Back Blade Project
 

I recently found an original IH back blade. It was in pretty rough shape, but I enjoy restoration work and making things look nice so I decided to take it in as a project. I will try to keep pictures posted on how my progress is going. Here are pictures of how the blade looks as of now.

Cool blade! Good luck with your restoration! :beerchug:

Nice find. Hope to find one myself someday, then I can restore it like you.
Keep posting pictures of your progress, we love to see them.
CaptMax
:American Flag 1:

Nice find maddog784

I'm so looking forward to this one!

Me too. Nice find:beerchug:

Me also!:beer2:

A Little Seat Time
 

Well, I think all of us know that when we get a new toy, we can't just take it apart and begin the arduous process of restoration. We need to PLAY! I ordererd some parts (Frankenstien bolts, U-Bracket, and Lift Arm) from Patton Acres and they worked perfectly - just wanted to give them a shout out. Installed all of the new components on the 784 and took it for a spin. I decided to make my own lift bar. I do have to say that if you plan on making your own lift bar, do not undertake this project without a good set of drillbits and a corded drill. Learn from my mistakes. However, it turned out well. I think a new set of ag tires is next on the list - the turf tires pull well, but when I apply a little down pressure on the blade, the tires don't have enough traction to pull. If the tires would keep traction, the blade would cut extremely well. I did manage to bend the lifting arms attached to the blade - I think I may make some aftermarket modifications to help deal with the down pressure. I try to keep use of the down pressure at a minimum, but the hydrualic power gets me every time! If I could find some small suitcase weights, I could hang them on the blade and reduce the necessity for the use of down pressure.

If you have played with one of these, please let me know about any tricks or secrets that I'm overlooking!

Nate

Yeah, the down pressure is why your tires are not hooking up, even ags will start to spin more than likely if you apply down pressure. Some rear tire weight will help a lot. You could use some old flywheels on top of the blade for some really good weight. They are Cheap.

It seems like when I feathered the down pressure, I could get some decent results. However, when I was a kid, we had a 42" dozer and a piece of old rail - I think it was about 75 lbs -that we would sit on the blade and we always got good results with that. I would be interested in a float system for the blade. It may be something I build in on the aftermarket blade lift brackets. I would try to make it to have a float lockout, similar the hydraulic lifts on the tractors.