Another Mini-Dozer

[workinprogress]

From my minidozer build I have found this more of a trial and error thing. When the track is tight I had problems with snow building up in the teeth as well as dirt. The track just kept getting tighter until it wouldn't move. When the track is loose I tended to throw the track during a tight turn. That being said I run mine tighter than that. Basically I tighten it until the slack is gone but the tension spring is just starting to be compressed.

 

[RangerRick]

Hi Bob,

Having owned and operated a Deere 400g since 1989, if that were my machine, I would tighten up the track by moving the idler forward only about 1/2 inch more. I think that would look about right and prevent you from hopping the track. The spring would allow movement for small rocks and dirt in the sprockets.

Glad to see you back in the saddle, somewhat at least. Get Well Soon.

Rick

 

[wrangler6831]

I cant wrap my head around why some would suggest that the bogey needs to spring forward or either way for that matter. Ive never seen one on any dozer of any size do that. Maybe on a TANK that has some suspension built in but not on a dozer. I think it will be fine like it is. Fantastic job!

 

[rawinok2]

My uneducated, unexperienced, speculative advice is to run it like it is.....

I think it should run like it is....Just my $.02
Chris

....i run just a slight amount of droop between the sprocket/top roller/idler....

....Basically I tighten it until the slack is gone but the tension spring is just starting to be compressed....

Hi Bob, I would tighten up the track by moving the idler forward only about 1/2 inch more....

Thanks guys ! I will take all of your thoughts on the matter into consideration.

I cant wrap my head around why some would suggest that the bogey needs to spring forward or either way for that matter. Ive never seen one on any dozer of any size do that. Maybe on a TANK that has some suspension built in but not on a dozer. I think it will be fine like it is. Fantastic job!

Now that's the advise I've been waiting to hear !! :thumbsup:

 

[Renze]

I cant wrap my head around why some would suggest that the bogey needs to spring forward or either way for that matter. Ive never seen one on any dozer of any size do that. Maybe on a TANK that has some suspension built in but not on a dozer. I think it will be fine like it is. Fantastic job!

Track sets under an excavator (that just carry the excavator) maybe not, but the traction crawlers i've been around (Vogele asphalt pavers, a very old Case trackloader) were tensioned by a big cylinder full of grease. Every morning you gave the system a stroke of grease, it would take the slack off the track before putting any on the lube areas itself..
This gives an overload protection (too much pressure by a foreign object means that your idlers will be greased ) and a very frequent adjustment to keep the chain tight.
Oh, and the Fiat 70C tracked tractor with an aftermarket loader in our "factory museum" had some very big coil springs to be able to give in when you high center the track over a rock right inbetween two idlers, or get a stick of wood between your sprockets...

 

[rawinok2]

I tried running it while it was up on blocks and found that the track would rotate just fine in reverse, but in forward, the cleats would get hung up on the floorboard reinforcement gusset. That made sense I guess because in reverse the track is being "pulled" on the top and "pushed" on the bottom. In forward it was just the opposite so by being "pushed" on the top, whatever slack was present caused the cleats to rise up just enough to get hung up. I removed the track and ground off about 1/4" of material from the support gusset. That was enough to get it to clear. However, there is no telling what may happen when it is removed from the blocks. I'm starting to wonder if adding springs to the idler bogey is the best way to go. I am going to wait until my daughter can come over to test drive it for me so I can observe how well it is working. She is busy this weekend being awarded a "Masters Degree in Speech Pathology".

 

[cschulz]

Masters degree!! That is great Bob. You and your wife must be proud.
Keep us up to date as you can.

Chris

 

[marklund]

Very inspiring work! I have read most of the post and have seen the question "how well does it push dirt" but have not seen the answer. Given the 16hp engine and the belt transmission, how well does it function as a digger? Thanks for posting all the progress photos!

 

[ben2go]

Has anyone heard from rawinok2?

 

[rawinok2]

Very inspiring work! I have read most of the post and have seen the question "how well does it push dirt" but have not seen the answer. Given the 16hp engine and the belt transmission, how well does it function as a digger? Thanks for posting all the progress photos!

Sadly, I was down all summer with my bleeding feet and ankle problems (if you havn't read about it yet, keep reading). I haven't been able to see how well it pushes dirt because I am still working out a few problems. My daughters have been too busy to come by and help me with more test drives. I finally was able to get my wife to help me. She observed while I drove. It seemed that the left track would, in the course of a revolution, ride up on the sprocket as if it was trying to come off but then would, all of a sudden, snap back on again. I figure it might be something as simple as not having the tension springs equally tightened. If any one has any other ideas please post them. :anyone: Thanks in advance !