AMCO front blade "ALMOST" finished

[John Niekamp]

Do you all remember a couple weeks ago me posting what to do with this ugly old McCormicK -Deering front blade that came with PRB?



Well here it is now, after making some improvements and almost finished with the fabrication part of it. I had it tempoary mounted it on the Cub this past weekend to make sure I had all my linkages and pivots points made correctly with no binding up. Not using a lot of the old design, after seeing how bent up the lift arm was and the bow bracket I sorta copied the 54A ? design I think it is called with the spring on the lift, in hopes to keep it from bending everything all up again.



Here are some more pics below, hopfully this will be all ready to paint and mount on the the tractor by the weekend.


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/jni ... blade2.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/jni ... blade3.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/jni ... blade4.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/jni ... blade5.jpg


John Niekamp

NOTE: I said "AMCO" blade, well that's where I work (past 20 years) and since I made (re-invented) it at the shop. I guess no further explanation needed.

[allenlook]

Wow, very nice.

Wish I could fab like that!

[Steve Butram]

Nice Job John No swing cylinder? Steve

[John Niekamp]

Allen,

Fabrication is not a hard thing to do, especailly when you have access to the machines and steel supply as I do. http://awerkamp.com/ however I would much rather do machine work than fabrication. In either case I have to find time to do either one. My main problem is I lack the skill in the welding department. I can make my welding strong, but the looks are another thing, but one would be surprised what a 4 inch grinder will do, lol

Yeah I know practice makes perfect. Still welding is NOT for me, I despise doing it.

The other problem is when you spend 40 plus hours a week at work, I really don't want to stay there and do my own projects. I really have to force myself to do things for myself. Don't get me wrong I love my job and what I do, but I also like to be with the family.

Steve,

I really gave it some strong consideration on a swing cylinder, two reasons I didn't.

Number one and foremost was we haven't had enough snow in the past several years to really even worry about using a blade, to spend the time and effort, so I couldn't justify the time spent. The way it looks right now, all I have to install is the main pivot pin and hook up the lift linkage and it's ready to use. Looks like the rest of the mounting brackets will clear the deck when it's on.

Number 2: I didn't have an extra cylinder to spare or to donate to the cause and didn't want to spend the money on one, LOL!

Now when I get some age on me, I may reconsider this plan

[Mac from NS]

Nice job John. That is what I like to see overkill, make it strong the first time.

[Buzzard Wing]

Yikes, that is some nice JN!

I did a sideways glance at mine today, but looked a little closer as I scored a cutting edge at the dump in Maine. Looks like the holes will line up and the price was right.

Also got some 8 x 12"s to use as a splitting stand from a place where they had rehabbed the barn. Some 8 x 8's too.


Won't snow this year if you get the blade done ya know!

[Rudi]

John:

Awesome, just awesome.

Geez, break a leg and look what happens....

I am looking forward to the finished pics...

See email this evening

[Dale51]

Looks great let us see when done & mounted.