Little Backhoes...

These are going to be interesting... I was approached about building a pair of miniature Case 580 backhoes... I studied them and decided I should be able to make it happen...

I'm starting with these 2 machines. Twin Fords... One is a 1983 the other is a 1984.

This is where I'm headed with them...

I started cutting steel...

 I made patterns out of my sign material and "traced" it with the plasma cutter... 4 of these pieces were cut out for the backhoe...

 These will be the front end loader arms...

 Plated the entire front end loader arm...

 I day invested in drilling holes...

 Everything is pulled square with the ratchet strap...

Not bad...

I made custom ends for some NOS buckets that I found... I cut the factory ends off and welded my new ones on...

Buckets are attached.

Making sure everything moves as it should...

 Progress on the hood...

Volkswagen Beetle front fenders... mounted backwards.

 This is the rear mount for the backhoe and cab... twelve - 14mm bolts attach this assembly to the chassis... I don't think it's going anywhere...

Progress on the cab...

 I like the chrome stack. :)

I installed the latch... it turned out very nice.

Progress... the "boom" is welded together... the rear mount is started... now I need to do some engineering in my sleep. Hopefully tomorrow the boom is attached to the chassis.

FINALLY! PAINT!

It's starting to look like a front end loader again!

Final shots of the first one...

Loaded and headed to the customer...

Delivered and on display...

I started painting the second machine...

More later,

Kurt