Second Automatic 18 Loader Tractor

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

All-

I picked this one up about 2 weeks ago with a blown rear end. It had a lot of things my current loader machine did not have. (tight steering, 3 point hitch, nothing cut etc etc) I decided to combine mine and this one and make one good one. I swapped the rebuilt rear end out of the loader tractor and all the sheetmetal I had sandblasted and painted. I was able to repaint all the tins once more as I tried to wet sand and it just did not work

I am yet to install the 3 point and after I get the loader sand blasted I will paint and install that. This will end up being one nice machine. I did not go crazy with the paint or body work since it is going to be a real worker. Here are some pics.

Here is what is left of the first one with parts swapped. If you are interested in parts, let me know.

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

Guys,

One more thing I forgot to ask... The grill is how I got it (black) and still needs paint. What is the correct color for the grill? I have seen both black and red I assume red is oem??

[Coadster32 793]

That thing looks like a real beast! Good luck with it. :D

[Horse Fanatic 49]

Looks great!

[rickv1957 72]

Steve,looks great! grill was red from factory,Rick

[papaglide 542]

Great looking tractor. Red grill might be OEM but the black one looks nice the way it is. Great job!

[Raider12 13]

Looks like you landed a good deal and have put the together to make a super nice machine. :D

[dgoyette 12]

Steve - looks great...and boy you sure do work fast. You always seem to do amazing work in a very short period of time.

My preference: paint that grill! While I generally like the black/red contrast in this case it is too much and I don't at all care for the grill being black.

[Ken B 3,164]

Nice job Steve. When we pulled up yesterday Jesse was amazed at what a beast the 18 auto was on the trailer. He asked if Cub Cadet ever made such a beast. Hell no I said!

[Duff 206]

Dang, Stevebo! That's one fine looking machine! I'm sure it will be an outstanding worker!

Duff :USA:

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

Thanks guys !! I installed the 3 point last night and will be starting on the clean up of the loader. I agree that the grill should be red. The black makes it stand out too much. So... drop that off to the sandblaster along with the bucket and hopefully by the end of the week I may have this bad boy complete. We did the compression test on this one before I moved everything over to it and we were over 105lbs on each cylinder.

[buckeye 5]

That looks too pretty to get dirty! Cannot wait to see it with a FEL. I bet RickV will be licking his lips and raising an eyebrow :D

[chesbaycruiser 82]

Well heck...I was about to weigh in to say I LIKED the black grill!

Is the FEL red or black? If red, I say leave the grill as is! :D

[bustedglass 1]

Red grill is OEM. But, that black grill just looks TUFF !!!

Just my .02 .

[Curmudgeon 28]

gotta agree, I like the black grill too.... but I never did worry about what the factory did, I do what I like. After all, it's my tractor now, they sold it! :D

[truckin88 104]

awesome, but where is the stevebo decal?

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

Will,

your eagle eyes missed it? Always in the left side panel :D

[truckin88 104]

Will,

your eagle eyes missed it? Always in the left side panel

sorta hidden by the cylinder head...but very nice man

[rickv1957 72]

I bet RickV will be licking his lips and raising an eyebrow

Your right,A nice D-Series will makes it happen!, Rick