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1946 T-6 Crawler


Mogulman

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I am starting a new thread on this unit.  I had another thread or two that involved some details, but the T-6 got set aside for some other more pressing projects to get completed.  This fall it came back into the shops with priority to get it done.

This is the machine in the condition we got it...except all the unpainted items were laying on the floor and not on it.  The grill was missing, having been replaced by some expanded metal (which was also laying on the floor)...a grill was found in storage for one of these amazingly enough, surprised us too.  Replacement fenders, new muffler, headlamps and decals are acquired.

This tractor actually spent its entire life in one family.  It originally served as an agricultural tractor, later a homebuilt dozer was installed.  When the son of the original owner began restoration, he removed and scrapped the dozer hoping to return it to its original form.  Sadly he passed before he was able to complete it, his son inherited it and decided he would like to see it completed and preserved...that is when we came into the story.  It does not seem like it did a lot of heavy work as the tracks are in good shape, the drawbar is hardly worn and has only 2428 hours on the meter.  Not a whole lot for a 70 year old machine given it was their primary source of power when first acquired.

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Once it was brought in, we began a reassessment of where it was at and what needed to be done.  The once over found this crack...it is not the only one.  The decision was made to strip it down and go over it carefully and ensure that it was in good condition.  It has already revealed some good surprises which make us encouraged.

 

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On 12/4/2020 at 11:11 AM, td-18 said:

I should have some very accurate reproduction decals available shortly 

We had to get several redone from the set we bought.  The T-6 decal font was not correct.  There was also no TRACTRACTOR decal for the back of the seat.  We had that made. One decal that we may not be able to find is the SOLD BY INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER COMPANY HAMILTON ONTARIO.  There is also a patent decal (I think) above it that I am not sure is available.  Fortunately the man restoring it did not paint over them and we can still see the traces of them.

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Looks like a fun project! It will look great when you are done.

Thanks for posting the pics!! I really appreciate the pic of the final drive gears as I have one to look that had what looked like some small pieces from a bearing in the oil when I changed it so i parked it in the shop till I have to courage to dig in and see whats going on.

Enjoy!

 

Ken

 

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Mogulman,

Wow! You are all the way in on this 6! Nice work on the machine! It really looks pretty darn good before you started taking it apart! Not sure I have it in me to take one apart that far. But they sure are cute as a button with no extra blades or buckets on them!

Thanks for posting all the great pictures too!

 Merry Christmas!

Regards,

 Chris

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On 12/21/2020 at 5:43 AM, sugarmaker said:

Mogulman,

Wow! You are all the way in on this 6! Nice work on the machine! It really looks pretty darn good before you started taking it apart! Not sure I have it in me to take one apart that far. But they sure are cute as a button with no extra blades or buckets on them!

Thanks for posting all the great pictures too!

 Merry Christmas!

Regards,

 Chris

Thanks!  Really helps having the service manual...makes the tear down easier.  Really glad that it is being torn down like this...all the little things will be done!  Merry Christmas!

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One thing I need to make clear on here!  I did not buy a set of T-6 decals from TD-18 for this tractor.  I bought it from another company that had it listed.  I have contacted TD-18 to see what he is making.  Look forward to seeing it!   The set I ordered did not match the original font size for the T-6 decal and did not include the TracTracTor decal for the back of the tank.  The INTERNATIONAL decal for the hood was okay.  I have not studied the rest to see exactly where we are at on those ones in the set I bought. Unfortunately, the old repaint on some of the tractor have obscured some of the original decals and maybe impossible to determine the accuracy of the set we bought.  Let us watch for TD-18's set and see what he has come up with!

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I have obtained  a few sets of original international harvester decals and there are some variations of how they have been done over the years . Some have the dash between the T6 , or T-6 some don’t . I do have an original “tractractor “ decal but I’m going for the early to mid fifties scheme which is close to the early style just no tractractor decal on the back of the tank and the “ international” on the hood has the shaded IH symbol attached to it . I hope to see them soon. I have also come up with what I think is a very close match to the silver canvas that was used as the upholstery on the seats back then . I think it will be a nice combination with new red paint . 

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

The work on the T6 is slow while waiting for parts sourcing and delivery.  So, bolts, and nuts are cleaned and inspected.  Everyone of them!  If they are bad, the appropriate replacement is added to the bag.  The bad stuff...pitched.  If the bolts are a special design, a new one may be made.  All the lock washers are replaced.  There have been restored projects we have seen that nearly rusted through bolts, bad lock washers or stripped bolts, nuts or anchor holes were not dealt with...not here.

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