Muskeg hull rebuild

[Kane]

I finally finished my muskeg hull, sand blasted and primed the hull over two days . Blasted the bottom and primed on thurs ,then flipped right side up and finished the top today. Both bumpers and fenders and one axle were replaced and the rails needed some pipes changed. Many years as a drilling rig took its toal on the machine, but hopefully when finished it will be ready for some weekend playing !
J5 Bombardier

You've come a long way, baby. Over four years. Beautiful work!

 

[sleddogracer]

VERY nice! - looks better than it did new

 

[pixie]

It looks great

Hope we'll have some 'maiden voyage' pics soon

 

[J5 Bombardier]

The clock is ticking! Still have a few more items to go into the engine compartment,it's getting full.
J5 Bombardier

 

[J5 Bombardier]

Home stretch ?
Update on the Muskeg project, wires are all run,dash is in,just have to read all my writing on the wire tags and tie everything together ! If no major problems on the shakedown run happen, then front and rear winches to install and a log clam to go on the back.Amazing how fast 5-6 years can fly by !
J5 Bombardier

 

[sleddogracer]

NICE job!!

 

[pixie]

Looking good !!!
Great time of year to work on wiring.... only your brain sweats

 

[J5 Bombardier]

And thats from trying to read my writing !
J5 Bombardier

 

[J5 Bombardier]

It's Alive ! Well sort of, still tinkering with the return springs on the steering cylinders. May have to get the sun block out, I'm not used to working on this outside ! J5 Bombardier

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

is that thing ever bright need sunglasses just to look at the picture

 

[pixie]

It looks great !!!

Stay cool

 

[J5 Bombardier]

Put my wood clam on my Muskeg today , need it on to finish fabricating the front mount to hold the boom during Transport. Have a bunch of other little items left to do, as we are half way through October, I better get cracking !
J5 Bombardier

 

[sleddogracer]

brand new ( or better ) off the show room floor - looks great

 

[dixopr]

Can I buy it now? You can have mine. You have to come get it though.

 

[J5 Bombardier]

Not Quite ready yet Dixopr, If you sunk this one ,you might have to cut a few more poles. Nice recovery by the way, first time I've ever seen an "almost " submarine with a flathead dodge !
J5 Bombardier

 

[Knocker of rocks]

I'd like to see what the grapple looks like

 

[J5 Bombardier]

Well I think this is it for the Muskeg Rebuild. Put it to work today, went pretty good , a few gremlins to work out ,but I'm pleased, especially with a heated cab . As the before and after pics show its been a long project, that's it that's all !
J5 Bombardier

 

[MNoutdoors RIP]

J5 Bombardier, nice work

 

[pixie]

Looks really cool Tough looking

It's been a long haul; Congratulations !!!

 

[J5 Bombardier]

Muskeg Modifications

I spent last winter giving the rebuilt Muskeg a shake down while cutting stovewood ,
no break downs occurred and I was happy with its performance. But like all projects,there are some things you would do different ,if you had to do it all over again. Two hydraulic pumps are on the Muskeg, a trans/pto drives one (which worked well ) and the second runs off of the crank with two "B" belts.
The belt driven main pump was not satisfactory, as belt slippage was a constant problem, so I'm going to drive a pump off the end of the crank. The mechanical fan will be replaced with a 16 in " electric and the rad will have to be raised. Started by removing the rear cylinders and winch,checked out the space, its going to be a tight sqeeze. On the bright side, no bolts are seized !
J5 Bombardier

 

[J5 Bombardier]

Finished the driveshaft for the new pump, will have to make a pump mount next. Snow is melting , no pressure !
J5 Bombardier

 

[J5 Bombardier]

Made some progress on the pump install, driveshaft is installed and the pump is mounted . J5 Bombardier

 

[J5 Bombardier]

Finished the hyd pump and fan install, swapped out the alternator to a 94 amp to handle the fan demands. Other than a bad fan switch, I'm happy with the results, still have to adjust the hood height to compensate for the higher rad height. After checking the fluid levels and some grease ,should be ready to go to work .
J5 Bombardier

 

[1986mcd]

Post #1, with the tub supported by the International tractor, clearly shows the difference in our machines suspension. #5 & 14 beautiful frame work. Did you standard square tube, or structural grade? I plan on .083 Corten for the skin. Hoping to plasma cut the existing skin off the existing frame. Beautiful design, engineering, and manufacturing on your rig!!

 

[J5 Bombardier]

Thanks, tubing is standard 1/8" , cab got pretty heavy near the end.
J5 Bombardier

 

[J5 Bombardier]

Brought the Muskeg in to replace the 12v air compressor, thought about door locks .......... don't need them.
J5 Bombardier

 

[J5 Bombardier]

Brought my Yellow Muskeg in for some Batteries, couldn't believe they were the originals when I restored it. The Isuzu 6cyl is always a good starter and it only let me down last Sunday , but it was cold. Either way , changed them out, tight space, can't blame anyone else, cause I'm the guy that designed / fabbed it , hindsight is always 20-20. lol
J5 Bombardier

 

[Snowy Rivers]

Sometimes we just don't get great options on where some things will go... As long as you can get them out without having to tear half the the cat apart.....Looks good.

 

[J5 Bombardier]

I was going with the "Clean" look outside the machine at the time. If I was doing it now , batts would go under the passenger seat and the hyd tank outside on the deck........ next one will be different....... lol
J5 Bombardier

 

[J5 Bombardier]

I've had the Hardy log clam on my Muskeg for nine years , it's been trouble free, a great loader, with a twenty foot reach. Been chasing this noise when swinging the mast lately , long story short, the top bearing was rough/ pitted. After lots of heat and jacking managed to get the mast gear off. Parts are cleaned ,gear slides free on the 4in mast and two bearings are coming this afternoon, the worst is over.......I think.
J5 Bombardier