1/16 tractor conversion

[Acadieman]

A while ago, I bought a 1/16 Ertl tractor on Kijiji for $10 to try my hand at a conversion.
I disassembled the tractor, and started to build a frame to mount the motors and steering servo.
Here are picture of where it stands.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0009_zps1676f42b.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0011_zps9898441d.jpg


Next will be the wheels, and mounting the body.
I'm working with limited tools and knowledge, but I'm liking the experience so far. :D
My work area is our kitchen, I have a 7x12 lathe, a hand drill and a dremel. My MIG welder is 3 hrs away, so I had a friend stick weld the steering knuckles. Its a bit rough, but for a first project I'm OK with the progress.

[Dieselchopper]

good start

[Acadieman]

Front wheels:
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0013_zps6c478236.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0014_zps5f10fb78.jpg

[Acadieman]

Finished off the wheels. Next on the to do list is attach the body.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0003_zpsa82162cb.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/dominique01149/media/IMG_0003_zpsa82162cb.jpg.html)
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0001_zps5b22c495.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/dominique01149/media/IMG_0001_zps5b22c495.jpg.html)
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0004_zps499dd14a.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/dominique01149/media/IMG_0004_zps499dd14a.jpg.html)

[Izzy]

Great start.

Q- why did you not use the tractor front steering mechanism as a basis?

Izzy

[Acadieman]

Great start.

Q- why did you not use the tractor front steering mechanism as a basis?

Izzy

Thanks!

Good question concerning the front axle. There's a few reason. The first being that it was an old toy that I bought for $5 and the front axles and craddle had loads of play. The second reason was that I originally wanted to do a adjustable front axle, which I may still do before the end of the project.

The project is more complicated than it needs to be, but its been a good learning experience for future projects. I learnt the basics on running a lathe, and using the milling attachment for the mini lathe as well.

[anthonymcc]

Nice build. Cool wheels and tires.

[Stuart]

Great start!
Any updates?

[Kingcam2]

Great work so far Acadieman, can't wait to see more updates.

[Acadieman]

Kingcam2, thanks very much! With what I learned, I'm already starting to plan my next project. Going to finish this one first.

A few more pictures for now:
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0007_zpsbbbf5812.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0003_zps519980c1.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0006_zpsdb6440ca.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0004_zps1d419266.jpg

I need to do a front bumper, relocate the turnbuckles for the 3pt hitch, and do alot of body work. :cool:

[Stuart]

Looking real good, wheres the battery and radio gear located?

[Grainfarmer]

Nice MF! Which type is it?

regards
Frank

[Stuff]

awesome!

[Acadieman]

Thanks for the compliments everyone!

Stuart, I managed to stuff the electronics in the hood and under the floorboard. I may run a bigger battery later on, which I'll simply put in the cab.
There's actually a BEC, ESC, battery, and steering servo in all that mess. :)

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0497_zps388bf4da.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0498_zpsaa590d28.jpg

Grainfarmer, its a MF 698. When I bought the toy used, it had dual wheels in the back, but after looking online I only every saw it with singles. The 698 was built in France, and I don't believe any of them make their were to North America. I almost switched the decals to a 275, but it wouldn't look right with the cab.

[Acadieman]

A few videos of a test run:

http://youtu.be/uRpl0gRRlDM
http://youtu.be/gxDJlzyIY70
http://youtu.be/7jC2XV-liww

[Grainfarmer]

Runs well! Maybe you find some new decaös here:
http://www.dakotahtoyparts.com/web/index.php?siteid=313
...or here:
http://www.bossenimp.com/

[Acadieman]

Runs well! Maybe you find some new decaös here:
http://www.dakotahtoyparts.com/web/index.php?siteid=313
...or here:
http://www.bossenimp.com/

I got a set of decals from Dakotah Toys, and I'm planning another order soon for other needed items. :D

[Acadieman]

Tractor is finally done.
I did a few mistakes at the end as I was rushing to get it done. :mad:
Notheless I'm happy for now. I'll put a SMV sticker on the back, and take a video of it running shortly. I'm moving this weekend, so the video will be a while!

Here are a few pictures. Cabriolet version: :)
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0587_zps6987c113.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/dominique01149/media/IMG_0587_zps6987c113.jpg.html)
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0586_zpsf14316d4.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/dominique01149/media/IMG_0586_zpsf14316d4.jpg.html)
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0588_zps3aef838b.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/dominique01149/media/IMG_0588_zps3aef838b.jpg.html)
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0591_zpsea7c6d4c.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/dominique01149/media/IMG_0591_zpsea7c6d4c.jpg.html)

With Cab:
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0594_zps1f35b681.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/dominique01149/media/IMG_0594_zps1f35b681.jpg.html)
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0593_zps4268127a.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/dominique01149/media/IMG_0593_zps4268127a.jpg.html)
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0598_zps6a31a10b.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/dominique01149/media/IMG_0598_zps6a31a10b.jpg.html)
Close up of the 3 pcs wheels:
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0596_zps2b51e696.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/dominique01149/media/IMG_0596_zps2b51e696.jpg.html)
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0597_zpsbd5d749f.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/dominique01149/media/IMG_0597_zpsbd5d749f.jpg.html)

[egronvold]

Looks good!

[kaptain Jack]

Nicely done

[Stuart]

Sweet!

[Grainfarmer]

Great conversion! Looks good... :rolleyes:

[Acadieman]

thanks everyone! I can now start on the IH. :)

[Acadieman]

I had a few things I wanted to finish on the MF such as the headlights, and smoothing out the operation of the 3pth.

After 3-4 months put away, I got time today:

http://youtu.be/gq8j6OtLwN4

I got a blade and brush cutter to fit on the 3pth, and also completed a proper drawbar for the other attachments I have.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z137/dominique01149/IMG_0080_zps46862ce3.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/dominique01149/media/IMG_0080_zps46862ce3.jpg.html)