Track frame covers in OZ

Ask Luke up in West Wyalong what the Engineering Shop tried to charge him when they made him a set for his D2 just over a year ago, I reckon it was close to $2,000 because they said it took them nearly 3 days, and he still had to modify them when he got them home, BUT, he did not have a good set to use as templates. I got quoted about $250 to $300 a side a year ago and need to get some made which I thought pretty reasonable, however from my experience quotes appear to be merely a suggestion on the final price from a supplier, kind of like a worm on a fishing line to get you hooked , and the actual final price paid can be 10% to 500% higher if it has Old Highway Yellow paint on it!😆

Someone here, or over on ACME made their own and did a fantastic job, but it still took them nearly 2 days from memory, from start to finish.
regards
Mike

D4 7U ones too - they are nowhere to be found, and even most D4Ds have nearly all had them removed. Where the hell are they all??? If you are going to work the machine, you may be best to leave them off based on previous comments here that they can cause major power loss due to collecting dirt and clogging up the works. Then there's the issue of rusted and busted mounting points to address and fix😊

A far neighbour of mine has a complete D4 7U sitting in his shed - it has all the track guards and he will allow me to copy them. But that won't be for a year or so given the work involved. I'm yet to see a D2 with all the guards in place - except in photos.

A rough estimate from a local sheetmetal works for reproduction D4 guards recently cited was around 2k - which I thought reasonable given the price of other componants, eg., radiator cores and the like. D2's would be similar in price.

You don't get much for 2k in Aus nowadays, unless it is imported.

Here's an old post from this site showing what I did for my D2, it's the thread I put up showing how I fabricated the front dirt guards using only simple tools like angle grinders with cutoff wheels, vise-grips, screw clamps, hammer, and a welder - and some rough forming tools made from scrap-iron pile steel.

http://www.acmoc.org/bb/showthread.php?6776-Fabricating-D2-front-dirt-guards&highlight=


I was just about done restoring my D2 and had given up on finding an original set of useable front guards for it. All I had to go off of was old photo archive pictures and an original set I had managed to find for an earlier project that I had extensively repaired. Made everything to be as exact of a copy as I possibly could, and turned out well. Unless you bend down to look at the undersides where I left the welds untouched, you're hard pressed to notice they're not originals. I've fabricated a rear set of D2 guards too, the ultra-hard to find late series extended track frame ones for my MM prototype project, but I think I'll have to dig those pictures back up as I had to delete them from here for more storage space.

Palmer,
Toby has the best step by step for the covers I found. I had to do some work on mine and his pictures were helpful.

Have a good day.....Bill

there are some in ca. usa if you want to have them shipped.

Thanks for your information Toby.
You have given me the inspiration to have a go at making some myself. Can you tell me what grade/thickness of mild steel you used? I would assume that it is heavy enough to run the welder around on low amps, so would it be 3 or 4mm thick? Do you have any measurements that you could provide for the cut outs etc. It looks like it could be pretty easy to make up a flat template if you have the right measurements, then get it rolled and fill in with the smaller individual pieces. I have to say your covers look perfect in the photos.
As for having some shipped out of CA, I can only imagine that it would be pretty expensive so I'll have crack myself at blowing holes along the joints and plenty of grinding to smooth mistakes and the filling out.
The photos still don't help any with my case of cover envy!!

One more thing, engine side covers. I have noticed in photos that there are areas on the covers that have indentations pressed into them. I suspect that they are there to fit over engine parts or provide additional clearances. Have you made any of these covers and is it nesessary to have the pressed indentations or can I just make a flat cover that would fit???

Cheers.

Hi Palmer, what model D2 are chasing guards for ? 3J-5J or or 4U-5U . There are 2 differnt types in 3J-5J and there would be at least 2 types in the later series although some may interchange . I could loan You the later style for 3J-5J if you wish . I am going to Mudgee Nationals and could get them that far for You . but you would have to Freight them back I have to make a Spring cover, one day but that is the easier one . ring me on 07-54414390 if want to do something . LJ

Kenco Mfg Inc in Atoka OK make sets of track frame guards for D4 u series, D4D and later, D6 u series, D6B and later, D7 17A and later, and are very reasonably priced, they may also make them for D2 tractors.
Their phone # 580 889 5222.

palmer
i had big arguments with engineering mob in griffith ill send you a message tonight showing what i modified with mine but if you have a set to copy and the time and patience i would do it myself next time. i think they look heaps better with the guards on
regards