DIY Enthusiast Creates Ultimate Chore Squad Featuring Mini Bulldozer and Road Grader Built on Lawn Tractors
Wood and Metal Shop Time on YouTube
The latest in car news and reviews, no nonsense.
While our usual focus is on cars and trucks, this story takes a different direction. It features Frank, a dedicated builder and collector with a passion for Cub Cadet machinery. His enthusiasm is so profound that he has crafted an entire fleet of miniature, functional equipment. Frank now boasts a garden tractor-sized bulldozer, a sit-on road grader, a compact articulating dump truck, and more, all designed to keep his property looking sharp.
The Wood and Metal Shop Time YouTube channel showcases numerous videos documenting the construction of these machines. You could spend countless hours watching them, and in the process, you might learn about building lumber racks or using stump grinders. It's beneficial all around.
Seeing all of Frank's creations displayed in the driveway is quite impressive. It's challenging to choose a favorite, but the bulldozer is a fantastic testament to his creativity. He equipped it with two transmissions from Cub Cadet—one at the front and one at the back—both modified to operate at the same speed in both forward and reverse. With two independently controlled units, he can pivot the machine in place. The six-way blade in front also allows it to move dirt to the right or left.
Wood and Metal Shop Time on YouTube
One of Frank's latest projects is the 4×4 articulating dump truck. Although it may appear to be factory-made, it required a significant amount of creativity, including reversing the engine and transmission and attaching a rear axle to the front for power. The two segments are joined by a universal joint in the center, allowing them to bend in either direction. This design wasn't Frank's first attempt; he previously tried using a CV joint, which didn't perform well. He modestly acknowledges that others have created similar machines, but his might be the only one featuring a hydraulically operated steel bed.
“I will admit that I used a couple of working machines and tractors and modified them. However, there was nothing particularly rare or unique in the Cub Cadet lineup,” Frank reassures his audience. “Most of the tractors used here were on their way to the scrap heap.”
What a relief!
I've got to admire the craftsmanship here. As someone who shares a love for vintage machinery and often struggles to know when to stop, I deeply respect those who fine-tune tools to meet their requirements. Not everyone has a need for a small dozer, grader, or forklift—I get that—but if you do? Go for it. Frank demonstrates that it's possible.
Much respect, sir. This is some impressive DIY work.
Have a tip or question for the author? Contact him directly: caleb@thedrive.com
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DIY Enthusiast Creates Ultimate Chore Squad Featuring Mini Bulldozer and Road Grader Built on Lawn Tractors
Do you have an old Cub Cadet sitting unused? Consider transforming it into an articulating dump truck or a forklift like this guy did!