redneckrigger

Added the operators seats, all control linkages and control levers. Installed the feeder drag bars and built the feed hopper shields. Still have to install the rubber flaps. Have to get to adding the hydraulic lines, engine details, tamper drive guards, and then see what else is screaming to be added!

This is literally like having a ringside seat at the factory where the real one was made.............................absolutely incredible! Where did you get the hood hinge? VERY tiny hinge!

Now you guys are trying to get me REAL confused! I actually have thought of something like that but it goes against my routine of doing paintshop fresh builds! I may do some staining and very mild weathering but adding blacktop???? Hmmmmmmmm! Lots of detailing to do yet, but a rough mockup is shown. Have controls, and literally days worth of details to add. This is absolutely the most difficult and complex build I have done yet, out of the Galion crane, roller, RGN lowboy etc. This is over the top. Not only does it have a zillion parts, it is something I am mot intimately familiar with, unlike the others. But, oh boy, has it been a fun ride so far! And lots more to go! And so much more to learn about this machine and new building techniques! This build HAS taken on a life of it's own.

Thank you.........that is a great idea. I will give it a try!

Added a few details to the screed tonight. Put the hand spinners and ratchet stops on the thickness controls, handrails and ladder steps, as well as the crown control drive and handwheel.

Good idea................will try it. Thank you!

I like your way of thinking Charlie! I get home at night, and simply don't have much left lately. Seeing so many of my customers coming in all day long with real fear in their eyes leaves a lasting impression. But, as always, in modelling and in life, your words carry great weight sir!

Looks sadly like we're all going to have surplus building time soon. Don’t know about my brother builders but I'm finding it hard to focus at this time but I’m certainly trying! Hope all are being safe and staying healthy! We outgrew our shop a while ago!

Installed intake and exhaust on the engine. Mocked up the hopper shields and installed the screed lift cylinders. Installed hinges on the engine enclosure. Installed the screed operator’s grating also. Tons of little details left. Still figuring what to use for rubber flaps. Need something very thin and flexible but it can wait until the very end.

This is on their website

THAT is one sharp looking dog Dennis! Nice work!

The 2020 Spring Thaw Scale Model Show has been cancelled. For further details refer to their Facebook page.

Thanks Marc...............and with every step I advance, I find about 12 more that I didn't realize were ahead of me! But, this is exactly the type of thing that keeps me interested, and at the bench!

Extremely nice work! Keep the updates coming.

Operator’s platform made up and the removable floorplate sections all made so they have locating pins to keep them in place. The screed operator’s platform is installed and the side sheet metal and their mounting supports are in place. Got hopper hydraulic cylinders made and installed. Now working on a set of engine side covers.

Enough for today........gas tank, hydraulic tank, battery box and operator’s platform deck supports and side sheet metal framework installed. One day of building and work bench looks like it had a bomb dropped on it! Next step is make and install the hopper hydraulic cylinders and make the decking, engine side covers, screed decking, hopper shields, tamper drive guards, feed and discharge gates, feeder drag bars, seats, controls, etc., etc., etc.!

Working on the engine enclosure, the engine, and the belt drive to the main gearbox and hydraulic pump. Added the flywheel and drive pulley to the engine and got the radiator and hood made up. Made the driven belt pulley and still have to mount it all. Just got back to the bench, one of my Labs had a spinal stroke a week ago and that took a lot of my time but she is recovering. They are family and family always comes first! But the build is on track again one step at a time!

The hinges get covered by a slanted shield with a rubber flap that also covers the chain and exposes only the drag bars. That is still to be added. Thanks Gator.....those shields would have already been done but I was stymied by what to use for the rubber flaps until today. Think I’m going to try electrical tape stuck face to face to make rubber flaps and see how it works. Of course that is all subject to how it looks. One step at a time!

And, as always, the options and just how far to go with details always overwhelm me. And, also as always, one of the main things that get me all wound up is how to paint my builds. I am NOT an experienced weatherer, and have only just started to do a very TINY bit of weathering on my builds. I tend to make my stuff look like it just came out of the paint shop, which is understandable, as I used to own a paint shop where we painted just about everything from cars to equipment to airplanes! Since this is such a complex build, it will be painted in many parts, then assembled. But the subject of weathering will most likely make me lose a bunch of sleep before I arrive at the inevitable decision of making it look new!!! And, I KNOW what they look like when they get used and dirty, as I used to run most of this stuff.................but I just lack the skill to make my builds look that way!

Ha! Sure, probably could, but I’d have to kick my own tail if I broke it! Don't really know why I’m putting so much detail into it, but it’s kinda got a life of it’s own and is getting out of hand!

Made and installed the track tensioners tonight. These are actually operable with a tiny screw to get the track to the proper tension. Also made up the push roller assembly and installed it. Put the tracks on for the first time......looks passable! I keep looking at the details to add and it is simply daunting. WAY more details than any of my previous scratch builds.

Finished installing the eccentric drive for the tamper along with the hydraulic motor snd shaft mounted gearbox. Also made up the screed heater blower, burner and ductwork. Also installed the crown control adjustment screws, leveling control screws, and started installation of the leveling arms.

Assembled the main structure of the screed along with the heater box and the tamper and it’s eccentric drive assembly. Made up the leveling arms. The tamper shaft will be driven by a hydraulic motor. This is becoming a pretty sizable piece, being just over 10 feet wide in transport mode. Still have to attach the tamper to the eccentric connecting rods and install the camber adjustments to the screed. It seems the farther I get the more I realize it needs!

Started the feed hopper apron tonight..... inching along!

Added the feed conveyor hopper floor and conveyor chain supports. Made up and installed the countershaft for the conveyor drive. (The transmission is supposed to be offset to one side.) Made and installed the two hydraulic motors for the auger drives. Installed all sprockets and chains. Still have to make up the drag chain cross bars and attach to the conveyor chains. So......the entire power train is made up and installed with the exception of the belt drive that powers the whole thing from the engine to the main transmission. And.......everything works! Lots more to go!!!