Tractor Manufacturing Instructions

Tools Required
=Design=

Start with a design.

=Frame= Then, build the frame. Frame Construction Video Script [] 

Updated frame video:



=Wheels=  Wheel Assembly Video Script []

Then, prepare all the wheel mounting materials.



Then add the wheels (from Sean Church):

 Lifetrac II- Wheel Mounting from Sean Church on Vimeo.

Then, go for the first test drive.

<param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=14376927&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=1&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;loop=0" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=14376927&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=1&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;loop=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="233"> LifeTrac II Test Drive</a> from Marcin Jakubowski</a> on Vimeo</a>.

=Wheel Tracks= <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/30354026?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen> Wheel Tracks Construction video script []

Then, [build the wheel tracks.]

<object width="400" height="233"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=14718706&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=1&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;loop=0" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=14718706&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=1&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;loop=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="233"> Extreme Traction</a> from Marcin Jakubowski</a> on Vimeo</a>.

=Loader Arms= <script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.ifixit.net/static/embed/make-embed.js?id=1051"> GVCS - LifeTrac - Loader Arms</a>

Then, build the loader arms - both front and rear.

1. Prepare loader arms.

2. Mark loader attach plates for hole locations.

3. Punch or drill mount plate holes.

4. Drill holes in loader arms.

5. Torch out arm mounts

6. Grind arm ends.

7. Drill or punch 1" holes for cylinder mount bottoms.

8. Cut pins to size.

9. Prepare bottom mount plates for loader arms.

10.Torch out 2" inserts.

11. Mark arm locations on frame.

12. Grind 2" inserts.

13. Drill 1" hole in inserts.

14. Torch out holes in frame for loader arms.

15. Smooth out holes for loader arms.

17. Fit shafts and DOM bushing for laoder arms.

18. Finish inserts.

19. Drill rear loader arms.

20. Mark loader arms for insert plug welds.

21. Torch out plug weld holes.

22. Grind plug weld holes.

23. Line up plug inserts for welding.

24. Plug weld inserts.

25. Grind plug welds.

26. Finished inserts.

27. Weld arm gussets.

28. Arm gussets plug welded.

29. Prepare pins for welding.

30. Weld pins.

31. Mount cylinder base plates.

32. Mount cylinder plates to arms.

33. Mount cylinder cross support.

34. Mount cylinder arms on frame.

35. Arm cross supports.

36. Put on real loader arms.

37. Hang arm cross support.

38. Torch misfit holes.

39. Weld inner arm gussets.

40. Grind inner arm gussets.

41. Finish attaching cross supports.

42. Finish weld arms.

43. Bolt cylinder attach plates.

44. Attach cylinders.

45. Mount quick attach (QA) plate cylinders.

46. Begin attaching hoses.

47. Hose attachment.

48. Tack weld gusset nuts.

49. Tack weld bottom cylinder support nuts.

49.5. Tack weld cylinders.

50. Complete bottom cylinder gusset welds.

51. Botom cylinder gusset nuts welded.

52.

52. Finish weld top cylinder.

=Quick Attach Plate=

60. Prep QA plate materials.

61. Cut stock to size.

63. Cut all tubing to size.

64. Mark hole locations for all pieces.

65. Hole punch all pieces.

66. Prepare QA plates for welding.

67. Weld QA frame.

68. Finish welding QA plate.

69. Weld fingers.

70. Weld bottom eyes.

71. Finish weld bottom eyes.

72. Weld top eyes.

74. Begin on QA mechanism.

75. Finish weld eyes in place.

75.5

76. Finish weld eyes.

77. Raise arms.

78. Extend QA cylinders.

79. Fit pin in QA mechanism.

80. Mount QA plate on arms.

81. Extend QA plate.

82. Weld pin pushing mechanism.

83. Weld handle to rotation pin.

84. Mark rotation pin location.

85. Mount handle and push pin and bolt down.

86. Put on stops and set screws.

87. Do same for second set of loader arms - and LifeTrac II with front and rear loaders is ready for testing.

Now take tractor for a test drive:

<object width="500" height="310"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=15130712&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=1&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;loop=0" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=15130712&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=1&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;loop=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="500" height="310"> LifeTrac Prototype II Completed</a> from Marcin Jakubowski</a> on Vimeo</a>.

See corresponding blog post - http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/2010/09/lifetrac-prototype-ii-completed/