Don Campbell's Workshop

[Don Campbell]

Todays workshop project is taking apart some of the Z-trak engine and clean it up .
Clean the fuel tank, new fuel filter , clean all the electrical connections , check valve clearances , new battery . So far other than a nest everything seems ok . Tomorrow I should be able to try to fire it up
for the first time .

 

[Don Campbell]

Cleaning the frame and wheel motors , everything looks in good condition . This morning I will clean the mower deck and sharpen the blades and after lunch if things go good first test drive
I can't get over how nice the lift table is !! No more working down on the floor

 

[Don Campbell]

Yesterday I built a rear bumper and a rear hitch for the Z-trak . Also built some wheel stops for the lift table.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays workshop progress pic show more work on the Cat Project. Stripes and decals on the rear of the machine and
two new duel exhaust stacks.

 

[Don Campbell]

My neighbor was going to throw these two seats in the dumpster and he asked me if I wanted them. They were very rusty and very pitted. Two days later they look much better
One of them will go on the round fender trailer
I am working on today

 

[rmalkow2]

They definitely look good. Nice save and good neighbor that knows you.

 

[Don Campbell]

Yes , it worked out great
Todays picture shows the next project for the Cat tractor . I am building a v-plow and a side wing for it .

 

[Don Campbell]

First hookup of the new round fender trailer to the train

 

[Don Campbell]

My neighbor gave me this broken item and I put a new hitch on it yesterday and painted it for the caboose for my jd train

 

[Don Campbell]

I pulled the Cat project back on the lift table and am making progress on the v-plow .
I should get it done and the wing plow this week.
I can't get over how much I like the lift table !!

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays progress in the workshop shows the v-plow now attached to the Cat tractor for the first time. Also more of the bracing in place and several welds ground down and filled with body filler. Also more bracing on the wing. The v-plow is 48 in. wide and the wing is 30 in. wide.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Don, do you ever slow down ? One project after another. Seriously though, it's great to see somebody enjoying and having a great time in their shop.

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks ,
I am living a dream , this is what the golden years is all about
Todays progress picture shows the v-plow sanded and painted. I will work on the mounting brackets for the wing plow tomorrow.
So fun to head out to the workshop everyday !!!

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays picture shows one of the jd round fender tractors in the workshop. I bought this a couple months ago and tore it apart and repainted it. But I have never driven it or even started it . So yesterday I tried starting it . The throttle cable and choke cable are not hooked up and there is no air cleaner . But it started right up !! The day I bought it the guy started it . I still have never driven it as i pushed it in the shop. It still needs to be wet sanded and buffed out .

 

[Thierry]

The "CAT" project is just crazy, I love the idea

 

[KMinAF]

Just curious as to your background. Your attention to the details and exactness in duplicating the real thing is amazing!

 

[Bighead38]

Thanks ,
I am living a dream , this is what the golden years is all about
Todays progress pictur5e shows the v-plow sanded and painted. I will work on the mounting brackets for the wing plow tomorrow.
So fun to head out to the workshop everyday !!!

What kind of tractor was it to begin with? How did you decide what would become a Caterpillar?

 

[burleyfarm]

Todays picture shows one of the jd round fender tractors in the workshop. I bought this a couple months ago and tore it apart and repainted it. But I have never driven it or even started it . So yesterday I tried starting it . The throttle cable and choke cable are not hooked up and there is no air cleaner . But it started right up !! The day I bought it the guy started it . I still have never driven it as i pushed it in the shop. It still needs to be wet sanded and buffed out .

Can't beat those Kohler engines Don.
Its looking good.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Too cool!!

 

[Wuaname]

Thanks ,
I am living a dream , this is what the golden years is all about
Todays progress picture shows the v-plow sanded and painted. I will work on the mounting brackets for the wing plow tomorrow.
So fun to head out to the workshop everyday !!!

Wow looks great with the v plow!

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks !!!
It started as a Ranch King and I bought it for the 18 hp twin engine. I am tired of green projects and I had some Cat decals left over from a toy project and some Cat paint left over. . So decided to make it a Cat !!
Todays picture shows the wing plow now attached for the first time.
Tomorrow I could get the lift linkage built and the wing sanded and painted. It is a crazy project.
I just want my collection to be a little different

 

[lucky.expert]

I've gotta say I am looking forward to your latest tracked CAT project, I'm curious to see how you are going to pull this one off!

 

[wagzilla]

You have some mad skills Mr Don, thanks so much for sharing!!!

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks ,
Today I got the complex controls built
Also got the welds sanded and filled with body filler for a nicer look.
Tomorrow I will sand and paint it

 

[jywilli69]

Wow, that is a very nice shop you have Sir.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

How does that filler hold up filling those weld voids? I thought that I was the only one that did that.

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks , but my shop is very small.
Been using filler to smooth the welds for 40 years and never had it break off or crack.
Todays workshop progress picture shows the wing plow now sanded and painted.

 

[Don Campbell]

The weatherman is saying snowflakes for us later this week . So time to get things moved around to get at it just in case. I have 10 blades, one bucket , 4 snowblowers and only a 30x50 driveway

 

[xtremek]

Since you obviously need to use those different snow removal tools, I recommend you drop by my hood and lend a hand. Between the two neighbors and myself there's probably close to a half mile of driveways to clear. I'd hate to see those beautiful rigs just lay around neglected. I'm sure I can talk Robin into making you a cup of hot chocolate or two.

 

[Don Campbell]

GEE , that would be fun plowing that much snow.
Mine won't get much use at all.
Today I moved more stuff around and packed away the first four tractors in the back shed. Here are just four blades lined up.

 

[Don Campbell]

Another day moving things around before the snow starts tomorrow night . Even though we may only get flurries , I will be READY
Today you can see the forks removed and my home made snowbucket attached to my mini wheel loader. Also you can see the rear snowscoop I made out of a old 59 inch jd snowblower that was also headed to the scrap yard. It also adds weight for the rear tires . I also got a set of free tire chains for it from the same fellow. Don't you just love it when you get things free and you actually use them.
The little Ranch King/Cat tractor looks pretty good outside

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

Don, I think that you need to show your "prototype" to the folks @ Cat.

 

[Don Campbell]

I doubt the folks at Cat would be interested in Garden Tractors,
Three inches of snow for us tomorrow in Gaylord
I pulled my two jd 455 diesels in the shop, one to get cleaned up after summer and fall work and the other one to check it over
for winter weather starting soon.
I bought these two tractors 16 years ago brand new. They have been great little machines. One has 1300 hours and the other one has 199 hours. They still look pretty good.

 

[Don Campbell]

Happy Wife , Happy LIFE
Today I took my wife out for lunch and we stopped at the John Dealer and I bought a brand new jd 758 4x4 diesel tractor with a 54in. snowblower .
It will be made in the next week
or two in Horicon , Wis. Very Exciting
The one in the picture was the smaller gas version with the smaller 47 in. snowblower.
The things we do to keep our wives happy

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

I don't know what you're doing Don but keep it up!

 

[taumac]

Damn Don, wife got lunch and you got a new JD. That must have been one hell of a lunch. LOL

Have a good one, Gerard

 

[Don Campbell]

We looked all last week for her a new Cadillac , did not find one YET ??
She gets a NEW Cadillac ,
all I get is a little baby riding lawnmower

 

[taumac]

Oh!!! Well that makes A LOT more sense now. LOL

Have a good one, Gerard

 

[Don Campbell]

Over the last 15 years as I puttered in my little workshop building toy tractors from scratch out of steel and I always new I wanted to be working on garden tractors. Now two years have gone by since I built my first working mini tractor and I got to full fill my dream.
Now I know why people talk about those golden years.
17 little tractors I can actually drive is crazy but COOL
Life is great
Here are a few of my one of a kind hand built all steel tractors.
I have definately always enjoyed my little workshops

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

Don, it's obvious that the blood in your body runs green but I've noticed that you've taken on a couple of other projects with a Bolens and a Ranch King. When you just purchased a new personal tractor it was a JD. What's your thoughts on the lesser brands?