Starting to convert a Massey Ferguson 8680 to RC

[julian11]

Hi all I want to tell you that I start working on a mf 8680, as it is my first experience with rc technology before buying accessories like to ask those who know how to work on this is what I need, a transmitter recommended that me the possibility of various functions such as rc models siku (backing down forward, steering, front and rear lights, and the ability to connect any attachment that has similar characteristics to the original siku), also as a theme of the receiver, engine, gearbox, servo, etc..



I hope someone can guide me in this project that I started, and I have read all the info on the website but as I am newbie I do not understand much.



The Victim:



Project costs to date:

MF 8680 1/32 SIKU................. 20 u$s

[RC Tractor Guy]

Hi Julian,

First off great to see a post like this popping up, always interesting to follow a build and I hope it goes well for you. This was the first tractor I chose for my RC tractor attempt too.

Do you have experience with micro controller programming? That is how I do it, you get a lot more functionality but its much more complicate.

An alternative method and most common method would be to use standard RC components like receivers and transmitters these are quite big. If you know of an RC model shop near you then maybe you could bring your model in and ask them what they think you could use. They might have something from a little plane or helicopter. The easiest way to get over the size problem is to get a trailer (a big slurry tank would be a good choice as you could hide everything in the tank) and place the battery and receiver in the trailer. It would mean you always needed the trailer but for your first build it would make it so much easier.

As for motors I'd use the SIKU one if you can get it, I used the motor from the SIKU Fendt 930 which I got from this website www.modellbau-schulte.de . It is quite expensive so maybe someone else will have an alternative but its the best I've found so far. I just used mini servos from hobby king for the steering, part number HK15178.

Any more questions feel free to ask, I'll answer as soon as I can and hopefully others will join in the discussion.

[julian11]

Thanks for the reply, I honestly never had experience with the radio, I researched and receivers are all prepared to scale 1/10 so they are too big to this models.

I have been researching the systems you use, I have read all topics and forum sections here and on your website, I see them in and look complicated, but with the proper help I would like to learn to do this just need a little help and instructives to know about the rc world.

[RC Tractor Guy]

Okay well if you are sure you want to try my way and you know it can be expensive then the first thing you'll need to get an learn is an Arduino. I've started using the Arduino mini in most of my models because it is very small, ideal for this job really. You'll need something to program it, I use an FTDI cable to program mine. Arduino boards use C programming language and there is a lot of guys using arduino boards for different things so programming problems can be easily solved. I'm no expert but I'll post my code on the site to try and help, I'll also post a picture of the ftdi cable and arduino mini to show you about it. I'll try do that today if I can.

You'll then need some kind of radio, do you know if you want to try make lots of tractors or one would be okay? If you only want to make one then you could use a much cheaper radio than I do. Even if you want to make more, it probably wouldn't be too much hassle to use a cheaper radio and just don't turn multiple tractors on at once. You could also use bluetooth and a smart phone or tablet to control it if you just wanted to use one tractor. Would mean no complicated controller. If you can make a decision on that I'll give you advice on what has worked for me. What would you prefer?

You'll need a steering servo and a motor. Also a method of controlling your motor, the best way is to use a motor controller chip like a SN754410NE but an alternative is to take the control board out of a servo and use it to drive the motor. Be warned, the servo board is simple and fast but you can never really get the tractor to stop. My Fendt uses this system and it moves a little all the time. So you'll need to decide on that too.

[julian11]

Sorry for late reply. I've been busy.
This is my first time so i want to make very simple, only i want to control only one tractor soy i think a bassical rc control will be nice , what do you reccomend?

At momment i have:

-Tamiya Educational Kit Mini Motor Low Speed Gearbox - 4-Speed (70189)
-TowerPro SG90 9G micro small servo motor.
-MB102 830 Tie Points Solderless PCB Breadboard MB-102 + 65PCS Jumper cable wires

I dont know what kind of arduino board and tools to program i need , but with help i can do it.

If you are willing to help me I think I'll be able to learn to manage system arduino and achieve complete the project, and then I can also improve knowledge and make more complex systems.

[RC Tractor Guy]

That motor is good but you may have trouble fitting it into your tractor, you'll know better when you see it beside the tractor. If you can get it in then you have the ability to try different gear ratios which would be cool.

That servo is smaller and more powerful than the one I used so that should be great, good choice.

Solderless PCB and jumper cables are also a good choice, it will make testing much easier.

I'd definitely get an arduino mini and an ftdi cable. The software is free and you can use the ftdi cable to test your code i.e. use it as a wired link instead of a wireless one for testing. You just need to be careful of what voltages you use on each pin, nothing over 5volts and you can't draw more than 20mA from an output pin so you can't connect the motor or strong LEDs directly to output pins you need a motor driver like an L293 and some small transistors for strong LEDs (maybe 2n2222).

I got two radio modulse on ebay a long time ago and didn't get a chance to try them out the ebay seller called them "FSK 2.4G RF Wireless transceiver Modules RFM70 Atmega AVR Arduino SPI 1.9~3.6V". They are very small and would probably be ideal for a single tractor set up, I'll check them out and let you know if they are easy to use.

I think what I will do is make a video going through how to set up an RC tractor without actually building it because fitting everything in and wiring the tractor takes forever. What I will do is set everything up on a bread board and test it. That way you and anyone else interested can see exactly what goes into my tractor. I'll try do that at the weekend but again I can't guarantee I'll have the time, sorry about that.

I think you'll find the tractor an easy enough build it will just be time consuming and frustrating at times trying to fit the motors and wires into the small vehicle but you should be fine. The tricky part is the controller, I intend to design and get made some RC Tractors controllers mostly for myself but you have to buy like 10 PCBs at a time so I'd probably have a few to sell later if they were any good but that could be a long way in the future. I heard of a new arduino called arduino esplora which might be a good choice for you, it has a joystick and some buttons so you could probably control your tractor easily but I haven't tried it myself.