Homemade OROPS

[Jeff D.]

very nice work, want to build me a lift for my new pontoon boat?

Sorry, but no. I've burned up over 20lbs of rod on this thing, and I've grow very tired of welding.

I'm now glad it's not my occupation. It's fun to do on little jobs, but on this one it was getting kinda old. I've a new appreciation for those who do it for a living.

Thanks for the compliment.

 

[Countryboy]

Great job. Now for some paint.......decisions, decisions

 

[Jeff D.]

Yup.

I screwed up when I designed it though. I wanted to make it low enough too fit into my heated garage. I welded most of it up in there, but backed the dozer out before assembling it. When I pulled back up to the garage it wouldn't fit through the door.(about a half inch too high). So I've been working on it in the pole barn now. I had to get that wired special for 220 just so I could use the welder out there on this.

I don't have heat in there, so I'll have to wait for a good day to paint it.

It's been snowing off and on for the last two days, and only in the 30's.:crying

It's too early for this kinda weather. Maybe I'll get a couple more warmer days next week. I'll squirt it if it get's into the 60's even. Maybe 50's if I have too.

 

[Dwan Hall]

You could take it off the tracks then it should fit. :yup

 

[Ford LT-9000]

You better dig the floor out in the garage or cut the ROPS off and lower it a inch to be safe

One comment would be you might want to modify the bracing on the front over the dash board of the machine. It doesn't look like you could see anything sitting in the seat of the machine.

 

[tylermckee]

Good idea on the light gaurds, dont know how many broken off lights ive seen on various pieces of equipment.

 

[RonG]

Let the air out of the tracks to get it in the door.LOL
Very nice work Jeff.!!!Ron G:thumbsup

 

[334 lawn co]

it looks as if it were a factory option!

 

[jmac]

Jeff, looks great! Your good with the welder even if you don't do it every day.

 

[woberlin]

I'll second jmac, nice job!

 

[jmac]

Jeff, I wonder if the extra weight from the orops will help the machine push more. ?

 

[Jeff D.]

Thanks everyone for all the compliments.

Jeff, I wonder if the extra weight from the orops will help the machine push more. ?

I don't know.:beatsme I imagine it couldn't hurt though.

I did have traction concernes initially(on my test run in loose gravel), but after using it on my own property I haven't had problems with traction.

But, I'm going to investigate the grouser situation some more, later this winter. I think they could certainly be alittle deeper.(they're 3/4" now)

Maybe I'll weld on some of the replacement kind, instead of getting whole new grousers. Depends on the prices, if it sounds like they hold up alright, and what JD recommends for grouser depth.

If I get it too heavy, and too deep of grousers, I'll have power issues next.:bouncegri

 

[Squizzy246B]

He did say that on his vacation he'd be going in search of "Hart-Parr" like pics to take, so it is (eventually) going to further the forum.

That's if the Black Snakes don't get him while he's gone.:bouncegri

So this is what you guys get up to when I'm away???

Ok...I'm Back and I got the goods...another Australian Special

Also...I saw the Black snake many times....its just most of the time he seemed to have Dunlopitis.

 

[Squizzy246B]

BTW...this Hart-Parr runs!

I also got a pic of Jeff's new jalop....errr....Truck

 

[Jeff D.]

Looks like some worms have eaten holes in them Hart Parr wheels.

What's that yellow thing on the other side of it? I'm over my "tractor" phase now, and want more pictures of dozers instead.:bouncegri

That Chevy's body doesn't look bad, but the box isn't exactly stock anymore, darn it! I would've throwed some paint on er', and put it in the car shows otherwise.

And what's that on the windshield, eeeaauuwww!!

 

[Squizzy246B]

Looks like some worms have eaten holes in them Hart Parr wheels.

They are not Hart Parr wheels and the pioneer museum is trying to find some originals for this machine

What's that yellow thing on the other side of it? I'm over my "tractor" phase now, and want more pictures of dozers instead.:bouncegri

I will post a couple of pics in the Old Iron section later.

That Chevy's body doesn't look bad, but the box isn't exactly stock anymore, darn it! I would've throwed some paint on er', and put it in the car shows otherwise.

The Chevy was the a district fire truck for awhile, hence the body "enhancements". The engine runs well. And don't worry, you got the best part of the deal...have a look at Digger's new truck

 

[Jeff D.]

And don't worry, you got the best part of the deal...have a look at Digger's new truck

You just watch, he'll be mounting a spreader in the back, and putting a plow on the front of it.:yup

Kinda reminds me of that truck from "The Waltons" that John boy drove around.

 

[Jeff D.]

Well, I'm gettin' even closer. I'll add a couple-o-John Deere stickers too it,(whick obviously JD is sending by wagon train:sleeping ), a seat belt, and then......poof......all done.

I came up with an exhaust guard that I figured would be good enough for small branches. I also throwed on a fire bottle, some left over reflective stickers from my dump truck, and two small mirrors for backing up.

I did manage to get it back into the garage to paint too. I just needed to force the door up another inch, and then carefully remove/mangle/destroy the trim above the door.:crying

The pics aren't great. I just took them tonight, but I wanted to get them before I scratch it all up when I pull the garage down trying to get it back out.

 

[Jeff D.]

I'll beat Steve's new " more than 1 pic = link " for my first pic by putting the rest in a seperate post. (insert muttly laugh here)

 

[Dwan Hall]

Now that you are about finished what are you going to do next? Rase the header on the gerage door and add another panel?
I have had a chance to work on the grader for the last 3 weeks and can see the light at the end of the tunel. I fegure in another 6 months I will be looking for another project.
The 350 looks great, do you have to do any machanical work to it? I would like to find one in good shape.

Dwan