[J. Baker]

Does anyone else rebuild and repair equipment in the winter? As most here know, I owned my own mechanic shop for years and I help my cousins farm. I spend my winter rebuilding, repairing and fabricating. I’ve already gotten one project done, now I have like 3 going at once.

I already mounted the Kubota cab to the BX23S tractor. I made modifications to it as I went. Moved the flasher lights to the top of the ROPS, removing the front flasher lights from the cab and installing work lights in their place. I added 4 rear work lights to it and set it up for a removable strobe light for snow removal. Added a CB (and antenna) so we can talk while clearing snow. I had already mounted a CB in our B3350 earlier. Installed and wired up the rear window wiper, a Kubota accessory. Heater plumbed in and working great. Just for reference, earlier this year I added 3rd remote function to all 3 tractors so we can run any front attachment on any tractor. All 3 also got Kubota 4pt front hitches.

Currently I am moving a Boss V plow from one truck to another one; getting ready to replace the fuel tank in one of our ton trucks; doing an engine and trans swap with a lower mileage salvage unit on my step sons car; and I have a 1026 International tractor to put back together since getting the hydro rebuilt in it. That’s about half my list of to-do’s, lol.

I’ll post some pics in a separate post.

 

[J. Baker]

Kubota BX23S cab install:

 

[J. Baker]

 

[J. Baker]

 

[J. Baker]

Posting pics here from a phone sucks…

I will post some more on the truck plow install later. Currently the plow mount has been painted and installed. I replaced a blown brake line on the truck that had a rust spot in it. (Blew as I last used it, just thought I’d wait and fix everything all at once.) I put a 4wd posi-lock front axle manual engagement kit on it and changed the engine oil cooler lines. That’s as it sits now.

Continuing on, I will add an auxiliary fuse/relay panel and put the truck headlights on relays also converting the system to have both low and high beam on at the same time. (4 headlamp system.) Also will be building my own harness for the plow and installing my choice of connectors in the bumper. Still planning all that out, but work on it will likely begin tomorrow.

Fuel tank for the ton truck is painted, along with new straps and sending unit complete with a new pump. (Everything is new.) It sits waiting install. Will do a tune up and some minor repairs on it as well.

Boy’s car is on the trailer outside awaiting arrival of the “new” drivetrain. We will go over the engine and trans when I get them in, make necessary repairs, then swap them out.

You can see the 1026 in the background of some of the pictures of the BX. It is a cab-less tractor for those not familiar.

 

[J. Baker]

Just because I want to post the pic, here is the BX23 and B3350 after clearing their first tiny snow for the year.

 

[Scott87]

Get me some pics of the harness build for the snowplow. Boss? What connectors you using? My winter project is moving my 12" craftsman lathe, leveling the bed and then spend more time cutting threads. I want to make as much of the tooling I need myself

 

[larryinalabama]

I spent the last 10 years building my house.

THis year Im trying to get a couple of my cars painted.

 

[J. Baker]

Get me some pics of the harness build for the snowplow. Boss? What connectors you using? My winter project is moving my 12" craftsman lathe, leveling the bed and then spend more time cutting threads. I want to make as much of the tooling I need myself

I surely will!
I have the harness off the other truck, and will likely use part of it for the ease.
What connectors? At the bumper, a custom 11 pin semi trailer plug I found is what I plan to use. This plow was set up for the pump control solenoid to be mounted on the truck. I’m thinking I may move it to the plow like the newer plows are. Controller connector will be OEM for obvious reasons. Battery connectors in the bumper will be welder cable twist lock connectors. Twist lock so they don’t come unplugged and way heavier than the original connections.

Post a pic of your lathe. I bet it’s the same one I have.

You’re going to make your own threaded rods? Bought ones have rolled threads, which are much stronger than cut threads. I don’t waste time making threads unless necessary. Threaded rod is cheap anyway.

 

[J. Baker]

I spent the last 10 years building my house.

THis year Im trying to get a couple of my cars painted.

What kind of cars?

 

[larryinalabama]

1988 Silverado 1990 cadillac brougham

 

[J. Baker]

1988 Silverado 1990 cadillac brougham

I love those Chevy trucks. Our fleet consists of a 91, 93 and 94 Chevys. But we also have a 2010 Duramax truck. My wife drives a Suburban. We’re GM people.

Bad pic because of the shade, but you get the idea.

 

[Scott87]

I surely will!
I have the harness off the other truck, and will likely use part of it for the ease.
What connectors? At the bumper, a custom 11 pin semi trailer plug I found is what I plan to use. This plow was set up for the pump control solenoid to be mounted on the truck. I’m thinking I may move it to the plow like the newer plows are. Controller connector will be OEM for obvious reasons. Battery connectors in the bumper will be welder cable twist lock connectors. Twist lock so they don’t come unplugged and way heavier than the original connections.

Post a pic of your lathe. I bet it’s the same one I have.

You’re going to make your own threaded rods? Bought ones have rolled threads, which are much stronger than cut threads. I don’t waste time making threads unless necessary. Threaded rod is cheap anyway.

I am going to make some quick change lanterns for some tooling I have. I know i can buy what I need cheaper than what my times worth but its a hobby and the last time I cut threads on a lathe was in school and the instructor set up the lathe and everyone made their part. I like the 11 pin idea for a disconnect on the plow and that might last longer than oem.

 

[Scott87]

I am going to make some quick change lanterns for some tooling I have. I know i can buy what I need cheaper than what my times worth but its a hobby and the last time I cut threads on a lathe was in school and the instructor set up the lathe and everyone made their part. I like the 11 pin idea for a disconnect on the plow and that might last longer than oem. View attachment 530811

Bottom of apron and the lead screw are out to do some repairs .

 

[J. Baker]

@Scott87
My lathe is aCraftsman/Atlas lathe. Probably the model below yours. Currently broke. I’ll fix it someday.

 

[larryinalabama]

I love those Chevy trucks. Our fleet consists of a 91, 93 and 94 Chevys. But we also have a 2010 Duramax truck. My wife drives a Suburban. We’re GM people.

Ive got a 76 Cadillac Seville, 79 Cadillac Coupe, 87 89 2 90 Cadillac Broughams, 90 Corvette 88 Silverado 2000 cut away box truck.

 

[Mike N]

@J. Baker - I've got a truck side Boss harness that I don't need anymore. If there any part of it you'd like, let me know and I'll send it to you. Can take pics of it if needed.

@larryinalabama - I've got a bunch of cars that need work and I'll get to them eventually.

81 Camaro I've owned since 1985. Back half car that runs 10.30's in the 1/4 mile in street trim.

79 Z/28 - bought as a roller in 1997, stabbed a 350/TH350 in it and ran 12's on 89 octane gas. Was my DD for a few years. Sold it in 2001, bought it back in 2016 for less than I sold it for. Title was still in my name and the car went exactly 1 mile in those 15 years.

68 SS396 ElCamino. A real 138 car that is complete and unmolested. I've owned it since 1992.

79 K5 Blazer. Bought it as a basically stock roller in 92, within a month it was rolling on one ton axles and 44" tires. 454, TH350, NP205 case and 4.88 gears front and rear. 14" lift and yes the 4x4 is functional.

 

[Derwood]

I can’t do most of what you can do Mr Baker. Totally impressive!!!

 

[J. Baker]

I can’t do most of what you can do Mr Baker. Totally impressive!!!

Lol. Thanks, but to me this is all just another day. I did this for 25 years. I’m happy to have started a different business. I’d had enough turning wrenches every day. I still enjoy it, and I don’t know if I will ever not feel like I’m in my “niche” in this world with a wrench in my hand. But it’s hard on the body to work on your feet all day on concrete, pulling wrenches, bending over, reaching up all for hours upon hours. I feel better after a week of laying blocks than I did a week on concrete. It’s just a different kind of tired. Lawn work is physical, but wrenching wasn’t. It’s like starting a work out routine, lol. Anyway, I did/do love wrenching. That’s why I work on our stuff. Besides, I was really good at it. (Arrogant, perhaps. But it’s the truth.)

 

[J. Baker]

@J. Baker - I've got a truck side Boss harness that I don't need anymore. If there any part of it you'd like, let me know and I'll send it to you. Can take pics of it if needed.

Thanks Mike! I may take you up on it. I’ll pm you if I need it. 👍🏻