Toy Trucker and Contractor
The Official Site of Toy Trucker & Contractor Magazine
  • Home
  • Subscribe/Renew
    • Canadian/International
  • News/Events
  • Features
  • Shows/Auctions
    • 2023 - 33rd Annual National Toy Truck 'N Construction Show
  • Shop
    • Past Issues
    • Models >
      • Truck Models >
        • Peterbilt Model 389 tri-axle Day Cab w/ERMC 4-Axle Hydra Steer® Trailer w/90' Beam Load, 1:64 scale
        • Peterbilt 579 w/Bobcat S76s
        • Midwest Specialized Kenworth T660
        • Western Star 4700 SB Concrete Mixer
        • Western Star 4700 SF Dump Truck, 1:50 scale
      • Construction Models >
        • Northwest 80D Shovel, 1:50 scale
        • Allis-Chalmers TS-300 Motor Scraper 1:50
        • Allis-Chalmers Forty-Five Motor Grader 1:50
        • Bucyrus Steam Shovel, SCALE: 1:48/O-Gauge
      • Tractor Models >
        • Versatile 125 4WD 1:32 Scale and 1:64 scale
        • John Deere 8960 - 1:64 scale
        • White Plainsman A4T-1600
        • International 4166 - 1:64 scale
        • John Deere 8650 4 WD - 1:64 scale
    • Books >
      • Books Page 2
      • Books page 3
      • Toy Trucker Binder >
        • Inserts
      • Toy Farmer Binder >
        • Inserts
    • DVD's
    • Gift Cards
    • Bundle Specials
  • Advertise
  • Photo Gallery
  • NTT'NC Show Model List
  • About Us
    • Contact
    • Subscriber Info

CAT with Invisible Leash

12/8/2017

 
​By Fred Hendricks
​
Note: This feature is in the Sept. TT&C 2014 issue.​​
Picture
Gene Gregory is shown with his superbly built remote-controlled 1/4 scale scratch-built CAT Model D5N bulldozer.   ​
Picture
Gene’s high-detailed CAT Model D5N’s size in relationship to a ball cap.
Picture
The rear view of the CAT bulldozer.
Picture
Gene’s CAT is shown being loaded on his transport cart. Note the guides on the cart to properly position the CAT. It’s all done with an invisible leash.
G​ene Gregory is a craftsman extraordinaire. And while he has crafted numerous replicas, each new enterprise is more intricate than the previous one.
Asked how he settled on building a scale model CAT with an invisible leash, Gene recounted, “I had built two other remote-controlled 1/4 scale units: a John Deere Model 8020 diesel field tractor and a John Deere Model 5010 diesel construction tractor with a John Deere Model 400 scraper pan. I wanted to build a tractor that was more challenging.”
To Gene’s credit, he fulfilled that inspiration by scratch building a CAT Model D5N bulldozer. An exact replica, and to the nth degree!


CAT Construction
Following are details that comprise Gene’s masterpiece. “I took countless measurements, along with pictures from a neighbor’s CAT D5N. I returned for follow-up measurements a dozen or more times. Getting precise dimensions was necessary for accuracy. The CAT was built using 3/4-inch aluminum plate for the base. This thickness allowed taps to be drilled into the edges to support 3/4-inch power supports,” Gene commented.  
Building the track housing was rather intricate. Gene carved the housing from a block of wood. This created the form for the eventual cast-aluminum housing that was poured into a mold. The housing was round on top with a flat hollow bottom.
The radiator housing was developed in a similar fashion. Gene made a wood carving from which a mold was formed. Molten cast aluminum was poured in the mold to form the housing. Although not operational, the radiator core is made from copper for authenticity. Side housings behind the radiator are made from aluminum sheet metal.
In the bottom of the base are two 12-volt batteries. Two motors are located behind the batteries, one for each drive wheel. 
There is also a jackshaft to regulate the speed for each motor. Gene engineered the desired ground speed at 80 feet per minute when traveling at full speed.        
Gene gained valuable knowledge with the electronics from his previous two tractors. This aided his electronic engineering for the CAT. Sophisticated electronics for the D5N are located above the batteries and under the hood. A saber-tooth speed controller associated with the electronics is located in the same area. Speed controls for each motor facilitates turning using a joystick. These are also located among the electronics.
There is a 24-volt hydraulic pump and reserve tank to operate the four-way power blade. The power blade movement is activated with four modified BIMBA air cylinders. The blade can be moved up and down. It can also be angled right or left.
The dash is loaded with switches and gauges that resemble the original CAT Model D5N. They include a switch for power, along with light switches. There are 12-volt LED lights both fore and aft.

Picture
Want to read the rest of the story?  It's available in the September TT&C 2014 magazine!

Call (701) 883-5206 or (701) 883-5206 to purchase or order online at: http://www.toytrucker.com/past-issues.html


Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All
    Harrison Custom Minis
    Lines Brothers
    Oil Rig Models
    Plyouth Trucks

    Toy Trucker
    & Contractor

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

Picture
Contact Info:

Toy Farmer Publications
7496 106th Ave. SE
LaMoure, ND 58458-9404
  • Phone: (701) 883-5206
  • Toll Free: (800) 533-8293
  • Fax: (701) 883-5209

Toy Trucker & Contractor office

©2023 | All Rights Reserved | Website by Forum Printing