Cab progress

[fatjay]

I bought a new to me b8200 tractor, hst, 4wd, etc. I took my fathers snowblower from his b7200 and made it fit. I needed a cab though, to protect myself from the elements.

Today, I tackled a different issue. With the cab on, I couldn't open the hood. So I had to move the cab back an inch. Problem with that is then the steering wheel would be into the windshield. So I had to come up with a different solution. I decided to make the hood open front instead of backwards. Marked and cut the hood right by the front of the gas tank, then permanently mounted the rear piece over the gas tank. Put reinforcing steel under and used two door hinges. I'm going to get some hood struts to put in there, and put a latch on the front. Overall I'm happy with how it came out, gives me a LOT of room to work, too. I'll rewire the lights tomorrow so the travel along the inside of the hood, since the wire comes from the dash anyway.

 

[torch]

I love seeing the different approaches people have to surmounting similar problems. Re-working the hood is an interesting solution to the problem.

 

[fatjay]

Just sent out a RFP for 48"x96" aluminum diamond plate and mill plate. Hopefully the price doesn't hurt to much. Will use it for the roof and side panels where plexiglass isn't going in.

trying to figure out a method to put a sliding plastic window in. Was considering using tinted glass but I do a lot of work at night, and that would make it a real challenge to see.

 

[08quadram]

Rockler or CR Laurence Co. has sliding track assemblies for glass. With proper add on weather stripping, I would think they would work great. Comes in both metal and plastic.

Mike

 

[fatjay]

I picked up 2 4' sections of hte sliding track assembly in plastic. Looked for metal, but the only ones I found were 5x the price. I'll give it a shot and see what I can find.

4'x8' 1/8" aluminum sheet is $157, picking up tomorrow. Have to make doors/hinges yet.

Bought the components to wire in remote start, lighting, flashers, radio, and heater.

 

[torch]

Bought the components to wire in remote start,

Now that's an interesting idea. How are you going to handle the glow requirement?

 

[fatjay]

Now that's an interesting idea. How are you going to handle the glow requirement?

I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED!

So, I was thinking about car key fobs. Buttons that toggle a relay over a wireless signal. I started googling and searching for wireless relay. Came up with a bunch of stuff.

There's a few ways that relays opperate. Push and release, push on push off, and push on then off with a different button. I needed push and release for this. That way as long as I held the button and signal was transmitted, it would engage.

The ones I found had 1-4ch(button), but not all were the same or compatible with all modes of opperation. The relays that they had were also rated at 10a, so I needed something a bit heavier. To start, I picked up a 2 channel relay. One for the glow plugs, one for the starter.

Since it's a mechanical diesel, I didn't need the accessory on for it to run. I needed a couple heavy duty relays, as well, so I picked up 2 50a starter relays.

I'm going to wire the starter relays in parallel to the glow plug wires and the starter wires behind the dash, where they go into the key. Wired up, I should only have to hold the A button for 10 seconds to prime the glow plugs, then hold the B button to trigger the starter.

This one will provide the wireless functions.

And this is the relays that will handle glow plug operation.

Now, I've also taken it a step further. I ordered a second, single button type, that I can set to toggle on and toggle off. I'm going to wire that one in so that once the tractor is running, I can turn the key to the "run" position, which will activate the alternator, turn on the lights, radio, heater. So all I have to do is have the heater fan in the on position when I turn off the tractor.

So I walk up to the window, hold the A button for 10 seconds(light on front will tell me that glow plugs are on), then hold B until it starts. Once it's running, tap the second controller to activate the key accessory functions, the heater fan starts. 10 minutes later the fluids are warmed up, hydro ready, cab heated.

Obviously there's safety things to keep in mind. Put tractor in neutral when parked(hydro's can creep), wire in a condition for oil pressure, so I'm not starting when I shouldn't and risking damaging the machine.

 

[torch]

I believe 10 seconds of glow is a bit light. The owner's manual for that model suggests 20 to 30 seconds if the temperature is above freezing, and 40 to 60 seconds if the temperature is below freezing.

Ever heard of an Arduino? It is a popular low-cost fully programable microcontroller board with over a dozen I/O pins. An Arduino Uno Rev. 3 coupled to a 4 relay module and a temperature sensor might make a perfect interface between your key fob receiver and the 12v relays. (The Uno can be powered from 12v, but the inputs and outputs are low-current 5v, so you would use the relay module to control the high-current glow plug and starter relays).

My thought is that a single push of your keyfob A initiates a complete start-up sequence controlled by the Arduino:

Arduino monitors pin connected to keyfob receiver relay A. When it detects the contacts close, do the following:

Check temperature

If temperature > 32°F, activate glow plug relay for 30 seconds
If temperature < 32°F, activate glow plug relay for 60 seconds

When timer expires, turn off GP relay, activate starter relay for 30 seconds max. After 30 seconds abort startup attempt. Maybe flash the lights or honk the horn to let you know it failed.

During the 30 seconds of cranking, monitor alternator output. When alternator output goes high, deactivate starter relay.
Activate accessories (heater, etc.)

If you added a fuel shut-off relay, you could then monitor the keyfob relay B contact and program a shut-down sequence. Or use that to turn the dome light on/off. Or whatever.

 

[fatjay]

I'm familiar with arduino and the concepts behind it, but i've never messed with it. You can definitely do a lot with it, but that goes well beyond most people's basic ability, and negates the attractive price of a $7 fob to prime plugs then start engine.

I could have done it in one fob, but getting individually setup relays on the module for momentary vs toggle would have put the price much higher, so just buying a second single channel was more cost effective.

 

[torch]

IYou can definitely do a lot with it, but that goes well beyond most people's basic ability, and negates the attractive price of a $7 fob to prime plugs then start engine.

Programming an Arduino is aimed at the novice, but if programming is not your thing, you could probably get a high school kid to write the sketch for a few bucks. The hardware itself is dirt cheap these days. Unos are under $10 on ebay and a 4 relay shield is under $5.

It would definitely add a layer of complexity to your semi-manual solution, but some might want to go full-auto .

 

[skeets]

FULL-AUTO???? did he say full auto

 

[fatjay]

$120 for the diamond plate aluminum 4'x8' picked up. Also blade for the table saw.

 

[fatjay]

Got the frames for the rear and side windows in place, roof cut, and one rear panel.

Whoever said cutting aluminum by table saw was easy should be drawn and quartered. Bought the special blade, worked well, but just didn't work well. Using a hand saw won't make it strait enough. It was a headache, but the big cuts are done.

 

[NoJacketRequired]

I'm not sure you're going to like that strip of checker plate across the back of the cab. I find I often want to look down closer to the machine and that plate would appear to be in the way of doing so.

 

[fatjay]

I tested the fitment of it from the seat. I have a good view down. I really do want to do something like rear view mirrors though, or rear camera.

The view is much better than my other tractor cab though.

 

[ipz2222]

fatjay,,, never post a picture on the internet with your tag showing. Scumbags are everywhere.

 

[Tooljunkie]

Been installing remote starters for 20 years.some have a glow plug delay,will pause starting until cycle is complete. Then a time delay relay to run glow plugs.
If there is any sort of switch on the parking brake,tie it in to prevent cranking unless brake is engaged. Another time delay set up to check oil pressure after engine is running,will shut down if pressure is low.

Command start was the first remote starter,developed in winnipeg derived from components in a garage door opener. I installed them Starting in the 80's.
If i recall they had an adjustable glow plug output. Would drive a relay.

Nice progress on the cab,soundproofing and insulating too?
One more question, will it fit through garage door when finished?
I put a 4" lift on my dodge,installed 35" tires and had to air them down to get out.

 

[fatjay]

fatjay,,, never post a picture on the internet with your tag showing. Scumbags are everywhere.

I never understood that. What are they going to do? It's nothing you can't see in a parking lot anywhere. If you were going to make a fake plate, why not just do it arbitrarily? As far as finding a person, it's not public record, you'd need police access to find out any information, you can't just run someone elses info.

The tractor has zero safety features on it at all, it relies on common sense. There isn't an oil pressure light unfortunately, nor neutral safety, but it's a hydro, I always leave it parked with implements down and in the neutral position between high and medium speed. The remote start is something i might use 5 times a year, so I wasn't investing much money or effort. The only time it would get used if I stop for an hour or so to visit a neighbor, I can start it up before going back out.

I got the doors mostly framed before I ran out of steel today. Fitment was a challenge, getting it aligned perfectly was a challenge. One door swings closed naturally, the other swings open naturally. They're mounted with hinges and I'm using screen door latches so they'll close properly.

I need more a) plexiglass and b) diamond plate.

 

[skeets]

fatjay if I may, see there are lots of bad people out there, and when you show things around the house if there is nothing to identify where or who you are it makes their job harder.
Bad guys are, for the most part, pretty smart about taking things from people. And the plate and pics of things around your place all serve to peak the interest of bad guys.
There are sites that if you punch in a plate or name or any other info they have your whole life history. And can find out when you work where you work when your most likely not to be home,,,ect.
So while being parked in the wally world parking lot where every one can see your plate, they dont know if you live in a palace or a dumpster. When a plate or something else is posted, then all bets are off.... Bad people do bad things and dont give a rip about you,,,just sayin

 

[D2Cat]

I never understood that. What are they going to do? It's nothing you can't see in a parking lot anywhere. If you were going to make a fake plate, why not just do it arbitrarily? As far as finding a person, it's not public record, you'd need police access to find out any information, you can't just run someone elses info.

The tractor has zero safety features on it at all, it relies on common sense. There isn't an oil pressure light unfortunately, nor neutral safety, but it's a hydro, I always leave it parked with implements down and in the neutral position between high and medium speed. The remote start is something i might use 5 times a year, so I wasn't investing much money or effort. The only time it would get used if I stop for an hour or so to visit a neighbor, I can start it up before going back out.

I got the doors mostly framed before I ran out of steel today. Fitment was a challenge, getting it aligned perfectly was a challenge. One door swings closed naturally, the other swings open naturally. They're mounted with hinges and I'm using screen door latches so they'll close properly.

I need more a) plexiglass and b) diamond plate.

Fatjay, If you're doing all this remote start stuff for a visit with a neighbor.... I'd quit visiting while working!!