Colby 560 is making progress... let me know what you think?

OK guys...

Progress, we are making progress.

-Replaced front tires, after sandblasting/ blk primer. Firestone 6.50 x16"

-Check out the "cover" made for the head on the tractor, this will allow us to clean, paint with ZERO risk of anything getting in the engine. This was laser cut if anyone needs one message me.

-Rear casting, WOW are they going to look amazing. Should be done next week along with the weights too. All the mounting bolts and hardware for rear rims to casting is powder coated same as rims. Plan is to remount castings after they are completed and they will get "red" with tractor.

-We are going to removed the oil pan & few other engine parts and get them sandblasted and primed next week.

-the ceramic manifold looks amazing, wow. Having full system in ceramic, intake, exhaust, pipe & muffler.

Still planning to make RPRU this year.... my "team" decided we are not going to give up quality though. We are in full get R done mode!

NO sandblasting to the actual tractor, lots of prep to get it right....

Seriously THANKS to everyone for the help! It's coming along. OH and so is our 1st baby, due in Sept. SO this WILL be done LONG before that! Have any good girl names??

Here's all the photos....
http://colby560.shutterfly.com/

Check this site out. http://www.leejsackett.com/tractor.html This kid restores these tractors to EXCELLENT condition and blasts them all. He does the same thing you were going to do with plates and silicone. I have seen his work at the 2 cyl expo and it is #1. There are 30+ tractors that he has done on his site and I haven't seen anybody complain about sand problems. I have a feeling it all has to do with prep work.

thanks... after a careful decision, we thought it would be best to not sand blast it. Condition of this tractor just doesn't need it, but it's all about the prep no question. We are going to prep this the every best we can. Anything we can remove and blast/prime we will and have been.

this is exciting, we have come so far.

Sandblasting is for COMPLETE teardown.I would find sand inside about ANY tractor that was together and supossedly "sealed up".

Looks really good so far. I really want my manifold on my Ford ceramic coated. You are WAY past the "middle" mark with your refurbish.


Say with it.

agree with you Mike.... if it was going to completely ZERO to the last part I totally would but we have no need for that. We have gone far enough

I have seen a REALLY sharp tractor that was blasted and it turned out great.... BUT they were much worse than mine. They did great job cleaning up tractor before painting and you couldn't tell either.

I know this project is WAY WAY over the top.. but there is SO much history here, have to do it. Dad would be SO proud.

Hello wire wheel

You realize, of course, that you aren't going to be able to use this tractor after you get it done. The landlord re-furbished JD's & then they sat in the shed covered up with old curtains & sheets until the next time they needed washed.

(quoted from post at 02:54:40 05/26/12) Check this site out. http://www.leejsackett.com/tractor.html This kid restores these tractors to EXCELLENT condition and blasts them all. He does the same thing you were going to do with plates and silicone. I have seen his work at the 2 cyl expo and it is #1. There are 30+ tractors that he has done on his site and I haven't seen anybody complain about sand problems. I have a feeling it all has to do with prep work.

Click to expand...

Your correct it all has to do with prep work and the correct equipment, pot, amount of compressed air, etc... The guy who's going to do my Super M has been blasting tractors for 30 years and never has a issue with the said ruining the tractor.

Yep - Gianna (pronounced gee-on-ah). Whatever you name her...ENJOY! They grow up so fast.

Tractor restoration will be beautiful. Post pics when done.

I agree, that sand gets into places you wouldn t think it possibly could, and you can t see it all. I get sand in my ears even with a full hood over my head ! lol

(quoted from post at 04:54:05 05/26/12)

(quoted from post at 02:54:40 05/26/12) Check this site out. http://www.leejsackett.com/tractor.html This kid restores these tractors to EXCELLENT condition and blasts them all. He does the same thing you were going to do with plates and silicone. I have seen his work at the 2 cyl expo and it is #1. There are 30+ tractors that he has done on his site and I haven't seen anybody complain about sand problems. I have a feeling it all has to do with prep work.

Click to expand...

Your correct it all has to do with prep work and the correct equipment, pot, amount of compressed air, etc... The guy who's going to do my Super M has been blasting tractors for 30 years and never has a issue with the said ruining the tractor.

Click to expand...

Where is he located?

(quoted from post at 16:58:24 05/26/12)

(quoted from post at 04:54:05 05/26/12)

(quoted from post at 02:54:40 05/26/12) Check this site out. http://www.leejsackett.com/tractor.html This kid restores these tractors to EXCELLENT condition and blasts them all. He does the same thing you were going to do with plates and silicone. I have seen his work at the 2 cyl expo and it is #1. There are 30+ tractors that he has done on his site and I haven't seen anybody complain about sand problems. I have a feeling it all has to do with prep work.

Click to expand...

Your correct it all has to do with prep work and the correct equipment, pot, amount of compressed air, etc... The guy who's going to do my Super M has been blasting tractors for 30 years and never has a issue with the said ruining the tractor.

Click to expand...

Where is he located?

Click to expand...

New Vienna, IA

My dad did it professionally for over 15 years.(I helped as a kid.) Some people just do not realize how hard that sand is coming out of that nozzle!!!! It forces its way in DEEP!

On MY Ford,I sandblasted it together knowing I was taking ALL the way down after.When I split the engine away,you should have seen how much sand was in the bellhousing!

I use an 80 grit flap wheel onthe cast iron, wheels, manifolds etc. Try one on a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder.

Lots of prep to make this a very very good tractor when we are done.

thanks guys.... we are going to step our work to do what we can to make RPRU this year.

Anyone going to Heritage Tractor Ride in Morris IL with Max Armstrong? We will most likely head up to see the iron. Cant wait to attend myself.

Dad and I went in 2010, just before he passed away from sudden heart attack. We decided then we were going to redo our 560 & began our plans to do just that... ugh. When someone asked me why am I making this tractor something people will remember when it's done? Answer is simple, this one's for you dad.