The Driveway from Hwy 318 to the gate of Rock Ridge Farm is one mile long. It has high spots and low spots and all of the low spots seem to become full of water. My solution was to get a backhoe and dig some drainage ditches for the low spots. I priced add-on backhoe attachments for my Ford 4400 Tractor and came home with sticker shock. About the same time someone on ATIS mentioned 'CAD Digger' and off I went to explore it. Well, as it turns out, I can build a 'Digger' from scratch for about $2000, much cheaper than a backhoe attachment, and it is towable and leaves the tractor free for loader work. The following is my photo history in the construction of my 'Digger'. I will also include the cost of materials along the way and the side cost due to needing special skills I did not have (welding). Total cost to build: $2588.08 includes cost of welder, welding course, plans, motor, steel, hydraulics, wheels, and misc.
The Metal
The metal was ordered, delivered, and scattered in my garage.
The Start
I started the project in mid December 1997, worked for a few, days then had to put everything on hold for the holidays. We spent most of our Christmas Vacataion at the farm working on the road in the rain (that's another story), I could have really used the digger.
Finishing the Frame
After Christmas, we returned to South Fl. (we work here). As soon as I walked into my office, I found airline tickets on my desk and spent another week out-of-town. Once that was out of the way, I got back to my evening work of building the frame (completed 1/19/98) and added the wheels (1/20/98). The following are the picture progress to this point.
Frame
The Frame held no special supprises and went together just as the plans indicated. The hole in the top plate was drilled and centered by my next door neighbor. I did not make the hole in the bottom plate as yet to allow for alignment when I install the boom piviot. (by the way - I owe my next door neighbor, Rich Spoerr, a big thanks since he was often able to get replacement metal for things I messed up)
Axle
Wheels
Boom and Extension
Pivot
Outriggers
Aligning the parts
Engine and pump
Hitch
Bucket components and Assembly
Inspector Spot gives approval
Plumbing
Completed, painted, and Ready to go to the farm
These are the final construction pictures. Next pictures will be the Digger in action.
Cost Breakdown
The following is the detail cost to date for building my 'CAD Digger'.
$ 75.00 10HP Engine bought at Fla Flyweelers Swap Meet.
$ 766.50 Steel
$ 455.64 Hydraulic Parts
$ 119.95 The Plans from CAD Digger
$ 317.99 Sears AC/DC 250AMP Welder
$ 297.00 2 quarters at the local VocTec welding course
$ 301.00 Wheels, tires, bearings, axles, and stuff
$ 255.00 Misc final cost (Lead weight, nuts, bolts, paint, and trailer lights)