bowtiebutler956

Congratulations Chris! Kids are a great blessing, and I have no doubt you'll raise him right. Looking forward to seeing pics. Matt

Thanks for the thumbs up. Not every time, just most of the time! Thank you sir. I'll have to get on that Ian, as it certainly isn't hard to do, and alot of fun too. Matt

I know its been awhile, but I thought I'd give an update on my work truck / toy. I never intended to go down the path that I have with this truck, but you guys know how it is. In the search for more power, its been upgraded to a much larger Holset HX35/40 hybrid turbo pushing between 19-25 psi of boost, depending where I have the wastegate set. I've installed a 31"x12"x3" air to air intercooler, as well as a 4" exhaust system I built myself. This big truck will do a 0-60 mph, or roughly 0-100 kph in under 10 seconds which is pretty good for a truck this heavy. Its also done a great job pulling some very heavy trailers. I haven't been doing much with my Garden tractors lately, as all my extra money has gone into my truck. Next on my list is a high output injection pump, and high pop injectors. Maybe then I'll be done? Matt

Its amazing how much reading a guy has to do to get caught up, when he hasn't been around awhile! Amazing work Ian! Matt

Thanks Ian. I tried the posi a few more time today, just to make sure! Good work Matt, the engine sounds great Yes, I'd say the posi is working The older ones like this aren't that expensive, but getting it to your side of the pond is a whole other story. Thank you Sir. Thanks, its been a fun project. Small parking spots are off limits for this truck! It takes a city block just to turn around. Hope to have more videos up soon. Thanks Matt

It Lives! The engine runs great. The truck still needs work, but its nice to be able to finially move it around under its own power. I decided to check posi traction in the rearend, and as you can see in the last pic, it works just fine. Here is a video.

It should run well. Its factory rated at 200 horsepower, but I've already turned up the fuel on the injection pump, as well as making an adjustable boost controller for the turbo, and I'm planning on running about 15-18 psi, as opposed to the factor 8-10 psi. You know how it is Ian. I just got sucked into my project. It should be a very handy truck when done. Its still going to be awhile as I, and my family are leaving the country for 10 days on Monday. We're going to Nicaragua, so my truck will have to wait a little longer. Got a few more pieces back on the engine today. Here are a couple pics. Thanks

I know its been awhile since I've posted, but I've been busy with my latest project. I've been looking for a work truck to replace my work van. Nothing fancy, just a nice big truck that I can mount my air compressor, generator, and other tools in. I found a 1993 Chevrolet K2500 4WD, 6.5 Turbo Diesel, with the engine taken apart. It has a decent interior, and the body is fair. It will make a perfect work truck. One that I can do whatever with, and not have to worry about scratches, and other things happening to it. I've given the engine a going thru. Replaced the piston rings, bearings, gaskets, new injector, and a few other things. The engine is about finished, and of course I had to paint it up pretty! If there is any part of your vehicle that you want to look good, its the engine, Right? Here are a few pics. Thanks Matt

Very Nice Machine!! I love all the hydraulics on it, and I love that it has a real shaft driven PTO as well. I think Gutbrod is about the only Garden Tractor with that feature. Looks like its doing a great job. Matt

Wow, that looks fantastic Richard! I love the way you take the time to polish the aluminum up. I'm curious as to what was wrong with the generator, as it really looks quite good inside, and with the crosshatch still showing in the engine, it can't have much time on it. Matt

That looks like alot of fun Nigel! Looks like your son was way out in front. Matt

Hello all. I haven't been around for awhile now, because I had to go out of town for a week, and then it took me over a week to get caught back up with work. Everything is now back to normal, and I was able to get back to work on my 444. I got the new travel control with built in holding valve installed. ( see pics in my previous post). I also installed a FCV (flow control valve) on it. I had to make a couple brackets to keep the hoses from rubbing on things, and a heat shield for the exhaust, to protect the bypass hose from the heat, but overall it was a very straight forward installation. I had to cut a section of the footrest out for hose clearance too. I can't believe what a difference these modifications made to my 444. I can now set a good, slow, powerful ground speed when tilling, which makes it so much more enjoyable. I've already had it tilling, and it works great! I'll try, and get another video up soon. Thanks Matt

You do amazing work Richard, and if anyone can return it top condition, its you. Matt

Yuck!! That tank was nasty. I wish we were closer, as I have one of those tanks in near mint condition with no home. I've never tried to ship something that far before, and am unsure of cost, but I'd be happy to give it to you. Here is a pic. Matt

Well, my TCV with built in holding valve came in today. I haven't got it installed yet, but I removed the old one, and took a couple pics of them for a comparison. The new one is on the right. My flow control valve hasn't arrived yet, but should be here soon. I did install a Case decal on the front weights to make them look more official. Matt

That 3 point works great Ian! Good thing you didn't lift it much higher, as you might have removed the roof from the shack. Matt

Well, I took the 444 out, and gave it proper workout today. Its filthy now! We decided to expand the garden into an area right next to it, which is where we always use to park a big class A 35 ft long RV in, so the ground was very packed, and had never been broken before. I decided to take the Brinly after it, and while the plow worked great, the tractor actually had a hard time keeping it moving. It did the job, but it didn't like it!! That ground brought it to a stop on more than one occasion. I'd have to back up, and go again. There are pics of the ground below. After we finished breaking that section, I ran the plow through a piece of ground that had been broke last year, and it went through that with ease. I'm glad you only have to break the ground once! After finishing with the plow, we bolted the tiller on to finish off that piece of ground. I do have a complaint with this tractor when tilling. On the travel control lever, it doesn't just control your ground speed, it controls the hydraulic pressure as well, so when your trying to go slow for tilling, it will often stop, because its not getting enough power to the hydraulic motor, so you push the lever further forward, and you end up going to fast! Its very annoying, especially when your use to using a Wheel Horse with an 8 speed trans. I love the low gears in my Horses! I've ordered a hydraulic flow control valve to eliminate this problem. It was a factory option that my 444 didn't come with, but it allows a very slow ground speed with maximum power to the ground. Personally, I don't think it should have been optional, I think they all should have been equipped with it! Here is a short clip of it tilling, and I'll get a longer, better video when I finish getting it sorted out. Matt

Thanks Richard. Both Danny, and Nathan love their machines. Nathan doesn't really enjoy working on them so much, but he loves the thrill of riding his mini bike. Danny on the other hand, loves working on his tractor, and he reminds me alot of myself at that age. I'd say there is a good chance he'll take up this hobby! Thanks, I thought they looked quite nice on there, and I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who thinks so. Appreciate it! Thanks, and welcome to MOM Chris! Its great to see your over here, and thanks for making your first post in my thread! I look forward to seeing some of your tractors here at MOM. Matt

Very nice build Ian! Having a 3 point with down pressure is a very convenient feature. Matt

I got the wheel weight painted, and installed today. I have it set up with 115 pounds per wheel right now. I like this setup quite well. My younger sons, and I were out playing with our machines a bit today, and I took a pic. The 1952 Bantam 3000 belongs to Danny, and the vintage mini bike with the early 50's Briggs Model 8 belongs to Nathan. Thanks Matt

That is an AWESOME Beast of a machine! It looks like alot of fun to operate. Thanks for the pics. Matt

Already using the GT-14 for a work bench, and even managed to get some primer on the hood! Nice work as always Ian. Matt

Very nice work Mark! Thats a very strong looking 3 point mount, and so is the rest. Your a very talented fabricator! Matt

No Stormin, they're not my work. I could have made them myself, but I would have had to buy the 1" or (25mm) solid bar, as I didn't have any in stock. I can only buy that in 24 foot long sections, and it would have been almost $35 , plus my time for designing, and building, so I bought this. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230738361959?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 If you go to that link, you'll see that each side has 3 pieces that bolt together, however, with the amount of weight I'm putting on these brackets, I chose to weld everything together, to make them stronger. I'm actually feeling a little guilty that I didn't build them myself, but I saw an easy way out that didn't require much of my time. I guess I was just being Lazy! Matt

Here is a picture of the wheel with 150 pounds on it, and as you can see, I could easily add another 50 if I wanted too. Matt