Completely homemade excavator

[snowb]

My only used part, the engine, I had tested it on the floor 2 years ago after buying it, after an adjustment it seemed to work very well.
So after having all installed the hydraulic circuits and the main electrical circuit. I started the engine (after a purge to remove the air from the circuit) the engine started on 1 cylinder with little power. The other cylinder does not see diesel. No instructions for this pump on the internet, the motor manual does not cover pump assembly. So I deduced how it works by looking at different mechanical injection pumps. But nothing seems to work the way it should, only injects at a precise 360 degree position, so no engine revs can be adjusted. Until I realize he has a slit in the pump body.
Having spent all this time making the motor and pump mounts, everything configured accordingly, everything cleaned, fabricated the hanger and baffle for the radiator, make the electrical system accordingly.
Option of another used diesel engine + $ 900, they loaned 4000hours, not sure if they were serviced.
New diesel yanmar engine, same model = 9500CDN ...
New injection pump = 2600CDN without installation and adjustment instructions, the rest of the engine is not new and may give other surprises. and not avilable fast.
New gasoline engine option which is usually my first option, I opted for a Honda 2 cylinder with 20 amp generator. I shouldn't be any surprise with this one and I know these tuners with affordable parts well. All that remains is to redo the motor support, pump supports and add steel plates to compensate for the reduced weight of the gasoline engine.
At $ 2100 for the engine guaranteed for 3 years it is less expensive than just the diesel engine pump. Even worse, I had just sold a used but extremely cleanHonda GX690 engine (which had been in my inventory for a few years) for a fraction of the price, he should have gone into the excavator first ...

 

[snowb]

The hydraulic hoses are not exposed to the outside of the articulation like most excavators, they pass inside very close to the points of rotation in order to reduce to the maximum the lengthening and the narrowing of the course of the hoses when the articulations move.



First hydraulic system tests, movements, leak checks. Carried out with the electric starter. Surprisingly, in addition to having to fight engine compression, it generates enough hydraulic pressure to lift the excavator. After all these tests I had to recharge the battery, ran out of energy to back the excavator back into the garage.
The movements of the arms, which have been previously calculated by hand on paper with a compass and a ruler, are complete from end to end. The first boom rises almost to the roof of the excavator. The hydraulic thumb is practically embedded in the arm when raised.
The pins (1 ’’ grade bolts, 1.25 ’’ for the base joint) are all snug in their holes, no play, straight. After each ring was welded, I adjusted the inside diameter with a manual adjustable reamer, big job.
Several hydraulic controls required the manufacture of special Ting fits to place them next to the seat, otherwise there really would not have been space to put standard hoses and fittings between each component.
Out of about thirty welded hydraulic connections, only one showed a slight leak, I cross my fingers.


Tilt left-right grader blade (not normally available on a commercial excavator) In addition to being useful for leveling, the tilt will provide better stability for shoveling when the excavator is not on level ground. The challenge was to find a way to fit everything within the height of the scraper of just 11 inches, otherwise it would have prevented the excavator from rotating. In addition to having a sufficient angle of rotation but not too much so that the speed of rotation does not make it too difficult to adjust.
Removable extensions to widen the blade.

 

[snowb]

So you built this "Caterpillar" also? Simply amazing
hugs, Brandi

Thanks, fabricated in 2015

BRX8, Motoneige, Vtt, vehicule tout terrain,artisanale,fibre de carbone,moto hors route, Snowmobile, ATV, all-terrain vehicle,craft,carbon fiber,off-road motorcycle,excavatrice,excavator,home-made,small-doo,Ski-Doo,Tundra, mini dozer, dynamometer,trailer,remorque forestiere, fendeuse ea bois, log splitter

 

[bindian]

There was very little space to put the pipes and 8 rotating joints in the center, no room to put 1 more.

Snowb,
My excavator has 4 lines to the drive motors. Add 2 more for your blade. What are the extra 2 rotating joints for?
Airline mechanics call those rotating joints, "banjo fittings". Every leading edge slat has two. But they are way more compact then yours, as they usually come off of 1/4 inch lines.
Edit.............now I see why.................a tilting blade. AWESOME.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

The first boom rises almost to the roof of the excavator. .

Snowb,
That is called the boom. The part of the arm near the bucket is called the stick.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

My only used part, the engine, I had tested it on the floor 2 years ago after buying it, after an adjustment it seemed to work very well.
So after having all installed the hydraulic circuits and the main electrical circuit. I started the engine (after a purge to remove the air from the circuit) the engine started on 1 cylinder with little power. The other cylinder does not see diesel. No instructions for this pump on the internet, the motor manual does not cover pump assembly. So I deduced how it works by looking at different mechanical injection pumps. But nothing seems to work the way it should, only injects at a precise 360 degree position, so no engine revs can be adjusted. Until I realize he has a slit in the pump body.
Having spent all this time making the motor and pump mounts, everything configured accordingly, everything cleaned, fabricated the hanger and baffle for the radiator, make the electrical system accordingly.
Option of another used diesel engine + $ 900, they loaned 4000hours, not sure if they were serviced.
New diesel yanmar engine, same model = 9500CDN ...
New injection pump = 2600CDN without installation and adjustment instructions, the rest of the engine is not new and may give other surprises. and not avilable fast.
New gasoline engine option which is usually my first option, I opted for a Honda 2 cylinder with 20 amp generator. I shouldn't be any surprise with this one and I know these tuners with affordable parts well. All that remains is to redo the motor support, pump supports and add steel plates to compensate for the reduced weight of the gasoline engine.
At $ 2100 for the engine guaranteed for 3 years it is less expensive than just the diesel engine pump. Even worse, I had just sold a used but extremely cleanHonda GX690 engine (which had been in my inventory for a few years) for a fraction of the price, he should have gone into the excavator first ...

That is truly disheartening news. Especially selling an engine you could use now. Surely with your skills, you can repair a slit in the pump body. How about a used injector pump?
hugs, Brandi

 

[snowb]

Thanks,
Since time is limited to 24 hours a day, I have other projects to complete before the snow falls and cannot do them when the excavator is in the garage, so I go for the new engine.
Of course, since the engine is completely different, I had to make engine mounts, install steel plates to compensate for the weight of the engine (and even more), make a 2 in 1 exhaust.
Make supports for the 2 pumps, different configuration problems! Relocation of the oil tank. There is 0.25 '' of clearance (top, bottom, left right) from the 2nd pump drive.
Redo part of the electrical wiring and buttons (not the same controls) Redo the throttle and choke controls, etc.
While a repair to the diesel engines would have been of very uncertain duration, even if the leak was fixed. I suspect other malfunctions in the pump. I haven't found a used injection pump anywhere on the net.

The new Honda engine will be reliable for a long time, not as long as a new diesel engine, but more than an old, unmaintained diesel engine and much cheaper to repair. However, I would have liked to have the sound of the 2 cylinder diesel engine. The Honda engine is also more powerful and has less vibration. The big exhaust gives a serious sound a bit like an old big car.

I installed the engine keeping the original engine controls working in case it was removed. The controls are duplicated next to the seat.

Winch with contactor installed inside and not on the winch to release the fan from the motor. Control buttons on the dashboard and on a wireless controller.


Now everything is functional, but the finish will still be a lot of work because I have so many details in mind.

 

[Tinhack]

You have been blessed with exceptional talents. That looks like it's going to be one of the "fun to work" machines.

And I just can't believe that garage floor. Did that used to be your living room?

 

[defranks]

Man! I'm impressed. I wish I lived near you, I'd volunteer some time just to learn a thing or two. I'm pretty good at starting projects, but not so great at finishing them. Great job!

 

[BFreaky]

Great job, can't wait to see it dig