Case 644 loader repairs

[thebuildist]

I have a porta band mounted in my bench with a 10 x 16 table/platen. It's my go to for metal cutting, unless the object is too big. But you'd be surprised how few things are too big.

Anyway, I've tried cutting oil on the blade and I can't see any real difference. So I just run it dry, with the only exception being exceptionally thick items, things over a full inch solid thickness.

Bob

[Eugen]

Used the rod to align things.

The 1/4 inch plate and 3.25" of tubing that goes through it and the tower side plate that was damaged.

The weld around the tubing on the outside. There was a lot of missing material here around the tubing, as the plate was damage. Did my best to fill that in with 3/32 6011 electrode.

Finally, the weld on the inside of the tower. Used 1/8 6011 between the plate and tower.

I know it's not pretty. Had to use the AC welder because the flux wire gun didn't fit well in the inner side of the tower and I could not see anything there while moving it around. But I think there was good penetration and it'll hold well.

[thebuildist]

It looks solid to me. I think it'll be just fine.

Bob

[Eugen]

The replacement engine has some protruding parts on the passenger side. To clear the loader cylinders it needs to sit off center. This complicates the issue a little bit.

Front view showing the engine off frame center.

[JSinMO]

It’s coming along! Good job @Eugen
I think your welds will be fine. Once it’s painted and the cylinders are on it will look fine and be stronger than original!

[propane1]

Nice job Eugen. That won’t break out. That’s for sure.

Noel

[DavidBarkey]

The replacement engine has some protruding parts on the passenger side. To clear the loader cylinders it needs to sit off center. This complicates the issue a little bit.


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I have repowered with those clone engine before . They work good , but are a pain to hook up throttle and choke cables unless you change the carb and air filter. I prefer to go with a lawn tractor carb from the same size cc. engine and make an adapter plate . It helps to have a bunch of junk around to compare with .

[Eugen]

Made a plate for mounting the engine off center and will use some 1/2" thick rubber spacers.

The pump output is near the hose, fits well after with some wiggling.

Can't say I'm the happiest with this engine in this machine.

[Eugen]

Why I said I'm not the happiest with the fitting of this engine? To accommodate its width it has to be mounted on the frame off center to clear the loader cylinders. While not ideal, with the center of gravity moved slightly to the side, it would still be functional. The nastier part is that it extends long enough towards the front of the tractor that it leaves no room for the hydraulic fluid tank and cooler.

Sure I can extend the frame 3-4 inches to move the cooler and tank a tiny bit forward, but for some reason this is bothersome to me. Especially when a Kohler K321 fits so nicely in there.

And I do have a K321, freshly rebuilt last year, with not even 2 hours on it. It's currently in the 224. The dilemma here is that 1) the 224 will be missing an engine, but I can live with that for a while, as the 644 is more important to me. And more importantly, 2) the K321 that's in the 224 has the crankshaft that takes a PTO, and that would be a waste on the 644, as I never intend to run a mower deck on the loader. I hate waste like that.

So this my OCD catch 22 and my ramble about it. So much for the "get the 644 running asap"

[JSinMO]

All I can say is don’t fight your OCD! If you do it will drive you crazy every time you look at the tractor. Maybe a step back and reevaluate? Possibly another better suited engine could be had? You always come up with good solutions, so no worries!