Guy goes into a garage to grease bearings.....

[john swenson]

mike ... a few thoughts on the design . so the portal boxes will bolt thru the tub into the outer frame rails , right ? so you must be thinking those rails need beefed up support to keep from bending from the stress of the weight and because the wheels and tires will be offset of the rails . maybe once they are on , a removable x brace under the tub connecting the front and rear boxes . also i think is was discussed to have removable tie rods connecting the boxes from front to back , so if the front tires hit a log first , all boxes will take the load. if they are tied together to the portals with tabs and bolts , then if one box needs repair it's easy to remove the tie rod and that one box. just a few thoughts and i'm sure you already have the designs thought out . it will be one cool design . j.b.

[mfenmor]

Looking real good. You will not be disappointed in either how well it works holding things in place or how easy it is to remove and adjust.

Thanks Keith.
Glad I was able to use your good idea before putting the frame back in.

[onlyonce]

Looking real good. You will not be disappointed in either how well it works holding things in place or how easy it is to remove and adjust.

[mfenmor]

And weld some more.

IMG_0512.jpg

Tomorrow will mock up trans mount braces and motor mount.

[mfenmor]

Spent another day in the garage working on the last frame mods.
I call it the Keith mod, (onlyonce).

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/transmissions/41990-t20-mods-work-me.html

First... warm up the cold bits.
IMG_0510.jpg
Not bad for 35 outside and no insulation.
I was working in a T-shirt and pajama pants.

Next...remove the flimsy bits.
IMG_0506.jpg

Use the discarded flimsy bits as a template to locate holes on the Hefty parts.
This will be required with the turbo Kubota.
IMG_0507.jpg

Clamp hefty parts onto the frame, make sure holes line up nicely.
IMG_0509.jpg

Then, weld weld weld.
IMG_0511.jpg

[mfenmor]

I will be there JB.

[john swenson]

they look great ...hope the machine has been tested and ready to go by april busco !! j.b.

[mfenmor]

Got another full day in the garage working on the Max, thanks to some heat.
IMG_0504.jpg

Cleaned up the boxes well in the dish washer.....I mean "parts cleaner".
IMG_0502.jpg

Painted my favorite color.
IMG_0503.jpg

I have one more mod to do to the frame this week, then I'll drop it into the tub and bolt on boxes.
Getting close.

[mfenmor]

Got my butt into gear today and fired up the pellet stove in the garage. Waited for two hours for it to warm up from 20 degrees to 65. Been more than a month since the last time I was in there. Spent 7 hours working on the portal boxes, mostly deburring. Getting ready to weld in supports tomorrow. Pictures at 11:00

[john swenson]

glad to hear your carrying on. we got about 10'' snow today . took a ride up thru the woods with the tracks on . max 2 did fine , probably a little tire slipping in the tracks with the wet snow , but still made it . tracks due take more power . it would be interesting to take them off tomorrow and see how i do with just tires , but thats alot of work and if i got stuck ...well it sits there till enough snow melts . johnboy

[mfenmor]

Hey JB,
Just spent the last three days finishing up the details on the Kubota Max IV and putting on the snowplow. Snow is flying now. I'll try to get a video of plowing.
I'll get back at the portals this weekend. Just been trying to finish up other project (that'll never happen), but the Max IV highboy will take priority. Can't go out and have fun anyway till I get a vaccine.
Doing well, Hope you are as well.
Mike.

[john swenson]

hey mike .. hope your doing well , just wondering how the project is coming along . j.b.

[mfenmor]

Silly question, you have had a tire on there?

OBJECTS IN PICTURE ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR---very close... but far enough.
The closest parts are the upper axle and the beadlock ring bolts.

[john swenson]

yea..i sure hope the wheel axle sticks out far enough so the tire clears the portal . j.b.

[ARGOJIM]

Silly question, you have had a tire on there?