Another Mini-Dozer

[dntfxr]

I guess for your wheelbase you could cut the I-beams in front of the square cross members and add in sections there, and make some more track links. I guess you'd need longer drive chains too but maybe lengthening the front end only would work. Maybe a larger driven sprocket would help with the speed too? Thanks for the update, I'm sure you'll get her sorted!

Eta: I meant C channel instead of I beam.

 

[dntfxr]

Is it the black sprocket that is keyed or the yellow? Could you just weld it to the shaft on one side?

It hard to tell from the earlier pics exactly how the power is engaged but perhaps changing the length on the engagement levers on the idler pulleys would smooth out engagement?

 

[Iplayfarmer]

It sounds to me that all of the problems (too fast, tippy, sheared key, hard to handle) all come down to one cause... lack of control of the power you have. You need some way of easing the beast into moving rather than an all or nothing type of system. The first thing that comes to mind for me is hydraulics, but there may be other systems.

I'm thinking as a minimum you could rig your drive mechanism to be a pump/motor type system with an adjustable bypass that allows you to proportion the fluid according to the desired speed. Optimally you could mount independant drive motors on each of the tracks allowing you to alter the speed and direction of each track with infinite variability.

 

[RangerRick]

Hi Rawinok2,

I've been following this post since you started it and I am impressed with your welding, fabrication and dedication to this project. Having said that, I see you are at a point where you have to take a step back for a minute are regroup.

I have run dozers, backhoes, excavators, etc. for more than 35 years and I have also attended college majoring in mechanical engineering so my experience should be of some value to you.

I agree with Iplayfarmer that a hydraulic pump with drive motors is the way to go on this dozer. You can feather in any speed you want and reverse would be a piece of cake. No belts either, just the chains from the motors to final drive sprockets. The hydraulic pump would be attached directly to the shaft on your engine and the hydraulic hoses are easy to run.

I know that the cost is a big factor for you but you are doing such a fine job on the rest of the machine, maybe you can wait awhile and save up what you need to go the hydraulic route. It would make your dozer operate smoother and more reliable without ever having to change a belt.

Now getting back to your last post about any suggestions about speed and rough ride:

To slow your dozer down to half its current speed, you can change the pulley on the engine to half its diameter.

To steady the machine, the blade on the front or weights on the back won't help much. What you need to do is lengthen the wheel base by at least 18 inches. The longer the track length, the smoother the ride.

It's unfortunate you live so far away from where I live. I am in the swimming pool business and I have five months off for the winter. I would have enjoyed giving you a hand working on this project.

Thanks for all the posts and keep up the great work!!

Rick

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I am in the swimming pool business and I have five months off for the winter.

Rick

WHAT! Nobody wants swimming pools in the winer! :laughing:

Welcome aboard Rick.

I think you will fit right in and be very helpful to have around.

Be Well,
David

 

[teg]

...Welcome aboard Rick...

I guess you missed the part under his name... "Join Date: Dec 2004".

Back to the problem... Could you add another sprocket, like slowing down the drill press trick???

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I guess you missed the part under his name... "Join Date: Dec 2004".

TEG,

I triggered the "Welcome Aboard" off of the # of posts = 1 & the "New Member" on his profile.

Missed the date. Still though a howdy was a good idea. :thumbsup:

Not the first time, nor will it be the last, where I goof something up.

David

 

[rcurrie]

Rawinok2 don't get discouraged. You have done an awsome job on your build and now have to do some tweeking. I agree that I would try changing engine pulley to half the size to slow it down and maybe you'll have to extend track frames by a few inches but I'm sure you have already thought of this as you seem like a very capable fabricator. Best of luck and keep us posted, Rob.

 

[workinprogress]

Trust me things will come together. Think of them more like improvements than corrections. I know with my small dozer build I am on version 10.0+ with all the improvements. I would work on getting your speed down and more control. Those rapid shifts can cause issues with keys. As already suggested i would suggest reducing the pulley size at the engine to lower speed.

 

[Renze]

I am in the swimming pool business and I have five months off for the winter.

Sell them as ice skating rinks