Work Horse GT1600 restoration and conversion to Hydro

[rick 233]

They sure look nice!

[cleat 5,798]

9 hours ago, rick said:

They sure look nice!

Thanks.

The wheels are great.

Tires especially the fronts are quite cracked but I'll run them as long as they last.

They all hold air as they already had tubes in them.

This is my first time painting wheels white as all my other tractors have silver wheels.

I hope the clear coat helps with them staying nice and bright white.

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,212]

9 minutes ago, cleat said:

Tires especially the fronts are quite cracked but I'll run them as long as they last.

They all hold air as they already had tubes in them.

 

As long as you can't see the tube from the outside you'll be fine. 

[cleat 5,798]

3 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

As long as you can't see the tube from the outside you'll be fine. 

No tube poking through yet.

I would buy new fronts as they are easy to get but I am hoping to track down a set of 8" wheels for this machine eventually.

The rears fortunately are much better with just some cracking between the treads but none on the sidewalls.

 

[cleat 5,798]

Rear fender stripped of decals and sanded.

This is a spare later model fender as the Work Horse fender had no access for the hydro cam adjustments and this one is in better shape.

I will give it one more sanding before prime and paint.

It just started to rain so I had to stop (I sand and paint outside to keep the shop clean as possible).

 

 

[cleat 5,798]

Fender primed top and bottom.

 

Left side cover painted.

 

Right side cover painted.

 

It is very hot and humid here right now and rains a lot so I am getting this done when I can.

 

[ebinmaine 67,212]

Looks excellent! 

[cleat 5,798]

Fender painted.

 

[kpinnc 11,877]

13 hours ago, cleat said:

Fender painted.

 

That is beautiful! I like the color choice on this project! 

[cleat 5,798]

7 hours ago, kpinnc said:

 

That is beautiful! I like the color choice on this project! 

The basic Tremclad silver aluminum sprayed on gives me the colour I was looking for.

When you spray clear over it, you get a pretty good shine too.

 

So far only the foot rests have been cleared as I want the paint to be well dried before applying it.

 

[cleat 5,798]

I bought this relatively cheap spray gun and used it to paint the side covers and rear fender.

It is a learning curve as I have never used one of these before.

I normally use rattle cans.

Wow, does this thing ever get the job done fast.

 

 

Once the hood gets welded up I will paint it as well.

Hard to find Varsol as it has been recalled in Canada at least.

I tried some low odour mineral spirits and that simply did not work well.

Finally found real nice and stinky Varsol and that works well for thinning and cleanup.

 

Edited August 4 by cleat

[ebinmaine 67,212]

Just now, cleat said:

spray gun

 

The Paint Department AKA BBT Trina has been mulling over getting one for several years. 

Biggest reason we haven't is purely convenience. 

Spray can paint doesn't have anywhere near the durability of auto grade but the cans are easy to pick up and put down and use whenever she wants or needs.  

No clean up.  

 

 

 

[Thor27 767]

@cleat always impressed by the quality of your builds, just want to say thanks for documenting them so well. Beautiful tractor btw.

[cleat 5,798]

I hope it will look good when it finally gets put together. 

More importantly I hope it runs and operates well.

Time will tell.

I am headed over the border to pick up more parts for this unit next week.

[cleat 5,798]

Fender clear coat applied.

 

Left side cover clear coat applied.

 

Right side cover clear coat applied.

 

[cleat 5,798]

Hood had several holes drilled in the front and was cracked on the bottom.

 

Holes have been welded in and mostly ground flat and sanded.

 

Bottom has been welded up.

 

This early hood did not come with the brace.

 

Brace made up and welded in.

 

Still lots more sanding and prep left to do before painting but this is a start.

 

[c-series don 8,652]

Now is a good time to remind everyone that this is Cleats “WINTER” project!!!  😂

[ebinmaine 67,212]

31 minutes ago, c-series don said:

Now is a good time to remind everyone that this is Cleats “WINTER” project!!!  😂

 

Mebbe winter starts this early in Canada 🇨🇦 😬???

[cleat 5,798]

Yea yea yea.

I am getting the paintwork done now so it has lots of time to dry.

That is my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[cleat 5,798]

Upper steering shaft bead blasted and painted.

 

Steering tube cleaned up and polished.

 

Thanks to ebinmaine for these parts.

It will be great to have the proper steering wheel on this tractor that this shaft and tube will facilitate.

 

 

Edited August 14 by cleat

[cleat 5,798]

Engine pulley for the hydro conversion bead blasted and painted.

 

Thanks to c-series don for this pulley.

Finding the larger hydro pulley with the 1" bore required for the Briggs engine is difficult but Don came through.

 

[cleat 5,798]

Front engine air cover was badly bent on this tractor when I got it.

c-series don sent me this nice straight one.

Here is the difference.

 

Here is the cover as I received it.

Great shape just needs some bead blasting and sanding.

 

 

Cover cleaned up and primed.

 

Don even sent me this cool decal.

 

[cleat 5,798]

Cover now has 2 coats of semi gloss black.

I left the decal on even though it is for an 18HP and my engine is 16HP because I think it looks better than no decal.

I can't find a source for new decals.

 

 

[rjg854 11,344]

4 hours ago, cleat said:

 

I can't find a source for new decals.

 

 

 

Terry at redo your horse.com           

[Lee1977 6,633]

On 7/16/2024 at 11:09 AM, cleat said:

 

Well, part of your issue is the lift arm does not go there it goes where you see it in this picture.

 

The bushing OD is 5/8" ID is .5" Length from under flande to end of bushing is 3/8", OD of flange is 3/4"

 

Not sure witch frame you have there most deck lift rod are 1/2" with a 1/2" ID and 5/8" OD bushing.  I guess they up graded the rod on later 520  to 5/8" rod for the 60" deck.

 

oF