BK9300

The model was at a bit of a crossroads. The truck's main frame attachments were done and I needed to get on with doing some painting and working on stuff above the frame - the sander, hydraulic tank and lines for all the plows, the engine. Apart from mocking the cab and hood in place, along the way, to see if everything fits, I'm saving the cab and hood for last - I find body work quite frustrating. So, thought a few pics of all the plows mocked up in place would be fitting, because they were going to get set aside in a padded box while the other frame work carried on (these pics were taken before the hard line hydraulic runs and compressed air tanks were added) these beautiful wheels will need to be painted, unfortunately! (the real truck has white rims) Thanks again for looking in - work on the sander will be next!

Charles, thanks for the kind words - this truck is a long overdue project - a great hobby to be involved with!

Thanks, Gary - I appreciate you checking in. Your new build looks to be quite the truck!

For many months last year, I’d been able to spend a lot of time working at my desk/bench (at this point in the WIP I was about three months into it). Still had lots of enthusiasm, so the final plow was underway! Started off with a printout of the front plow from my Sketchup model; worked on cutting out all the reinforcing ribs/arches for the moldboard frame; lined up the main ribs with brass rods, spaced per the template; attached the moldboard skin and worked on the anti-kickback spring units that mount on the push frame, and attach to the plow; made the manual, plow angle adjustment pole; test fit the plow on the bumper/lift group Sketchup printout - wouldn't have been able to make the arches correct without the patterns lining up the main arch pairs, to start the moldboard frame assembly moldboard completed, plow shoe adjustable mounts added to ends of push frame, anti-kickback dampener springs ready to be assembled aluminum tubing pole brace from push frame to center plow arches- the plow lift arm has a hook on it at the moment - need to change that to a U shaped clevis at some point, and add lifting chains between the clevis and the ears on the push frame some small details left to add, but basically finished (and need to trim the ends off the plow shoe mounting plates) will get to the sander body in the next few posts

Appreciate the welcome,Steve. I’ll second your comment about the talented builders (in all areas of the forum) - an inspiring and motivating environment for sure!

Great start with body - rest likely will be too!

First off, I did try to edit out the double pics in my post yesterday. Looked like I had succeeded but they still showed up after saving the edit – I’m likely doing something wrong. Another plow attachment underway – the front lift group is incorporated into the truck’s bumper unit; made the main mounting plate and frame braces back to strengthening gussets; lift arm and braces that lift cylinder attaches to; the plow's push frame coupling bracket and a start on the articulating, push arm framework (primer is great for seeing work that still needs to be done – so are pictures – I’ve seen a few things along the way that could use some work…) main body of bumper/lift group, with frame braces and gussets gussets are a little thick - may need to thin them a bit bumper wings, lift arm and braces - hole in front panel is for hydraulic lines to lift cylinder pieces for coupling bracket lift cylinder in mocked up in place push frame for front plow - will pivot on bolt in coupler and free to move up and down as well - adjustable plow shoes temporarily in place will post the rest of the front plow tomorrow - thanks for the comments!

Thanks, Jeff - the detail is hard to achieve sometimes - been more than a couple “do-overs” along the way!

Going to be a great looking build!

Thanks, Dan - appreciate you looking in!

Hi Terry - super detailing on the engine and the dash looks so clean after your modifications - great work!

Hi Steve - just been through your thread - beautiful car. Really hard to tell it’s not full size in your final photos!

That’s a big truck - following your progress. Will your truck have the fold out fifth wheel some of these trucks have? Great work!

Great looking car! Thought these cars looked “tough” when they first came out - great backdrop you used to photograph it.

March of 2023 was first time back modeling in 30 odd years. Found it easy to pass 6 - 7 hours, several days a week for first few months. Every now and then get stalled waiting for parts - only one project on the go. Great way to pass the time!

Thanks, Scott - spent a lot of time working on it this past year - good fun!

So far, I’ve been lucky to find some version of the real truck’s equipment online (like Tenco’s Wear Parts book for the wing plow mounts), plus using my own measurements of real truck; for the underbody, no such luck with manuals, so measuring the real one was the only way to go; the curved surface of the model's moldboard was bent along “brake” lines using a steel ruler to simulate the real life machine brake lines; tried to avoid getting whipped again making the plow's lift cylinder (failed!) more patterns and cutting - 30 plus pieces - good thing for extra readers and magnifying desk lamp! pattern for surface of plow moldboard - trying to lay out the machine brake lines angle iron backbone of the moldboard and pivot brackets that plow raises and lowers around intake portion of the "skin" attached these (adjustable) brackets are the frame mounts that the plow's vertical support pins attach to Exhaust half of "skin" formed and attached resin nuts and washers from A & N attaching blade to moldboard support pins on plow and frame brackets for pins - pins is probably not a good term - on real truck these are 2 1/2 inch solid steel lengths of rod this cylinder raises and lowers the plow - end of hydraulic cylinder moves inside spring and slotted support - another anti-kickback dampener lift cylinder attached to its frame mounting bracket on left better view of cylinder frame mounting bracket - cylinder pivots slightly in this bracket as the plow is raised and lowered mockup of underbody plow - intake side - raised and lowered plow "exhaust" or outlet side - raised and lowered (had to add front tires to see if plow height was ok) a lot of hours can pass by doing this hobby - great therapy - more later!

An amazing amount of detail in your engine - very inspirational!

Great job, Dave sure is faster than this morning!

Hi Bob - stance is looking good! Making the vision come to life can test one’s patience.

Thanks, Gary. Lots of pics and measurements. I'm guessing about a third of my build time has been spent looking at all the photos, and on the web, figuring out how all the pieces work together. Was also fortunate to have had access, over the years, to the shops where our trucks were built and talked with guys making all the real pieces come together.

Mathias, thanks for the welcome!

A little crane would very typical for these service trucks. If its an out of the box build, who makes the truck body? Looks great so far!

Love all the metal - u-bolts, rad supports, shocks - great detail!

Nice work, Jim. Your custom brass work really makes the details pop. I think I'd burn the place down trying to do it!