Commando 6 Restoration

[COMMANDO6 20]

So, my parents bought this tractor from the original owner in the early 90’s to do landscaping and lawn work. It also had the 36 inch deck and 42 inch plow. It was in pristine condition and had all the original manuals for the tractor, deck, and plow. We even have the plastic bag those papers were enclosed in at the dealer. And the tractor was used, for landscaping, pulling a craftsman dump cart, and plowing the driveway in winter.

Fast forward a couple years, and my dad needed a bigger tractor. He was actually thinking of buying a 414-8 or even a 520. But he ended up buying a Kubota B7100 HST with a FEL and a backhoe by Kelly. This tractor has gotten a lot of use. My dad needed a place to keep the Kubota, so the Commando 6 was kicked out of it’s place in the garage and left outside.

About 5 years later, we are going to move. So my dad and I dig the tractor out and we bring it along to our new house. The next summer, my dad effectively gives it to me, and we make a project of repainting it and making it run. Since then, It has worked hard, leveling the ground for our neighbor’s pool and sweeping the lawn with an Agri-fab sweeper after the Kubota mows.

So I’ve been waiting a while, and have finally started a proper restoration on it. I wish to make the tractor shine like new. I have the decals for the tractor itself, but I’m going to need those for the deck, plow and engine. I have just about all the parts for it, but there are some little things I will need like an original starter switch, new gaskets for the transmission, new hubcaps, etc.

I started with the wheels.

Here's how it was when I started:

Blasted and masked:

Makeshift spray booth and my fancy method for hanging the wheels:

Feeling sorry for itself:

After a hard day's work:

This week I hope to start on the rest, starting with the hood and fender, then working my way down to the frame. I am going to have to split the tranny, the gasket between the two halves is bad.

My goal is to have this done before it snows.

[Don1977 604]

You have it looking better already, Keep up the good work. I guess you know that there is a Transmission manual in the" Files" section. Kind of hard to find because it doesn't say Transmission it's been clip off. Bottom section (Most Watched) third one on the very bottom.

[COMMANDO6 20]

Yep I've already seen it.

[COMMANDO1 23]

NICE COMMANDO......WILL BE GETTING TO MINE SOON..

[COMMANDO6 20]

Well, It's been a couple weeks now, but I've finally started moving forward with this project. Over the past 2 days, I've sandblasted the hood and most of the fender pan. The plan is to finish the fender and whatever else possible (like the hood stand, or tins on the tranny) today after school and over the weekend get a coat of primer on them. It will probably be slow going because I have school, but I'll try to get as much time in to get this project done.

Here's some pictures:

Faceless

And here's where she stands now.

I need to clean out the sandblaster before I can resume work, I think the nozzle is clogged. Also I need to get a new water trap for the air compressor.

Also, I read a thread a while ago where someone had and was selling the rubber bumpers for the fender. Anyone know who this was and if he still has some available?

[Jake Kuhn 1,555]

Looking good! :handgestures-thumbup:

[KATO 115]

IF your talking about the ones that rest on the trans tunnel i think their part number 5667 , the same as my raider and their still available from Toro for about 2.00 each.

KEN

[VinsRJ 721]

Looks like a very good start!

[COMMANDO6 20]

Heres some pictures of the progress I've made after school today. The hood, fender, belt guard, and the piece directly in front of the dash are all blasted and about ready for primer. I am going to use some Bondo autobody filler to fill some pitting on the fender and belt guard tomorrow.

The head of my blaster and my arms and clothes were such a lovely shade of red!

[AMC RULES 37,130]

Looks like you're making some good progress, keep up the great work. :thumbs:

[neil 2,409]

great job you are doing. its gonna look real smart when done

[COMMANDO6 20]

I've gotten a bit more done. The hood, fender, and belt guard are in primer. Yesterday I started blasting some cast iron parts (footrest, brake pedal, lift arm mount...).

I don't have school today in observance of Yon Kipur, so I plan on getting more blasted today. But the weather doesn't look too promising. I'll try to get some pics up later.

[COMMANDO6 20]

Hi all. So, between school and events on the weekends, I haven't had much time to work on the tractor. It's made me anxious. On the days I didn't have homework after school, it was raining or too cold and of course on the beautiful days, I had piles of homework. But today, I didn't have any homework, and it was a beautiful warm fall day. Yes!

So I finished prepping and primed the body piece thingy, footrests, brake pedal and some other little pieces I've had blasted for a while.

So that's my slow progress. I would love so much to get the tractor done before winter, but I don't see that happening. But I'll push forward. I'll also try to post pics later or tomorrow.

Sadly it's supposed to rain.