 Here's a pic of 'as purchased'. I've dropped the woods mower from underneath it. The mower is 100% functional.. but needs serious attention. lots of rust holes in the deck.. but no 'structural' problems. All spindle bearings appear good as well as blade carrier and ORC ratchet. I'll keep that as a summer project, and concentrate on the tractor for now. It had a ratty 4x12 3 rib tire on one front.. and a ratty 4.8x12 trailer tire on the other front. I couldn't find any affordable 4x12 3 ribs anywhere.. but got an ok deal on some 5x12's, and they look good. Rears are 6x30 and 95% new. I just got the new aftermarket hood, and a used rear cowling with a new cast crank hole. I should be getting a set of custom shortened 'california' fenders battery box and lid on monday, as well as a new replacement manifold and muffler to keep as parts in case I don't end up likeing the custom muffler /manifold combo on it now. I picked up a 30w/6v lamp for the front of it.. but will hold off installing it till everything else is done. Just to get the body work started, I buffed all the old paint and rust off the used cowling.. that took hours. I had to fabricate some bracket standoffs to make the cowling have an extra 1/2 inch of rear clearance for the new manifold The previous owner never had sheet metal on it.. so when they fabricated a new manifold and muffler. it was just a tad too big for the rear cowling.. and I didn't want to cut the rear cowling.. they are hard to come by. I mounted up the hood using some plank plates instead of fenders. I had previously primed the hood and cowling. I've wire-whelled the tractor save the engine and rear axles. I'm going to hit a few of the greasy areas with simple green and scrub them down, and then prime the rest of the frame when the temp warms up. I've primed the front rims.. but remounted them to move the tractor into prep position. I'll get it up on jack stands this week, and unmount all 4 rims, plus the rear centers for paint prep. By then i should have the battery box and fenders on. I'm going with silver/cad on the rims, and orange on all else save the steering wheel (flat black ) and the exhaust ( hi-temp black ). I already have the paint reducer and hardner just waiting for good weather.. and time off work. I fabricated a footrest based on a pattern from the right side, and have installed a simple solid bar in the hyd lift/tool carrier, where the MM-mower used to hang / attatch. Added a flap cap to the upright muffler...replaced the old studebaker fan belt that was on it. I'll need to fabricate a choke and starter push rod out of some 3/16 rod stock when i get time. That's what's on the table so far. I'll try to get some updated pics if my 5 year old finicky digital camera works with me.. Soundguy
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