Sam I Am

So are you going to display it with a load, or on its cradle on the back of the tractor ? Love the color by the way.

Thanks guys. I just got home last night and will find out tomorrow how much was done while I was gone....if anything. lol

Here you go Greg

I will be keeping it green. I think its a beautiful build, so maybe "preserving it" is a better term than restoration.

This is one that I recovered from that huge lot of stuff I got. I will get a pic for you next week when I get back home.

This will be my next project. Cleaning up and restoring this model for display. Not a lot of loose parts, just very dusty. I hope I can get the ladders sorted out. lol Going out of town for the week, so not much action until I get back.

Ok, we finally have the brown sprayed.

Stunning !!

That thing is awesome !!

It is a 500 series, it has a 260 Cummins (think its turbo-ed), and they want $5000 for it. Runs like a champ.

Yes I do, but need to decide which one to build, The John Deere 4430 tractor, John Deere 310 Back hoe, The Cat Bulldozer, or the International Payhauler 350

Here are a few outdoor shots.

Jt, if that is you behind the wheel, you forgot your ball cap. Great job on it !!

Thanks for the explanation of the "ant eater". I appreciate it. I also know about JT's love affair with orange and was just poking fun. My T600 will be turned into a T800 Dump truck.

I'll find out the answers to both those questions for you. ...oh, and the front bumper that is on it, is going on the stretched pete that we are painting.

My father-in-law drives a T800 dump truck with matching trailer, I have been collecting the parts to build it in scale. Just about got all the major parts. He also drove for CF back in the day, so I have collected the kits for that one also. One of our customers has a beautiful 379 Pete, so I have been collecting parts for that, and now that stretched 359 Pete..... I will be building a few more kits before tackling any of these though. lol

Ok, so its Orange, whats the big deal? I do have one question, why do you call it an Ant Eater ?

WoW !! Thanks for all the kudos. It means a lot to me. Bubba, I dont know how to take "pretty". Angelo, The hood has plenty of clearance. JT, I am not sure what I will tackle next....

Well, after......WAY to many years, I'm calling it done. My first big rig build from start to finish !!! This was a HUGE learning curve, and thanks to all who persevered along with me. I do hope to get some out door shots as well. I have learned that when the instructions say to glue the lower radiator hose to the engine BEFORE gluing said engine in place, it means BEFORE. I also came to the conclusion that all the chrome pieces needed stripped, cleaned up/and or filled, then Alcladed. I also learned that I should have replaced my dried out putty BEFORE getting back into this build, but what the hey, it was a first time truck as well as a slump buster. I also see that I need to work on all the fiddly bits that have to line up, like the steps, steps, more steps, and the mirrors. I honestly do not know why my hood hinges raised the level of the hood up. So, even with all its imperfections, I am pleased with the outcome...and VERY pleased just to finish it. Here are the late night , impromptu photo booth, FINISHED pics !!

It depends what kind of paint it is. I believe that brake fluid is the only thing that will remove lacquer.

Thanks Jim ! Its starting to look like a truck, yay !!!

Thanks for the support everyone. I have the hood and cab mounted, but the learning curve just boomeranged back on myself. I somehow got the hinges for the hood off just a hair, and when I assembled the hood before paint, I somehow got the two halves pulled together just enough at the bottom that it is pinching the cab and wants to pop the cab loose each time I try and open the hood. So it may never be displayed with the hood open. lol

Glad I can give back a little bit to this great group of modelers. It is a 1958, runs great, and is for sale if anyone is interested.

Sorry it took so long, but here are a few more pics. The rear axle is the drive axle, and the front axle is powered by a belt that is ran by a large pulley inbetween each set of duals.

Oh man, oh man, oh man, oh man, oh man......