The tale of TWO 644 Loaders...

[RoamingGnome]

Look what followed me home... or is it time for an intervention now ?
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Many thanks to @Eugen for patiently holding on to this tractor for me, I almost bought it a year ago, but changed my mind at the last minute... I didn't wait when I was given a 2nd chance... It will spend a week or two in "Gerry's Big Sky Garage" for some tweaks, and do a little bit of work in the backyard before it goes up north to do "real" work.
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We had some nice weather for travelling today, it was a pleasant change from the dreary rain yesterday...
and also - yesterday was Kelly's birthday , delaying the pick up date meant I didn't give myself a tractor for "Her" Birthday Present ...
Happy Wife... Happy Life...

[MattA]

Looks familiar... glad it went to a good home

[Spike188]

@RoamingGnomeI suspect that the 644 will become a third arm for you. When it comes to lifting and pushing items into the pickup or onto your trailer it will become the go to tool. My 646 has a carburetor issue making it almost useless. It will get priority treatment before any other projects are started.

@Eugen will be happy that it has stayed in the fold.

[propane1]

Nice buy Gerry. Will be very handy.

Noel

[DavidBarkey]

Congratulations to you both . That will help you both out . Some things are meant to be .

[Harry]

Gerry I’m sure you’ll find this machine to be indispensable for your many projects up North. I used mine to remove the green case from the guys pickup. Sorry no pics hard to take them while operating the machine. Harry

[JSinMO]

Congratulations Gerry! You’re building quite a fleet! I think you will be very happy with the loader.

[Eugen]

A few years ago after breaking my back with a wheelbarrow and 10 tonnes of soil I got the green light from my wife to get a small loader and so my hunt for a 600 series began. But only after having it I realized how versatile and useful a small loader is. I think you will have a similar experience Gerry. It was a pleasure to see you and your wife yesterday. Hope you get lots of use from this tractor!

[CaseIngersollNE]

Congrats!!!! Looks like a good one, the loaders can not be replaced once you have them.

[RoamingGnome]

I've been getting a little seat time with the yellow 644 in the last few days - as many of you mentioned it's quite handy for moving stuff around the yard.

First modification was a pair of D rings on the upper bucket webbing,

Really handy having a dedicated anchor point for chains and shackles...

I've finished the teardown of one of my old, rusty Sidekicks all that was left was the drivetrain - so much of the frame and body had disintegrated - final cleanup was shovelling rust flakes and chunks off the lawn afterwards

I was happy that the 644 could actually lift the engine/transmission/transfer case up and out of what was left of the frame.

Unfortunately the ass end was a little light and traction was non-existent - doing a 1 wheel burn out and leaving a shiny brown skid mark in the yard.

After the powertrain was out I was able to pick up and move the remainders of the frame and continue removing front axle parts

Back for a 2nd try at the powertrain, with the same results, even after filling the weight box with more concrete pavers
- I probably could have moved if I had a set of chains on the tires (maybe)

...and there it sits - plan "B" is to split engine/trans and move the parts separately, I just didn't want to be kneeling down on the ground fighting with the bolts...
BTW, engine + transmission + transfer case probably weighs around 375 llbs