanted, I ran with his idea. I will deviating slightly from his build in the way the sprockets mount to the motor......That is, once the parts FINALLY arrive on the SLOW boat from China.

[skeeter]

FINALLY, they showed up in my Email. Here's a few pics of the build so far

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4358/35642506274_90269be303_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WiBamf)20170809_234213 (https://flic.kr/p/WiBamf) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4417/36309700542_702c940147.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XjyGXG)20170809_234244 (https://flic.kr/p/XjyGXG) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

[skeeter]

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4434/36309701962_d28d5cee6c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XjyHob)20170809_234155 (https://flic.kr/p/XjyHob) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

[frizzen]

I think thats a D5, and looks like a good start.

You may want to shim the gearbox shafts, some have too much play and the gear mesh is inconsistant.

[skeeter]

I think thats a D5, and looks like a good start.

You may want to shim the gearbox shafts, some have too much play and the gear mesh is inconsistant.

:eek: I wish I would have saw that BEFORE I did what I done on Thursday morning. :o Thinking I would be slick, & try & dust/dirt proof the gearbox a bit, I did this little mod.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4399/35676879274_4141c1a2ff.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WmDkfb)20170810_051457 (https://flic.kr/p/WmDkfb) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4378/36374282281_46b81f0639.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XqgGRX)20170810_051447 (https://flic.kr/p/XqgGRX) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

In addition to dirt proofing it a bit, my thought was, it'd give the inner workings a SAFE place to lay, WITHOUT risk of getting caught in the gearbox. In hindsight, I'm sure I SHOULD:o have completed the build & tested it prior to doing it. :cop:

[skeeter]

Those are the only pics I have of it. The glue has since dried, & the clamps are removed.

[skeeter]

Rain delays this weekend at work, left me with some spare time this weekend. I did a bit on the Cat.

Added a bit of weight, about 6OZ to it, mounted the blade servo, & affixed the track sprockets to the Tamiya gearbox.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4403/35755633953_51411cf9a3.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WtAYgt)20170813_013849 (https://flic.kr/p/WtAYgt) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4382/35730011154_cbab9b010a.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WrkDv5)20170813_034818 (https://flic.kr/p/WrkDv5) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

The bolts I had that were lengthy enough were WAY TOO LONG. I used them, cut them off after installation, & filed them flat with the adapter.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4407/36565045575_2312f41074.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XH8q9g)20170813_035955 (https://flic.kr/p/XH8q9g) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

Since I had the gloves on to work with the epoxy, I decided to drill a hole in a fishing weight. It was an 8OZ weight, with a bit trimmed off of it. I guestimate it's about 6OZ left on it.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4347/36565047395_eeab249c88.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XH8qFD)20170813_032420 (https://flic.kr/p/XH8qFD) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

The sides of the dozer modified so the redneck lifting mechanism for the blade can do it's thing. YEAH, I KNOW, I went a bit overboard hogging out the holes in it. I had some leftover scraps of plastic laying around. I glued them into the excess opening. I forgot to take snaps of it.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4434/35730012454_8c2f0a9939.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WrkDTu)20170814_023921 (https://flic.kr/p/WrkDTu) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

The metal gear micro servo installed
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4335/35755696903_28f2e503f4.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WtBhYP)20170814_030713 (https://flic.kr/p/WtBhYP) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

[skeeter]

Just a few more mods to do on the tracks, & then it'll be time to test it out. I know being plastic if WON't be durable, or powerful enough to push much of anything, but it'll still be fun.

[skeeter]

A quick note about the lead weight. If you plan to drill a fishing weight, as I did, & it's pure lead, be prepared for a LOT of work. I'd get about 2 seconds of the drill working in the lead, then I'd have to spend 10-25 seconds cleaning the drill bit. The lead clogs up the bits. It DOESN'T spit out in ribbons like other metals do.

[frizzen]

Looks like it's coming along well.

Watch some videos, bruder conversions are pretty capible, even though it's plastic.

Lead likes some thin lube and a slow feed rate so it spits little flakes off the bit, and pulling out to clear chips a lot.

[honda3]

I just received a d5 conversion from small haul on youtube. This is one bad little dude, not only will it push dirt but it will also cut in. It is a very capable machine and affordable.

[skeeter]

I just received a d5 conversion from small haul on youtube. This is one bad little dude, not only will it push dirt but it will also cut in. It is a very capable machine and affordable.

I'm glad to hear that. I was worried that being plastic it may not do so well.

[skeeter]

I just received a d5 conversion from small haul on youtube. This is one bad little dude, not only will it push dirt but it will also cut in. It is a very capable machine and affordable.

I've many questions about yours. Are the tracks still the stock Bruder kind? Is the cab interior still in it? What size battery pack is it running? Is/was any weight(s) added to it when it was converted?

[honda3]

Yes tracks are stock bruder, they actually provide way more traction than i thought they would. Cab interior is still in, 2300 mah nimh pack, It was stuffed with as much weight as he could fit, It weighs around 5 pounds.

[skeeter]

Do you have pictures of how & where the battery mounts in it? I'm struggling trying to figure out how to put the battery pack in it, while including the cab interior.

[honda3]

I don't know how it is mounted inside it came RTR, And i probably wont take it apart until I have too. Look up "small haul" on youtube, he has a bunch of videos and I'm sure you can find what you need.

[skeeter]

After looking at a few of his vids, I found the info for his builds. There's an internal RECHARGEABLE battery pack in his :) I LIKE that idea.

[skeeter]

After working Thursday, & then finding out we're working Friday NIGHT, I stayed up all night to get my self acquainted with night shift AGAIN! I had a LOT of time to work on the littel dozer.

I found a PROBLEM with where I mounted the blade control rod. I SHOULD have ended the bolt between the 2 side of the blade arm, & NOT ran completly through it.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4350/36604254266_dea2db0f95.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XLAnwb)20170817_225951 (https://flic.kr/p/XLAnwb) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

It SHOULD have ended where the knife blade is, & has since been re-located.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4431/36604257146_9365ee335f.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XLAonQ)20170817_225345 (https://flic.kr/p/XLAonQ) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

I cemented the blade pivots where the knife blade is, to prevent it from moving while working
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4347/36604256546_65b72d0cff.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XLAocu)20170817_225400 (https://flic.kr/p/XLAocu) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

Each drive sprocket got TEN screws placed into them between every OTHER tooth. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4397/36604257906_96af13b56d.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XLAoAW)20170817_205810 (https://flic.kr/p/XLAoAW) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

NOTE: DON'T do like I did! Before I reinstalled EVERYTHING onto the tracks, I adjusted the slack in the track by lengthening the distance the screws stuck out form the sprocket. Once I re-assembled the track guides, the tracks were too tight.

[skeeter]

I somewhat flattened a 20Ooz teardrop shaped fishing weight. I plan to trim it to shape, & place it in the dozer for more added weigh. I still have bugs to work out with it. Once my Email quits lagging, I'll post the vid of it. The video ISN'T a very long video, & doesn't show the quirks I have yet to work out with this little dozer.

[Hofabooz]

Hi Skeeter

Looking good this is, cannot wait to see video of in out in the wild doing what its made for.

Mark

[skeeter]

Hi Skeeter

Looking good this is, cannot wait to see video of in out in the wild doing what its made for.

Mark


Just a video on the garage floor for now. I've got a few glitches to figure out, before I can send it out to work!
https://youtu.be/6nk0oX4gv6k

[skeeter]

I had time this weekend to run it a bit. I've decided to scrap the current version & start over. I didn't even get a full battery pack through it, & had issues. The drive axle in the Tamiya gearbox doesn't hold up well. It keep flexing, & slacking the tracks. Also, it would frequently bind up, & briefly quit driving.

[Hofabooz]

Hi Anthony

That is what the hobby is all about try it see if it works if not change it and move on.
I'am sure it will be better for another revision and new ideas.:D
Looking forwards to seeing it progress.:)

[skeeter]

I'm NOT sure if it'll show up, but here's a few pics of the Tamiya Xmish after I got one with it.
The Small blue gear ONLY has 3 teeth left on the whole gear!
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4419/36571214211_6ae722732b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XHF2S4)20170820_221853 (https://flic.kr/p/XHF2S4) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4388/36663778846_51c7d20a2a.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XRRs73)20170820_221926 (https://flic.kr/p/XRRs73) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

[skeeter]

Since I already have this one chopped up, for the way I intended to convert it, a little more chopping won't hurt.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4407/36663779486_90441e0633.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XRRsi5)20170820_221741 (https://flic.kr/p/XRRsi5) by Anthony Kalnoski (https://www.flickr.com/photos/157093418@N06/), on Flickr

I intend to try micro METAL geared servos to drive the sprocket cog, that turns the tracks.

[skeeter]

As promised, here's the SHORT vid of it on the garage floor.
https://youtu.be/6nk0oX4gv6k

[skeeter]

I found a micro HiTech metal geared continuous servo, that's compatible with the 24 teeth servo horn. RobotShop.com offers the servo, & servo horns that I'll try and use for the next attempt to power this thing. The brand new Bruder D5 chassis should be here tomorrow, or the next day.

[skeeter]

Hi Anthony

That is what the hobby is all about try it see if it works if not change it and move on.
I'am sure it will be better for another revision and new ideas.:D
Looking forwards to seeing it progress.:)

Yes sir, I hope the next version is better as well! :o

[Rvjimd]

I went thru no less that 5 variations on my Oliver diecast conversion. I started with servos, went to micro gear motors and have finally ended with mini planetary gear motors and it working really well.

Keep at it, if nothing else (like me) you will learn something you can apply to some other project.

I don't mind seeing the "failures" it helps me learn also!

Jim

[frizzen]

Ouch.
Video looked like it was really fast, maybe that caused too much shock load for gears? Good luck on round 2.

[skeeter]

Ouch.
Video looked like it was really fast, maybe that caused too much shock load for gears? Good luck on round 2.

Yes, it was too fast.

[skeeter]

I went thru no less that 5 variations on my Oliver diecast conversion. I started with servos, went to micro gear motors and have finally ended with mini planetary gear motors and it working really well.

Keep at it, if nothing else (like me) you will learn something you can apply to some other project.

I don't mind seeing the "failures" it helps me learn also!

Jim

I've thought of gear motors, but haven't found any that will fit. I'm real limited with the amount of room on the inside for motors.

SmallHaul, on here does a conversion of these, :drool: & in the description of his Youtube vid, it says he uses servos for the drive motors. I've sourced a continuous servo that has a spline that allows me to use the style of mounting brackets I'd like to use. :bounce: HOPEFULLY, with this set up I can get it working. :)

I've already learned a fair bit. I as well like seeing OTHER PEOPLES failures so I can learn from their mistakes. I don't like it so much when it's my time & money wasted to find failure. Most everything on this forum that I found for a conversion like this has Photo Bucket pics. Photobutt ISN'T letting me view the pics of the builds :( Without pics/vids of their successes, &/or failures, it's difficult for me to know what has, & hasn't worked. I learn better from pictures than reading about it! I learn even better when shown while it's done AKA videos &/or being shown in person:)

[skeeter]

I DON'T know if the small N20 gear motors would be sufficient for this build or not. :confused: If the servo idea doesn't pan out, perhaps I'll attempt it with a couple of them. I don't even have a clue what RPM would be well suited to this build. HOPEFULLY the servo idea will pan out. I've seen vids of the stuff that SmallHaul has converted. His looks good, & are very functional too. ;) I'm sure with a lil tinkering, I can figure out how to get them servos to work for my drive motors too. :D

[skeeter]

This, as well as all future builds/conversions I'm doing, are from now on going to be merged into 1 thread. The progress of this can be followed here
http://www.rctruckandconstruction.com/showthread.php?t=12786