HD15 BODY SHOP

Ok, I got behind on posting. But this is some of the body work that AC tractors might need, but I can't find this in the service manual or service bulletins, so we just make it up as we go.
Some of these things don't look as nice once there painted with all these cracks in them. My body work style consists of filling the cracks with .035 wire and a compliment of 2 different size grinders and a couple of die grinders with sanding disks.
These all needed some attention. We usually wander around the yard looking for the best ones to start with. (we have several donor tractors) I'm a weld and grind kinda guy, but if they need final touch up with bondo and putty my brother specializes in that (I don't do wood either)
Front radiator guard could have used new screen, but I think you won't be able to tell when I'm done (I'll try to post pictures so you can't tell
The A frame for the cable blade needed some welding and the 3 bolts in the control lever bearing holder all broke and had to be drilled and tapped again
We found a better tank guard (donor tractor) that only needed welding and grinding instead of major straightening.
One of the other things we've learned is that trying to paint plated bolts is a pain. Most all suppliers seem to only stock plated bolts anymore
Our supplier would get us plain black nuts and bolts, but I didn't get started on that in time. So are driver John dug through bolts and found some of the appropriate AC sizes, washed them with super clean, dried them and prepared them for paint 
Of course this is done with Hooch's supervision cause he knows some one can at least kick the tennis ball while there working
So when David starts painting they look like this
John also masked the guages for painting after we replaced all of them to the original AC 3 screw flange type guages. (one was even brass). We have just about used up all of the original guages from our donor tractors, so be on the lookout for those for us please.
So the story gets better. I brought the canopy over for some simple body work.
Thought I could straighten one side and replace one side

So I thought a straightening would be simple enough with all are metal technology.(LOL) So I brought are 2 John Deere backhoes to the scene for a quick fix. UH-UH (it was beer time, so 2 beers later) I did what any knowledgeable mechanic would do. GOT A BIGGER HAMMER!. The 745 didn't have any problem holding it down and the backhoe bucket has more strength than the front bucket.
We're still not done ,but closer
As I said I can't find any of this in the service manuals, so make notes for your future restoration projects. The paint shops also open, so I'll try to get that post up soon.

Thanks for the up-date, Mel. Thought my 645 was a beast, but I think that 745 could eat it for lunch. Darrel

Great step by step restoration, lucky to have the donor tractors

Mel, Your posts makes me want to bring my HD-15 out to you to do a little overhaul and repaint... Left track nearly falls off, don't have the proper aircleaners, seals are gone in the blower (nose up, nose down, hang on and she is gone and you turn black from oil blowing out the stack) and big tank needs cleaning and a lot of TLC of 40 years of neglect... Got hardnose and hydraulic blade on her.... Unlike your your shop, mine is a bit cooler, can frees your beer on one side of the can and heat up the other...in minutes...  unless you stick it in the shade... then it'll be frizzed thru an thru.  High of 20 degrees right now...an that ain't celsius either, that would be -7.