Massey crawler update #2 sheet metal in place

[tractormike]

I got the panzer dash removed and made the mountings for the Massey grill and hood. It looks just like I had hoped it would. I have a lot to do to the old girl yet but it is beginning to take shape.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/tractormike/IMG_3173.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/tractormike/IMG_3177.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/tractormike/IMG_3175.jpg

[mark777]

Awesome pictures Mike…and great project.

I have always appreciated Massey Ferguson for continually using their unmistakable styling and passed it on down to their smaller tractor line. All of the restored machinery that I’ve seen are probably the most interesting and well received with the MF line…regardless of size.

Can’t wait for more and future updates - and a very cool model IMHO.

[Drawbar]

Good bless you man. Your projects always rock and I am continuously impressed with what you create.

I have some conveyor belting and I was thinking about a similar project, maybe making my lawn tractor into a half-track or something. Just enough so it would get some traction on my hilly lawn and yet still be able to have the mower slung underneath it.

An even wilder idea is to create a mower that utilizes my snowmobile. The wife is always saying its such a waste because it sits for 9 months a year. Well if it mowed the lawn in the summer it wouldn't. Still 120 hp might be way too much power for a lawn mower huh? Top speed is 108 mph,so that would just scare the grass instead of cutting it. Still with its track I would get plenty of traction on my lawn. With the studs it would aerate it at the same time.

Maybe I better stick to my half-track idea. Anyway keep us posted with pictures. Some of us really like monster tractor builds even if we can only do it via computer terminals.

[Carl]

That is really nice! Looks so good! Have you driven it enough in the snow to see if snow will build up on the tires?

[old_nodaker]

Don't know how well it worked, but back in the 60's I saw a home made rig where he used tractor tires that he cut the beads out of for tracks. It was probably less work, but not as neat looking.

[tractormike]

Thanks for the comments guys! I have really enjoyed taking an idea and then seeing how you can actually build it.
As to the tracks. I had been thinking of building this crawler for over a year and did a bit of research coming up with this design. I talked to an old welder/fabricator that I had helped out part time some years ago. He had built one of those buggies with using tractor tires for the tracks. He had built a frame and put 2 car axles under it. They cut the beads out of the tires and mounted them. He said it worked pretty well unless you went in deep snow or deep sand and the tracks would tend to get full of snow or sand with no way for it to get out.
When I had my rig out in the snow the tracks did a pretty good job of staying clean. The tires just pushed the snow out of the way and there wasn't any problem with it building up.
There won't be much to show for a while. I have to completly rewire it, mount the solenoid, key switch, amp gauge etc. Then comes the lever steering set up and mounting a hydraulic system and the blade. Then comes the painting. I'll keep you updated as to the major progress.
I really like the way it is looking and turning out so far.

[slkpk]

It looks great. slkpk

[saskman49]

Very nice looking job Mike !!! I think those old Massey's Large and Small from that era were probably some of the finest looking tractors ever built IMO

[xdiver86]

Mike This crawler of yours is awesome. I not only wish I had your tools I wish I had half you talent!!!!

[butchs_hobby]

Lookin good so far, keep us posted.