Tom: Dallas Log
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September 16 - Friday
- Continued documenting and digging out details about the best procedure for building the engine/coupling/pump assembly.
- Got copy of E-Mail from Andrew, who will be building a Power Cube and LifeTrac. How exciting! Sent message with links to log and manufacturing directions.
- UPS delivered the engine today and it had some damage to the plastic housing, but otherwise looks OK. Contacted the sender asked how to proceed.
- Good news: This engine has an "Electronic Fuel Management System" and does not have a manual choke. This will simplify things.
- Composing list of Misc things to get:
- 12 V Battery
- Gas container and gasoline
- Oil - 2 quarts 10W-30
- 3 feet: 1 Gauge wire & ring connectors (or copper tubing)
- 2 feet: 1/4" rubber fuel line
September 15
- Spent more time reviewing the BOM lists and found many more updates. Called Surplus Center and they changed several items in the order before it was released for shipping.
I'll submit an updated order list when I receive it.Already updated.
- While on the phone with SurplusCenter, I asked them about couplings and gave them the shaft sizes for the Power Cube - they said it would come in 3 pieces and cost $52 total, so I added this to the order as well.
- Our experience with spider couplings and hytrel showed that they don't last more than 40-100 hours, so we went to solid couplings. The plastic wears out.-MJ
- OK - With that information, I cancelled the coupling from the order and will be going with a custom fixed coupling instead.
- Called a local vendor for hydraulic coolers and found a company here in Dallas that sells with or without fan and thermostatic switch. Looking at the photo made me think that if we used their fan, we could do without the expanded steel protecting the oil cooler fins - but at what cost? Waiting on reply from vendor . . .
September 14
- Spent time studying the documentation and design drawings for the LifeTrac tractor and compared them against the old BOM for steel parts. Did lots of updating and send requests for revision to the current maintainer - Will. Last correspondence said he is packing up in England and soon traveling to Factory-E-Farm in Missouri.
- Spent hours analyzing discrepancies between the BOM part list and the actual parts for the Power Cube - found lots of differences and made some adjustments for design updates and parts available from the vendor. Will update BOM tomorrow accordingly. Finally, got the first round ordered. Here is the order:
1 9-1788-B 0.976 cu in PRINCE SP20B16A9H2R HYD 187.95
1 9-7290-100 1-1/2" NPTM TO 1" NPTF 14 GPM TANK S 19.95
3 9-5500-12-12 3/4 NPTM TO 3/4 NPTM 90 ELBOW 15.00
1 928-C 3/4" QUICK COUPLER S40-6 F/F 25.95
1 9-7843-24 1-1/2" NPT FORGED WELD-IN TANK FLANG 4.50
1 9-7843-4 1/4" NPT FORGED WELD-IN TANK FLANGE 2.40
1 455-AA HOSE BARB 1/4" X 1/4" NPTM 4244-4-4 1.25
6 9-1279 1" HYD SUCTION/RETUN HOSE (SOLD BY T 30.00
1 951-2212 3/4" X 12" JIC 12F X JIC 12F 3000 PS 15.00
1 9-059 3/4" NPT 20 GPM FA1200-10 RETURN FIL 17.95
1 9-4404-16-16 1 HOSEBARB TO 1 NPTM ADAPTER 4404-16 6.00
4 9-5404-12-12 3/4 NPT HEX NIPPLE 10.60
1 9-7957-12 3/4" NPT PLASTIC TANK BREATHER 4.49
1 9-5605-12-12-12 3/4 X 3/4 X 3/4 NPTF TEE 7.00
1 9-5404-4-4 1/4 NPT HEX NIPPLE 0.95
1 9-6314 1/4" NPT QUICK COUPLER S40-2 17.95
2 9-7843-12 3/4" NPT FORGED WELD-IN TANK FLANGE 5.50
1 9-4604-16-12 1 HOSEBARB TO SAE 12M ADAPTER 4604-1 7.89
1 9-2501-12-12 JIC 12M x 3/4 NPTM 90 ELBOW 5.59
1 9-2403-12-12 JIC 12M x JIC 12M UNION 2.75
1 9-6505-12-12 JIC 12F TO 3/4 NPTM SWIVEL 6.00
Total $: 394.67
____________________________________________________________________________
Order Recap:
Total Product $: 394.67
Net Product$: 394.67
Shipping: 15.81
Sales Tax: 0.00
Insurance : 2.00
Grand Total: 412.48
____________________________________________________________________________
- Note that when searching for items, you must be creative. For example, a "Hose Barb" is sometimes spelled "HOSEBARB" and isn't found by searching for "hose" or "barb". Try multiple ways of searching or just call the vendor.
- Immediately after pressing the confirm button, I realized that I was missing a part or two, but that they should be easy to find in Dallas, but it will mean another trip to a vendor.
September 13
Since my return from the Dedicated Project Visit, I have been continuing my documentation efforts on the Power Cube. The documentation is critical when ordering parts and steel, as I want to have everything necessary, but not be short either.
I have also collected a set of tools for building Power Cubes. This video shows some of the tools:
- Tools collected so far
- Oxy-Acetylene cutting torch, tanks, hose, regulators, cart (Used: $400)
- Heavy Duty Metal cutting chop saw (Used: $125 + $20 to re-sharpen carbide blade)
- 1/2" Hand Drill
- 7" Angle Grinder ($70 at Northern Tool - 5 Yr in-store warranty)
- 4" Angle Grinder (Used: $30)
- Shop Vacuum (Used: $15)
- 3 pair Vise Grip pliers - to clamp metal for welding
- Socket Set
- 2 Crescent wrenches
- Face shield for grinding
- Eye protection
- Other tools not shown in the video include:
- TIG Welder
- Safety Equipment (steel toe boots, welding hood, welding jacket, hearing protection)
- Drill press
- Paint sprayer
Ordered Engine
Scoured the web for sources on engines and finally came across Small Engine Suppliers and ordered a suitable 28 HP model:
- Briggs & Stratton 49M777-various 28 HP Professional Series
- Order:
--PRODUCT INFORMATION-- Quantity: 1 Product: Briggs & Stratton 49M777-various 28 HP Professional Series ($ 699.95 ea.) Options: Cost (each): $ 699.95 Item Subtotal: $ 699.95 Wt. each: 100 Total Wt.: 100 Product ID: 04390 Whse: sed SUBTOTAL: $ 699.95 SHIPPING: $ 74.95 Agreed to terms TOTAL: $ 774.90
- Next step: Order Power Cube parts and steel