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Builds, Repairs, Show Your Machines! => Videos The Office of Steam Cinema => Topic started by: CBWho on August 23, 2019, 11:27:13 pm

Title: Mamod Doodlebug
Post by: CBWho on August 23, 2019, 11:27:13 pm
In the Midwest, Doodlebugs were Model Ts converted into a tractor. In the depression, farmers could buy a set of rear wheels and convert an old jalopy into something useful...

I did that with a disassembled rusty Mamod roadster. ;)

https://youtu.be/3c39nem1edc
Title: Re: Mamod Doodlebug
Post by: Stoker on August 23, 2019, 11:36:47 pm
Very nice little video production .... and I like what you did to your rustbucket Mamod .... Doodlebug Indeed!!!
Title: Re: Mamod Doodlebug
Post by: Hero on August 24, 2019, 02:23:04 am
In Canada, from 1939 to about 1947, the Orillia Tudhope Anderson Company (OTACO) made what they called "Autotrac" kits to convert old cars into tractors.

Your doodlebug certainly carries on the tradition in fine style.

[attachimg=1]

Makes me think about converting my own Rat Rod--which, by the way, still steams up just fine.

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Mamod Doodlebug
Post by: CBWho on August 24, 2019, 08:03:13 am
Thank you for the Canadian info.

Mamods are awesome fun due to Mamodification :)

I hope you mod yours as well.

I plan to make a plank bed ( popsicle sticks) with an integrated wooden bench. Perfect for hauling hay.

No holes drilled. Almost all stock parts except for the jackshaft (although I suppose one could use stock shaft also I used brass shaft on rear so I could solder rear end caps on.) So Mamod could actually do a production run of Doodlebugs!

As for power, at first it was so slow, but as the engine run in after sitting for so long (decades??), It really picked up power. I oiled all the shafts with sewing machine oil so it may have taken a bit for that to soak in as well.

With the spare lamps, I'm thinking of painting them black and putting them on TEs.
Title: Re: Mamod Doodlebug
Post by: Roscoe on August 26, 2019, 09:21:11 am
Great idea for bringing an old dog back to life.
Title: Re: Mamod Doodlebug
Post by: Nick on August 26, 2019, 04:13:16 pm
Those back wheels need lugs, especially for the snow  ;)
Title: Re: Mamod Doodlebug
Post by: CBWho on August 27, 2019, 09:52:16 pm
Added a truck bed :)

Still need to paint when the weather cooperates.
Title: Re: Mamod Doodlebug
Post by: Nick on August 27, 2019, 10:19:14 pm
I like the dump bed
Title: Re: Mamod Doodlebug
Post by: St Paul Steam on August 28, 2019, 05:35:58 am
the bed IS nice, looks like the little guy approves as well.
Title: Re: Mamod Doodlebug
Post by: Hero on August 28, 2019, 07:53:22 am
That is definitely nice! Still could do with grouters, though...
Title: Re: Mamod Doodlebug
Post by: CBWho on September 02, 2019, 06:51:20 pm
What's a grouter? Only wondering...
Title: Re: Mamod Doodlebug
Post by: Stoker on September 02, 2019, 07:12:03 pm
What's a grouter? Only wondering...

A tread cleat to dig in and give traction in soft soil, I believe.
Title: Re: Mamod Doodlebug
Post by: Nick on September 02, 2019, 09:58:28 pm
What's a grouter? Only wondering...

A tread cleat to dig in and give traction in soft soil, I believe.

I believe it was a mis-type of grousers (increase traction on tracks), but on a wheel they would be lugs. Depending on where a person lives I'm sure they're called all kinds of things. Cleats would be another name that comes to mind.