JD 4400 Combine ready for maiden Voyage ?!?!?!?!

Got ol Corey to sweep out the cab for me. Pretty clean for a 29 year old combine.

See if y'all can think of anything I haven't checked.

1. Engine and transmission OK. Oil and Coolant are still at the top with no leaking nor burning of oil.
2. Tires are aired up and power steering is working great.
3. Transmission and differentials are full.
4. Brake fluid reservoir full and the brakes are bled. They don't work very good though.
5. I will add 10 gallons of gas prior to heading home. The trip will take 4 miles.
6. Lights and flashing lights inop. along with no radio.
7. Tach and water temp. gauges are inop. I have run the engine 30 minutes on 5 separate occasions and have not seen any boiling over. Think I'm safe?
8. No Hydraulic leaks! The second hydraulic steering line showed no leaks after replacing the first one today. Don't see any hydraulic leaks anywhere at all.
9. Grain table rises nicely and stays up all the time with no sagging. That is my emergency brake.
10. Cell phone is charged.
11. Planning on a police escort, being Indianapolis, and my retired mechanic will be there with his tow truck just in case.

Anybody think of anything else?

Somewhere on the cab or close to it you should be able to find a spot to run a bolt through and into the bottom of the camera. Most of the ones I've seen have 1/4" threads, so a bolt, a couple of washers and two nuts, one to hold the bolt firm in the combine, and one to lock the camera in place, should do it. You can always cushion it a little with a layer of old innertube, or something similar. If all else fails, pad it with a couple of kitchen sponges and DUCT-TAPE the thing onto the side of the ladder!! There shouldn't be enough vibration to hurt it; another guy and I mounted one on a go-kart once and got some really neat footage! That should be a lot worse environment than on a combine!

You'll end up with a treasured memento of the trip, and something Corey will show HER grandkids someday!

Find a couple of other folks to borrow cameras from, and you could have the makings of a feature film! Edit the thing down to a clean documentary, and Kim would probably sell the thing here on the YT site!

Look at it this way..... if something bad happens on the trip, like a wheel falls off at 10mph, the ride captured on the tape will win you $10,000 on Funniest Home Videos!

Hunger has hit. I'm gonna head for Steak & Shake and get some nourishment before finishing up what work has to be done in here today. Maybe I'll think even more clearly on a full stomach!

Have you considered what a neat video you could get if you headed that thing up on the interstate for a short trip, or simply waited until 500 race day to move it?

I'm not sure this is progress: going from flying jets around Oklahoma to driving a Combine for 4 miles in Indy. It does look like you just can't break the habit of filing a flight plan though.

Try not to burn rubber on your startup

Forget the police escort, I think it might actually make things worse, but it might get you on the news. Just think, Combine chased by Indianapolis police dept with lights and all flashing. It'll be the biggest thing since OJ.

Seriously, Just drive it home. Have someone follow you with their flashers on. Stay off the main roads if possible. And have a good time cuz you'll have a lot of people going--What the Heck is that and What is it doing here?!!

Talked to my neighbor and she doesn't mind the combine being parked in my yard next to her property.

I definitely won't be running this thing supersonic on the way home.

2) Channel 13 News Helicopter...?

3) Sign which says "Raceway Park or Bust!"

When do you plan to do this???

Right now about any weekend with good weather. I could move it right now but the traffic is getting heavy already. I just drove the 4.2 mile route.

Sunday mornings always seem to be good times to move stuff, early Sunday.

--->Paul

Good Luck!