LESU Cat 374 build log/progress

[avel]

I got the LESU Caterpillar 374 excavator.
I would recommend replacing the brushless ESC's that control the drive motors. I couldn't figure out how to program the included ESC's to remove the brake function before going into reverse. I don't think it's possible to remove it on these ESC's. I bought some of off Ebay that should go right into reverse, I'll see when I receive them.

Also bought some fluid filters from Magom HRC and some filter assembly that is ran in real equipment. The kit doesn't come with a filter.

I am in the process of taking apart some of the preassembled pieces and loctiting the screws and making sure grease is where its supposed to be.

http://i.imgur.com/2jjBtDSl.jpg (https://imgur.com/2jjBtDS)

http://i.imgur.com/boMyzbSl.jpg (https://imgur.com/boMyzbS)

http://i.imgur.com/NnW8CWvl.jpg (https://imgur.com/NnW8CWv)

http://i.imgur.com/oULPXDHl.jpg (https://imgur.com/oULPXDH)

more pictures here https://imgur.com/gallery/nS8qmLY

[Trucker47]

Excited to see this build thread! I have wanted one of these since RCSparks build one on his Youtube channel

[malawicarsten]

Excited to see this build thread! I have wanted one of these since RCSparks build one on his Youtube channel

I think it's the smaller one he made and transformed to a Kobelco?

[avel]

RCSparks built the one based on a Komatsu PC360.
I uploaded a pdf of the kit manual to Facebook to the LESU excavator and loaders group. I'll see if I can upload it somewhere else so others can view it.

[skeeter]

I'll anxiously be following this thread!

[Lil Giants]

So what’s the price on this kit?

What radio will you use with it?

[avel]

4,200 USD. Ebay prices may vary a little.
I still have some old Hobbyking radio. I would like to purchase a new FrSky radio. Not Flysky, but FrSky. The FrSky Horus X12 would be really nice. I'm not sure yet.

[avel]

So I bought a FrSky radio. An X-lite S. I really miss having the OpenTX software on my old radio and it's a smaller, more compact size. It will be fun setting it up.
I've been lazy, haven't really done anything to the excavator. It's still cold here in Montana, so I haven't done any painting either.
I did order longer bolts to replace the included 4mm long ones that attach the tracks to the center piece. My reasoning is that with the extra length I can use nuts and not risk stripping the threaded holes. Or i can even cut a piece of aluminum and then that will distribute the clamping force over a bigger area.
I've even debated using JB Weld to epoxy it together. I can still feed the motor wires to the slipring. Who knows, I'll see what happens.

[avel]

I got the radio! I'll upload pics later. I've painted some parts on the excavator and modified some parts with a Dremel.
Now I'm just waiting on my receivers to arrive. That's the only downside, I'll have to change over to this new system.

[avel]

http://i.imgur.com/n14foacl.jpg (https://imgur.com/n14foac)
Elongated the holes for the motor wiring. I'm thinking of attaching the tracks/drive parts out so that it will be wider.

http://i.imgur.com/ntixP2Rl.jpg (https://imgur.com/ntixP2R)
These cutouts I'm hoping will reduce the chances of the wires being rubbed through by the screws holding in the house bearing thing.

http://i.imgur.com/LBxMZ6vl.jpg (https://imgur.com/LBxMZ6v)

http://i.imgur.com/oE86HR1l.jpg (https://imgur.com/oE86HR1)

That's the radio. You can adjust if the sticks return to center or the force by adjusting long grub screws in the back. I left mine stock, so both sticks are sprung. I will use the rotary sliders on the top for track control. I have the radio beep, or vibrate to indicate when the sliders are in the middle position. I was thinking of using the radios gyro to control the tracks by first pressing the momentary switch and then tilting the radio side to side/forward backward, but I think the sliders work better for me.

[avel]

http://i.imgur.com/rBctRShl.jpg?1 (https://imgur.com/rBctRSh)

http://i.imgur.com/GSw2eFol.jpg?2 (https://imgur.com/GSw2eFo)
The 8 screws rotate and I'm hoping to reduce the chances of wires being rubbed through by cutting out those two sections and giving the wire a little bit more room.

http://i.imgur.com/oJQ22Jkl.jpg?1 (https://imgur.com/oJQ22Jk)
A lot of the teeth weren't fully filled in the mold.

[Lil Giants]

That's not a bad price at all for a model that size, it'll be interesting to see how it is when you get it finished, like what the glr is.

Also be interesting to see how well the Lesu hyds perform, if the pump & valves have enough flow & if valves allow for sensitive accurate movement.

Radio looks nifty, what that cost?

What's the dimensions of the bucket?

[Rascall Hunter]

Aaron at RC Sparks just started a build of this one. Yes, he did the small one as a blue Kobelco before, and has now decided he needs a bigger one... *chuckle*
I would love to have one.

[avel]

Yeah I saw that. He must have a new updated version. I noticed he mentioned his track/chain frames had extra metal in them for weight.

I'm waiting on some screws to arrive so I have more clearance for the
wires that run to the track motors. I have a lot of painting to do still. I dont have a room for that so I wait until its warm enough outside and do some painting in a shed.

[fabi]

Hello ,
no further post about this construction
I also ordered one so I wanted to get some information on how it works here :D

greats Fabiaan from Belgium

[avel]

Just been busy and too lazy to post updates.
If you have Facebook there is a group on there for the LESU machines.

Try looking for the group called "Lesu excavator and wheel loader"

[Colin11123]

Build is looking good and good tips keep them coming !
My one is hopefully going to be on its way to me shortly really looking forward to the build :)
Could I ask a favor I'm looking for the dimensions of the hydraulic cylinders ? the length of the outer cylinders from end cap to pin hole ?
Roughly what diameter are the stock ones ?
I'm planning to increase the diameter a couple of mm on mine, so need to order the materials or possibly go kit form to save time to be delivered before I send the components away for powder coating.
Haven't been able to find dimensional drawings anywhere that show the cylinders.

Cheers

Colin.

[Mt. Jim]

I'm building one now too. Are you done with your's? I'm not far from you. only 90 miles. I got all interested in these since I retired. I used to have the full sized ones but couldn't stand not having something to work on.

[liddy102]

Bump

[Surge]

Can someone explain the basics of how hydraulic cylinders work when they are at the extremes? I notice the pump still operates, so fluid must be flowing back into the reservoir, even when the cylinder is extended, and the command to extend is maintained.

[Lil Giants]

There's pressure relief valve built into the system... most are set around 25Bar (363psi).

[avel]

Mt. Jim! I'm in Libby almost every Wednesday!
I drive for North Park Transportation and have been very busy with work. I haven't done anything on the excavator.
I bought the smaller bucket and the cabin guard thing for the excavator, but that's about it.
I thought I would have finished painting this summer but a lot of things around the house needed to be done.
Now it's almost winter, so maybe next year I'll get back to it.

[Mt. Jim]

I finished mine and did a lot of work with it last summer. Moved over 7 real yards. Dug up my slab over my well house measured about 3.9 yards. Resealed it then bored it again. Once I modified a few things the 374 did very good. Drilled two holes and the back side top of the hydraulic tank then used both bottom ones for suction lines on the pump. No more heat and spitting out oil. I also ran the vent line in a hose up around the top of the house to the back and down and out in front of the counterweight. With small bucket and 18 mm cylinders from Magom it will dig virgin ground. But Magom used to small of rods and it kept bending the rod on the stick cylinder. I was running almost 4 mpa. Avel if I can figure out how to answer your message I will. But I am old and computer is not my friend . Only problem with the Lesu I have not cured is the bottom track rollers peel the e clips off, event good ones from Grainger still does it. I am afraid to solder the would probably melt tracks. Granger 3/16 is what fits because the cut the groves so deep.

[Mt. Jim]

Supposed to be buried not bored.. And I left out the two holes I drill I put fittings for two return lines. One from relief valve and the main one. Real hydraulic systems always have bigger suction lines and return. Takes care of heat. Oh the valves are not very smooth no matter what I still look like an amateur maybe a second week new operator but for the price it is still fun.

[Lil Giants]

Mt. Jim, you could try an instant glue from Lok-tite to hold roller pins in place, it takes very little heat to melt the glue if you ever need to take it apart.

If you don't mind ordering from Europe, Fumotec offers cylinder kits in various bores, you can custom make any length you want. My big track hoe, a little bigger than yours, uses a 20mm bore cyl on the stick and the piston rod is atleast 1/4 inch thick (I'm guessing) I've run pressures higher than 5mpa, I have never bent a cyl shaft... the seals in the valves however can't take such pressure for long, try to stay under 4mpa.

https://infopro-en.fumotec.de/hydraulik/zylinder/zylinderteilesaetze/

[Mt. Jim]

Joe you are the main reason I got into this. I first seen you on Garden trucking. Then was many years until I got reinterested, found you on this forum and read the whole thing. I also have a Eagle Machine Dozer and did the blue locktite on all track pins before using it. I took off tracks and did both sides, It kind of wicked to inside on small end of the pins. Maybe if I used thick superglue could keep it from binding to the inside. on Less. Might try ordering custom cylinders from Frank. Ive watched him a little and he speaks good English so would not get it all confused like Magon. Those were 18 mm od. The stock ones are 16mm od. It is very good scale model. Problem is it is model of machine that is running almost 6,000 psi. Little bit larger running the pressure I am would make it dig pretty good. I used to run log loader very good but the Lesu valves are not smooth enough to run like you do. But good enough for me. For a Chinese machine its not bad, way better design quality than eagle. Mine weighs 63 lbs.

[avel]

No need to reply to that message. It is just the same thing as my post here.