HD15 BODY SHOP
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Construction and other equipment
Forum Description: everything else with orange (or yellow) paint
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=102606
Printed Date: 25 Jul 2025 at 5:38pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: HD15 BODY SHOP
Posted By: AC Mel
Subject: HD15 BODY SHOP
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2015 at 11:48am
Ok, I got behind on posting. But this is some of the body work that AC tractors might need, but I can't find this in the service manual or service bulletins, so we just make it up as we go.  Some of these things don't look as nice once there painted with all these cracks in them. My body work style consists of filling the cracks with .035 wire and a compliment of 2 different size grinders and a couple of die grinders with sanding disks.  These all needed some attention. We usually wander around the yard looking for the best ones to start with. (we have several donor tractors) I'm a weld and grind kinda guy, but if they need final touch up with bondo and putty my brother specializes in that (I don't do wood either)  Front radiator guard could have used new screen, but I think you won't be able to tell when I'm done (I'll try to post pictures so you can't tell  The A frame for the cable blade needed some welding and the 3 bolts in the control lever bearing holder all broke and had to be drilled and tapped again  We found a better tank guard (donor tractor) that only needed welding and grinding instead of major straightening.  One of the other things we've learned is that trying to paint plated bolts is a pain. Most all suppliers seem to only stock plated bolts anymore  Our supplier would get us plain black nuts and bolts, but I didn't get started on that in time. So are driver John dug through bolts and found some of the appropriate AC sizes, washed them with super clean, dried them and prepared them for paint  Of course this is done with Hooch's supervision cause he knows some one can at least kick the tennis ball while there working  So when David starts painting they look like this  John also masked the guages for painting after we replaced all of them to the original AC 3 screw flange type guages. (one was even brass). We have just about used up all of the original guages from our donor tractors, so be on the lookout for those for us please.  So the story gets better. I brought the canopy over for some simple body work.  Thought I could straighten one side and replace one side   So I thought a straightening would be simple enough with all are metal technology.(LOL) So I brought are 2 John Deere backhoes to the scene for a quick fix.  UH-UH (it was beer time, so 2 beers later) I did what any knowledgeable mechanic would do. GOT A BIGGER HAMMER!. The 745 didn't have any problem holding it down and the backhoe bucket has more strength than the front bucket.  We're still not done ,but closer  As I said I can't find any of this in the service manuals, so make notes for your future restoration projects. The paint shops also open, so I'll try to get that post up soon. |
Replies:
Posted By: Mactractor
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2015 at 7:36pm
| Excellent work Mel. A few beers often sheds new light on engineering challenges. A few too many can create engineering challenges! |
Posted By: darrel in ND
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2015 at 8:54pm
| Thanks for the up-date, Mel. Thought my 645 was a beast, but I think that 745 could eat it for lunch. Darrel |
Posted By: dustydoo
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 5:44am
| Dang wish i had a playground like that A guy could have fun for quite some time !!! |
Posted By: donoman
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 12:36pm
| Great step by step restoration, lucky to have the donor tractors |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 12:55pm
|
Mel, I don't think those are standard body shop tools:) Big iron needs bigger iron to get the dents out! Your repair techniques sound a lot like mine (on a smaller scale). A welder, a torch and a two pound hammer are some times the tools of choice. Great shots! Our Maggie (Golden retriever) brings a ball to me all the time when I am working on tractors. I cleaned bolts and hardware this morning for the WD project. Trying to get some of this done ahead so when we get some warm weather I can do some assembly work. This is going to be a good looking machine when your done! Regards, Chris ------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: JC-WI
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2015 at 2:12pm
|
Mel, Your posts makes me want to bring my HD-15 out to you to do a little overhaul and repaint... Left track nearly falls off, don't have the proper aircleaners, seals are gone in the blower (nose up, nose down, hang on and she is gone and you turn black from oil blowing out the stack) and big tank needs cleaning and a lot of TLC of 40 years of neglect... Got hardnose and hydraulic blade on her. . Mel, You got a few minutes to fit her in your shop schedual? On second thought, I'm afraid it might end up in the doner pile by mistake...Or by intention. LOL ------------- He who says there is no evil has already deceived himself The truth is the truth, sugar coated or not. Trawler II says, "Remember that." |