Tree fell on my Iseki :(

[NHmitch]

I was cutting firewood this weekend in my woods for the upcoming winter, and I dropped a large tree that proceeded to hit a second tree and the top of it hit the tractor that was parked well out of the way of the first tree. I saw the whole tractor shake when it hit, and I was afraid to see the damage, because I know how hard it is to get parts. So, my hood took the most damage, and on the right side, it dented down about .5 of an inch, and there were 4 other dents on the hood. The gas cap dented in, and the steering wheel slightly bent. The ROPS saved the back end of the tractor, and the only thing that really bit it is was the fire extinguisher. I sadly drove my dented tractor out of the woods, and I am working on returning it back to normal, or as close to normal as I can get. A few questions for you guys, if your have ever done any auto body repair. I have the main dent on the edge of the hood mostly out, and after a lot of hammering with a steel block underneath, I have to fill in the small dents. Has anyone ever used bondo? I don't really have the option to weld, and I can just use it how it is, but I spend alot of time and sweat rebuilding it, and I really want to keep it looking the way it did for a 30+ year old tractor. Also, I want to eventually replace the fuel cap, but I have not been able to find one. Has anyone found one that works? I did find this one that looks close, but I am not sure if it will fit? I was looking at the version for the GM, since the size seems to be the closest. Chrome Twist On Fuel Cap

Thanks in advance, and I will post some photos, when I get a break..

 

[Bill 55]

Bondo or something similar will work fine. Body filler will stay in a dent forever. It just won't last more than a couple of years in rust repairs

 

[TomSeller]

Sorry to hear of the damage, I had read nearly all your posts and know how hard you have worked on it. At least nothing big was broken.

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

Sounds like it could have been a lot worse. I found a cap on ebay that fits back in 2011 when I needed one. I retro'd a level gauge into the one I bought on ebay to keep the original intact. Unfortunately I don't have the original listing but I bought it from the guy who sells this one:

27556D Auxiliary Fuel Tank CAP International IHC Farmall Massey Harris Tractor | eBay

and this one:

Vented Fuel CAP Fits John Deere Ford Massey Ferguson Case Oliver Moline Tractors | eBay

I think the first one is correct. You might want to email the seller with dimensions of the original first before a committment to buy either of them. Hope this helps.

 

[NHmitch]

Thank you guys for the advice and support! I used Bondo today,and after lots of hammerings, sanding, and painting, it looks almost as good as new again (thank goodness.) It's funny how you don't care when your are driving through the woods, or in a pasture about trees, and brush, until it damages the tractor and then you hate to look at it. Anyways, I'll post a photo when I am done. Now on to the gas cap. Thanks again!

 

[case245]

don't use bondo it will crack in no time use a glass product

 

[Clint S]

Use a quality filler and paint it with quality paint. What kills bondo is moisture and an poorly prepared surface. It needs a place to stick and a painted surface or supper smooth could give issues, I sand mine with a 80 grit or so. Also wipe all grease and cleaners off. Sounds like you already made the repair, looking forward to pics. If there is alot of flexing at the point where it is used could crack, if it does repair quickly as moisture will get in a bubble it up.

 

[Bird]

don't use bondo it will crack in no time use a glass product

Way back in 1965 or 66, a cousin turned his 1964 VW over, playing off road (only time I've ever been in one that turned over:laughing. So he and his dad did a beautiful job of smoothing out the dents with bondo and painted it. But then he went and traded it in on a new Mustang. A week or so later, after a big rain, he saw that VW on the Ford dealer's lot with all the bondo falling off.:laughing: I assume it's good stuff, if applied properly, but never used any of it myself.