M915A1 recovery has begun...

[Bighurt]

Alright so I was absentee for part one but seeing as though it's now off the GL lot I consider the recovery in work. This is going to be a thread that spans a few months as I'm not planning on the trip south till end of Mar.

Anyways wreckerman893 volunteered to act as my agent and setup the recovery with the GL folks. I really appreciate all his efforts and can't wait to meet him in person. I fully intend to bring a big tool box, but with truck at Richards place I'll have a healthy equipped garage in case I forgot something. Very reassuring...

I'm not sure who Richard dealt with at Gl but all my phone calls were made to Shane Hardman and he really went the extra mile for some of my questions and requests. For my part it was a pleasant experience.

Now the clock starts ticking till I can go down and get her fixed and driven back. Richard was kind enough to take some pics that I've shared here. He parked her out with his toys so she won't be lonely, I can only imagine the war stories they are sharing.

Enjoy the pics more to come... eventually.

Cheers

 

[Recovry4x4]

I see he parked it right there next to the other crippled tractor. Better hope it's not contageous.

 

[wreckerman893]

I went out to check on the tractors and they seem to getting along famously. Probably swapping war stories.

The recovery went without a hitch.....my apoligies to whomever Mr. Murphy was dogging today...but he was off our back.

The M915 is in excellent shape but has had a fews parts "midnight requsitioned" off of it. Should be just a matter of installing replacements.

The SFC that did the paperwork said he thought it was a good runner....the unit actually tried to keep the truck but the powers that be sent it out the door......good news for Bighurt.

The guys at the Ala Nat Guard facility where we picked it up were super.....the truck was sitting out at the loading area waiting for us.

From the time we arrived until we pulled out the gate was less than 30 minutes.

Now I have the urge to get another M915.

 

[Pooch1128]

Hopefully Bighurt will remember to bring some lint rollers with him to removed all of the possum hair from inside the unit....

Good job Wreckerman!!!!

 

[dozer1]

Looks like a heck of a nice tractor. What you got planned for it. Possible farm use?

 

[Bighurt]

Pretty much although I'm not a farmer. Mostly it was a want to have but of the want to haves it was the most likely to pay for itself.

I have an M871 to go with it, matching paint and years, ironically.

Other than that I am a contractor so building material will be the most common item moved.

 

[reb87]

if you are coming back thru nebraska and have room for my rops that wreckerman has, I could contribute to your gas fund. I may be out of your way though...

 

[Bighurt]

if you are coming back thru nebraska and have room for my rops that wreckerman has, I could contribute to your gas fund. I may be out of your way though...

I am heading through Nebraska on the way back. Actually trying to get a 36' gooseneck for the trip down. Lot of SS stuff needs moved, and uship is full of stuff en route.

If the ROPS will fit in the back of my pick-up I may have room without the GN.

Send me a PM with your location. I'm headed to Rapid City before I head home, so I may get close.

 

[91W350]

If you need help in central Kansas, be sure to give me a shout. I have lots of friends in the area, you are welcome to bunk a night here if you need a place to layover. Not the fanciest place around, but the price is right. Glen

 

[wreckerman893]

The ROPs could prob be set up on the back of the M915 but moving it to the trailer once you get to that pick up point might be a prob.

If BH brings a gooseneck it will be no prob to load it onto that.

It ain't eating but I'm sure you need it for it's intended purpose.

 

[Old Lincoln County Iron]

Glad to see you got your M915A1 moved to a suitable location to get it back together!
Keep us posted on progress! Thanks!

 

[Bighurt]

Alright little progress report, as per my other post the trip is scheduled to depart 2 or 3 Apr. Yes I'll have my Camera and maybe even internet during the trip.

However I have picked-up a bunch of parts;

Via Dueceman surplus, great service BTW
-Trailer mast, w/hoses and hardware
-Spare Tire
-Exhaust complete w/pipe, muffler, flex, mount and shield
-Deck plates w/hardware
-Starter w/hardware
-Headlights w/lamp housings, hardware and pigtails
-Clearance lights w/hardware
-Turn Signals w/hardware
-Brake lights w/hardware
-Front tow shackles w/pins
-Blackout lights w/hardware
-Spotter mirrors

I've also acquired;
-West coast style mirrors w/brackets
-11 Gallons Rotella T 15w40
-10 gallons Dexron III
-Oil Filter 1970MP
-Oil Filter Bypass 1749MP
-Coolant Filter 4071MP
-Fuel filter 3405MP x4

I still need 18 gallons of 50/50 antifreeze, a tranny filter and 4 batteries. However I'm on the fence with the coolant. Green stuff came out but the heavy duty stuff is red, why couldn't they just stick with one flavor like the old days... I know it's still Ethylene glycol but it bothers me mixing flavors...

I also need some coolant hose...

I would take pictures but really who wants to see pictures of PMCS supplies.

 

[Floridianson]

Nice save. I'm likeing my 915A1 more and more I drive it. Mine had play in the front tandem input shaft bearing and is being fixed now. Be shure to give you drive line and good inspection.

 

[Bighurt]

Nice save. I'm likeing my 915A1 more and more I drive it. Mine had play in the front tandem input shaft bearing and is being fixed now. Be shure to give you drive line and good inspection.

Inspection is one of the things I do best, part of my job, and it helps having uncommon sense...

I'm more worried about repairs that I find. Sure minor problems can be put off but safety issues will have to be addressed immediately for the drive home. One thing I didn't budget for is alignment and chassis repairs, major work like hubs and such. I didn't budget for oil and tranny fluid either but I knew they would be a sooner rather than later so it's not a big deal to get them done now anyways.

I almost have that feeling I had when I re-modeled my front room. As I stripped the drywall from all the walls and prepared to remove the original insulation from 1954, I though briefly, what if I find something I'm not prepared to fix. Same goes with this recovery as I have reviewed the PMCS, I have half way want to only run part of the book...

Thankfully the truck is at Wreckerman's place so I'm not worried bout not having the tool. Another saving grace is my mid point stops are M1075's and M920's places, I know they both have decent shops.

From an outside perspective I'm sure I'm looking nutty but even though the dollars keep leaving my pocket I'm still very much looking forward to the trip, if not for anything more than to visit a few SS members.

What was really funny is while I was standing at the NAPA counter the guy helping me continued to bring my parts. Stacked up the 4 cases of Oil the 2 5 gallon buckets of tranny fluid and the big box of filters kept growing with stuff. All the while at the same counter another salesman was helping a gentleman with his Fram filter. This guy was buying 5 qts of royal purple and a Fram p1085 filter I believe, I think it was for a Chevy pick-up its been awhile can't remember. Anyways he glanced my way and I glanced at his supplies and said "that time of the year again" he replied "yeah gotta do an oil change". I replied "yup me too" then I turned and began carrying my supplies to the truck. I can only imagine what went through his mind...

 

[dozer1]

Certainly looks like you are getting well prepared. I wouldn't worry about the coolant issue myself. I would get the pure green stuff and cut it with distilled water that I buy down there. First off green stuff came out , secondly I have yet to have green anti-freeze blended at around 40 or 45 below zero fail me in anything. Have a great recovery and looking forward to the pics and stories from the trip. Dean

 

[Karl kostman]

Jeremy congrats on the Recovery that is a very nice looking tractor if you attend the ND annual show this year what are you going to be driving?
KK

 

[Floridianson]

What about the antifreeze additive for PH and such. I just got the kit and two trucks look good. Seems like this stuff would be best added first the the rest of the antifreeze later so it gets into the block well. Does just adding it to the exp tank work into the system well?

 

[Bighurt]

Jeremy congrats on the Recovery that is a very nice looking tractor if you attend the ND annual show this year what are you going to be driving?
KK

Depends on where it's at and if I come...

You going to the meeting 30 Apr? I might bring her and the M871 there.

There will be a lot more pics to come...

 

[Karl kostman]

Always like more pics Jeremy so the Show is april 30th this year? where is it going to be? And is this the big annual show? THAt is the one I am planning on attending, any mofe info would sure be appreciated Jaremy
KK

 

[docfarmall]

The more i drive my m950a2 dropside the more i like her . Oh thats a M915a2 + a M35 dropside bed it turned out great an handles great too sorry to steal your thread.