Finally got it going last week

More pictures and video

Great job buddy, I've enjoyed the read. Interesting how you towed it with the rubber tyred tractor. I wonder if I can unstick my clutches on the 5U towing like that?

Hi, DLavoie.
Lookin' good and thanks for sharing.

BUTTTTTTT,

It is IMPOSSIBLE to put a real hard nose on ANY D4 prior to the 'D' series simply 'coz they don't have frames rail to support it. That one does appear to have some fairly serious thought put into itz construction from the limited indications showing in your photos. How-wevvver, unless it transfers the blade load directly to the equaliser spring AND is SECURELY attached to the body of the tractor behind that point, I would be very hesitant to put any serious load on it to avoid breaking the engine block 'cos the engine block was really only made to carry the weight of itself and the radiator.

That is why ALL D4s up to and including the first 'C' series had the blade lift mounted on the track frames.

Just my 0.02.

Deas is very correct! No frame means the engine block is supporting the weight of the blade and the forces applied by the CCU and anything else adding to the weight of the blade. Hopefully the fabricated "hard nose" tied it to the main frame.
Be careful!
Craig

Hi, DLavoie.
One thing that I should have mentioned in my earlier post is that, unless that 'hard nose' IS supported by the equaliser spring, ALL of itz weight will also be transferred to the engine block - and that hard nose does NOT appear to be made from tissue paper - - - if you get my drift.

Even going over a good bump a bit hard could ruin your engine block - and your day. There needs to be a LOTTTT more thought put into these things than just, "I'm gonna build a hard nose for it." I would strongly suggest that you look into HOW that hard nose was built.

Just my 0.02.

I know the hard nose is not original but I bought it like that 
I’ll check if it’s solid 

thanks 
 

Hi, DLavoie.
Just bear in mind that even that hard nose by itself, even without the blade, is WAY more weight out front than the machine and especially the engine was designed to carry and so it needs to be well supported.

Just my 0.02.

Not the only one out there.....