RE: (ET) other thing not designed for elec traks....

["Elie, Larry (L.D.)" <lelie ford com>]

Tim, I too have been thinking about this.  Sometimes seriously, 
sometimes not.

Yes, ball-screws are rated for both load and speed.  Many are too 
slow; some are fast.  That in fact IS the biggest problem.  Simple 
switch or relay control is out for a fast ball-screw; I use an 
8,000 lb. 1/2 yd Oliver Cleat-trak loader, and most of the time 
you want SLOW up, but not always.  I suspect that is why GE didn't 
use ball-screws.  Yes, I know all about speed control, but it gets 
complex real quick.  If I were to do this I would go SLOW all the 
time as you can still work in that mode.  You can get ones with 
worm drive or locking screws when not electrically engaged.

Another possibility is a rolling ring style linear actuator; 
http://www.rollring.com/traverse_units.htm
These give good speed control, variable force etc BUT there is a 
down side; the shaft needs to turn all the time or have a shaft-
brake.  This constant turning ends up being the mechanical equivalent 
of a hydraulic accumulator.

I have even thought up one based on a power seat for the blade 
tilt portion.  Slow, but cheap, easy to control and enough power.

So, if I were to do this, I would go with simple switch/relay 
control, ball-screws rated with enough thrust, and single 
slow speed operation.  And it would mount to the NORMAL front 
blade mount; not the fancy one.

Larry Elie


-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Chapin [mailto:tchapin umich edu]
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2001 3:10 PM
To: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
Subject: (ET) other thing not designed for elec traks....


I have been kicking around the idea of building a loader for my e-15 (when
and if I ever get it back in one piece).  I would think the cadplan loader
could be made to fit. see http://www.cadplans.com/loaders/507.htm or
http://www.cadplans.com/loaders/907.htm

Instead of having to go thru all the Hydraulic hassels, why not use the 36
volt actuators used to move a satellite dish.  They come is 18,24,36 in.
strokes and the small ones are rated at 600 lbs. of lift (the long ones
1200-1500 lbs).  Here is an example on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1222792965
The 18 inch ones sell around $45 each on ebay with the longer ones for more
money.

I know little about electronics so maybe this is way off in left field, and
I don't know how fast or slow these actuators move.  But if they would 
work,
it would have to be less draw on the batteries than a hydraulic pump that
needs to be turning all the time.

These thing can be found in even shorter lengths.  Here is one on ebay that
has a 9 in throw (maybe used for a electric lift for those tillers
outthere..)
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=571523416&r=0&t=0&sho
wTutorial=0&ed=985620080&indexURL=0&rd=1

These are just the wild ideas from a person that thinks to much and has
little to no experience in what he is thinking about..