3D Printed Kinze 1050 Sof-Tred Grain Cart - My First N Scale Farm Implement

Inspired by this year's harvest, I decided to design a grain cart to roll beside my Wilson grain trailers.  The Kinze 1050 bushel carts are quite common, so I used it as my prototype.  It should also make a nice load once I get a drop deck trailer designed.  My N scale version features a folding auger which can be secured in either the folded or extended position.  This model has 76x50 flotation tires like the prototype, but I also have a the row-crop version with dual tires as well, and a set should be arriving from Shapeways later this week.  I may also design a third version which would feature tracks instead of tires, to round out the 3 options available from Kinze.

Overall I'm happy with how this model turned out.  There was a fair amount of cleaning to get the raw model ready for primer.  I shot a nice thick coat of white primer on one of the wagons tonight, before I snapped these photos.  The other wagon with the folded auger is not yet primed, but dry after the solvent bath.  A nice coat of blue paint, and some white stripes around the top, and this grain cart should be ready for work.  Now I just need to start working on that combine I was thinking about.

This is my first of likely many more farm implements to come.  This addiction to 3d printing is my strongest yet.  I have no idea how far this will go....

 

Here is a good illustration of how I designed the auger to be in either a folded or extended position.  The wagon on the left is unpainted, while the wagon on the right has been primed.  I designed the wagon as a base, separate auger, and separate tires, for easier painting and assembly.

My Latest Tractor - Mack Vision

I took a break from my other projects to design this new addition.  It's a Mack Vision, very early 2000's version.  I'll be ordering a test print soon.  I also have some other really neat models coming.

It's the Little Things in Life - Shapeways Packages

I got home today to find a Shapeways box on my doorstep.  After a long eye roll from my wife, I quickly grabbed a knife and opened it like my kids open presents on Christmas morning.  Nothing out of the ordinary this time, but lots of stuff to replenish my ebay inventory, and some models for some friends.  Kinda silly, but I decided to take a few photos to illustrate the experience of receiving a Shapeways package if you have never ordered anything for yourself.

I must say that the quality of the raw prints in my last several orders is outstanding.  Shapeways has retooled some of their website experience, and I have also noticed a difference in how they QC an order before it goes to the printer.  I have had to tweak some things in my files for them from time to time, but overall, I can tell that their goal is to identify problems up front, and avoid some of the initial success but subsequent failure in filling orders.

I continue to use Bestine as my soaking agent.  I have moved away from the jar and now have a flatter plastic container for ease of lifting the models out of the bath.  As you can see from the photo, I just dropped these models into the bath tonight, and they were very clean raw models, with little waxy residue on them.  I think Shapeways is getting the hang of this.  Now if we can get some better pricing on their frosted ultra detail (FUD).

Kenworth W900 Flat Top - Coming Soon!

Here is a project that I have been working on for awhile, and put to the side when things got busy.  I have since picked up the project again and hope to have my design ready for printing soon.  Stay tuned.