The 4118AH had been sitting on the slab taking up space and creating mental dilemmas. The deck is totally bent and needs spindle bearings before it will even turn. The only reason the tractor was purchased was it was priced right, but now has became a project that needs to be shelved to finish other CCI commitments.
Yesterday was the Canada May 24 weekend. With everything closed I did what any bored mechanic would do, clean shop and stage the next project.
A day later being inspired by all of the cleaning, all of the hoe arms, 3 point mount and down rigger parts were taken to the sandblaster for prep and primer. Midafternoon today, the urge to surge on hit.
The intent is to use the 646L which is minus motor, travel control valve, loader control valve and other stuff as a donor frame for rebuilding the 646B . The 646L was partial restored with an incorrect red and yellow when a previous owner passed.
This made parts removal much easier but the loader hinge pin was seized in place on the left side loader arm. Driving the hinge pin using brass drive only spread the loader arms. Using a load strap to pull the arms together and lubricating the pin at the hinge was enough to get movement.
Wear groves in the rod indicate that it had not been replaced by the PO.
The steering wheel shaft came out easily but the after market wheel is welded on and the shaft was bent. Further inspection indicated that the steering sector is extremely worn. At least there are 2 good wheels on recently purchased 224's and the 646B has a good sector that only needs bushings.
The banana plate had pins welded in and the travel control ball joints are shot. Rebuilding the banana plate and travel control linkage will probably happen with the frame on stands bottom side up.
Removing the rear axle from the donor frame did not bring any surprises. It was full of water as expected but appears to be very tight with low wear.
With the 646L frame stripped it is ready to become a 646B
Exposing the 646B transaxle top showed the typical grim build up and housing water entry point.
Ouch, Not good, extreme axle wear was not on the agenda, but not a surprise considering all of the other issues found.
Placing a jack under the axle housing let the axle drop about 3/8" The axles may have to be welded and turned for new bushings. Hopefully the housing is not damaged.
The 646L was built a year before the 646B was introduced. Backhoe mounting brackets and weight bar hangers need to be added to the 646L frame. 4 holes will be drilled on the under side of the frame to mount the brackets.
At the end of the afternoon
Restoration is starting to look manageable both skill and time wise but cost is still unknown. The backhoe rear axle housing failure was unexpected.
Digging the hole a little deeper,
Spike