Don Campbell's Workshop

[Don Campbell]

Back in the workshop and it seems so nice. This time of year brings back 16 years of fun memories of operating my own small lawn care business. I built the three lawn trailers and I was always tweaking something . I always kept my truck and tractors nice and shiney.

 

[Don Campbell]

It warmed up in the 40's and I changed the fuel filter in the JD 430 . Bled the fuel line and the little 3 cylinder Diesel fired right up and ran great. Now hopefully we will get one or two more spring snow storms and I can finally try out the snowblower. I have never used the snowblower on this tractor . I only used it on one of my jd 455 tractors. 18 degrees this morning and next weeks temps in the low 30's so it could snow more.

 

[Don Campbell]

Today was the tenth snowfall for Gaylord in March . I decided to try out the snowblower and new cab today but the snow was so heavy and wet and slush. So instead I decided to use it as a pusher plow. It actually pushed good with the side wings. Then I cleaned out the auger by hand not wanting to try starting the blower with packed snow in it. I did a couple small shop projects but it is staying very cold most days . Think Spring

 

[Zeke]

Don, you are the epitome of a man and his toys. I can see you loved your machines while working and took good care of them. You understood them and didn't beat them. I bet you looked forward to every morning when you could first fire up the machines.

That's like going to play and getting paid. Reminds me of the pro at the golf course, gets paid to play golf. We should all be so lucky. in a way, I am. I love to work with my carpentry and woodworking tools and I take care of them. Same goes for most of my tools except the plumber's tools. I have a full set but I don't enjoy plumbing. I do enjoy the completion of a plumbing job and the money I save.

But, this isn't about me. It's about I think I understand you and why you post. Keep up the fantastic work and keep posting!

 

[Bassfishing54]

Don,
I love seeing your work. As a new member, it took me a few times to get through your journal. I am so impressed and want to congratulate you on the job you do on all your "toys".
The first time I saw some of your work, several years ago, in Toy Farmer or Toy Tractor Times (can't remember for sure which one for sure) I was so impressed. You are a great inspiration to all.
I am rolling up on retirement in a little over a year and hope to have things in place so I can redo a couple of my father's old farm tractors, as I like to wrench more than design.
Glenn

 

[Zrexxer]

I've gotta quit clicking on this thread... it makes me feel like I'm wasting my life when I see what Don's done - and still does, every single day!

 

[Techie1961]

I've gotta quit clicking on this thread... it makes me feel like I'm wasting my life when I see what Don's done - and still does, every single day!

I know eh! I've made some nice stuff over the years and then I look at the stuff that Don has done it makes me sad. Just kidding actually since Don is kind of like a pro athlete but with the cool stuff that most of us can't compare to.

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks so much for all the kind words. I'm just a regular guy with very little money . so I always took care of my stuff my whole life knowing I may never get another one . I even have the first socket set I got at 16 years old, ha,ha. It's a fine line between being fussy and just taking care of things. My wife is so kind the last 43 years and she never complained so I never wanted her to see me not take care of things. We both worked hard our whole lives and we still don't live the fancy life most people we know live. My wife and my projects and getting to share them is just awesome. I would never say a unkind word to anyone who made a project. Sometimes people say negative things about my projects and I just think they must have never built anything themselves. Because I get excited when I see someone build something and they are so proud of it . Many of my projects are from boyhood memories on the farm and me recreating things from long ago. Thanks again !!

 

[Don Campbell]

Today I moved the jd 455 backwards on the lift table and set the Ariens two stage snowblower in place to attach it to this tractor for the very first time. I still have to tweak the mounting brackets. I have four snowblowers and the forth one will go on one of my jd 110 round fender tractors. Here is a picture of my truck plow that was never used once this winter. It is 19 years old and still in pretty decent shape. Total Time of use about 5 hours.

 

[Techie1961]

Too much time building toys and not enough time to play with them Don. They get sad if they aren't used you know.

 

[Don Campbell]

Ha, Ha,
I spend time with all 17 machines , lol . I keep them all running and move them around four times a year.
Today I painted the augers on 2 of the snowblowers and I applied some JD decals to the cab that I bought a couple years ago. The cab (still) looks very home made, lol

 

[Don Campbell]

The weather turned cold again so closed the shop but next week temps in the 50 for the first time all week. We got snow again today .

 

[Don Campbell]

60 degrees this week and loving it. Every spring the first thing I do is get some paint and paint brushes and touch up any scratches on the plows . So today here is three of the blades and the bucket . You can see they got a little wear and tear, ha,ha. Even if I have no paint to match , I still think it is important to get that bare metal covered up.

 

[Don Campbell]

Just a couple cheap paintbrushes and a hour or so and the old blades look great again .The snow is almost gone in my yard. Today I will pull the bucket off the little loader and put the forks on . That means back to Garden tractor projects , ha,ha. It is still getting in the 20's at night .

 

[CNGsaves]

What are bungee cords holding on rear tires of your snowblower tractor ??

 

[tymbo]

What are bungee cords holding on rear tires of your snowblower tractor ??

Tire chains, I believe.

 

[Don Campbell]

They help keep the chains from moving to one side or the other .

 

[Don Campbell]

I removed the snow bucket yesterday off the mini loader and put the front forks on.
Then I dug out the jd 110 snowblower . I have never had the blower on any of my 3 jd 110 round fender tractors . So today I would like to attach it to one of them as I think they look kinda cool . Mostly for looks , not to use.The last of the snow in my backyard should be melted in the next couple days !

 

[Don Campbell]

Today I attached the snowblower to one of my 110's , but there was no lift linkage. So I found a couple small clevis's and a piece of 3/8 steel rod and tomorrow I'll figure out the length to cut the rod and the angle to put the kink in it before I cut it . I actually think it looks pretty cool. The front guard is kinda bent up so I will also tomorrow fabricate a new one of those . I also have to modify the jd 455 front mounting brackets for the Ariens snowblower this weekend . Then I want to park all four tractors side by side for a cool group snowblower photo.

 

[Don Campbell]

I was able to dig out the little lawn trailers this morning , you can now see the round fender sulky project a little better . I want to mount this old seat on it too . I still plan on building a couple more small lawn trailers . So when I go to sell my tractors I can have a buy one, get one free sale. >) You buy a tractor and you get a brand new shiny trailer with it free !!

 

[Don Campbell]

I got the lift linkage built for the jd 110 snowblower lift mechanism and it works great .
I also pulled two hubcaps off my other jd to see how the jd 110 would look . Not Bad.

 

[Don Campbell]

Today I decided to drag out my old air compressor , it has not been used for several years. I threw some yellow paint on it along with the portable air tank I have had for 30 years. I decided to put oversized tires on it and I will put a simple steering on the front with two more tires and a wagon type handle . I also want to put a cradle type bracket so the portable air tank will just sit crosswise on the rear . Just one of those surprise projects that just hit me ? old age ,

 

[Don Campbell]

Today I got the front steering axle fabricated in the shop. I still have to build the handle brackets and the rack for the portable air tank on the rear. It should pull across the yard much nicer now. These were the old four junker tires off the articulating Bolens .

 

[Don Campbell]

Back from a spring vacation , did a little welding in the shop today and fired up the grader for the first time . Also fired up Deb's rear engine rig. Also hooked up the JD Train for the first time. Tomorrow I will do more welding in the shop and fire up three more tractors. Raking the yard today there was two spots under the leaves still 4 inch thick ice.

 

[Don Campbell]

I got 13 of my 16 tractors now started for this year. Tomorrow I will fire up the last three.
I'm never buying another garden tractor .

 

[northern33]

Very impressive!!

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks ,
Sixteen engines now all running for 2015 !! I got the last two jd 110 round fenders started today and after cleaning the jd 730 narrow front Wards tractor carb it also fired right up. Here is also a picture of the Cub Cadet running

 

[Don Campbell]

More workshop projects ! On my morning walk I saw 25 garden tractor tires and rims sitting out in a neighbors trash. This week is our towns spring trash pickup. So I hopped in my trucks and picked out the best 12 tires and rims. Now I have 12 more to add to my other 16 tires and rims for more future projects!!

 

[Don Campbell]

I sanded and painted the free tires and rims yesterday after finding them in the neighbors trash by the road. They look much better.

 

[rmalkow2]

Free is always good. Good eye seeing that opportunity and nice refurb Don. They look better than brand new.

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks,
Yesterday I found this old Jeep in the neighbors trash out by the road. I dragged it home, sanded it and repainted it . Thought I could try to get it working for my little grandson. I rewired it with a garden tractor battery . Today I will clean all the connections and see if I can get it going.

 

[Don Campbell]

I installed some new wires and new connectors and the little Jeep works GREAT !!
Todays picture is Deb driving her little JD 68 pulling air !!

 

[Bears Fan]

Don how do you do it all? I get tired just reading about what all you have done!

 

[rieferman]

Love all the posts, including the Jeep save for your grandson. I know my kids LOVED driving a similar vehicle all around our yard for YEARS, so I think you'll find it was definitely worth the effort.

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks ,
I have always really enjoyed building things ! It is a labor of love.
Todays project I am sanding and filling over a dozen gouges and a few holes in the plastic fenders on my JD Z-trak I bought last fall for $600.00 . It will make it look much nicer. Also here is a picture of my next project , it is a old 2 wheel dolly sitting around for several years. I am going to tweak it into a horizontal/ vertical garden tractor attachment mover.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays progress shop project shows my 2 wheel dolly project under way. You can see the new wider rear axle and extra bracing in place. You can also see I increased the size of the tires a bit

 

[Boosted1]

That should make the air compressor really easy to move around outside.

 

[Don Campbell]

Yes !,
Todays pic shows the quik tach front axle now on the all terrain dolly for use in the horizontal position. I will get going on the second one today and it will get the next size larger tires. Fun simple little projects.

 

[Don Campbell]

Here is the second dolly/ wagon conversion almost done .
I ran out of steel

 

[Don Campbell]

I got the front and rear hitches built and painted. I have 6 , 20 inch tires left so I will build one more and hitch them together . I will bolt a piece of plywood to each one for a flat deck . This will make three nice flatbed wagons at a reasonable price to build .