Another Mini-Dozer

[rawinok2]

I decided to build a mini-dozer utilizing the old Struck belt & pulley transmission design and building the body and track from my own design.
I started from scratch making a frame from 4" channel and 1.25"x3/16" angle.
I framed a dash board from 1" square tubing and a grill from 1/2" rods and 2"x1/4" bar stock. I added bearing supports from 3/16" plate.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Looks cool already!

 

[Ductape]

That's beefcake !! :thumbsup:

Can't wait to see more.

 

[Short Game]

Whoa, don't drop that on your foot! Looks like something that could do some real work.

 

[ericher69]

What do u have in mind as a powerplant...or do we half to wait?

 

[rawinok2]

I plan on using a 16 HP Powerhouse engine. It is a Honda knockoff (made in China). They sell for about $400.00. Anyone have any experience with these?
I suppose the old adage "you get what you pay for" applies here.
I am working on the track segments next. I got the idea for them from someone from the "Machine Builders Network" who built an excavator.
After that, I need to slow down my drill press so that I can drill a lot of 7/8" holes through 3/4" plate for the track sprockets. I got the idea on how to slow down the drill press from the MBN also.

 

[ericher69]

Thanks

Looks good!

What about getting the holes punched out with a big ironworker?

 

[ben2go]

I plan on using a 16 HP Powerhouse engine. It is a Honda knockoff (made in China). They sell for about $400.00. Anyone have any experience with these?
I suppose the old adage "you get what you pay for" applies here.
I am working on the track segments next. I got the idea for them from someone from the "Machine Builders Network" who built an excavator.
After that, I need to slow down my drill press so that I can drill a lot of 7/8" holes through 3/4" plate for the track sprockets. I got the idea on how to slow down the drill press from the MBN also.

The guys on MTF give those clones a good going over.They check everything on them.They drain the shipping oil,fill with kerosene,and shake it up real good to loosen any debris inside the engine.Then drain it out really good.Refill with quality oil and give'er a cap full down the plug hole.Spin it over a couple times and then start it up.Run it an hour or two and change the oil again,then again at 8 to 10 hours.

 

[bal0123]

DUDE! that is awesome! You do good work and have a heck of a lot more patients than I have. The tracks look great. Very Impressive. I have worked on Dozers half of my life and this is too cool. I look forward to seeing more pics and your progress.

The Powerhouse engines are as good as a Honda in my opinion and half the cost. I have three of them and they never hesitate to start and always get the job done. Good luck with your build. I am excited to see it when it is done.

 

[Short Game]

The tracks look great.

Yeah, I was thinking, "silver bullion."

 

[kf4uda]

The work you have done so far looks fantastic. It would be cool to have a small diesel powering your dozer, but I realize that would probably strain the budget.

I would consider the iron worker to punch all those holes. We got one a while back at work. While I have not got to operate it yet, I have watched and been amazed at how quickly and easily it can punch large holes in thick material.

 

[rawinok2]

Thanks for your comments...I'll be sure to flush the engine...etc.
The iron worker idea would work I guess... I just don't have access to one.
The one that I used years ago seamed to distort the metal when trying to punch a hole that size. Also, I found it hard to hit the mark right on.
I was quite amazed as to how well the Harbor Freight drill bit cut once I slowed my $99 Craftsman drill press down from 620 to about 150 RPM. It stopped stalling and the shavings curled off of that 3/4" plate just as thick as could be!

 

[NormL]

Thanks for your comments...I'll be sure to flush the engine...etc.
The iron worker idea would work I guess... I just don't have access to one.
The one that I used years ago seamed to distort the metal when trying to punch a hole that size. Also, I found it hard to hit the mark right on.
I was quite amazed as to how well the Harbor Freight drill bit cut once I slowed my $99 Craftsman drill press down from 620 to about 150 RPM. It stopped stalling and the shavings curled off of that 3/4" plate just as thick as could be!

Wow!:thumbsup::thumbsup: Now I see how I can convert my El-Cheapo Canadian Tire drill press to drill 1.5" holes without smoking. I use bi-metal hole-saws and drill up to 1/2" material. I'm surprised I have not burned out the poor little motor on that thing. With a step-down like that, I should be able to extend the life of that rig by a fair margin.

 

[rawinok2]

A diesel engine would truly be the sweetest thing. The sound, the smell...

but like you say if I could afford that then I could afford hydraulic drive instead of using belts and pullies,

I could afford rubber tracks instead of making each steel segment by hand.
Yes, if I could put a diesel in it I would be WAY TOO :cool2: COOL !

 

[mjncad]

Now this is too cool for school! I'm looking forward to seeing more pix as this progresses.

Is 16HP going to be enough ponies?

If anyone needed access to a CNC laser or water cutting system, it's you. Did you look into having the parts cut that way?

 

[BHD]

First your work looks very good, and your tracks look very good,

but I have a question, has any one ever cut the side wall down on a tractor tire and stretched it over two air filled tires to use as a tracks? and if so how did it work?

 

[20 20]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[lostunderhood]

Question how many track pads did you make per side? Looks great!!:thumbsup: Loren

 

[NormL]

First your work looks very good, and your tracks look very good,

but I have a question, has any one ever cut the side wall down on a tractor tire and stretched it over two air filled tires to use as a tracks? and if so how did it work?

I have often thought of exactly that and wondered how it might work. I have never tried it but I think one of the first issues would be traction between the tire tread track and the driving tire. Some sort of hardware would have to be bolted on the inside of the track both for the traction and for keeping it from running off during turning maneuvers. I hope someone who has tried it can give us a report on it.

 

[grsthegreat]

Man, beautiful job. you must either be retired, or a work-a-holic.. HA

Thislooks like both fun and a pain in the %$$. To bad you couldnt get a small diesel engine.