Stabliofarmer Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 I've hinted at this build in the workshop topic but we're getting far enough through to warrant a topic now. The Mastenbroek 20/15 is one of the comanies medium size trenching machines popular with UK land drainage contractors. I've fancied building one for a while and while discussing possible dissertation topics with the company MD last year I managed to get some plans that would enable a model build. I had been hoping to make something similar to the Heath bale chasers where there is a more complex kit that could be offered as a finished model or self build kit but at the moment time doesn't allow and a single old school scratch build for myself will suffice. I am using some 3D printing but mostly it is good old fashioned styrene and craftknife. The first challenge of the build was going to be tracks. It is likely something like the Ros Hitachi track base would be the right sort of size but it just wouldn't have looked right to me and so I turned to 3D printing to create the undercarriage. Some CAD drawings of various track parts. The 3D printed tracks, each track link is individual allowing the carriage to drive like a real track. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stabliofarmer Posted May 2, 2022 Author Share Posted May 2, 2022 With the track carriage sorted attention turns to just how to build the rest of this baffling looking machine. I decided that the big boxy body was probably the best starting point. The two sides are cut based on the drawing and some profile details added The side lockers have a tapered shape are built by creating the front and back, spacing them apart and then adding the tapered sides. The body work continues to be built up to create the main shape and chassis. These parts could be 3D printed but I enjoy building with the craft knife much more these days. i spend my day drawing on the computer so its nice to get home and make something phyically. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stabliofarmer Posted May 2, 2022 Author Share Posted May 2, 2022 With the body work well progressed focus had to turn to the daunting task of the trenching arm/head. I started with the pivot/mount point and then just freeballed from their to see what worked, the photos hopefully show how its progressed. All done under the watchful eye of the forewoman Kipper the Cat who loves to sit and watch progress wrapped around my shoulders. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stabliofarmer Posted May 2, 2022 Author Share Posted May 2, 2022 The cab construction starting Some more work with the trenching gear Working on the hydraulic rams that support everything. These are left over bits of telescopic aerial that I supply in my kits, as the copper collets go in the kit rams I have managed to keep some resistance between the two tubes by pinching the end of the inner tube to create resistance against the outer tubes inner wall. This has worked well and everything is stiff enough to hold itself up/down. I am happy how things are progressing and with most of the rams out of the way I will hopefully get moving again having stalled for a while. Thanks for looking so far! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractorman810 Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 thats a real peach james, wish i had time to do something similar, remember something like that being used when we laid the land drains on our big field, was huge to me at 6/7 years old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sipher172 Posted May 3, 2022 Share Posted May 3, 2022 That is looking amazing, can't wait to see it finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEP Posted May 3, 2022 Share Posted May 3, 2022 Brilliant stuff James!!! Looking forward to seeing this progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stabliofarmer Posted May 3, 2022 Author Share Posted May 3, 2022 Thanks chaps, pleased with how it's gone so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hajo Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 WOW, that is a mighty project, but will it look amazing when finished! Good luck, enjoy and keep us posted please. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf aphid Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 Incredible job. That is skill! Looking forward to a bit of modelling again some time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stabliofarmer Posted January 5, 2023 Author Share Posted January 5, 2023 Next couple of challenges addressed with the Mastenbroek. I wasn't sure whether to have the door shut or open so went with having it work. Also filled the cab interior and built the roof, this is removable to aid painting. Next up I managed to get a few clear photos of the big hydraulic trench drive motor to CAD up and then print, much easier than trying to do lots of circles in plastic sheet. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stabliofarmer Posted January 5, 2023 Author Share Posted January 5, 2023 And then the last big piece of the puzzle, the trencher arm itself. I have managed to get this so that it in theory 'works'. One paint is one etc it will all be abit to tight and stiff to actually move though. Individual chain links all 3D printed. Blank chain, inner chain and then handed spade/bucket links. These are all then held together with 1mm wire bent at either end. Will tidy those up with snips when I get a minute so they're all the same length. Then a frame work built up with printed sprockets at either end. The augers that move spoil away are currently plasticard but I think I will change these for printed versions. And then mounted into the main assembly. This will need abit more fettling as there's lots of pins meet in the area that all clash. And that's where we're up to, pipe reel holders are the next big job and then it's just final details before paint, which I'm dreading and will procrastinate until at least the summer before attempting. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Stabliofarmer Posted January 5, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 5, 2023 A few general shots to give a better view. Turning into a fair old bit of kit! 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sipher172 Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 Amazing work, can't wait to see it finished. Good luck with thr painting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agribouwer Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 This looks fantastic . Nice machine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete132 Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 Flippin hell! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catkom3 Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 What a fantastic piece of work James, You must have the patience of a Saint, After makeing the track pads for my Stalinetz crawler I figured instead of doing holes at either ends of the chain links, holes at one end and "dimples" at the other would make printing and assembly easier, And it does, currently working on the large machine right now, At some point you'll need tensioners for you trencher, something I have just sketched up myself today, Here are a couple of screen grabs I took to see what you think, Obviously dimensions to your own spec, Regards Joe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stabliofarmer Posted January 5, 2023 Author Share Posted January 5, 2023 Many thanks for the kind words. That's a great idea with the tracks Joe, much faster and neater than all the wire pins. These undercarriage have a tensioner built in that will get glued 'tense' once painted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catkom3 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 11 hours ago, Stabliofarmer said: Many thanks for the kind words. That's a great idea with the tracks Joe, much faster and neater than all the wire pins. These undercarriage have a tensioner built in that will get glued 'tense' once painted. Thank you James, Very early stages yet, but I'm going to try to have my tensioner functional useing the springs from BIC pens, or maybe the springs on electric drill motors depending how much force would be needed. Regards Joe.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stabliofarmer Posted January 6, 2023 Author Share Posted January 6, 2023 9 hours ago, catkom3 said: Thank you James, Very early stages yet, but I'm going to try to have my tensioner functional useing the springs from BIC pens, or maybe the springs on electric drill motors depending how much force would be needed. Regards Joe.. Sounds like an interesting project Joe, you'll have to keep us updated on here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catkom3 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 55 minutes ago, Stabliofarmer said: Sounds like an interesting project Joe, you'll have to keep us updated on here! Most of it is done, the last bit will be the most difficult to sketch / print as that is the two track frames which are very complex because of the shapes and contours, plus the lower idler bogies, this photo will give you an idea of what I'm doing, The current biggest dozer in the World at 115tons and 900 HP, and yes a Cat D11 is smaller, One of these is working in a sand quarry only 12 miles from me. At 85tonne without blade and ripper it's the perfect load for the MarGe Nooteboom dolly low loader. Regards Joe. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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