Joe's 252 Colt Trail Machine "Gadget"

[hydromike]

The six chain frames originally had the round 1" cross tubes in the back, and sprocket chain idlers for the front two chains. Attex retrofitted the six chain frames with the "pull back" chain adjusters for the back two chains by attaching them to the back cross tube with the apparatus you see in the picture you took. Later frames that were designed from the beginning to be four-chain machines had a square cross-tube and the chain adjusters bolted right through that cross-bar with a half inch bolt. Additionally, the later four chain machines had a polyethylene chain slider to take up slack on the front two chains. I haven't taken a good look at Gizmo's guts, but I'm imagining that he's (he IS a him, right? ) running the later style frame and adjusters.

::EDIT:: I should probably qualify this, since I'm sort of rambling with no substantial data to back me up. I've seen several frames that seem to have been designed to either run the four chain or six chain setup. I shouldn't say that one's been "converted". It's quite possible that Attex fully intended on running both the four and six chain design at the same time. I always figured that since the later machines were four chain units that it was a natural, intended progression in the design. They're both great designs, but the four chain setup is a LOT easier to keep chains adjusted in my opinion.

[JoeMeg]

"Well, it's a six chain frame converted over to a four chain"

Mike,how would we know this?

Joe.

[hydromike]

For example, I had an ST/295 (a 6 chain machine you would think) but it had a 4 chain frame in it.

Yup, just like at least one of Joe's Colts....

Well, it's a six chain frame converted over to a four chain.

[jpswift1]

The T-20 disc brake setup certainly is a mystery, Joe. And, I didn't even realize your had two 252 Colts until now. Cool! From what I've read, the disc brakes on the T-20 were only used on the Chiefs and Thunderchiefs. Those didn't come out until 1973. Attex did some odd things and they used parts laying around and put parts, frames, engines, and other things together that the years didn't match up as we'd usually expect sometimes. For example, I had an ST/295 (a 6 chain machine you would think) but it had a 4 chain frame in it.

[JoeMeg]

Thanks Mike! Yep,2 identical 252's.I just classed them "PA." and "MI." so I can keep em separate One interesting observation.on the PA mach,noticed the right output shaft has the brake disc attachment but not the left side and the machine has disc's (and calipers) on the front sprocket tubes. Just figured,o well,perhaps this trans has some secrets about it. When I started working on the MI mach,I see the exact same configuration on it. I wonder how "the rest of that story" goes Maybe a parking brake of sorts was on the boards at the Attex factory in 1972?

Joe

[hydromike]

Great progress, Joe. I commented on one of the pictures that I was a bit confused what the other body was, but then realized that you have both 252 machines now. 'Tough to keep track after a while, huh?

[JoeMeg]

Was camera-less when I removed the remaining axles from the PA machine.I will photograph and post pics of how I remove one of the MI. machines axles. Frame is out of the PA machine


Parts


And now the PA mach is loaded up for the trip to Holiday Camplands in Andover,Oh.to await it's turn to be built,



this is where she'll sit for a while,



The "MI." 252 loaded up for the trip to Cleveland.This is the machine I got from thebuggyman1 at Pine Lake in Oct.



The first snowfall that's sticking this year



Joe.

[JoeMeg]

Not exactly a "build specific" post but I'm excited none the less.Salesman for one of the local industrial supplies has been trying to get his foot in my company's door for a while now and I have been sending rfq's to him. Anyhow, He set me up with a nice 1 ton,10' lift pull chain type hoist WITH a load holding brake. This will make removing,but,especially setting,engines and trans's so much safer and more accurate. The sweetest part,brand new unit........$40 Sometimes being purchasing mgr has it's perks! New hoist,

Replaced this one,



Joe.

[JoeMeg]

Got the front right off with the aid of the die grinder



And now,last,but not least,the right rear.



Took the flange bolts out,slid the whole assy out a bit and was for a minute.Was turning the wheel fwd/backward,sprocket stationary against frame,yet the end of the axle is not turning!?! This is why



This is my first experience cutting an Attex axle.However,I can see,amongst other things,that this should prove to be an effective method of removal.I don't mind making new axles,mat'l is not too expensive and labor is easy.



This make short work of 1" steel



This stuff helps a lot too.



Joe.

[JoeMeg]

Inside the machine the left side frame,etc are not in as nice a shape as the right side however,the "lug nuts" on the left were in pretty good shape. I cracked em all loose a 3/8" breaker bar then used the impact wrench to spin them off. The right side appears to be the side that was packed with mud when put away,the hardware is nasty. The middle wasn't as bad as the front and rear.



I will try this implement of destruction



I need to put more pics in my gallery then I'll post up some more.

Joe.

[JoeMeg]

Found a few minutes Tues eve,by now the tub is almost sitting on the floor



Broke em loose with a 3/8 drive breaker bar,finished removing them with the impact wrench however,a ratchet would have sufficed but too lazy to go to the basement to fetch one,besides,still had a cold one in the garage.



This one is going really well.I'm sorta glad that I had to spend sooooo much time on Gizmo. I'll tell ya,I'm not the least bit intimidated by this one.It's a good feeling.



This will be a nice experience to assist with my racer which is also a 252 Colt.

Joe.

[JoeMeg]

All tucked away in the garage. This is where she'll be sitting for a few weeks.



This will be her beverage of choice for the first couple weeks.Gotta get the "outside the lower tub" stuff apart first.



The exhaust system,beginning with the flange and the large "backing" plate,along with the insulating material appear to be in remarkable shape.The stuff on the outside looks real good too. I not only want to incorporate this into the build,but,also don't want to disturbe any of this while taking the frame out,we'll see



Just a couple more pics of the inside.



This is what the right front chain did.



Joe.

[JoeMeg]

Ahh, so you bought the colt on Ebay. I was almost tempted to bid then common sense took over for me (way too many projects already) Glad you got it.

Keith.

Yes,I did,thank you. In fact the auction went kinda funny.I wasn't the high bidder for days,then the reserve was removed and then I re-became the high bidder at only $11 more than my last.Got my electicity back on 1/2 hr before the auc. ended Tues. eve. Set out to just watch it expire,never expecting to actually WIN. IDK if other interested bidders were w/o pwr or what,but this thing never budged from my amt til ended and that is how I won it! I talked to the seller about that and He said that a (higher than me) bidder retracted his bid with sincerities,that is how I ended up being high bidder.So,regarding that,I would just like to say that if that was anyone from the site,Thank you very much! (its really nice to get a great deal every now and again!) and,also,this is where I got the little JLO I put the post up about earlier.

Joe.

[kghills]

Ahh, so you bought the colt on Ebay. I was almost tempted to bid then common sense took over for me (way too many projects already) Glad you got it.

Keith.

[Don]

Nice find, Joe. With a little work it should be beautiful!