Working thesis on hydraulics...(until I can work a real tractor)

[RWESTDESIGN]

I am currently finishing my thesis at Ohio State University in industrial design, emphasizing the use of hydraulic attachments to replace mass in earth moving equipment and operations.

I live in an 1100 square foot condo in columbus with my wife and son to be two year old son, who thinks anything that is not a car or a choo-choo train, is a TRACTOR!!!..( we are working on that). Needless to say I do not own a tractor of my own.

My experience with tractors includes countless hours sitting on the fenders of cabless Kubota and John Deere while my father, an upstate new york orchard manager made his rounds.
Renting a new holland super boom Skid steer on a large contract
Owning a DR Powerwagon two wheel tractor ( sort of like a tractor?)
Mowing a clients property in a steiner 430
My wifes uncle works for a large idaho potato farm and purchases John Deere tractors 13Million dollars worth at a time every two or three years...(do you think that would get me a discount?)

Someday I will design and build a line of diesel walking tractors, until then, I will learn what that line should entail by researching here.

 

[jmc]

RWESTDESIGN,

Welcome.

So if you can substitute a hydraulic invention for mass, then a walk-behind is heavy enough to be more versatile? Hope you can share some nonproprietary concepts.

Also, are you following the escalating Diesel engine cost because of EPA compliance?

John

 

[RWESTDESIGN]

honestly dreams are shallow, and I like the sound of diesel.
perhaps one day I will drive a honda civic hybrid... with a stereo system that makes it sound like a cummins.

but, yes, depending on the application hydraulic force still relies heavily on leverage and balance, with much of the balance being created with mass alone. If you were to dig a hole in your heavy clay backyard, you would need a stout shovel and a strong back, or you could use a mantis roto tiller for flower gardens to first convert the soil to a managable state and then use a trowel or cupped hand to do the same work. obviously the analogy is crude but you get the idea.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate & welcome to TBN from Downunder.

or you could use a mantis roto tiller for flower gardens to first convert the soil to a managable state and then use a trowel or cupped hand to do the same work. obviously the analogy is crude but you get the idea.

I used this method to prepare for the concrete floor of my shed... used my tiller to loosen the soil (and the odd tree root) of the area, then scooped it up with the FEL (front end loader) bucket. It worked a treat!

Enjoy the site... one day a tractor shall be yours!

 

[xtn]

So it isn't exactly right to say you want to substitute hydraulic power for mass, is it? I mean in your tiller example, it's more accurate to say you're substituting smaller but rapidly repeating application of kinetic energy in lieu of larger, slower applications of brute force. Either method could be driven hydraulically or by other means.

I don't mean to be an annoying nitpicker. I just want to understand clearly. Have I got it right, or have I missed something?