Scratch built 1/25th scale Cat 374F L excavator

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Very nice!

[Mopar - D]

Ron here’s a couple Cat 336E’s 

[MeatMan]

Awesome project!

[ShakyCraftsman]

Hey all 

 Small  update for you all. I have the idler wheels done.

here is the idler wheel in place on the tracks. I made this from a piece of 3/4" PVC pipe that is 1.07" O.D. which is 26.75" diameter in 1/25th scale. I then added some plastic strips to the center of the wheel for the track guide, then some 7/32" & 9/32" plastic tubes for the hubs. This will be spring loaded in the undercarriage frame to take up slack in the tracks.

this view shows both of the idlers.

this is were I'm up to at this point. It doesn't look like much but it was a real challenge to figure out and build. Well that's it for now be back soon.

Ron G 

Edited February 3, 2021 by ShakyCraftsman

[ShakyCraftsman]

Hey all 

  Another update for you all. I have one of the drive sprockets done.

this view shows the idler and the drive sprocket. I made this from the same 3/4" diameter PVC pipe that I used for the idlers. I made the sprocket teeth from some 1/8" thick plastic sheet glued together to make it 1/4" thick. I then ground out the center of the teeth to the OD of the pipe. I then drilled out the notches for the track link pins, all 20 of em, then I sanded the OD of the teeth to the correct size diameter. I then made the inner peice out if three peices of plastic sheet glued together to make it 0.18" thick, then sanded it to the ID of the pipe and glued it to the center. I then made a peice for the outer edge out of some 1/8" & 1/32" plastic sheet glued together and then glued to the outer edge of the sprocket. To this I added some 2.6mm Meng bolt heads (20 of em, plus three) and voila you get a drive sprocket...lol

more of a side view of them.

end view of the idler and the sprocket.

view of them next to a scale.

this view shows them sitting on a piece of the track links.

this view shows the idler and the drive sprocket in place on the tracks. Well that's it for now be back with more soon.

Ron G 

Edited February 5, 2021 by ShakyCraftsman

[Mopar - D]

Ron that’s all you did. Lol that’s awesome work and thanks for the step by step process. You should make a resin cast for future builds. Looking forward to seeing more details. 

[ShakyCraftsman]

9 hours ago, Mopar - D said:

Ron that’s all you did. Lol that’s awesome work and thanks for the step by step process. You should make a resin cast for future builds. Looking forward to seeing more details. 

Yeah, probably not going to make resin castings,  but I may make them on my 3D printer.

 I have both sprockets done now, time to start on the undercarriage frame.

Ron G 

[afx]

Brilliant work.

[gotnitro?]

Love those drive sprockets  ! 

[ShakyCraftsman]

Thanks guys 

Ron G 

[Straightliner59]

Excellent work, Ron. I love watching stuff like this--of this quality--coming together. Simply beautifully crafted!

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Those sprockets look amazing!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

WOW, fantastic job Ronald!   I have always liked scratch built projects and there is no doubt that I will have some here for my hollow tooth as they say...   Whatever the subject, I am very interested and I will embark with you for the ride (probably a long trip...), your skills are obviously out of the ordinary sir!!! ?

[ShakyCraftsman]

Thanks guys 

[ShakyCraftsman]

Hey all 

  I now have the two undercarriage side frames about half way done.

this view shows the LH side frame.

same thing from the other side.

top view of the LH side frame.

this view shows both the LH & RH side frames.

this view shows them with the tracks added.

this view shows them with the base frame in place. I still have to make the 3 upper rollers and the 8 lower rollers and there mounting brackets for both sides, plus the 2 steps on each side frame, both sides and the main center section that attaches to the 2 side frames and the main base frame together, plus all the bolt heads...?...Yicks! well that's it for now be back soon with more updates.

Ron G 

 

Edited February 11, 2021 by ShakyCraftsman

[Mopar - D]

Ron looks like you are having a lot of fun building your excavator. It just keeps getting better and better with the more you add to it. Looking forward to your next update. 

[Force]

Nice progress and I'm eager to see more.

Here is the largest excavator we have at my worksite right now, a 352F wednesday this week with the just then total renovated undercarriage trying to get down through the ground frost so I can lay 10 inch storm water pipes and drains beside the bypass road we are building, the newly built overpass in the background is going to lead to the Volvo Cab plant where they do most of the cabs for the Volvo trucks wich is located in my town.
Boy the ground was hard and this job with the 352 took over two days because the ground was frozen solid about 5 feet deep and he had to break through it for about 50 yards so I could do my job.

 

Edited February 13, 2021 by Force

[gotnitro?]

Impressive work wow ! Every update is a major component 

[ShakyCraftsman]

Hey guys 

  Small update for you all. I have the lower rollers and the upper rollers done for the left hand side of the undercarriage frame.  

I took this photo early in the day before I added the upper rollers to it.

this view shows the lower rollers and their mounting brackets.

view from the bottom of the LH frame.

this view shows the upper rollers and their mounting brackets.

this view shows the body base sitting on the undercarriage. I added my custom made figure to this picture for some perspective. Well that's it for now be back soon.

Ron G 

Edited February 13, 2021 by ShakyCraftsman

[Force]

Nice.

[Mopar - D]

Ron again thanks for sharing your scratch building skills for us here your progress is awesome.  Are you planning to weather the excavator a little?  

[ShakyCraftsman]

29 minutes ago, Mopar - D said:

Ron again thanks for sharing your scratch building skills for us here your progress is awesome.  Are you planning to weather the excavator a little?  

Most definitely! Along with the trailer, jeep, booster and tractor. Right now my biggest concern is the decals that I need for the excavator, XL trailer and Peterbilt 359 tractor, any ideas?

Ron G 

[gotnitro?]

Very nice work 

[Mopar - D]

Ron I know what your problem is with finding decals have you made your own before. I’m sure you can find the CAT logo and make it fit your needs. With it having a black background you can print it on white decal paper to get the white CAT letters. I’m making my decals for my Dan Gurney race hauler trailer. Let me know if you want more details.