The beginnings of my tractor project

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Here's the beginnings of my tractor project.  It's starting out with all the running gear from a 3/4 ton 75 Chev four wheel drive truck less the motor.All the running gear is there except for the motor.  I've got a choice of a Ford 300 six with a four speed tranny or a Dodge 318 V8 with a heavy duty 727 auto tranny for the power plant.  Either one will go in front of the Chev's 4 speed tranny and 205 transfer case. The 3/4 ton 14 bolt rear axle may be replaced with a dully 1 ton axle I have.  I'm probably going to shorten the frame to make steering quicker and will probably make it a solid axle both in front and back.  Some sort of axle pivot will be used for the front axle, but this will be a slow speed rig so putting power to the ground is, like any tractor, way more important than highway suspension.It will probably end up with dual braking systems by simply using two brake cylinders so any spinning wheel can have to brake applied to aid traction.It will have a hydraulic 3 point hitch and I'm looking for a power takeoff to hook to the secondary tranny to run a mower, tiller and post hole digger.  It will have hydraulics and later a bucket loader added.  The final idea is to have a rig I can move snow out of the driveway and grade out the gravel I haul in.  I'm also planning to build one of the little CADDigger's I bought plans for a couple of years ago.Right now I have a pretty good shop with a 175 amp miller mig welder, a Smith cutting torch/welding set, a 30 ton press, a 40 inch brake/roll and shear that will do up to 16 gauge, a 16 ton pipe bender that will bend up to 3 inch, a 1/2 inch drill press and a nice motor hoist.  Add in a compressor, some air tools and plenty of wrenches and I'm looking forward to this project.  I'm retired so just build as I have extra funds so I'm a little slow.  I'm still learning to weld and cut.Bob from Idaho
Reply:Greetings faucettb,Can't wait...I vote for the 300 Ford with fouw speed. The 300 has a lot more lugging power than 318, plus you get 6:1 granny gear with PTO.14 bolt axle from  20 and 30 series are essentially the same. Now is the time to start calculating your desired overall gear ratio.Move yourself and the computer to the motor-home; you won't have so far to go between work, sleep and posting. Good luck with your project - We'll be waiting.Last edited by denrep; 11-04-2008 at 07:29 AM.
Reply:This will be neat."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Looking forward to seeing your progress. I don't think my attention span is long enough anymore to tackle something like that.
Reply:Pivot on the front will be pretty important.  Main idea is to keep the front drive shaft as straight as possible.  Too much movement either way will eat u-joints.  I believe it's the reason that a lot of FWD tractors have hydraulic front drive systems.  I would think that a centrally(or as close as you can get) located pumkin would be ideal.I'd sure like to have a crack at a job like this, but I don't have the time, or money  And I don't have the expertise..I'm sure going to follow this one.Last edited by farmersamm; 11-04-2008 at 05:28 PM.Reason: spelling, but probably still wrong"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammPivot on the front will be pretty important.  Main idea is to keep the front drive shaft as straight as possible.  Too much movement either way will eat u-joints.  I believe it's the reason that a lot of FWD tractors have hydraulic front drive systems.  I would think that a centrally(or as close as you can get) located pumkin would be ideal.I'd sure like to have a crack at a job like this, but I don't have the time, or money  And I don't have the expertise..I'm sure going to follow this one.
Reply:That looks like HARD country in Winter.  Damn beautiful in Summer though.  Be a nice place to live.Have to sell the cows though.  Be rollin' down the mountainside all the time"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Farmer that is why the first generation of tractors used hydraulic.  Since the mid 80s front wheel assist has been mechanical meaning there is a driveshaft from the transmission to the front axle.Its rare around here to see a hydraulic front wheel assist.
Reply:I've never been too close to the FWD's, but I did hear folks talk about them.  Mine are both 2WD.I stay out of the field when it's wet, and generally don't put an implement on the back that is large enough to require the added pull from FWD.  But I don't have the scale operation that you guys have up there.I'm always a little leary of tractors at auction that have duals, weights, and calcium ballast.  Somebody drove those babies into the ground I figure."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Hey Farmer,You wouldn't have to sell the cows, they just develop longer legs on one side.  Then they only roll down the mountain side when they face the wrong way.  Make hamburgers out of em and the patties will slide over to one side of the pan. Really, I read it somewhere.Mack
Reply:BTW, are they using something like a CV driveshaft these days?"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by MackHey Farmer,You wouldn't have to sell the cows, they just develop longer legs on one side.  Then they only roll down the mountain side when they face the wrong way.  Make hamburgers out of em and the patties will slide over to one side of the pan. Really, I read it somewhere.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammI've never been too close to the FWD's, but I did hear folks talk about them.  Mine are both 2WD.I stay out of the field when it's wet, and generally don't put an implement on the back that is large enough to require the added pull from FWD.  But I don't have the scale operation that you guys have up there.I'm always a little leary of tractors at auction that have duals, weights, and calcium ballast.  Somebody drove those babies into the ground I figure.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammBTW, are they using something like a CV driveshaft these days?