Scale Model Dozer Ride On For My Son

[mdbeck1]

looks like the video got yanked by Youtube.

Worked fine for me just now.

 

[raskal]

Worked fine for me just now.

works now for me too, it previously said there was a copyright claim by UMG (I think)

 

[pertneer]

nice time lapse, Looks like it took a couple for final assembly. nice work!

 

[tower512ladder]

Can you please bring that machine to PA and help me get my jaw back up off the floor?
You have built an absolutely awesome machine. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are second to none. kudos to you sir, that machine is something to be proud of!!!! I just found this thread and just read all 25 pages of it. I too am building a scaled down dozer/crawler. I've based mine off a John Deere 140 garden tractor. I'm going for the "as stock appearing as possible" approach. I am on version two of my drive system as the first version worked but just didn't have enough torque so I am upgrading to larger wheel motors I had laying around. I hope mine turns out half as nice as yours. Thanks for sharing your project with us!

 

[dozerbuilder01]

nice, the only problem I see is that it is too pretty to get dirty

I never liked trailer queens so I took it to my brothers house this weekend and let him loose with it. Not that I purposely want to destroy things I own, but they should be used for what they were built for.

And no, it didn't make that huge mound in the background. It just pushed some of the smaller piles he had in the path.

And he took it down a few of his paths to clear some logs and branches from the storms we had. I only took one short video. I'll post it later.


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[dozerbuilder01]

nice time lapse, Looks like it took a couple for final assembly. nice work!

You are correct. It took about two solid days of work. Took my time putting all of the finishing touches on everything as well as finishing the wiring harness. Still have a few small things to do when I get time but it's ready enough for a few tractor shows this summer. First one is in a few weeks in manhattan Illinois


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[dozerbuilder01]

Can you please bring that machine to PA and help me get my jaw back up off the floor?

You have built an absolutely awesome machine. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are second to none. kudos to you sir, that machine is something to be proud of!!!! I just found this thread and just read all 25 pages of it. I too am building a scaled down dozer/crawler. I've based mine off a John Deere 140 garden tractor. I'm going for the "as stock appearing as possible" approach. I am on version two of my drive system as the first version worked but just didn't have enough torque so I am upgrading to larger wheel motors I had laying around. I hope mine turns out half as nice as yours. Thanks for sharing your project with us!

Thank you. I'd be really interested in seeing some pictures of your build. Are you posting anywhere?


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[HOTFR8]

I like your updated Avatar.

 

[tower512ladder]

Thank you. I'd be really interested in seeing some pictures of your build. Are you posting anywhere?


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No I haven't posted anywhere. I'm one of the guys that forgets to take pictures as he works and then wishes he had. I am trying to be a little more diligent this go around with getting pictures of the modifications. I'm still a long ways from being done. My goal is to get the drive and hydraulic system complete and functional then put it through the paces to make sure its going to function like I want it to. Once I have that all squared away its time for body work, disassembly, paint, and reassembly. I haven't had a whole lot of time to tinker with it lately, it seems my spare time is getting more sparse as time goes on so progress doesn't happen often. I'm not one for "trailer queens" either, if that would have been the case my first drive system would have been good enough. I want it to be at least as functional as the wheeled tractor I'm modeling it after.

 

[hdhogman]

After reading/following this thread I made the trip to specifically see the dozer. I recommend any one that lives in the Midwest to go see it. Had a great conversation with Dozerbuilder.
Thanks

 

[Papastruck]

Loved the time lapse. Aside from the tremendous work - !!! - it was impossible not to note the size of the garage this was created in, and the pre-work done organizing things. Kind of a "duh", but it's easy to forget and start bitching about the lack of space when you're tripping over sheets of plywood, when all you need is a little cleanup. Thanks for documenting this so thoroughly.

 

[dozerbuilder01]

After reading/following this thread I made the trip to specifically see the dozer. I recommend any one that lives in the Midwest to go see it. Had a great conversation with Dozerbuilder.
Thanks

Thank you sir. It was a pleasure meeting you and your wife. I'm glad you made the trip.

Loved the time lapse. Aside from the tremendous work - !!! - it was impossible not to note the size of the garage this was created in, and the pre-work done organizing things. Kind of a "duh", but it's easy to forget and start bitching about the lack of space when you're tripping over sheets of plywood, when all you need is a little cleanup. Thanks for documenting this so thoroughly.

I credit this site 100% for making me appreciate the size garage and tools that I have. I'm sure everyone would love a 20,000 sqft shop loaded with CNC machines but I tried to do a lot with relatively little. And it was fun. Sure, I still want to add on but that's only because the next project is going to be bigger.

The show was a lot of fun this weekend. Here are a few pictures.

I was pretty close to the weight I predicted.

And for fun, I did the tractor pull. There was 1,300 lbs in the box.

Next show is going to be in Scyamore Il. I am most likely only going to be there Saturday August 16.

After that, I may take it to a show in Geneseo Il. It's Sept. 12 - 14. I might be there Saturday and part of Sunday for that show.

 

[Kevin54]

Wow....I am just blown away by this build. Absolutely fantastic.

Have you thought about marketing parts for others along with a set of plans? I realize there are a lot of custom parts and tweaks you had to make, but overall, if you had to fo it over, and you had parts and plans, how long do you think it would take to build one?

One thing I did notice, was the kill switch and ignition switch. Does the key stay in it when it is in the "On" position? And even at shows, I don't know whether you do it or not, but I'd remove the key. The reason I ask about it being locked in at the "On" position, if it isn't and you are out in the woods or the snow, you could possibly lose it, although I do imagine you have a spare.

 

[dozerbuilder01]

Wow....I am just blown away by this build. Absolutely fantastic.



Have you thought about marketing parts for others along with a set of plans? I realize there are a lot of custom parts and tweaks you had to make, but overall, if you had to fo it over, and you had parts and plans, how long do you think it would take to build one?



One thing I did notice, was the kill switch and ignition switch. Does the key stay in it when it is in the "On" position? And even at shows, I don't know whether you do it or not, but I'd remove the key. The reason I ask about it being locked in at the "On" position, if it isn't and you are out in the woods or the snow, you could possibly lose it, although I do imagine you have a spare.

Thanks Kevin.

I've thought about it a lot. There are a few problems though. The pumps I bought are no longer in stock at surplus center. I haven't looked where else you can get them but they may be expensive. And I'd have to simplify my use of steel. Make it more standard. My access to cutoffs made it easy for me but might not be for others. It's also pretty bumpy on concrete. I would like to separate the upper frame from the track frame. I have a simple fix for that.
It would be nice to make a few bucks off the plans so I can buy more tools. Now I just need more time.
I think if I had everything cnc plasma cut and had the complete plan from the beginning I could probably build it in a year. Maybe 500 hours?

The key does stay in when it's in the on position. I specced it that way when I ordered it. I've pulled on it pretty good and it doesn't come out. And I do have a spare. It's the one hanging off the other key in the picture . I ordered some key chains so they will be divided up soon. And I definitely take it out at shows.


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[-=Jeff=-]

Next show is going to be in Scyamore Il. I am most likely only going to be there Saturday August 16.

After that, I may take it to a show in Geneseo Il. It's Sept. 12 - 14. I might be there Saturday and part of Sunday for that show.

Awesome build..

I will have to remember those dates and try to come out and see it..

 

[kent_323is]

-I don't like what's out there. I don't like the look of the struck dozers. And I don't care for the pulley drive system. The only one that I like was made by Lombardini. Saw one on ebay a month ago. Sold for $3,550. And needed a little work I think.
-I expect to have about $2,000. But that doesn't include bartering for parts, the free scrap steel I get, the free CNC plasma work (even though I give them generous gift cards) and all of the tools I bought to make things like this. And the labor. I do keep a folder of receipts but I don't record my time. This is for fun. It isn't about the money or the time.
-I'm gaining valuable cad experience. I'm not required to use it at work daily but that fact that I can use it makes my job a lot easier. And I look better because of it too.
-I'm getting better at machining and welding. I've never taken any classes. And just like the cad work, I don't want to machine or weld stuff for practice then throw it out. I like it to have a purpose. This project has given me a lot of practice.
-And the whole project, I think, makes me a better engineer at work. More well rounded. A lot of younger engineers where I work don't really have any hands on experience. And they also don't care to get it. Which is a shame.
-And above all, once my son is old enough to understand what it is, I don't think I'm going to be able to remove him from the seat. If he even has a sliver of my genes in him, he'll love it. And that will be great. When I was younger, I drove a power wheels jeep all over the neighbor hood til the battery went dead. And when we were a little older, a cheap little go cart my dad got for $50. And when we were too tall he busted out the buzz box and lengthened it. And it was great. It will be even more fun when he can help me build things.

This is exactly how I feel too. A lot of engineers get a bad reputation because they never get their hands dirty and so they don't know how to properly apply their education. To me, being an engineer means not only the technical knowledge, but also the hands-on knowledge too.

I've read through the entire build, from start to finish, and good job on taking this project through to completion. Whatever it is that you do at work as engineer, related to this or not, you've grown as an engineer and you'll see future advancement at work because of it.

We've got a 5 month old girl, and I can't wait until she's a bit older and can start getting her hands dirty helping me in the shop!

Again, great job, and it will be interesting seeing your next project(s)!

Kent

 

[W_A_Watson_II]

This is exactly how I feel too. A lot of engineers get a bad reputation because they never get their hands dirty and so they don't know how to properly apply their education. To me, being an engineer means not only the technical knowledge, but also the hands-on knowledge too.

Kent

I had my Engineers get their hands dirty. If they could design it, they should be able to build it. This way if they designed something that was difficult to fabricate or assemble, they would learn how to correct it, and avoid it in the future designs.

What always had me pulling my hair out were the HR and upper level management that only wanted 4.0 Engineers ("A" players). I went to school with them, most didn't know a wrench from a screw driver, and had no hands on experience. These types are needed in this world, in R&D/Research.

When I interviewed a potential new Engineer, I always asked about hobbies, did they play in the types of fields/areas they were looking to be employed. If so they were better practical Engineers.

If an Engineer is into cars, they won't make the best truck Engineer.

Will

 

[kent_323is]

Yeah, i agree. I have refused to hire 4.0 students for exactly that reason.
Any practical experience is better than none, and relevant experience to the job position is invaluable. Broad experiences also comes in handy too. Thinking outside of the box instead of constrained by the boundaries.

I remember one guy from college, perfect 4.0, studied the books all the time, but then struggled in the senior design project class to build something that actually worked. That particular person struggled to find a job after graduation too.

 

[dozerbuilder01]

I think a big part of the problem is getting the opportunity to be exposed to things like that. A lot of my friend's parents never had hobbies like this. Luckily, my Dad is very hands on. He is a very good carpenter and body work guy among other things. A jack of all trades. So even though he didn't do much with metal, he taught me to not be an idiot. We would learn by trying. I screw up a lot. And then I learn from that.
And also, thanks to people that will sue for anything, tech classes in highschool and even college are almost completely gone.
It's not to say it can't be learned, but you have to be willing to go out and find it on your own sometimes. I don't really know what the right answer is.

I've enjoyed this project and I do feel that I'm a better engineer because of it. The next project can only be bigger and better right?

 

[dozerbuilder01]

As for that project, it's in the very early stages right now and will probably be a while before I can get started but here it is.

 

[HOTFR8]

Here I was thinking your next project may be a semi and float to carry the dozer !

 

[dozerbuilder01]

I thought about that too. I've seen those little semi truck go karts before. I have too many ideas and not enough time or money.

 

[dozerbuilder01]

Not going to the show in sycamore il this weekend. Had something else come up. I hope to make it to one more show this year. Either the one in wauconda il or geneseo il. In the fall. It's tough with two small kids right now.

 

[dozerbuilder01]

Used it to do some work. The area behind my shed where I park my trailer is overgrown with weeds and extra dirt from landscaping projects. So I spread the dirt out in the yard into some of the low spots and filled in the area with rock.

 

[WILD-BILL]

I thought you said you built it for your son

 

[xtremek]

He's just showing what an incredible project he built. Seriously though, it's good to see the toy that works AND looks good. Well done, sir.

 

[raddksn]

I thought you said you built it for your son

Naa that's just what he told the wife! No kidding I said it before and I'll say it again that thing is cool, nice work

 

[pertneer]

He was just demonstrating the use of this to his son, so that when he is old enough he too can tear up the yard...

 

[catalytic]

The key does stay in when it's in the on position. I specced it that way when I ordered it. I've pulled on it pretty good and it doesn't come out. And I do have a spare. It's the one hanging off the other key in the picture .
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How about having a short rope/chain or retractible cable attached on one end to the dozer and on the other end to a carabiner that you can clip onto the keychain? I do this with a lot of small equipment on my small boat so it doesn't go overboard if it rattles loose. I use two carabiners with jaws facing opposite directions for stuff I really care about.

 

[dozerbuilder01]

Got a couple snow falls. Nothing major. Probably could have shoveled it. But this is more fun. Also got my boy riding it now. He only does a few passes because it's been pretty cold in Chicago.

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[rustyjames]

That dozer is sweet.

 

[nine4gmc]

Stay warm up there Dozerbuilder, last night was a tie for record 20* here... That's probably Spring weather for you guys, eh?

 

[JonBoehman]

I am waiting for the mini Excavator and dump truck build.

 

[Banjorear]

Very cool. When I was 8, my dad brought home a Lenox mini dozer like the one you made. I terrorized the neighborhood with that thing. Tons of fun. Great job on your conversion.

 

[alan camby]

Does this Dozer have a reduction from the hydro motors to the main track sprocket?

I have had several Dixie choppers and currently have a Scag. They are decent but a long way from dozer power. I would think the hydraulics would heat up quick if doing a dozer job. Now if a small sprocket were attached to the hydro motor and a larger sprocket by the track sprocket, some mechanical advantage could help out.

Beautiful Dozer though. I want one.

 

[CNGsaves]

OP, any plans to rig up plastic winter "cab" to maintain heat so you could do some money-making snow removal ??

I could just envision you showing up with trailer (yellow & black) in Cat color fashion !! Then your son could "help drive" a couple snow-clearing runs. You'd finish up while son warmed up in cab of truck.

Then finally when finished, you & son would present bill to homeowner, along with complimentary Hot Wheels size dozer of your business with logo painted on the little dozer . . . Dozer & Son !!

 

[Joe69]

I can't say it often enough. That thing is freakin awesome!

Joe

 

[toofart]

Great build!

 

[dozerbuilder01]

Stay warm up there Dozerbuilder, last night was a tie for record 20* here... That's probably Spring weather for you guys, eh?

Haha. I don't mind the cold as long as there is snow. Otherwise it isn't worth it. We've had a few snowfalls so far but nothing major. Definitely not like last year. But there's still a lot of winter left.

Does this Dozer have a reduction from the hydro motors to the main track sprocket?

I have had several Dixie choppers and currently have a Scag. They are decent but a long way from dozer power. I would think the hydraulics would heat up quick if doing a dozer job. Now if a small sprocket were attached to the hydro motor and a larger sprocket by the track sprocket, some mechanical advantage could help out.

Beautiful Dozer though. I want one.

It does not. Direct drive. I tried to minimize parts. Space was an issue thru the whole build. It was real easy to mount the sprocket to the hub that bolts right on the tapered shaft of the motor. I underdrive the pumps a bit to keep the flow down (I don't need the speed) and the slightly smaller sprocket than a typical zero turn mower tire helps with torque. As for torque, I have more than enough. The issue becomes traction to use it. The dozer only 950lbs. (I say only 950lbs when it's a "kids toy"). I can plow more snow than the blade can handle. And if you look at the tractor pull video that I posted this summer, I don't really slip and I don't kill the engine but I eventually stop. I'm assuming the bypass valves opened up? I didn't really worry about it because it pulled more weight, further than most of the garden tractors there. Only two went further and they were built and had a lot of momentum. And as for heat, back when I was doing final tests before paint, I shot some temps of the pumps after a good bit of running, pushing dirt around etc. Also, I have about 3 gallons of oil circulating. In the winter, it's a nice seat heater.

Thanks for the compliment. I think you're the same guy with the press build. I used your idea to invert my bottle jack. I liked it.

OP, any plans to rig up plastic winter "cab" to maintain heat so you could do some money-making snow removal ??

I could just envision you showing up with trailer (yellow & black) in Cat color fashion !! Then your son could "help drive" a couple snow-clearing runs. You'd finish up while son warmed up in cab of truck.

Then finally when finished, you & son would present bill to homeowner, along with complimentary Hot Wheels size dozer of your business with logo painted on the little dozer . . . Dozer & Son !!

I was just looking at the latest issue of the Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club magazine and they show a guy that put a wooden cab on an actual model twenty two. It got me thinking. I like your idea. He's riding it well but he's still a little young yet. I think by next year he'll be ready to go. Help pay his way thru college.

I sure do enjoy riding this thing. Not gonna lie. But seeing my boy riding it on his own was really great. That's what this was all for. Speaking of the Antique Caterpillar magazine, they featured my dozer in the last issue. A two page spread. One of the pictures is of my boy sitting on it with me standing behind it. That was cool. The guy wrote a real nice article. Something my boy is going to be able to look back on when he gets older and hopefully appreciate. My wife had a good point though. I've spent all this time building this for my oldest son. Talking about it. Getting it in a magazine etc. She said, "what about our other son?" The exact words after that are a little blurry but I'm just going to assume that she meant to say "build him the dump truck". Gotta add on to the garage first though. Going to be quarter scale which works out to about 9' long by 5' wide. It's gonna be big.

 

[RustnGrease]

I've previously read through the thread and can't recall if you added a cooler to your hydraulic system, if not it might not hurt. I had a Case 444 hydraulic tractor that i sold to a friend of mine that had a cooler on the front of it. I also forwarded him the link to this thread, since he bought it to restore for his son. Your build of this dozer is amazing to say the least, i wish i had the time and space to undertake such a project. And don't forget to make the quarter scale excavator or loader plus the trailer so your younger song can transport the equipment and haul dirt/mulch for you lol.