Old school Cat D8H

[bobmorey]

Hello All,
This is my first post on this site. Lots of cool projects here.

I've wanted a CAT dozer since I was little kid. So I'm going to make one that is RC. I like the old school D8 and D9, before the high drive came along. Not that the newer design aren't awesome - I just like the look of the old D9H and G.

I bought this model on ebay as a reference. Its the 1/25 ERTL/AMT Cat D8H.

https://i.postimg.cc/wBrnPJN8/D8-H-model.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/XvqTQxpk/D8-H-model-2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Not sure on scale of my model, I like 1/16 and 1/6 tanks, but a dozer in 1/6 would be huge. Perhaps 1/14 to be used with Tamiya trucks? Depends a bit what motors I can find. I'd like to make it hydraulic as well for blade lift although this will be my first venture with that.

I will be using Autodesk Inventor to design the model. Its similar to Fusion 360 and from Autodesk.

I will start on tracks and drivetrain first, as this the hardest part. I have CNC mill and manual lathe to make the parts. The model will be mostly aluminum, but perhaps steel tracks.

So not much to show until I get the plastic model to design from.

Till next time..
Bob

[skeeter]

I'll be anxiously following this project

[bigdogrod]

i'd like to 3d print it...

[FabOne]

That ought to bean awesome design and build! Keep us posted.

[Jared]

Somehow I had a feeling when I saw the D8H in the thread index that you were gonna be from Washington. Are you a logger? Loggers love them D8s, especially H's.

[bobmorey]

Jared
Nope no logger. Just loved the CatD8 and D9 since I was little. I had this kit when I was about 10, actually just the generic AMT (not Cat) version. When I was in Army we had Cat D8's, but they were being phased out for the D7's. Had to use the old D8's a couple times to recover stuck D7's.

I just like the look of this model. The new high tracks are super cool, just not that many old school builds out there.

Recd the kit from Ebay. Designing some parts now. Scale 1:14.

Best regards,
Bob