Tom Log
Tom Griffing's Log
Sat Sep 14, 2013
We've had a lot of discussion about the new PowerCube and the new LifeTrac designs and I think I have wrapped my mind around the new frame design. Here is a screenshot:
Latest 50 hp Power Cube Suggestion: File:PowerCube 35 Tom.zip
Thursday, July 8, 2013
Drove up to Missouri and to Factor E Farm for the Power Cube / LifeTrac build for Blair Grocery in New Orleans. Spent time designing the new Power Cube with the Kubota diesel engine. Drove to secure the engine, radiator and other parts necessary for the build. Used Sketchup to update the design according to the newly secured Kubota engine. Cut steel for the new 36" frame and began gathering other necessary parts - such as the fan and oil cooler.
James Slade arrived and received instructions to assist with Power Cube development. The crew from Blair Grocery arrived and were oriented for assisting in the build of the LifeTrac. The LifeTrac and Power Cube development proceeded at the same time.
I headed back to Dallas and a few days later, the LifeTrac was functioning and was loaded onto the trailer for transport to New Orleans with the 27 hp Power Cube and the unfinished Kubota Power Cube. The transport stopped at my farm in East Texas, where the Kubota Power Cube was completed, loaded in the LifeTrac, tested and then loaded for shipping to New Orleans - where it was tested successfully.
Thursday, May 25 2013 (Date needs verification)
It's been some time since my last update. The latest activity concerns the new Power Cube design - using a Volkswagen engine. I expect to meet with Jay early this next week to complete the rebuild of the engine and secure the engine. I still have a few more parts to get - especially for mounting the shaft coupling and engine mounts. I have been working on the component layout for the new Power Cube - it will be quite different from before, as the engine/pump mounting is horizontal rather than vertical. Also, the plumbing and engine are larger and heavier and I will be adding a pressure relief valve. The sizing of the hydraulic pump has been a big issue and is documented here:
http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Hydraulic_Hose_Sizing