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Forum Categories => Tractors => Topic started by: cobbadog on 24 December, 2018, 04:56:26 pm

Title: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 24 December, 2018, 04:56:26 pm
Well now I have met all the work deadlines I have more time for play. I have lined up the sand blaster to hit the main skid of the DB towards the end of January. So now I am busy getting the rest of the accessories off and will then start on plugging up all the holes like the starter motor, distributor, water pump, both in and out, inlet manifold is staying in place along with the exhaust but the hole where the carby sits must be sealed, dipsticks and air breather just to mention a few.
I removed the wiring harness, if you can call it that, along with the dash as a complete unit. I sat it on the bench today and continued to label all the wires at both ends and then stripped the gauges and switches out. I then had a brainwave of an idea and that was to weld the nuts to the under side of the dash panel which is a real mongrel to get to when bolting the thing in or removing. So that is now done. I have bought a new original style reproduction ignition switch plus I am fitting up a volt meter to show me what voltage is being produced when driving. I know this is not original but I find it more informative then a 30A amp gauge that just quickly flickers at start up and then nothing. I have also already removed the original choke cable and buffed it up on the wire brush to clean up the outer cable so it will look better when being put back together. I will do the starter cable, same design wire outer cable, so it will look as good too.
One of the holes in the dash that had a light switch in it had been butchered at some stage and I have now welded a washer in place and will finish it off next time I am playing with it. I have a number of bits n pieces that I can clean up and put in undercoat as well and I also need to work out how I am going to hang some heavy parts up for painting like the 3 point linkage arms and similar items. Ideally I would like to to be able to paint these parts all round in one go. I still need to select the colour red I want to spray as the top coat. I know originally it was Hunting Pink but that looks so ordinary and just doesn't stand out like I want it to. So that is another thing to work on in the New Year.
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 26 December, 2018, 02:10:06 pm
Kept on with the dash board lately. Had to weld a washer to the back of the dash as one of the holes was butchered so this had to be repaired. I tack welded all the nuts to the underside of the dash for easier reassembly and now I am straightening up the flat sections to be better than before. So with some panel beating skills being brought back from the past I have it fairly straight but a small amount of filler was required in 2 spots. So while that is curing I have painted the back side of the dash and will put the front side in primer tomorrow after lightly rubbing out the excess filler.
I also removed the original fuse box thinking that it was only going to be put back on for looks but it has cleaned up a treat and is going to be the only fuse for the tractor. It has a date stamped on it for 9/53 which is in keeping for an early 1954 build date. The bakerlite was covered in 2 coats of red paint  and then a polish up was needed and this is the result. Tidied up the choke and starter cables as well and they are ready for later reassembly.
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 26 December, 2018, 02:11:50 pm
This is a Lucas fuse box and I would like to know what the little icon is on the fuse box lid. It looks like a bike wheel of some kind.

Any ideas?
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: winnock on 28 December, 2018, 09:09:42 pm
The button icon is the "Lion and Torch" that has origins going back to the first lamp made by Harry Lucas in 1879, for use on a high wheel bicycle. The icon was used on the Lucas "King of The Road" lights and many other Lucas products over the years. Unfortunately some who used Lucas products consider Lucas not to be the "King", but rather "The Prince of Darkness"
Hugh 
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 29 December, 2018, 01:31:42 pm
Thank you very much for that. It is a good find you have there.
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 06 January, 2019, 04:31:49 pm
Inside the main fuel tank. Sorry about the blurred vision on the first shot of inside the rusty haven but at least the second shot shows a good result.
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: wee-allis on 06 January, 2019, 05:15:54 pm

Hey John, I hope that's not daylight I see in the left hand corner of the second shot,
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 07 January, 2019, 04:19:26 pm
Hi Steve, not daylight just the reflection of the light. Tank is good and the Bondall rust converter I have here is NOT suitable for using in a fuel tank so need to find something else to put inside

OR

Can I leave it as is and just fill it with fuel?
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: wee-allis on 07 January, 2019, 05:39:10 pm

John, I thought as much about the rust converter. Yes, I would just put some fuel in and see how it goes but I wouldn't "fill" it. Just after the tap, fit one of those cheap see through fuel filters to trap anything which might come out of the tank.
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: Bugly on 07 January, 2019, 10:38:09 pm
This is worth a look. The bloke is using POR15 ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg0gyT43Aik
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 08 January, 2019, 10:50:19 am
I have known of this product for a few years now but it is extremely expensive and once it has been opened it does not store for later use do you need to use the complete tin which is a shame as the product is extremely good.
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 12 January, 2019, 09:21:07 am
I recently bought some stop bump rubbers for the front axle. I searched high and low for the ones that were as close to the originals as possible. I settled on these ones but they had a short 8mm x 25mm undersized bolt  to put it in place. So what I did was to make 2 extensions. I started with a length of 13mm rod and bored one end to suit an 8mm thread which was what was on the original bolt. Then I machined the outside diameter down to take a M12 x 1.5 thread but there was still the possibility that the stop rubber could unwind and simply drop out so using Locktite I screwed it into place then cross drilled the lower end of the shaft and pinned it. So now it cannot undo. The finished product is now 40mm long and fills the hole where they were intended to be fitted.
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: wee-allis on 13 January, 2019, 08:38:19 am

What's this, METRIC!!! on the Croppy?
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 13 January, 2019, 02:10:38 pm
You know how much I like stirring the pot with my restorations!!!!!
I actuall do have BSF taps n dies aas well but let's keep that to ourselves.
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: voljon on 14 January, 2019, 08:42:20 pm
hello cobba, just a side note,i have word of a new mobile dustless blaster started up in the taree area.if you want contact details give me a call.regards,john
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 15 January, 2019, 01:08:20 pm
Will do just that John.
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 29 April, 2019, 03:30:49 pm
Well I made contact with Kevin the dustless sand blaster from out Wingham way. He has a mechanical job for Monday to Friday and some Saturday mornings. He came out and looked at this job and offered a good price to do the job. It has taken me a while to get to the stage where I can get him in. I also asked him if he would 'split' the job and do it in halves as I am restricted with room to hang bits for undercoating. I also offered to bring 'round 2' out to him so he can do it at his leisure. He also mixes a product with the water to slow down surface rust starting for a few days.
So I have made contact with him and it will be around 3-4 weeks before he can start. The tractor is now sitting on the new stands I made for the back end to make it as safe as we can. Then between now and when he arrives I will lift the steering wheel off, it is just sitting there now, and do a small repair to the hub and prepare it for painting. I need to tape up the top of the steering shaft to stop anything going down and into the steering box itself. I started to straighten out some minor damage to one of the mudguards where previous owner backed into somethingand crumpled it slightly. I dragged out my old hammer and dollies from the panel beating days and refreshed some "skills" not used for years. Also found a small amount of rust hiding under some double panels one of which is a half round tube to stiffen up the bottom section of the guard and some flat double panel rising up from the main mounting bracket. I also have a few holes to repair or simply fill up and grind off. Part of the repair here will have to have some plastic surgery done where the panel damage is under the double half round panel.
Now I'm this close to actually getting this long term project done I am becomming more impatient to see more progress.
I can't think of any more repairs that need doing but this usually creeps up and kicks your behind and you have another job to do.
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 05 May, 2019, 02:13:01 pm
Here are my head lights painted and ready to go back on once the tractor is painted and the fan, generator and starter motor are also done. These tail lights are still hanging to dry so will post a pic of them once re-assembled.
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 06 May, 2019, 02:48:49 pm
Here are the stop / tail lights ready to be fitted when it is time.
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 06 June, 2020, 04:36:57 pm
Do you think I need to blow the cobwebs out?
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: asw120 on 06 June, 2020, 08:45:23 pm
Blow them out, or suck them in?  :)

Jarrod.
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: wee-allis on 12 July, 2020, 08:52:32 am

Cobba, Sent you a message.
Title: Re: Cropmaster
Post by: cobbadog on 12 July, 2020, 09:46:52 pm
Thank you very much Steve, I have replied with thanks.