bowtiebutler956 166 #101 Posted March 16, 2014 It looks like you have a big vat of rust soup there Matt.. Best served with croutons and bit's of crispy fried bacon MMMMMM Yummmmy! Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #102 Posted March 20, 2014 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 1 chris hall reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 1,900 #103 Posted March 20, 2014 Awesome work! Giving me more ideas.... 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #104 Posted March 20, 2014 Awesome work! Giving me more ideas.... Thanks Mark. What kind of ideas are you getting, and for which one of your awesome machines? Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #105 Posted March 21, 2014 They'll keep the front down. Tidy job. 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #106 Posted March 21, 2014 They'll keep the front down. Tidy job. Oh yes, they keep the front end on the ground quite well. Thanks Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel 1,876 #107 Posted March 21, 2014 ime suprised it dont break the front axle matt 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian 2,417 #108 Posted March 21, 2014 Nice work Matt, some very strong fabrication work on the weight bracket. I wouldn't want to be the gent who had to cut the weights shape from 2 inch thick steel!! 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #109 Posted March 21, 2014 At a guess Ian, I think those have been done with a water jet profiling whatjewcallit. . 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #110 Posted March 21, 2014 ime suprised it dont break the front axle matt If that front axle breaks from an extra 150lbs on it, then its got no business calling itself a Garden Tractor! Nice work Matt, some very strong fabrication work on the weight bracket. I wouldn't want to be the gent who had to cut the weights shape from 2 inch thick steel!! Thanks Ian, and I wouldn't have wanted to be that guy either! At a guess Ian, I think those have been done with a water jet profiling whatjewcallit. . 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #111 Posted March 21, 2014 I thought water jet as the edges look so clean on the photo. Which ever way, a very neat job. 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 1,900 #112 Posted March 21, 2014 Thanks Mark. What kind of ideas are you getting, and for which one of your awesome machines? Matt Front weights on project bendy, wanting maximum traction 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #113 Posted March 26, 2014 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #114 Posted March 26, 2014 Nice! I want one. 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian 2,417 #115 Posted March 26, 2014 The plow looks good Matt, your going to have some fun with that 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #116 Posted March 26, 2014 I reckon one of those could be made given the dimensions. 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 1,900 #117 Posted March 26, 2014 more nice work! I really should get my plow out for a play 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #118 Posted March 26, 2014 The plow looks good Matt, your going to have some fun with that 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 reckon one of those could be made given the dimensions. 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 more nice work! I really should get my plow out for a play Thanks Mark, and I'd love to see project C4 doing some plowing. Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 524 #119 Posted March 27, 2014 Great work Matt. i just love the suitcase weights , i have really enjoyed following this projects , thanx for the regular updates 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #120 Posted March 27, 2014 Great work Matt. i just love the suitcase weights , i have really enjoyed following this projects , thanx for the regular updates 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 2 chris hall and Stormin reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #121 Posted March 27, 2014 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #122 Posted March 28, 2014 Are the brackets for the wheel weights your own work? Neat job. Been thinking along that line myself. 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #123 Posted March 28, 2014 Are the brackets for the wheel weights your own work? Neat job. Been thinking along that line myself. 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 166 #124 Posted March 29, 2014 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 2 Anglo Traction and nigel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anglo Traction 1,016 #125 Posted March 29, 2014 Great pics of the offspring with their Rides. I remember the Bantam project . I bet they are both really happy to have a Dad that can produce these excellent restored machines. Hopefully it will lead them down the same path. Weights are the finishing touch to the appearance and practicality of the Case. Excellent work 1 bowtiebutler956 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
