Terra tiger - frame reinforcements

[simpleton7016]

I was chatting with Farmtoybuilder and he indicated that some of the later Terra Tigers had an upgrade kit to reinforce the bottom....but that many dealers did not install it. I just bought another tiger specifically because it does have the frame rails across the bottom (picture 1 below). I will replicate them and put them in each of my Tigers. But while searching the archives here, I found another idea (picture 2 below) for better reinforcement and I am wondering if this was someones own idea or if this was part of the upgrade. I am thinking I might combine the two ideas and weld a flate plate (like in picture 2) all the way from the middle axel support back to the rear piece of angle iron support (pictures 1). Thoughts? Pro's, cons?

[simpleton7016]

another pic of what I believe is a factory upgrade frame support.

[simpleton7016]

another pic

[farmtoybuilder]

Your Picture 2 was part of update kit. and other (angle iron) is factory installed ones like TT18's used. Easy to make for them.

[simpleton7016]

Thanks Jeff, so the factory upgrade kit consisted of a flat metal plate on the top and bottom of the fiberglass floor bolted together through the bottom?

[farmtoybuilder]

Top plate was formed like c - channel for strenght to hold bottom flat and keep it from bowing-flexing in middle. |__|

[simpleton7016]

So the C-channel on the floor bolted through the bottom to a piece of flat stock on the bottom? Carriage bolts I assume?

[farmtoybuilder]

5/16" flat head slotted screws-bolts on bottom. They weren't carriage bolts.

[simpleton7016]

Excellent...thanks.

[simpleton7016]

Jeff, could I trouble you for the dimensions of the plate on the bottom of the belly? My machinist is making a sweet hybrid of the two reinforcement kits, but needs the length (from side-to-side) of that bottom/underneath piece of metal. My best guess is that it is about 17 inches, but that is just based on the with of the wood that I am replacing on the inside.

Once I have this kits installed, I will post pictures and contact info for my machinist and he will maybe make more depending on demand. My thoughts are that it will make my fiberglass work much easier if I can suck the "bow" out of the bottom of these machines before doing the work.

[farmtoybuilder]

I will get them for you! Been super busy! Just brought another TT18 in S.C. also

[simpleton7016]

I will get them for you! Been super busy! Just brought another TT18 in S.C. also

The one on e-bay? Nice score!!