All terrain, 4wd, scale crawler recovery/assist rig, aka, the Skidder

[Helicopter Len]

Haven't posted a real crawler build yet, but here's something I'm building from scratch using some old Clodbuster axles I had. We have had a few get togethers where someone with out a winch needed an assist. Now I don't mind using my rig to help someone out, but I was thinking of building something a bit more fun, also unique. This is what I'm going for, let's see how it turns out.
John Deere 640III H Cable Skidder

My progress so far

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[greenjk]

Very cool, those thing's are awesome, and It will be cool to see a scale rc version.

 

[RiceBurner]

Ooh, this is gonna be good! Thought of building a skidder a lot. Great start."thumbsup"

 

[Helicopter Len]

Thanks, it won't be the quickest build, but I'll keep it updated as I can. Everything now has to come from scratch.

 

[summitcrawler]

sweet!! now you will be able to pull me across the finish line!! looking good! ill have to come check it out soon.

 

[Helicopter Len]

Another angle, starting on the cab now. It will be made from styrene, should have some pictures soon

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[Helicopter Len]

Okay, so I've been able to spend a bit more time on this. Mainly focused on the cab and the front half. Still in rough mock-up stages mind you. Really happy how the cab is progressing. Also have to say, besides the investment of my Clodbuster 20 years ago, the most I've spent so far is the $15.00 and change for the sheets of styrene. I removed the axles and such for the ease of moving around.

That's all I have so far, really digging this styrene work. I might try a replacement for my Proline Power Wagon next!

 

[railripper]

Man that's too cool! I know you using clod axles but are thinking of running solid axles in the future? I'm subbing to this, its gonna be fun to watch:thumbup:

 

[Helicopter Len]

Man that's too cool! I know you using clod axles but are thinking of running solid axles in the future? I'm subbing to this, its gonna be fun to watch:thumbup:

Yes I am definitely thinking solid axles and making it shaft driven, it would be sooo much easier. The huge gap in the bottom half is just for motor and Xmsn clearance. And getting the front axle oscillation was a bear with all that extra gear box. But having three teenage son/ bottomless garbage disposals, I'm on a budget, aka, next to nothing, so I go with what I got. Thanks for the props though, I'll try not to disappoint.

 

[Helicopter Len]

Well after looking at the pictures I posted, and sleeping on it, I realized the cab was way too narrow. It looked out of wack. So scrapped the front windows, cut the whole cab in half an spliced in a center section. Definitely looks more in tune all the way around, and a lot closer to the real skidder.

And threw the axle in just to see

 

[railripper]

Yes I am definitely thinking solid axles and making it shaft driven, it would be sooo much easier. The huge gap in the bottom half is just for motor and Xmsn clearance. And getting the front axle oscillation was a bear with all that extra gear box. But having three teenage son/ bottomless garbage disposals, I'm on a budget, aka, next to nothing, so I go with what I got. Thanks for the props though, I'll try not to disappoint.

I'm with you on the kids deal, I have a two kids, one child support and single. Now the scale of the rig is 1/10-1/8 scale correct? It looks quite narrow it...wonder if MRC axles will fit or narrowed Axial axles. You are not disappointing in any way at all man, keep it up.

 

[Helicopter Len]

I'm with you on the kids deal, I have a two kids, one child support and single. Now the scale of the rig is 1/10-1/8 scale correct? It looks quite narrow it...wonder if MRC axles will fit or narrowed Axial axles. You are not disappointing in any way at all man, keep it up.

Thanks, it is narrow, the bottom half is 3 inches wide. I downloaded most of the spec's from John Deere, and its pretty much 1/10th scale. The real one has a 147 inch WB, this will be 14.7", total about 25". Only thing that is wide is the axles, due to the offset of my current rims. Actually thinking SCX10 or possibly Wraith axles in the future. In the mean time just trying to get to the roller stage, then work on the winch drum. That's going to be interesting, I have a few different things I will try. The real skidder can pull anywhere from 25000 lbs to almost 40000lbs or better, I'll be happy with 50 lbs.

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[Helicopter Len]

There has been a little more done to this one here. I'll get back to it more once I'm done with my Dodge.

Sent from a rotary wing whirlygig

 

[jboehler04]

ok this thing is sweet looking. ive ran all types of skidders and this is awesome someone is building one. my self has been thinking about doing a snow cat that they use at ski lodges, arctic tundra expeditions one with four tracks using the predator evo tracks. but im curious how ur gonna make ur skidder osculate in the middle? this is the one thing ive been trying to figure out for that snow cat build i wanna do.

 

[adamargue]

Looks sweet man. I've been wanting to build a specific recovery rig for a wile.

 

[Helicopter Len]

ok this thing is sweet looking. ive ran all types of skidders and this is awesome someone is building one. my self has been thinking about doing a snow cat that they use at ski lodges, arctic tundra expeditions one with four tracks using the predator evo tracks. but im curious how ur gonna make ur skidder osculate in the middle? this is the one thing ive been trying to figure out for that snow cat build i wanna do.

Thanks, actually it is going to be set up similar to the real deal, but instead of hydraulics (which would be awesome!) I'm just using a quarter scale servo with a double 180° arm. It will be mounted in the front half, the connecting rods to the back half. I have the pivot points, upper and lower, bearing supported.

Sent from a rotary wing whirlygig

 

[Helicopter Len]

Looks sweet man. I've been wanting to build a specific recovery rig for a wile.

Thanks, I think it will be cool/fun to run. I'll get back to building it after I finish up with my dodge build.

Sent from a rotary wing whirlygig

 

[jboehler04]

Thanks, actually it is going to be set up similar to the real deal, but instead of hydraulics (which would be awesome!) I'm just using a quarter scale servo with a double 180° arm. It will be mounted in the front half, the connecting rods to the back half. I have the pivot points, upper and lower, bearing supported.

Sent from a rotary wing whirlygig

hey i never thought of that. thats an awesome idea. "thumbsup"

 

[wes81]

As far as the winch goes, have you thought about a cheap esc, really high turn motor and an axial or r2 tranny.. I think with the right gearing and motor you could pull anything you wanted.. Keep up the good work...

 

[adamargue]

As far as the winch goes, have you thought about a cheap esc, really high turn motor and an axial or r2 tranny.. I think with the right gearing and motor you could pull anything you wanted.. Keep up the good work...

This is what theDMG did with is ultimate 8x8 tow truck. Worked great.

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