Mini bulldozer build
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- In this video I show how I built a mini bulldozer using a Craftsman garden tractor. It is a long video, but I think it is worth watching it all since I talk about pitfalls I had and my reasoning for doing things they way I did.
I have comments turned off since I've had people making stupid comments on other videos.
Recent video of this thing pushing snow: • Mini dozer plowing snow
This is a great build. You could always add a weight to the rear of the machine for more even weight distribution. It would also add improved traction. I think your plan for using an old zero turn with the independent hydrostatic drives is also excellent. It was the first thing I thought of while watching you lay out your plan for this. The problem with the differential brake system is that the free side has to speed up. Dual hydrostatic allows you to slow one track and the speed of the other is unaffected. It would also give you ‘no gear change’ reverses, and even allow you to spin on the spot for even tighter access.
So glad to see others start building things like this.I did it for years.good job.i liked the Troybuilt 24 hp gtx twin cyl Briggs tractors as bases.fast,lite ,wide.sit them on track drill tracks,
I wonder if a 2nd rear end mounted on the front would make building the steering mechanism any easier. That way the main break could control one side and the main break on the other rear end could control the other. Anyway, you did an excellent job. Thanks for sharing the trouble shooting with us, that’s what makes a great tutorial.
I know you said you turned off the comments but just in case you receive this I would like to say. You know those people are out there and a lot of it is just jealousy! I think you did a great job. I’m wanting to build one myself the tracks and sprockets have me stumped. I really like the way you did yours. I have no local foundry but I do have a machine shop. If it never moved out of its tracks “pun intended “ I would still be impressed with the quality work.Henry Ford was in his forty’s before built the T . I didn’t mean to go on this long I just wanted to let you know that I think you did a great job and I’m a little jealous.
Thanks for the words of encouragement. There are so many trolls online these days, it's frustrating. That is why I haven't posted any new content in a while. I have better things to do than entertain stupid comments.
As for you getting tracks and sprockets, there are several ways to go about it. You can find used ones all the time on Craigslist or FB Marketplace. You could also use snowmobile tracks like I did on my Max II. Those are very easy to find used on Ebay. For the sprockets and rollers, you could probably get them 3D printed out of a hard plastic and they would hold up fine as long as you didn't try to do really heavy work. I think the rollers at least could be plastic. Then get the sprockets plasma cut or buy the factory ones. I got them cast just because they weren't that expensive.
Lets see this beast pushing something. Great job!!
Pretty ingenious, and im sure a hell of a lot of fun to build. Well done sir.
Thats awesome, nice work
The entire build in one video!! You’re doing God’s work brotha lol! Awesome project and mad skills my friend. You cleared up a few concerns I had and I’m going to start a similar build with an old Wheel Horse. Thanks for content.
Thanks, my pleasure. If you read some of the comments below some people offered ideas that may be useful to you. When I first posted this TH-cam content was MUCH different. 54 minutes for a "How to build a bulldozer" video didn't seem excessive.
Realize this is old, but if being front-heavy was/is an issue still, maybe mount a pair of smaller pneumatic tires side by side (think of the front wheels on an airplane) on a caster with a short (maybe 10" long ) solid axle between them and mount two vertical bars off the caster in a "V" and mount upper ends under/near where the electric winch was and add a 3rd rear middle support (basically a tripod with rear support preventing rearward bending). If lifting or under strain, those 2 tires could stabilize the front w/o the need to add more rear ballast.
Anyhow, congrats on this. Always amazed at what people can do with determination and forward-thinking. Definitely a dying breed though.
Great build. Those old Sears 3spds, with hi-lo the lo in first have a approx 130 to one ratio. I have 3 of those transaxles one still in the hardly used mower. Seat is in perfect shape still.picked some great ideas!
Yeah, and since the track drive sprocket is smaller than the original wheel diameter, it has even more torque. I rarely put it in the low range.
Does the break steering work as well up a bank
Very impressive work! I'm sure this machine works great for pushing snow. It's not like your going to use the thing to strip topsoil on a jobsite. I'll tell you what it would be awesome for someone with a stone driveway to be able and go out and fix up the driveway every couple months or to spread a new layer of stone. Very nice worki am impressed! Thanks you for sharing!
Yeah, that is really what I made it for; plowing snow, grading the gravel driveway at my farm, clearing trails through underbrush, etc. It was also a really fun project to do. I have some upgrades planned I haven't gotten to yet.
@@runforyourlife9684 great work man you can really tell you put alot of though into it! I would have never thought to use the factory axle like you did. I have always wanted to build something like this and my idea was to use the engine to drive a hydraulic pump and run 2 hydraulic motors as track drives and have the pump large enough to also run a couple extra remotes to the front and rear for other implements like a tiller or snowblower. And also run a hydraulic 3 point setup. But the way you did it really makes it easier! Great thinking!
After I built this I started looking for a derelict zero-turn mower since they use independent hydraulic motors to run the wheels. That would work out better, but then I would have had to build a frame and do a lot more fabrication. How many small tracked vehicles do I need anyway? So I moved on. The engine on this mower does have a PTO pulley on the front for running a snow blower. I also changed the drive belt setup (after I made the video) to use a 90 degree gearbox and it has an extra output shaft, so I could hook up a hydraulic pump on that.
Well as I said awesome job hopefully if you end up making some changes you will post an update video I definitely would love to see what you end up coming up with. The founderiey that you used to make the drive sprockets and stuff is that the one in kutztown,pa? If so I used to deliver sand and iron ore to them and take slag from there to the port in Philadelphia.
@@Deer-Run-Farms I used Cattail Foundry in Gordonville, PA, just east of Lancaster. They're Amish and make a lot of old steam engine parts. Very reasonably priced for what I got. I'll have to post an update to show the changes.
It's all about the build. FANTASTIC JOB
cool build got me thinking , can't you change the pitch of the blade :ie tilt it back a few inched just like the big dozers and even motor graders when you tilt it back it kind of forces the blade to dig a little keeping it from going over the top of your load
pretty cool. i put a front blade on a mower once. i used a hydraulic piston off a convertible top, (66 mustang) it worked great, and was simple.
That's an awesome idea. I might have to do that.
Awesome job love it. Kept it as simple as possible. Less to break and fab up.
Yep, that's what I thought.
Great job with the whole tractor. Nice build man!!!
Thanks.
Hey that really works excellent. Can you turn new disks with no holes 1/4" smaller?
On the plow lift. Can you weld stops every inch like a auto lift in a garage, to take the up force when plowing, instead of the spring or actuator taking the load.
Great job on it all.
Yeah, I guess I could turn new disks if I needed to. The ones I have on there haven't given me any problems.
I really do need to build a better, stronger, lift mechanism. I've gotten a lot of good ideas from folks on here. I just have to find time away from all my other projects.😂 I mostly just use it now for plowing snow on my driveway so I don't hit a lot of bumps that would stress out the lift mechanism.
Excellent work! inspiring, had this idea, you've provided a great resource for how to actually do it!
Glad it was helpful!
super cool idea fantastic engineering. I envy someone who can think things out the way you have.
Thumbs up on the steering mech you made 👍👍
Awesome work. Looks pretty cool. Maybe try installing some counter weights on the back body. Like up on the fenders.
I want to see it pushing some dirt! It looks awesome!
I'll have to find a dirt pile. Standby.
@@runforyourlife9684 Ok LOL!
Add a steel box counter weight on the back put stone , concrete or sand in it to balance out the front. Just a thought.😀👍
Thanks. I'm working on a sleeve hitch so I can attach implements and weights, when I have some free time, HA!
This is pretty cool. I wanted to convert an old wheel horse i had into a dozer but never did and i ended up buying a struck crawler instead. You should redo the blade so it goes farther down.
Yep, realized that when I tried to grade a gravel driveway. It is on my list of things to do. Plows snow like you wouldn't believe though.
it's cool. i finally found someone to build this the right way.
mind you I'm not criticizing. i think there should be some side-to-side reinforcement between your rails bubby matter what fact your brackets were on the right track pun intended but I think I would have made them all one peace across. but you gave me some great ideas that made my brain wake up because for some stupid reason I couldn't envision the build in full.
till now for a very long time. odd for someone that thinks in vertices and webs. usually, I can just close my eyes and see the part and the build-in my third eye. like I'm looking at cad in my head.
I've been under some creative block as of late hopefully this will cure it. thank you for posting something that didn't have a shit load of JANK in it. the thing is an actual useful tool. bang on bubby congratulations on your build. make shit your self it's the best way to stick it to the man. and not get soaked by a bunch of brand name corporate thieves. I'm all for you. i not only want to do this I need to.
Thanks. You're right, the reason I built it myself was so I wasn't beholden to some Chinese manufacturer for unobtainable parts.
By the way, I have since added two pieces of reinforcing angle iron between the rails. There was too much stress on the undercarriage brackets.
AWESOME project my friend! If you put a few servo's on er that'd make an AMAZING RC dozer!
the video quality makes me feel like im watching this on youtube in 2008 lol. nice build
That's probably because I'm using the Sony Handycam I got in 2007. :-)
WELL to me in 3rd gear it bogged down a lot it may need a bigger Eugen and its not dared to just drive a round on black top it would of been nice to see it move some dirt round and the steering arms might be better with solid square stuck other then that it looks nice . ps it would be nice if on your videos you show us what you are doing on camera what your building.
That little thing turns really fast as soon as you pull the lever. Great project and pretty simple design to build, just time consuming. And you did an amazing job. I subscribed so I will be looking for some more videos of add onns, cause you said something about a 3 point hitch or maybe some attachments or updates to blade control with a lever maybe.
Thanks!
Really nice foresight for this to happen.
Excellent video and very enjoyable also well done project too!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great look on your proyect, thaks sharing, hope, enjoy your built. Say hello, joe.
That's awesome! Nice Work! You should add a small bucket to the back..
I have plans to put a sleeve hitch and tiller on the back which will add the weight I need to balance it. A bucket might give me a smaller turning circle though.
Brilliant video thank you
Thanks
Not bad at as long as the cost wasn't more than what you could bought one for. I know it was fun to build still, why reinvent the wheel when its already done. Still nice project. Pretty cool tractor.
By "already done" if you mean the Struck, that thing cost at least 5 times what it cost me to build this. And if that breaks you can only get parts from Struck. I couldn't find any other small dozers on the market.
@@runforyourlife9684 just saying nice build... hope you didn't spend too much to make it, I never looked into the market, after several other videos of similar takes on it, I am guessing there is market out there must be expensive you aren't the only one who went this way.. Very nice build.
Nice project. They made sleeve hitches for the back. One of Roper's last GT's.
Great Job!
CATERPILLAR !!! MUST !! BE !! ABSOLUTELY !! SHAKING !! NOW !! LOOKING !! AT !! YOUR !! MINI !! DEE !! ONE !! MINUS !! HALF !! TRACK !! DOZER !!!
OH YEAH!!!
Single brake master cylinder off 1960’s cars have forward facing outlets or downward facing outlets. Might fit better
Great work I really enjoyed this video! Can’t wait to build one of my own
Thanks.
instead of casting the sprockets wouldn't have been cheaper to profile cut them out of heavey plate steel cos when the teeth wear you can run weld on them good luck with project lookin good cheers
The sprockets are about 1" thick. I don't know about you, but trying to cut 1" thick plate is not something I can do very easily. I don't think I would have saved much, if any, money and it would have been very difficult. I'm also no very worried about the sprockets wearing out. The tracks are rubber so there isn't much wear on the sprockets at all.
It would’ve been so much easier just getting an old mountain bike with disk brakes on it.. take the disks, attach them to the drive sprocket , rig up the calipers to the frame of the machine, and then run the cables and levers up to the seat.. the clamping force on a mountain bike disk brake set up is more than enough to stop the track and turn the machine
That's Awesome....Great Job
Thanks!
amazing. I wanna do a autonomous mini tractor to prove a concept. It's not hard to use arduino and mechanical control mechanisms.
Nice work
Thats pretty damn cool. Gave me ideas
Glad you got something out of it despite my poor narrating skills,
@@runforyourlife9684 in a time of alot of hum drum videos on TH-cam, yours was enjoyable
You did fantastic work. Have you made any trails with it? Any more videos coming with it?
I'm making a few upgrades on it and hopefully will have another video before Christmas.
I am curious why you didn't put a small hydraulic pump on the deck pto, and go full hydraulic. Then you could have down pressure and float. Hydraulic 3 point, and add a fluid tank for weight to the rear.
Two reasons: time and money. I had other projects that required my attention. Certainly doable if I decide to upgrade. Thanks for the suggestion.
I like the central beverage holder ware the steering wheel went.
I didn't plan that but interesting how some things just beg to be used.
Cool, man.nice work
Thanks!
Could you share your approximate cost to build.
I would like to convert my 71 Bolens HT-23, 23 hp Kohler, it's a Hydrostat. I had only considered a FEL, and maybe a backhoe. But if it wasn't too awfully expensive, maybe I could copy your idea to make my Bolens actually be more functional with traction.
The short answer, about $2k.
I got the tractor and blade for free. The single most expensive thing was the tracks. I bought extra heave duty ones new and they were about $600. I know you can get them a lot cheaper used if you scour Craigslist. All the iron (sprockets, idlers, rollers, undercarriage brackets) were about $900 from the foundry. It's about 275 lbs of iron in 22 pieces. Then all the steel channel and tube were a few hundred more. Brake setup was a little over $100.
For a second build I've thought about casting the rollers, idlers, and sprockets out of aluminum myself, but then I need to build a foundry and do all that work myself. My problem is I am actually starting to run out of room to keep my tools and materials.
@@runforyourlife9684 that is a useful machine. I couldn't do that type of tracks build that you mentioned, either... I don't have patience either or the time. For me, it would take forever.
What about installing small on board air compressor n tank and air shock for a vehicle or dual with a Deadman valve to intiate the blades movement ?
I think that would add a lot of complexity and the air shock would probably give too much since the air is compressible.
Why didn’t you put your blade control switches on the levers??
Uh, because I didn't think of it. Good idea. I'd have to change the switch type.
whats the sprocket pitch you ended up with? i plan on building something similar and using same tracks but no one around me has sprocket that i could "use" to draw up my own. is there any way you can post sprocket measurements?
I used a copy of the Bobcat sprocket the tracks were made for. When I got the tracks I bought one sprocket and one roller that went with them to make my patterns to take to the foundry. Depending on what tracks you have I'm sure you can find a CAD drawing online of the sprocket or buy an authentic one on Ebay. Then just make copies yourself. The sprockets aren't that expensive depending on the track you have (
We need a video of some dirt pushin' and stump pullin'!
I don't think this thing is going to pull any stumps to speak of. It just isn't that heavy or have that much power. You need a lot to pull a stump, which is why we have stump grinders.
È davvero bello
👍👍👍
How ? What width are your tracks apart
What make and model clutch cylinders are they. Doing a dozer myself.
Here is a link to Amazon where I got it: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001PYCGCK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Good luck. Let me know how it turns out.
Great work, but does it push or bull dose the ground?
How much did it cost for the sprockets and rollers to have them made
All the cast iron was $985. That included 2 sprockets, 4 idlers, 10 rollers, 4 "L" brackets, and 2 "S" brackets. It was about 275 lbs of iron. It was more than I thought it would cost, but a lot cheaper than buying Bobcat parts and modifying them. I had them cast by Cattail Foundry near Lancaster, PA.
if its any help to you a hydrolic unit of a two and half japanese lite truck like nisan caball for tipper hoist tank about 15 inchs square with ¹12v starter and pump inside tank would ..be à hundred percent with 2 way valve and small ram ... possible find unit at wrecking yard may be better than winch just saying cheers
Where can you get cheaper tracks like those. This makes me wanna build one just for fun
You can find them cheaper online, but the shipping was going to kill me. I also wanted an original sprocket and roller I could copy which is why I went to Summit.
where did you get the rubber tracks
Summit Supply. www.summitrubbertracks.com/
They have several locations. I got mine from the one in NJ. I also got the drive sprocket and a roller which I used to make copies. I called them up and told them what I wanted to do and they were very helpful in selecting the type of tracks and length that would work for me. Like I said they also stock the sprockets and roller so you can get everything you need there.
Outstanding!
Glad you like it!
I wonder if zero turn would be good to make something like this.
Oh yes, zero turn would be great. I keep looking for one for my next build but even the used ones are more than I want to spend. Some aspects of a zero turn would be better, but some not. You'd end up having to build your frame from scratch. I don't know if it would be more or less work, but zero turns generally have a larger engine than lawn tractors so that would be a plus.
Wow absolutely genius
That’s cool .?where you get tracs
Summit Supply in NJ.
Suggest using a nylon or synthetic rope the steel cable will screw up just from experience for plowing snow switched to nylon
Oh yeah, I replaced the cable and winch system with an electric linear actuator before the end of the video. I wanted to be able to hold the blade down. It doesn't weigh enough to dig in on it's own.
Realy cool buddy
Thanks 👍
Does it actually dig and move dirt?
I have another video of it plowing snow recently. th-cam.com/video/AP-jkxrDeOQ/w-d-xo.html
Haven't gotten to a dirt pile with all the bad weather lately.
when you were showing us how it goes and walking with it you never showed it turning at all . Does it not turn very well ? Just wondering
You have to watch the rest of the video. He rides it around on the driveway. It is a very cool machine.
At the end he was riding it around and it turns really fast as soon as you pull which ever lever for either a left turn or for a right turn. It was moving on.
👌
Awesome!!!!
the sprocket with the key slot where did you purchase it
I had it cast at a local foundry. I copied an original bobcat sprocket and used that as a pattern. The ones I had cast I just drilled five holes in and bolted them to the existing tractor hubs in the place of the wheels.
@@runforyourlife9684 bobcat? good to know I was thinking of using a snowmobile one rubber sprocket less damage to the track, and your track where did you get that? great work on your mini bulldozer
@@BillyBob-fd5ht I got the tracks new from Summit Supply. They are standard bobcat tracks. You could probably find some used ones cheaper that I did on Craigslist or Ebay. You just need the sprockets and rollers to match.
I realize this is a old video. It looks like you done a DAMN good job building. But you really should put a hydraulic cylinder on that blade. Pushing things that blade will get pushed up taking away your pushing power.
But I'm sure you already know that. Like I say your definitely mechanically inclined. Like I say Damn nice looking build.
Is that a 928 sitting in yut garage?? Yummy!
Yes sir. I have diverse interests as you can see by my channel content. I could have an entire channel devoted to that thing.
NICE!
Thanks!
How do you know all this stuff
I'm an engineer and I work with a bunch of other engineers so we come up with some crazy ideas.
i must say not bad
That's awsome how can I get one
Well, you can build one. Or you can buy mine, for the right price. :-)
Very cool, but I doubt that transmission will hold up for long if you get a blade full and try to turn .....
cast iron needs nickel to weld it.
Would you sell it? :)
For the right price :-)
You made a nice piece of machinery! What would the let go price be?
GREAT JOB MSN EISH I COULD BUILD ME ONE LIKE THAT
00:20 not going to watch almost an hour of 480 potato cam.
something miss this clip..?......buldoser..hmm......the ground..?...and what was is it...i dont now,sorry!
His voice is very similar to Cody's from CodyLab
Not to bad. Impressive actually. And not trying to be that @$$høłe on TH-cam trying to pretend he knows everything about everything. But I’m not sure that diff will hold up for very long. We did something very similar but our was what we called a Trakdtor. And the diff only lasted about a year. And at the end of the video I can here steel on steel when it’s standing still. Didn’t sound to good but I’m sure you got it figured out.
I appreciate that. I'm not sure what metal noise you're hearing. Might be the stupid drive belt pulley system Sears had that routed a 96" belt over 5 pulleys and through 90 degrees of plane change. The pulley bracket would bend and rub on the frame when the engine really pulled. I've since replaced it with a 90 degree gearbox. Maybe I'll drain the crankcase oil anyway and see what it looks like. Again, appreciate you not being one of THOSE guys.
i dare you ... count all the um... in this video.
Idée..use the tatoo for quand..tractor pelouse 4x4
Too bad it's not hydrostatic
I know. I wasn't sure the light weight hydrostatic transmission off a modern garden tractor would hold up. The gear box on this thing is steel and iron. Not to mention the tractor I used for this was given to me free, cutting down costs. I've thought of making a second one with hydrostatic drive if I can find a good candidate vehicle at the right price.
@@runforyourlife9684 hydrostatic is stronger than a belt driven gearbox....still cool machine!!
@@mikesecondo2254 Oh man! Guess I'll have to build another one.
@@runforyourlife9684 Build a excavator..I am in my 2nd year with mine.I am a lift truck technician so I have been collecting cylinders and various pumps.The frame and arms are complete.still need numerous plumbing
@@runforyourlife9684 this was not quite what i was expecting, nice job.
you got about the strongest trans AYP/husqvarna used. if they made one stronger, i don't remember it.
if you do build another one to try a hydrostatic trans, make sure it is a garden tractor and not a lawn tractor. garden has a bigger trans and many have hubs where the wheels bolt on like a car. also, there are a lot out there with plastic transmissions, some people call them hydrostatic, they are NOT. stay away from them, the plastic transmissions are junk!
but, one with the plastic trans could probably be picked up cheap, then maybe use a pair of hydrostatic transmissions from a zero turn?
a few years back MTD made what was called a zero turn that was built like a regular tractor that had a steering wheel. it had 2 hydrostatic transmissions with a central pump. turning the steering wheel not only turned the front wheels, it would speed up the outside tire & slow the inside tire down, turning the steering wheel all the way in one direction would reverse the inside tire. it did this with adjustable rods coming from the trans & hooked up to the steering linkage. the hydro pump was very noisy and they had a lot of deck problems. the blades used a timing belt which was easily to get out of time. like most MTDs, the ground drive belt(s) are a pain to change.
images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrEwhUFzeFfX7EAcSVXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzIEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Nj?p=craftsman+revolution+28933+model&fr=yfp-t
Push some dirt ha
poor guy THEY MAKE 90 DEGREE BRAKE LINE FITTINGS....
Too much yapyap not enough actual work
54 min Yap Yap Yap .
Great idea..
But you talk too slow and too much..
Fast video of progress is better
You could have used the shorter track and made it into a half-track. Just a thought.
I thought about that, but even the shorter tracks would have required a large undercarriage. I don't know if it would turn all that well with such long half tracks. And I would have had to put on larger front wheels to keep the frame level. Guess it would have made it easier to steer though.