Archives

[Old Magnet]

Hi swishy,
Where we left off:

U raise a cupla good points
Re:the archives could run into 1000's of pages
Q: Is all the info stored on paper as in service bulletins etc ready to scan or is it already setup as a PDF file, or even on a fiche film?
When U scan a page to pdf file it can misread some letters etc as seen when hitn on Google Patent some aren't perfect in translation
the advantage of scanning to a PDF file: is just about anyone could do it
Scanning as a jpg (Picture file) spose there ain't many th@ can or R willing to do it other than me on a limited basis
scanning as a jpg I can alter n change parts of document th@ have aged and are not 100% readable I can Sharpen or lighten them up to makem readable or should I say more readable than the original. the other advantage is a jpg pic page is displayed as WUSIWYG where by a pdf is a file name to click on to retreive info
Q: do U see th@ the pages @ Old Magnets Caterpillar Tractor Operation & Restoration Files an advantage or disadvantage being able to view each page up front??

I typically scan stuff in jpg but info may arrive in any format. The alterations you mention I usually do in photoshop although my scanner has some limited alteration features also. This is much more than just a big photo album. What is missing now is the ability to combine text and pictures (without overlaying info on the picture itself). This is the same problem we had with the starter stuff. The only way I was able to combine both was to establish text, instructions, specifications etc in a pdf format and insert the pictures. If there are other methods, I'd be interested.

The format I envision is similar to how a Cat service manual is laid out.....into about 10 sections that will be repeated where necessary for the various models in a chronological order of models. The info will be a combination of instructions, pictures and specifications.

The sections I am using are:
1. Purchasing a tractor
2. Reviving a resting unit
3. Maintenance
4. Service & Operation
5. Restoration
6. Attachments
7. Trouble Shooting
8. Sources
9. tbd
10. tbd

I have been able to capture everything discussed in these categories which break down into several sub categories which I have and will post shortly.

The materials I have currently collected are primarily orientated to keeping units serviced and operational as the tractors I have focused on are still earning their keep and have not yet achieved museum status.

It is extremely important that archives be arranged in a logical fashion as things could get pretty cumbersome when dealing with a huge volume of material and the many applications. To start out the focus should be on track layers and graders until the format is established. Other equipment can evolve later if there is sufficient demand.

Open for feedback please

[John in Wy]

Sounds like you know what you're doing OM, I liked the why you did the starter stuff, didn't have any trouble printing it off. Thanks, John

[Old Magnet]

Here is what the section breakdowns look like and where you would go to find the info. I haven't quite figured out how to lay out the frequently asked questions yet but maybe a FAQ at the beginning of the section with reference to the sub sections would be the way to go.

Section No. 1 - Purchasing & Owning an Old Tractor

Contents
1. Introduction
2. The “Walk Around”
3. Assessment
a. Undercarriage
b. Engines
c. Main Clutch
d. Transmission
e. Steering Clutches & Brakes
f. Finals
4. Value
5. Research
6. Identification
a. Tag Locations
b. Model, Serial Numbers and year/s of production
1.) Crawler Tractors
2.) Motor Graders
3.) Stationary Engines
7. Specifications
1.) Crawler Tractors
2.) Motor Graders

Section No. 2 - Reviving a “Resting” Unit

1. Where to start
2. What to check
3. Assessing condition
4. Undercarriage
5. Main Engines
6. Pony Engine
7. Cooling System
8. Fuel System
9. Transmission
10. Main Engine Clutches
a. Dry
b. Wet (Oil)
11. Steering Clutches
12. Brakes
13. Bevel Gear & Pinion
14. Finals


Section No. 3 - Maintenance

1. Cooling System
2. Lubrication
a. Track Rollers (Grease Type)
b. Track Rollers (Lifetime Lubrication Type)
c. Main Engine
d. Pony Engine
e. Clutch (Oil Type)
f. Clutch (Dry Type)
g. Transmission
h. Bevel Gear & Pinion
i. Finals
3. Water/condensation removal.
4. Adjustments:
a. Engine
b. Main Clutch
c. Steering Clutch
d. Pony Clutch
e. Brakes
f. Tracks
5. Compartment Washing


Section No. 4 - Service & Operation

1. Bleeding the Fuel System
a. Fuel Filters
2. Starting the Engine
3. Timing
4. Injection Pumps
5. Rack Settings
6. Governors
7. Pony Motors
a. Engine
b. Governor
c. Carburetor
d. Magneto
8. Steering Clutch Boosters
9. Main Engine Clutch Replacement
10. Steering Clutch Replacement
11. Brake Replacement
12. Setting Bevel Gear and Pinion Mesh
13. Transmission
14. Finals
15. Undercarriage


Section No. 5 - Restoration

1. Surface Preparation
a. Dry blasting
b. Wet Blasting
c. Chemical
d. Cleaning
2. Prep for Painting
3. Primers
4. Additives
5. Finish Coat
6. Upholstery
7. Assembly
8. Fuel Tank Rust Removal and Sealing


Section No. 6 - Attachments

1. Power Take Offs
2. Winches
3. Three-Point Hitches
4. Dozers
5. Hydraulics
6. Generators
7. Starters
8. Cages & Canopies
9. Pony Electric Starters
10. Gauges
11. BeGe Pumps


Section No. 7 - Trouble Shooting

1. Pony Motors
2. Fuel Injection
3. Magneto’s
4. Carburetors
5. Slobbering
6. Smoke
7. Cooling System
8. Fuel system
9. Steering
10. Braking
11. Clutch Slippage
12. Mysterious Sounds


Section No. 8 - Sources

1. Bushings
2. Bearings
3. Seals
4. Filters
5. Gaskets
6. Generators/Alternators/Starters
7. Magneto’s
8. Ground Engaging Tools
9. Hardware
10. Hydraulics
11. Metal Fabrication
12. Engine Parts
13. Pony Motor
14. Prelube
15. Block Heaters
16. Manuals
17. Salvage Yards
18. Undercarraige
19. Upholstery
20. Paint
21. Winch
22. Fuel Injection
23. Part Numbers and Interchanges

[John in Wy]

Lookin good OM, I'll buy one..... John

[B4D2]

OM, one thing I know is that PDF files can be pretty big, but they are more "print" quality. JPG scans pic up the wrinkle in the paper, the thumb smudge, etc. because it is a photo. The benefit of a jpg scan is size. Those with a slow connection speed will have a longer wait while DL-ing PDFs than JPGs. Sounds like you have your work cut out for you, but to the benefit of all. Thanks for the hard work.

[Old Magnet]

Well the conference call on the subject had to be postponed to the same time next week as apparently Joe had the flu and could not participate. Did talk a little about format and comments provided on the BB. Does seem like its going to be a challenge to get it of the ground but its early yet and time will tell.

[§wishy]

OlMag
GuddayM8

1000 pages might B a bit much for me to handle
So I'll leave U 2 it

But if U need a hand in altering pics or clarifying them jist holla
cya
§wishy
HasBeen

[biggastractor]

SJ,Old Magnet,Swishy and all who are involved with this posting of archive material.....Thanks for all your work. There is a tremendous amount of knowledege here and I really appreciate you guys taking the time to get it going. I know it isn't done yet, but I'm sure many folks will be able to take advantage of your efforts when it is. Keep up the good work!! Thanks again
Biggastractor

[Old Magnet]

Hi Biggastractor,
Thanks for the strokes............but it ain't off the ground yet
But maybe we've at least found the runway

[Old Magnet]

OK,
The conference call that was rescheduled actually occurred today. Except the Old Magnet had a senior moment (got busy) and missed the conference call
Anyway the "Archive" project is a go, the memory storage is available and the format will be "pdf" which allows a mixture of text, pictures & scans. Joe and I will need to converse about getting things going and we will be using the outlines previously described. Thanks to Lee Sorbel for heading up the task of getting this off the ground. There will be plenty of opportunity for comment and participation as material is added to the various categories. All suggestions welcome.