Don Campbell's Workshop

[Don Campbell]

One week ago today I sold my 1/2 scale jd 4020 I made a few years ago. I had no idea the next day I would start making another one . I love the 1/2 scale tractors . Todays picture shows the rear duels and I love this look. Today I will work on the fender headlights and the orange top fender lights . In just one week this is taking shape .

 

[Strouty]

Looking good Don, I love the tires.

 

[rmalkow2]

That's looking awesome Don. The dual rear wheels really give it that big tractor look.

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks ,
I tried duels on the rear of my 1/2 scale narrow front jd 730 tractor and I did not like how they looked. But I also love the look of these duels . In fact I see it hooked to a rear field cultivator or disc I think I will make next. Todays progress pic show the four fender mounted headlights now in place and I built the rear orange taillight mounts . I liked one on each fender .

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays progress from the workshop I cut out several pieces of 18 ga. sheet metal and used the plasma cutter to burn two holes in the center and welded in a screen to build a safety shield over the engine v-belt. Also I used my hand held bandsaw and cut off half of my clutch pedal support and re braced it for more clearance on the wider front tires.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays progress picture shows the new shields I cut out , drilled and bent and then painted for the right side of the mini 4020. Today I will work on the front grille and the front weight.

 

[bolensboneyard]

Re: Sharing my little workshop

They look great

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks ,
Todays progress in the workshop I got the new front grill parts cut out , bent and painted. I also got the new weight box built and painted and attached. This gives it a more rugged look on the front . I really like it .

 

[Strouty]

The sheet metal is looking good for sure.

Where did you get those tires? They are really nice looking.

 

[ABSTIFFGS]

I truly enjoy reading all of your updates! Keep up the fantastic work my friend!

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks ,
Today's progress picture from the workshop shows I made the red fuel cap and the black radiator cap on the hood. I also shortened the lift handle . And I installed a new more comfortable seat. Today I have four brand new tires and rims coming so I should get the duel wheels all mounted to the tractor for the first time. So hopefully tomorrows picture will show the tractor completely finished.

 

[Don Campbell]

Yesterday my four new tires and rims arrived . So I got them painted yellow and I built the spacers for the rear duel wheels. One step closer to finishing the little 1/2 scale 4020 . Far from perfect but another fun workshop project.

 

[Don Campbell]

It is FINISHED !! Today I got the duels all mounted on the tractor. Two weeks ago I could not sell this for $500.00 . Several people came but no buyers. So I took a lemon and make it into lemonade !!, ha,ha. Now I absolutely love it !! And I know my little grandson is going to love driving it too. It sure seemed good to be back in the workshop the last two weeks !

 

[rmalkow2]

That would be the baddest tractor in any neighborhood! Should be no problem selling it now when you get ready.

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks , I sold my other one with the bigs tires to the first person that came to look at it. So this could help sell this one now with cooler tires and a few other little extras.
Deb just uploaded a video of me driving it out of the shop today and in the backyard for the first time. It is fun to drive.
The video is on You-tube at doncampbellmodels video number 193 if anyone wants to see it.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays workshop progress shows two new sets of fenders I cut out , drilled and bent with the new headlights attached. I plan to build another 1/2 scale jd 4020 starting next week. I should get the new 6 tires this Sat. Once it is done I will put them both for sale and see if one or both of them will sell. This one I am putting a price of $4,000.00 and the next one the price will be $5,000.00 The next one will have hydrastatic transmission and duel hydraulic hookups. There is a fellow in Southern Michigan who builds and sells mini tractors and I heard he gets up to $10,000.00 each for them. Mine are not as fancy . If they do not sell I will just enjoy having them and if they do sell then I will build me another one.

 

[nine4gmc]

They get $3k for clapped out zero turns around here, you should have no problem getting good money for the awesomeness you put out!! Great work Don, love what you do!

 

[fergus]

Don, don't know if you mentioned it before, but I assume that you have to re-gear the axles or drivetrain somehow when you add big tires like that. Right?

Awesome work BTW.

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks ,
No regearing after changing tire size. Just for parades and me and my grandson puttering around everything works just fine.
Todays workshop project I have the old 1/2 scale jd 730 narrow front on the lift doing a little work on it. I bought another tractor yesterday and brought it home . So about mid week I will get it in the shop and on the lift and get going on it.

 

[bigfredtn]

You sir are a genius.

 

[Don Campbell]

After selling five of my little tractors recently it was time to go buy one, ha,ha. Last Sat. I dragged this old jd 140 home. It has hydraulics so this will be my next 1/2 scale jd4020 project conversion. Then I can build a disc or field cultivator and raise and lower it with hydraulics. Should be another great little project.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays workshop progress shows the new fenders , the new lights , the new seat on the old 1/2 scale jd 730 project. You can see I am now fabricating running boards for it. This should all make this tractor much nice to drive. Also thinking about duels on it, ha,ha.

 

[Don Campbell]

Here is my next conversion project under way. I have the larger tires mounted, the new seat, the air cleaner stack and exhaust stack attached and the fuel cap and radiator cap done. I am now roughing in the front grill and front weight . The duel wheels for it should arrive later this week. This will be my last tractor project this year but I hope to get one piece of tillage equipment built before the snow hits.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays progress shows the new rear duel wheels mounted. Also the front grill and front weight are painted. Now I am building the rear fender mounted light housings . Then I will reweld the running boards. Tomorrow I will pull the carb apart and clean it good . Then the engine has to come out as it has a lower block gasket oil leak. Hopefully that will go good.
Next week I will get a photo of all 4 tractors side
by side with duel wheels.

 

[Don Campbell]

Things went good in the workshop yesterday as I had no trouble rebuilding the jd 140 carb and getting it running great. I also pulled the engine and think I fixed the oil drip without taking the engine apart. Next week I'll line up the four 1/2 scale tractors with duels and get some cool photos. My grandson and son in law will enjoy driving these tractors with the duel wheels. It makes them seem more beefy.

 

[Don Campbell]

I could not resist buying this 2011 JD Gator yesterday for $150.00 . It sat under water overnight and ruined the electrical components as it is electric drive. Tomorrow I will remove the dump box and start the design to convert it to a 18 hp , hydro transmission drive. If all goes well it will make a fun little machine for under $500.00 total investment. It also has three brand new tires . Another fun little project.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

Now that's one heck of a deal! How do you find deals like that?

 

[Don Campbell]

I was just sitting in a resturaunt and checked Craigslist and I was the first caller and just 10 minutes from where we were eating, too funny. 20 minutes later it was mine.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

Talk about being in the right place a the right time,perfect.

 

[Don Campbell]

JD 1/2 scale 140 tractor VIDEO - Deb is downloading the latest video from today of me pulling out the newest mini tractor project from the workshop. I brought the Cub Cadet 1811 lawn tractor home yesterday and I already have the Gator and the Cub Cadet inside the workshop. In fact I already have the wiring stripped and all the electrical components and I have the rear axle removed. The 1811 runs great and that 18 hp twin Koehler engine runs nice and smooth . The hydraulics work perfect and no leaks .I hope to sell the extra 1811 Cub Cadet parts to pay for the cost of that tractor . It has a lot of nice parts.

 

[Don Campbell]

Here is the 1811 Cub Cadet I picked up Sunday. It is now in the workshop and I will start disassembling it tomorrow for the engine and hydro transmission.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays workshop picture shows me starting to cut the JD Gator frame to accept the new 18 hp Koehler engine and Hydro Transmission. Another fun , inexpensive project. By the time I sell the extra parts I should have zero dollars invested in this whole project. Now that is tinkering in the workshop that is really fun !!

 

[Don Campbell]

The next step in the electric to gas conversion of the Gator is to strip down the 1811 Cub Cadet to the main frame. Today I will remove the front axle and shorten the frame and driveshaft so the Gator Wheelbase remains the same . I will also cut more of the Gator bottom frame .

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

Don, I'm confused, is the Cub Cadet frame and engine going to set within the Gator frame?

 

[Don Campbell]

Yes, that is my first plan to see if it will work. If not then I will try another method. It will be a slow speed Gator now more of a go cart for my grandson and my daughter to drive around. The best thing is it will be free, ha,ha.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays shop pics shows me splitting the Cub Cadet frame . I got it shortened and welded back together . It also shows me cutting more of the Gator frame out. Today I will pull the Cub Cadet inside the Gator to see if it will work or not before I remove the front axle . It's all trial and error. It will be a slow moving Gator now with the Garden Tractor powering it, but still fun for my grandson and my daughter to drive around . The best thing is it will be free !!

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays picture shows the Cub Cadet now moved inside the Gator and welded in place.

 

[Bears Fan]

Wow! That is just "Way Cool" I really enjoy getting my Don Campbell updates while enjoying my morning coffee

 

[Bears Fan]

Saw this on the thread of WTF and immediately thought of you

 

[Don Campbell]

Wow !! , funny , !!!
Todays progress pic on the DeereCubGator shows the Cub cadet dash now narrowed up and the guages and switches all remounted in new locations. I also built a new center console frame to hole everything. It is actually all coming together quite nice.