Question as to how to secure this load? It is a 1/87 First Gear Bulldozer with a Ripper attachment sitting on a Intermountain TTX flat car.
Im thinking heavy chain on the chassis cross tied to the side pockets… but really have no places to “Attach” it. The model itself will have a velcro attachment on the bottom holding it to the deck as not to mar the finish in anyway.
Im a bit worried about the slight overhang on the blade. Is this normal for interchange service or something that would not be permitted?
Have a look at these three images and help me secure this load please.
It would be run with high/wide load restrictions and probably right behind the locomotives. If you scroll down a bit you will find a dozer on a flat. If you have dial up it will probably take a while to load this page. I hope it helps.[:)]
The blades are removed and if there are weight issues would go on seperate flat. Cat ships these things like this all the time. Blade can be tilted and turned side ways on blocks. I know that may not work as a removable load. It does work as a dedicated load. And yes lots of chains and binders hooked under the side of the car if no pockets ENJOY
Notice that they have steel I beams welded together and placed against the weight’s fore and aft against each end of the treads. I will think that they went ahead and hugely welded the beams into the treads themselves.
Looks like a little plastic I Beam, Floquil gunmetal weathered with some Bragdon Rust and secured to the decks to the front and rears of the treads will do it.
Im examining the blade to see if it is possible to remove it safely. If so, I’ll make a second flatcar load out of it with a large crate.
Thanks to everyone who provided some ideas… they were alot of help.
Typically, the blade assembly would be broken down for shipment, i.e. the blade itself would be seperate from the two sidearms. Obviously, after buying or putting together a model, it may be a bit traumatic to break it down, but if you’re making a load under the assumption that it is a new unit shipping from the manufacturing plant, this is how it is.
There is the possibility of a bulldozer being shipped assembled with the blade for relatively short distances, but generally it’s safe to assume the cost of moving a wide load probably exceeds the cost of disassembly after a relatively short distance, given how I’ve seen these actually loaded on the prototype.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL.
The model has already been broken down for shipping. I did not think it was traumatic as the side bars came out of the model being secured by only two metal pins (They were pretty secured) and the two hydraulic arms and the blade itself.
There will be a shipping crate secured in front of the tractor. The blade and arms will go to a industry and placed on a shop floor while workmen “Work” on it as part of a scene.
I did look for weights on the prototype and it looks to be about 10 ton at the most so the flat car should be able to carry the burden.
Counterweight,
Then you’re going to have a great looking load. Did you say the name of the manufacturer of the bulldozer was “First Gear”? It’s a little too modern for me, but I’m wondering what other models they might have available, particularly from the late 50’s through the 1960s.
Another tie-down material you may find useful is black elastic thread to simulate thin chain, cable, or metal strapping. I’m going to look some up in our local Michael’s, but it should be available in any well-stocked craft or sewing supplies store, per someone else’s suggestion here on this list. All you need to do is use a bit of CAA on one end to secure it and then stretch it and tack down the other end. The new P2K flatcars kits with loads come with something similar and the stretchiness makes it easy to have good looking, taut tiedowns.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
First Gear is the maker of the Bulldozer and they have a few in 1/50 for the O scalers too. (1/48, 1/50 ehh… close enough =)
They did state that the model should fit in between the 50’s and modern times. I am not a rivit counter but think that the model warrants a decent load on the railroad whatever the era. =)
Mike, First Gear only makes this bulldozer in Yellow and now white as a limited edition. First Gear doesn’t make very many 1/87th models. Zycon Models is the source for these dozer’s.
Check out my buddy Dan Goins at www.zyconmodels.com for more. Make sure to click on the 1/87 th catalog.
