bowtiebutler956

Thank you Neil, for both reading, and posting in this thread. I got the suite case weights painted, and mounted back on the 444. Now their both functional, and look good. I'm working on adding about 150 pounds per rear wheel in the back using dumbbell weights. You can see the bracket that will be holding theme. Each side will have 2- 50lb plates, and 2- 25lb plates on them. Should give me plenty of traction. Matt

Maybe near the 6x6? You have a really wild imagination Ian, so how do you expect us to even start guessing without another clue?!! Come on, help a curious guy out. Matt

I always love seeing your work Ian, but I am curious why you didn't just use a large drill bit? Matt

Very neat old truckster you have there. I don't have one, but I do have the engine out of one. I really like the look of these engines, and I keep thinking, I'll use it on a project some day. Thanks for the pics, and here are a couple pics of my engine. Matt

Thanks, and I do plan on having some fun with this plow, as I've never had one before. I've always used a tiller. I'm sure you could build one, if you set your mind to it. I don't know if you guys have Brinly in your part of the world, but they're still making these new, although they are a little pricey. Here is an ebay listing. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brinly-Sleeve-Hitch-Moldboard-Plow-PP-51BH-/380595020564?pt=US_Heavy_Equipment_Attachments&hash=item589d3b2314 Thanks Mark, and I'd love to see project C4 doing some plowing. Matt

Well, I got the Brinly plow that came with the 444 back in working order. I knew it was going to have rust pits in it, but after soaking in the e-tank, the rust pits became rust canyons! Oh well, its for working, not for show. I gave it a paint job to prevent future rusting, and I replaced all the adjustment hardware, and the coulter wheel. It seems to work well, although it still needs some adjustment. Thanks Matt

Don't listen to Ian Chris! We know you like the shinny stuff. Matt

Glad to see your getting a start on it. I'll enjoy watching this thread to see if you can really just put it back in working order without doing any painting or things to make her look better. I have a very hard time not painting them. I've started many projects with my intentions only being to get them working again, and before I know it, they're all tore apart, and getting a coat of paint. You do amazing work Chris, so I'm sure it will turn out great! Good Luck! Matt

Matt

Richard, I love seeing a perfectionist at work! I probably would have ignored that broken fin, but you took the time to get it back to proper balance. Fine work! Matt

If that front axle breaks from an extra 150lbs on it, then its got no business calling itself a Garden Tractor! Thanks Ian, and I wouldn't have wanted to be that guy either! I believe these were cut with a plasma cutter Stormin, as there is evidence of the steel melting in several areas. Plus I believe these would have had a much more precise, and uniform cut if the had been done on a water jet. Matt

Oh yes, they keep the front end on the ground quite well. Thanks Matt

Thanks Mark. What kind of ideas are you getting, and for which one of your awesome machines? Matt

Definitely looks good, and strong! I like the way you build Ian. Matt

I thought it was about time for an update. I built a weight bracket for the front of the 444. I bought 5 suite case weights that weigh 22 pounds each. They are just rough cut out of a piece of 2" thick steel. They were very inexpensive. I then used the mule bracket for the mower deck, to make my weight bracket out of. I added 1/2" thick steel plate that I had laying around, to the front, and back of it, as well as other reinforcement. The bracket alone weighs over 45 pounds, so I added over 150lbs to the front. I still have some grinding to do to the weight before I can paint them. More pics soon. Thanks Matt

Very nice looking machine!! Like the others, I too would like to hear the sound of that tractor. Matt

MMMMMM Yummmmy! Matt

You can bet on it Ian! I have to get some weight on the front of this beast first. I have the plow in the e-tank, as can be seen below. Thanks Matt

Thanks Neil. It is big as far as garden tractors go, and it feels really good. Thank you sir. Thanks Mark. I'm actually really looking forward to putting this tractor to work. I know the first scratches will hurt, but thats the reason I gave it a refurb. I'll take good care of it, but it won't look this good forever. Thats why I took lots of pictures! The Case is doing great, and I started working on the old rusty Brinly plow that came with it. Its currently soaking in my electrolysis tank, to remove the rust, so I can start getting it back into working order. I'll paint it as well. I'll be starting on the bracket for adding suitcase weights to the front soon. I'm going to add between 100-150lbs to the front of this beast to see if I can keep steering working with the tiller on. Thanks Matt

Thanks again Nigel. I finally got around to taking a short video. I'll try, and get one of it tilling soon. I also took a couple pics of this beast next to my WH C-160 for a size comparison. This Case is so much larger than my other garden tractors. Although the C-160 is a 16hp, and the case is only a 14hp, its physically a much bigger machine. Hope you like the short video. Thanks Matt

What a Beast! I'm talking about the MK2 of course. That is a very impressive machine Nigel! Matt

It Lives Again!!! It runs fantastic, with no smoke at all. The old Kohler is very strong, and the tractor feels great. After installing the tiller, (or rotovator I think most of you call them), I discovered this tractor is going to need some front weights really bad! The front end comes up very easy. I'm going to build a weight bracket in the front to carry some suitcase weights. I'll try, and get a video up tomorrow. Matt

I'll try, and get those stickers burned off as fast as possible for you Richard. Actually, I'll need to give that muffler a coat of good ceramic paint, as paint on these mufflers burns off as well. Matt

Wow, your up late tonight Mark! Thanks for the kind word, and hopefully it will run tomorrow. Matt

If I take to long on a project Ian, then I get tired of them. Then it could be a very long time before I get back to them again. So, I'm better off to just stick with it, and get it done. I can't wait to get some seat time! Thank you for the kind words Kim, and I'll get a video up of it running soon. Got more done today, but still not finished yet. Maybe tomorrow, but not sure. Here are a few more pics. Thanks Matt