[tiretrx]

I bought this early 70's IH LoBoy 154 a few years back. I've used it as cart/trailer puller mostly. It has aged a bit, but nothing serious. I did what needed doing to get it running real smooth. Nothing major, mostly fuel issues. I really like this tractor, and also have an early 80's LoBoy 184 and a '49 Cub. All have the little 9 to 18hp 4 poppers. Very unique sound. Very cool to hear on a smooth throttle up. Anyhow, closer inspection told me it was time to stop the slow downward slide condition wise. And that allows me to change/add some things that I think are an upgrade, improve the aesthetics or is just plain cool.


Major points of focus will be, that no matter what, when you look at the finished product you will still see IH LoBoy. You will know it's not stock, but you will still know it's a LoBoy. It will be as "lean" as possible. Anything that I know I won't be using, will be gone. Rear PTO, prime example. It will be a puller and snow plower. Fix the steering. I see the amount of linkage, and it's lack of component mass as a design flaw. Either improve it, or better yet make it hydraulic.


Aesthetics overall are to my liking. I think these are appealing machines visually. I do however think there is an imbalance upfront. The grill/nose dominates the tires, etc. I'd like to go with bigger treads upfront. Bring suspension into play. Also rework the headlight/grill configuration.


For me, the sound of these 4 bangers is classic. For a tractor this size to have that much sound is pretty cool. Trouble is, right now, this tractor is a RATTLE TRAP. The sound of the rear drive and rear PTO linkage drowns out the symphony. I think it's a bit design, a bit wear. That will change. Everything gets fixed, looked over, tightened.


It will be painted........yes Scott, painted. Not stock, but genuine IH.


It's a mild custom compared to some stuff I've done, but it will take time. I think and change my mind a lot. But, if you hang with me, she'll get done eventually.


Here's a photo from last night. She's the classic 30 footer. Looks fairly nice, right?

Let's get a little closer........

Not as nice close up, stay tuned :fing32:

 

[Cat385B]

Do we have to remove our lawn chairs and coolers and re-situate? Or can we just spin 'em 90 degrees from the Custom viewing area?

PS - I'll get those beer bottles and cig butts picked up soon.

 

[tiretrx]

Do we have to remove our lawn chairs and coolers and re-situate? Or can we just spin 'em 90 degrees from the Custom viewing area?

PS - I'll get those beer bottles and cig butts picked up soon.

:sidelaugh

More like a 180 Scott :fing32:

 

[devans]

LoBoys are cool, this ought to be a gooden. Lawn chair and pop corn at the ready.

 

[Ingersoll444]

Do we have to remove our lawn chairs and coolers and re-situate? Or can we just spin 'em 90 degrees from the Custom viewing area?

PS - I'll get those beer bottles and cig butts picked up soon.

Well a little change of viewing angle is good...:fing32:



cant wait to see the progress. Ive always liked them also... but I have never really see what I could use one for.

 

[Canary Al]

Wow! This looks like it will be fun to watch.

Just wondering, does this mean the suspension on THE Custom has been shelved?:hide: Not complaining. . just wondering?

I see you're point about the tires on the front being dwarfed - and I am not even familiar with Lo-boys. I like the look tho.

>. . . . . . . . . . . but it will take time. . . . . . . . if you hang with me, she'll get done eventually.

Just one more "Wondering" We could start an over/under on this, if it were not so susceptible to manipulation.

I wonder how many times Cat358B will feel it appropriate to prod Ellis with the above quote? Just wondering?:fing32:

 

[tiretrx]

Just wondering, does this mean the suspension on THE Custom has been shelved?:hide: Not complaining. . just wondering?

No, not at all. They will both have it, if I get a trouble free system worked out. In my head, it works out. Real world :dunno:

 

[BOSOX]

Ok Ellis, I'll be tuned in for this one too! Subscribed.....

 

[jack2181]

I guess I fall in line with a few people here. Always liked the look of the LoBoy's. This way I can safely watch somebody else break their knuckles on a restore. And try and learn a thing or two.

Will be subscribing, grabbing popcorn and a good stout.:thThumbsU or two.

 

[gardentractornut]

Alright! Another free comedy *ehem* build show! Chair has been turned and popcorn is nearing completion.

 

[MikMan48]

Sweet another Ellis thread, right from the beginning this time .

Got my lawn chair, cooler and grill since we may be here awhile :sidelaugh

I can't wait to see what you have in store

 

[CADplans]

:dancingpa OK, the gang is here, time to get wrenching!! :fing32:

I REALLY like the front tires that are on my new to me (2 weeks) similar sized tractor.

The fronts are 23x8.50x12 tires,,, yep, the same tires that are on the back of many Gravely GTs',,, :swow:

You might have some of those,,, already!! :dunno:

I have mowed with it 4 different times, ZERO front end slide,,, it ALWAYS turns.

 

[gardentractornut]

Got my lawn chair, cooler and grill since we may be here awhile :sidelaugh

I brought my sleeping bag, 'cuz sumthin' tells me that we'll be here a while. :sidelaugh

 

[Mikey4]

Will there be refreshments?

 

[KWDAILYD]

I'm tuned in also. I passed one of these for a year sitting in someone's front yard for sale. It would disappear for a few weeks the re-appear with the price a little lower. I was waiting for it to come down to my level but it's been gone awhile. It was pretty rough looking also.

Maybe it will be good to watch you so when I come across another one i'll know what I'm up against.

Will this be done before summer is over? :dunno:

 

[Cat385B]

Will this be done before summer is over? :dunno:

Always use a specific date when trying to get a timeline out of Ellis. He can reply to the affirmative, when he's actually thinking September of 2017.

:sidelaugh

:wwp:

 

[Newsman]

OK Ellis. Get the idea out of your head and get started. Almost a full day and no progress. :sidelaugh What's the holdup?:dunno:
Oh yeah, it's an Ellis project!:sidelaugh:sidelaugh
MikeC

 

[sploke]

Following along on this one too. I was very close to picking one of these up with a FEL, but after doing some research I was worried it would end up being too underpowered. They are pretty neat looking tractors though, looking forward to seeing the Ellis treatment it gets.

 

[glenn27]

I guess I fall in line with a few people here. Always liked the look of the LoBoy's. This way I can safely watch somebody else break their knuckles on a restore. And try and learn a thing or two.

Will be subscribing, grabbing popcorn and a good stout.:thThumbsU or two.

***************************

Right there up front w/ you, Jack, also.
Now let's GET BUSY--as he likes to throw out to ---

glenn

 

[Cat385B]

OK Ellis. Get the idea out of your head and get started. Almost a full day and no progress. :sidelaugh What's the holdup?:dunno:
Oh yeah, it's an Ellis project!:sidelaugh:sidelaugh
MikeC

To those who are new to a TireTrx thread, please be patient. Mention of work does not equal actual work done. Something done for a fellow member? Done faster than a shake of a lamb's tail. He can turn a fresh cow pie into fine china.

He does not have quite the laser-like focus when it comes to his own projects however.

Al, I think the over/under bet should be what page this thread is on before any actual work gets done to the IH. I say #4.