Scale Model Dozer Ride On For My Son

[dozerbuilder01]

Well, the good news is, I'm building again. And I bought a new engine. 18.5 hp Briggs with a fuel pump and 9 amp alternator. Need to get files sent out to get parts burned out. The shopping list for fittings, cylinders, hoses, pumps and valves is almost done.

 

[neonnblack]

Buahahah we knew it was going to be for you, in the end.

 

[jgreen-fsi]

Amazing! That's one lucky kiddo!

 

[allinon72]

Let's be honest, this has gone way behind a child's toy. A child would be downright dangerous in this thing.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Well, the good news is, I'm building again. And I bought a new engine. 18.5 hp Briggs with a fuel pump and 9 amp alternator. Need to get files sent out to get parts burned out. The shopping list for fittings, cylinders, hoses, pumps and valves is almost done.

What happened to the old engine? I think the dozer was up and running good?

 

[Lkdelta]

That's awesome, Nice job
see if it'll pull the car

 

[Von Der Pfalz]

Being a very avid Caterpillar guy (Family owns 3 D-6's, a 10, 22, d-2, d-4, d-5 dozer, along with some wheeled tractors) I opened this thread trying not to get my hopes up.....but holly cow! Not only have you come up with a very interesting approach to building this up, you do an excellent job documenting it. Being an Engineer who works with a lot of 3d modeling, I can really appreciate the models you post.

You have done a fabulous job recreating one of my personal favorite track type tractors. Your son is going to be the stud of his class come show and tell time. My father was a machinist and made many cool things for me growing up. I now cherish those that I still have and am very happy to see you doing this for your son. Please keep updating as I am looking forward to seeing the finished product. If you have any questions about 22's let me know, I'd be happy to answer that which I can. Cheers!

 

[MillerMav]

Can you stop posting progress pictures? You're making us all feel like unskilled, lazy assholes........

Exactly!

Really though. This build is nothing short of amazing; props to you for putting in the effort and also props to you for marrying a women who would allow you the time to create such a masterpiece. My wife would kill me if I spent this much time on a "mini bulldozer".

 

[that-guy]

subscribed...truely amazing from one designer to another

 

[Rezarf]

Just now finding this thread, cool stuff, gotta roll bar and harness planned? Didn't see them in the drawings.

Man, your kiddo could pay for his college just by doing snow removal with that thing, epic "toy"!

 

[dozerbuilder01]

Being a very avid Caterpillar guy (Family owns 3 D-6's, a 10, 22, d-2, d-4, d-5 dozer, along with some wheeled tractors) I opened this thread trying not to get my hopes up.....but holly cow! Not only have you come up with a very interesting approach to building this up, you do an excellent job documenting it. Being an Engineer who works with a lot of 3d modeling, I can really appreciate the models you post.

You have done a fabulous job recreating one of my personal favorite track type tractors. Your son is going to be the stud of his class come show and tell time. My father was a machinist and made many cool things for me growing up. I now cherish those that I still have and am very happy to see you doing this for your son. Please keep updating as I am looking forward to seeing the finished product. If you have any questions about 22's let me know, I'd be happy to answer that which I can. Cheers!

Thank you. I actually do have one question...what is the lever between the steering levers used for? I was planning to use it to operate the blade just because of space issues but I was curious what it's actual purpose is?

Thanks for looking everyone. My wife is pretty cool to let me do something this crazy. I don't let it take away from family time though. I work on this thing late at night and I don't sleep much.

In an effort to save some time, I made a visit to the waterjet table.

I finished drilled all the holes though.

Then I started putting some things together.

Been turning a lot of pieces on the lathe as well. I've been making some decent progress just haven't been taking a lot of pictures. After I got it running, I feel that going back to posting pictures of pieces of steel is a little boring.

My brother in law is working on rolling my plow and cutting out a few more pieces. I also need to get moving on my hydraulic parts order.

Also, now that the end is getting somewhat near, I need to start thinking about paint. The real dozers have metal tracks and the whole thing is painted yellow. Being that I have black rubber tracks I wasn't sure how it's going to look.

I've done a couple of different colors schemes. I'm between #2 and #3.

I did a grey one like the Model Twenty I saw at the Caterpillar visitor center. (And a darker grey just for the hell of it). Just to see what it would look like.

 

[CNGsaves]

#2 with yellow plow and other yellow implements. However, like the yellow levers in pic 1 with black handles. Movement might be highlighted with yellow sprockets, but black axles.

Most pics I've seen of Cat 22 dozers were almost all yellow (see pic below).

Also, yellow front implements will make it more visible for safety.

 

[awdblazer]

I like 2!

 

[bluebolt]

Defintely #1. The yellow track mechanism shows off the incredible work you have done, the black hides it. A few select more non-moving small pieces painted black may give you some more contrast.

The more I look at it the more I love how the black tread frames the track mechanism.

 

[nine4gmc]

Defintely #1. The yellow track mechanism shows off the incredible work you have done, the black hides it. A few select more non-moving small pieces painted black may give you some more contrast.

The more I look at it the more I love how the black tread frames the track mechanism.

This all the way!

 

[CudaChick1968]

A few extra touches of yellow here and there will direct the viewer's eye throughout the entire dozer. I can't wait to see this thing done!

 

[KPSquared]

Number 1. No question. Like was said, you want people to see all the awesome framework in that track. You paint it black or grey and its all gone.

Every cat you see is all yellow. . . yours should be no different!

To bad you couldn't have sprung for a little Kubota or Yanmar diesel. . . then you'd have a nice purr and little black cloud once in a while. . .

Either way, the thing is amazing.

 

[CaseyJoes.]

Agreed... #1. Great work!

 

[Turbo1Ton]

#1 for sure. The frame needs to be visible as that is a work of art!! Don't hide it by making it all black. I'm with bluebolt on the whole track framing the mechanism and making it look that much better.

Jeff

 

[D KRAGER]

This is just SICK! NICE WORK!

 

[buening]

Wow, impressive build! Just wait till your son is old enough to help you build things like this in the garage

I'm not sure if its been asked, but are you an mechanical engineer at CAT?

 

[fnieto]

Too cool

 

[Sunbimmer]

Absolutely #1, a CAT is YELLOW

 

[srmofo]

Id go with #1 with a few pieces here and there painted black to break up that sea of yellow. It would also help to distinguish between different parts when people are looking at it

 

[zkling]

First time I've really paged through this thread. Unbelievably awesome, just amazing design, craftsmanship, project overall. I have a feeling you are going to be "That Dad" with "That Kid".

Neighbor Husband.... "Honey, is someone mowing the lawn?"
Neighbor Wife...."No that is just the neighbor kid driving his dozer"

Most kids push their Tonka truck, your son DRIVES the truck.

Just phenomenal work. I can't wait to see it finished and painted.

Man, your kiddo could pay for his college just by doing snow removal with that thing, epic "toy"!

I can just picture the day, your son is grown, standing around and someone asks. "Does anyone know how to operate a dozer?" Your son replies "O yea I've been driving one since I was 5 years old"

 

[dozerbuilder01]

I'm not sure if its been asked, but are you an mechanical engineer at CAT?

I am a mechanical engineer but not for Cat. Do you think they'd hire me after I finish this???

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Looks like #1 is the winner.

Haven't been moving as fast as I was hoping. Had a little sewer issue at the house. Ended up digging a 5' deep hole in my front yard. Got to rent a backhoe though. Still a huge mess but after a few days off work and a lot of cleanup, I'm back to normal.

My brother let me have some scrap steel that he got. I plan to make a shop press out of it (to replace my very flexible HF 12 ton) but I probably won't get to it this year. It will be about 6' tall and 3' wide. I cut it up on the trusty Peerless power hacksaw that my dad picked up real cheap several years ago. It's a beast.

Alright, enough of that, back to the dozer. I was able to work on it just a little bit. Still waiting on the plow but I got most of the frame put together. Used my small table to keep everything together.

Both hydraulic cylinders will be here Friday. Once I get these, I can tack weld the mounts and get the whole thing tacked to the main frame.

Thanks for looking.

 

[justanengineer]

Thank you. I actually do have one question...what is the lever between the steering levers used for? I was planning to use it to operate the blade just because of space issues but I was curious what it's actual purpose is?

The center lever is the transmission shifter. On the early Cats blade control wouldve been an aftermarket add-on stuck off the operator's right side (usually) since they didnt make blades until WW2, they werent "dozers" they were ag tractors meant for pulling rather than pushing.

Cool project btw and great job thus far.

 

[Charlie9000]

Dang, I just spent the last two hours reading this great thread hoping to see the final product. Now I have to wait with baited breath like the poor bastards who have been following from the begining!

Very cool project. When she's completed, I think an antique tractor pull demonstration entry is in order (YouTube'd of course).

Thanks for the workshop inspiration.

Charlie

 

[HOTFR8]

Dang, I just spent the last two hours reading this great thread hoping to see the final product. Now I have to wait with baited breath like the poor bastards who have been following from the begining!

Very cool project. When she's completed, I think an antique tractor pull demonstration entry is in order (YouTube'd of course).

Thanks for the workshop inspiration.

Charlie

You could not have read it all as we have seen video of it running.

Here you go >

 

[automobiliben]

I am a mechanical engineer but not for Cat. Do you think they'd hire me after I finish this???

...be careful what you wish for...

 

[Charlie9000]

You could not have read it all as we have seen video of it running.

Here you go >

I did see the video, which looked very cool, but I'm definitely hooked into seeing this through to completion now. Hopefully with a video of Owen pushing a huge pile of snow with a yellow powder coated blade on it.

 

[enthalpy]

This is great!! love the build.


Though you definitely DONT want to work for Cat.(even as an engineer)
Seriously...

 

[RogueFab]

This is amazing. What an awesome project. How old is the little guy now?

 

[buening]

I am a mechanical engineer but not for Cat. Do you think they'd hire me after I finish this???

I asked because you seemed to have a good handle on the innerworkings of a dozer, not that CAT is the only manufacturer of dozers

 

[Hephaestus29]

Well I hope when you're done you'll make some videos of it & what it can do. I can't wait!

 

[Flybye]

Awesome doesn't even cover this. Can't wait to see her all painted up!

 

[mghwah]

Great work. Showed this to several buddies. Keep it up. Pictures are great!

 

[2oolhound]

I am a mechanical engineer but not for Cat. Do you think they'd hire me after I finish this???

They would at least like a photo or a video link once it's all painted up and complete! I'm sure there are some folks at HQ who'd like to have it on display somewhere, at least a calendar shoot.

I was surprised to see your shop. I expected it was somewhat larger till I saw the photos.

Great job on a really awesome project!!!

 

[W_A_Watson_II]

2oolhound, love the Avatar!

 

[Hephaestus29]

What do you figure the weight is going to be ?