360* Rotating Back Blade Project

[GuglioLS]

Here is a side view of the wedge showing a little more detail.



This is the theory of how it operates-

Lets say I want to rotate the blade - push a switch to activate the linear actuator, wedge lifts pin, rotate blade, push another switch, retract the wedge, if the pin in not exactly lined up, rotate blade a little then the pin will instantly index then lock into the hole by a spring.



Larry

 

[GuglioLS]

Here is a short video of the wedge. It takes 3.5" of horizontal linear motion to lift the pin about 1-3/4" vertically That is about 1/4" more than it needs to completely clear all the moving parts.



Larry

 

[GuglioLS]

After receiving the linear actuator, it was time to install it. A 1.5" hole saw was used to cut through 3/4" thick steel for the actuator shaft. I found the center location:

Then drilleded a pilot hole, then followed that with the hole saw:


Of course the hole saw teeth grabbed and I did not have a good grip on the drill so it twisted off center and I bent the pilot drill and broke three teeth off the brand new hole saw , after replacing the pilot bit, I continued punching out the hole. I made it through though


Larry

 

[GuglioLS]

After getting that 1-1/2" hole through the 3/4" thick plate, it was time to make the mount for the linear actuator. I drilled & tapped for 1/4-20 Socket head cap screws. The green stuff in the little cup is my cutting fluid. I use it for cutting threads, drilling & for the hole saw:



Then got the linear actuator mounted:



Then mounted the wedge to the end of the linear actuator shaft and dropped in the locking pin: Notice it's starting to rain -


OMG - Lightning & Thunder all around me I'm starting to get it in gear now as I want to test this thing before it starts pouring.

Larry

 

[GuglioLS]

I was able to test the actuator to see if it would lift the pin, and it does:



Well it started to rain real bad so I took everything apart and brought it and all my tools into the garage. I need the blade working now more that ever - you should see all the dozer tracks that need smoothing out around here.

Larry

 

[GuglioLS]

Next was to install the linear actuator switch control and electronics module underneath the ROPS canopy. This was done to protect it from the elements:


Those buttons labeled <- 1 -2- 3-> are what control the actuator, 1 lowers the pin, 2 stops, 3 raises the pin. They are programmable so that you can set the length of stroke. So all you have to do is push the button momentarily, and the actuator will travel the distance set by the program. It remembers it's program, even when power is removed. That little red button is the remote control for my gate.

After getting everything painted I assembled all the pieces and parts, then re-installed the gear box. (I'm getting good at removing & re-installing that monster). I attached a ceramic magnet to the underside of the gear box with a short piece of bushing inside to keep the return spring centered. That Idea works great, as I did not have to do any machining on the gear box or use any gorilla glue. The magnet holds very tight. Here is a picture showing all the details of that setup:



Larry

 

[GuglioLS]

Here is a video of how it works under real life conditions. It's a little shaky but you will get the idea. I was operating the blade controls and my daughter Katie took the video. It was windy and was blowing her off balance. If you cannot make it out let me know and I will post a higher resolution one with sound. You can really hear the click of the pin when the spring returns it into position. With the slip clutch installed, it protects the gearbox, locking pin and shear bolt that holds everything together. If I forget to lift the pin, then try to rotate the blade, the slip clutch slips.




Now with that locking pin installed, I can cut, dig, smooth, push, pull, tug, tow with maximum horsepower and force on the edge of the blade to my hearts content without damaging any components or shearing any pins.

This wraps up what I was trying to accomplish with this project.

This was a "Monster Garage" project made possible by my wild idea and Rob's (3RRL) generous help and precision machining making me the gearbox. Again I thank Rob for making this all possible.

Larry

 

[EddieWalker]

All I can say is WOW!!! It's just amazing what you and Rob come up with.

I especially like your reasoning for getting your blade working so you can smooth out your dozer tracks. All you need is a log and some chain to drag it with to make them disapear!!!!!!!

Eddie

 

[GuglioLS]

Hi Eddie,

Thanks for the compliment and checking out the latest with the 360* rotating back blade.

............
I especially like your reasoning for getting your blade working so you can smooth out your dozer tracks. All you need is a log and some chain to drag it with to make them disapear!!!!!!!

Eddie

Oh Man, All that work on this blade project and just to think, all I needed was a log on a chain to erase dozer tracks?

Well I guess I shouldn't feel too bad, I suppose I can still use it for snow plowing, road and ditch maintenance. Or do I only need some low cost simple setup for doing that as well?

Larry

 

[dullpain]

Should take a licking , and keep on ticking now...

Nice work

 

[Renze]

Larry, we're still waiting for a movie of smooth rolling dirt on your blade !!!

...at least, I am... you and others on this site have inspired me, and my next project will be a multi angle grader so i'd like to see how well yours works !

 

[Defective]

Should take a licking , and keep on ticking now...

Having watched the watchmaker-like precision in the build of the gearbox, that seems somehow appropriate.

 

[sandman2234]

I considered a gearbox similar to this, to act as a reverser for a B6000 tractor pto, but in the end the owner and I decided that if I paid myself a penny a minute, I would be better off just to spend the money to buy one new instead of making one. That tells you just how long it takes me to set up my projects! Doing it the right way takes even longer.
Excellant work 3RRL,
David from jax
Side note, took me an hour and 30 minutes to read the whole post, look at every picture and make a comment.

 

[john_bud]

And to think that some poor folks (like me) still have to get off the seat and manipulate stuff by hand. Positively barbaric!

jb

 

[GuglioLS]

Larry, we're still waiting for a movie of smooth rolling dirt on your blade !!!

...at least, I am... you and others on this site have inspired me, and my next project will be a multi angle grader so i'd like to see how well yours works !

Renze,

I will do that for you just as soon as I take the chipper off the TPH, then install the mower & mow for the last time this season. After that I will install the blade and get some video of it in action. Maybe this coming weekend.

Your multi angle grader sounds like a challenging project, I look forward to it.


Larry

 

[GuglioLS]

.......................Side note, took me an hour and 30 minutes to read the whole post, look at every picture and make a comment.

Sandman,

You deserve an endurance award for reading the entire thread from scratch. I guess it must have been interesting or something to keep your attention. What did everyone think of the home made solenoid Other than too bad it didn't work as planned. Any ideas what to do with them now?

Thanks for you interest and posting your comments,

Larry

 

[3RRL]

Larry,
Excellent update on your home made solenoid activated locking pin. I was beginning to wonder when you where going to post that part?

Also, thanks to all you guys for complimenting my old school machining. All these tractor mod projects are fun to do for me. Larry comes up with these crazy ideas and then I like helping him. Now, if you've seen his Grapple thread, he's been using a plasma cutter guy. So he's left me off the hook for now.

 

[sandman2234]

Is there a chance that cutting the pin and replacing the extended section with a piece of non magnetic stainless would allow it to work? Or instead of using the pin to drop in the hole, use a fulcrum like a see-saw that kids play on and have it drop the pin in the hole. The cross bar could be non magnetic, and would keep it separate from the blade positioning holes.
David from jax

 

[tlbuser]

Larry

What a cool positioning jig you've got there. Funny, I don't remember seeing one of those in Rob's assortment of stuff.

Another really nice tractor gadget add-on.

 

[Renze]

Renze,

I will do that for you just as soon as I take the chipper off the TPH, then install the mower & mow for the last time this season. After that I will install the blade and get some video of it in action. Maybe this coming weekend.

Your multi angle grader sounds like a challenging project, I look forward to it.

Larry

Multi angle grader, i suppose they call it a 6 way blade ? it would do the same as yours (only not 360ｰ because i dont need it) hydraulic side tilt (to crown a road or cut a ditch) and maybe also blade tilt, to change the angle of the blade with which it peels off the dirt.. but i'm not sure if i'd need this, so thats why i want to see a video !