And now on to the last haul of the Big Show, Jada's Barney Fife

[Pullstart 63,495]

I can’t tell y’all how good this is, what a feeling!

 

I need to get that kid out here to help prep the frame, so we can start assembly!

 

 

 

[dells68 7,498]

Very nice Kevin!  When you’re done, no one will ever know it didn’t come that way!

[Pullstart 63,495]

The crack has been welded on the front and back side.  If it was a “class A” body panel, I’d tack / peen / grind / repeat as @19richie66 taught me.  This isn’t so critical so I just did a series of tacks and will now grind it in.

 

 

[19richie66 17,542]

I’m no pro.... I just followed the teachings of one. I’m no master by far. 

[Pullstart 63,495]

26 minutes ago, 19richie66 said:

I’m no pro.... I just followed the teachings of one. I’m no master by far. 

 

Everybody learned from someone... or by mistakes!  You taught me, Buddy 

[dells68 7,498]

35 minutes ago, pullstart said:

 

Everybody learned from someone... or by mistakes!  You taught me, Buddy 

That’s what life is, a series of mistakes and learning.  No one is ever too old to learn something.  After teaching 22 years, I learn something from my 7 and 8 year olds every day!  Living is learning and learning is living!

[Pullstart 63,495]

Jada’s prepping and cleaning the frame and I need to weld the tins together!

 

 

[Pullstart 63,495]

The tins all got welded yesterday afternoon, before the storms came rolling through.  Not too much more than a crazy light show and some good booms.  They were predicting golf ball sized hail for us and up to 2-1/2” diameter stones about 40-50 miles north.

 

The round hoods have a pair of 1” strapping braces from the steering block to the tower just under the fuel tank.  We did a dry assembly of the tower with the lift handle and will see if the braces from the 552 will work.  The 753 did not have any braces left.  I bet they’re around somewhere!

 

I’ll likely add another 3/8” bolt to either side of the tower on the frame as well.  There isn’t really any good hold down behind the shifter box, most likely the reason the rear strapping brakes so often!  I also noticed a good deal of rubbing from a seat spring on that rear brace, so we’ll clearance a 1/4” or so from that area to create a bit more wiggle room.

 

 

[Pullstart 63,495]

These are the uprights we’ll use if possible.

 

 

[Pullstart 63,495]

Upright supports and parking brake lever borrowed from the 552 “Poppy” 

Edited April 8, 2020 by pullstart
Picture

[Pullstart 63,495]

 

[Pullstart 63,495]

Extra tower holes are drilled.  I think I’ll end up doing this to all round hoods from now on.  

 

 

[Pullstart 63,495]

There are a few tabs that need spot welding back on...

 

 

[Pullstart 63,495]

The uprights will not fit, the 857 tower is shorter than that of a 552.

 

We’ll have to build some.  Oh bummer we need to build something!?!?  

 

 

[Achto 28,154]

2 hours ago, pullstart said:

 There isn’t really any good hold down behind the shifter box, most likely the reason the rear strapping brakes so often!

 

When I built Radpferd I eliminated the strap across the back & welded tabs on the outside of the tower, these tabs were then bolted to the tool box under the seat. Belt guard and brake shield will cover every thing up when you are finished.

[Pullstart 63,495]

2 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

When I built Radpferd I eliminated the strap across the back & welded tabs on the outside of the tower, these tabs were then bolted to the tool box under the seat. Belt guard and brake shield will cover every thing up when you are finished.

 

Do you happen to have pictures of that?  I don’t follow exactly.

[Achto 28,154]

2 minutes ago, pullstart said:

Do you happen to have pictures of that?  I don’t follow exactly

 

Not on me, I'll pull the brake shield off & get you a pic of that side tonight.

[Pullstart 63,495]

52 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

Not on me, I'll pull the brake shield off & get you a pic of that side tonight.

 

Like an piece on angle iron on that inside corner?

 

 

I was also considering some strapping dropping down onto the frame as far back as possible?

 

[Achto 28,154]

6 minutes ago, pullstart said:

Like an piece on angle iron on that inside corner?

 

 

 

Exactly !!! Did that on both sides Instead of using the single strap in the middle. I welded to the tower and used two bolts on each side to connect to the tool box.  I also added the extra bolt on each side to the front mount of the tower like you did.  Once everything was bolted down the whole assembly felt good & sturdy. 

[Pullstart 63,495]

1 minute ago, Achto said:

 

 

Exactly !!! Did that on both sides Instead of using the single strap in the middle. I welded to the tower and used two bolts on each side to connect to the tool box.  I also added the extra bolt on each side to the front mount of the tower like you did.  Once everything was bolted down the whole assembly felt good & sturdy. 

 

Before checking back in with ya, I discussed options with Jada.  We agreed that angle iron would be the best option.  We also agreed that these tractors have been beat much harder by much heavier operators than her, for many years... so any improvements we do are likely to outlast us!

 

 

[Pullstart 63,495]

Wheelhorse repurposed!

[Achto 28,154]

25 minutes ago, pullstart said:

I discussed options with Jada.

 

It's good to hear that you had a quick meeting to get Jada involved before making a decision.

[Pullstart 63,495]

Final assembly in place!  Like her mother, no pain is needed.  Just clean up and go.

 

 

[Pullstart 63,495]

[D_Mac 8,942]

Is it getting any paint or you gonna leave it as is?