The planning/engineering aspect is so time consuming. I easily spend as much if not more time thinking, measuring, mock-ups, etc... Than the actual cut/weld/grind/paint time.
Threads like this have been extremely helpful to me in my thought process, even of seemingly unrelated topics. Its often strange the things that jog your brain, and stimulate the creativeness needed to come up with good ideas.
Andy, do you plan to make another, for the second tractor? If so, what would you do differently ?