Quadrotrac

[Rbertalotto]

I still don't see how that articulating joint won't simply break when the front half goes up a hill while the rear is still on level ground. I would think you would want 360 degree articulation. Unless you never plan on taking it off road?

Can't wait to see this machine under power. Thanks for the build report. Great stuff!

 

[Steinbruchsoldat]

Thats what the bogie axles are for. Almost every articulated vehicle has this type of joint, why shouldn't it work on this vehicle? There are about 200lbs of steel just on the pivot.

 

[Steinbruchsoldat]

Stupid thumb is annoying me. Makes me insanely slow and i really hate that... :mad3:

Managed to fabricate some parts for the right axle today:

 

[chilliwak]

Wow:Wow1:Steinez, I did not know that this vehicle was going to have some kind of arm. What will it be used for? Dumper? Loader? Also I like the girl in your sketch. I would like to meet her. Looks even better than Lara Croft!:drool:

 

[Wainiha]

Also I like the girl in your sketch. I would like to meet her. Looks even better than Lara Croft!:drool:

Why does this comment not surprise me? Great minds think alike?

 

[Steinbruchsoldat]

Played a bit with Sketch Up. This is the rear car model:

Cage will be 2x2" tubing. What wall should i use? Is 0,157" enough or should i go 0,196". Does it need more triangulation? Like a x in the rear? Front will the tied in the joint.

 

[krl81]

Hello again! Looks good! I would go with an X or at least a diagonal brace in the back.
//K-Robin

 

[java]

Id go lighter on the tubing also. .095 or similar

 

[Wainiha]

I know there are other good builders here, but I have to laugh when you ask us what to do. In my opinion you're leading the charge in the ultimate fabrication job.

 

[Steinbruchsoldat]

Thanks guys. Will probably go down to .118 tubing, add a diagonal and some sheetmetal gussets on the back.

Was busy working on my mill. Added a vertical milling head and a new vfd. Need to finish wiring it tomorrow and then i`m back on track on the Quadrotrac:

Some time ago our old mini excavator went to the scrapyard:

Unfortunately i wasn`t allowed to safe the cab. But i started looking for one to buy and found one today. Going to inspect and hopefully bring it home tomorrow:

This is a lot cleaner and easier than building my own. This way i have a real door, sliding windows and all that stuff. It even has a sunroof...

 

[krl81]

I know there are other good builders here, but I have to laugh when you ask us what to do. In my opinion you're leading the charge in the ultimate fabrication job.

Hahaha! I agree, big time! :-D

 

[Steinbruchsoldat]

Thanks guys. Think i`m just gonna try it...

Had a look at the cab today. Well, it fit`s right on. Exactly as wide as the frame and only 4" longer. I`d call that a perfect fit. This is why i bought it. Otherwise i wouldn`t, because it`s in worse shape than it looked at the pictures. Going to see how worse it really is when i steam clean it tomorrow:

 

[Steinbruchsoldat]

Started by steamcleaning the cab today:

Came out better than i thought it would:

Just the sheetmetal where the door hinges were is rusted out, everything else is going to be replaced either way or is in good condition.

Then i put it on the chassis table:

It`s a perfect fit, i`m a happy camper.

There are just a few things that i`m going to change. First is to square up the left side of the cab:

There will be a small window on the rear left body part:

And i need to shorten the door a bit to clear the drive sprocket:

Probably moving back the cab a bit on the frame to make room for some front hydraulics without sacrifiing aperture angle. Don`t see any possibility to incorporate a boom but if someone got an idea i`d like to hear it.

 

[Steinbruchsoldat]

So, here`s the final plan:

 

[chilliwak]

Looks like a good score on the new cab Steinez! Really lucky about it fitting so well. You just have to change the old company logo out with a new one that says `Redneck Engineering´ !!! Also I am not pleased with the new girl in your sketch up diagrams. Can we please get the previous hot girl back? She was even better than Laura Croft!