Better picture of the current status. Still working on the power steering. Needed to cut down the steering shaft and mount the steering valve on a new bracket. Will start running the hydraulic lines over the weekend.

My weekends are available all of a sudden now that all my Cowboy Action matches have been cancelled until further notice. I came in 4th out of 60 competitors last weekend.

:High5::High5:

First test drive of the power steering.

https://youtu.be/trrHoz4fuhw

Awesome! Looks like you have lots of time on your hands for this project.

Wild, man......like wild!! How about those headlights as rear back up lights and a set of bar lights for the front? Cool build.

Cub Cadet 123

The rear "headlights" are actually RGB LEDs, so they can be any color. I will have true headlights at some point as well.

I’ve been watching your progress on Facebook and happy I came on here to read and catch the whole story. I’ve been throwing the same idea of building a motor grader out of Cub.

Got my plans on my mind drawing board always adding to it.

Great work!

Thanks. I've been spending a lot more time on FB than here over the past year. Just easier with a smart phone. But there is a wealth of expertise on this forum. Learned a lot about Cub Cadets here.

I've been fabricating wheel guards, foot rests, dash extension to hold control valves for the blade, and done some painting.

Currently making plans for the blade circle, traction frame (supports the blade from the front axle) and associated hydraulics. Current thinking is to have a steel fabricator cut the circle (actually an annular ring) and then I'd bend and weld a purchased (McMaster-Carr) rack to the rim of the circle so it can be driven by a pinion gear on a hydraulic motor.

I have work to do to finish the front end and mount headlights. I will have to grind paint off in spots to weld various support structures to the main frame, but wanted to get paint on the frame while it was still rust free.

Some pics, dash still has masking tape on it.

Frank this thing looks awesome! and you are making progress fast! I'll be watching along for sure!

Awesome work? Can’t wait to see it with the blade.