Nice job Mr. Hanson. No personal attack intended, just my view from the past. Very familiar with the combination of aluminum and cast. The cast parts are very thin to save weight and must be stressed in particular directions or they sometimes fail. Sometimes not immediately but over the course of time. Keep an ear out for unusual noises and have the fluids checked for any contamination when changed.
It is easy to get excited about the thought of saving thousands of dollars on a rebuilder vs buying one off the show floor. I have rebuilt many cars , trucks, and only one tractor. Maybe its the prices in my area but when the last bolt is tightened I look at the expense sheet and find if I paid myself twelve dollars an hour I'm over budget.
The viewers with all the ambition and optimism should jump into one of these projects and save all that money. Talk is very cheap when your throwing out comments and suggestions without real world experience. Check your tool box for those snap on wrenches. I sure have used mine and will continue to do so.
I have just finished repowering a Jeep Wrangler. One would think weld in some motor mounts, plug in the computer and drive. It starts with removing the frame, welding the rusted rear spring mounts, laying out the geometry for the new power plant, welding in mounts, hooking up wiring, ( not the ten minute job I anticipated ) new adaptor plate for carburator, take the stuck motor apart because it sat for three years and hope for the best. Alot of hours but a super nice UTV for under fifteen hundred dollars. Could have bought one running for 3-4k but I like the challenge of building and modifying.
I'm going to look at a half complete project today that the owner lost interest and financial backing in.
The moral of the story is some days are diamonds, some are stones. I fixed my share, got litterly buried in expenses in others, and came out on a few. I certainly could not do this for a living depending on the profit to pay bills.
I admire guys like DF Krug ( I think I got that close ). He dives in takes it apart to the final assembly, has in his mind the parts required for replacement, and assembles it like he was working in the factory that produced it. One talented individual.
So enjoy your new tractor and I hope you covered every small detail to make it perfect.
When you wash it, be sure and wax it too LOL.
