After about 10 years of collecting parts, cutting, turning, and welding about 1500 lbs of steel I finally call my little track loader done. I had all sorts of little issues from lack of adequate engine power to drive my tandem 13gpm pumps to set screws rattling loose, dual hydraulic circuits having a crossover point in the tandem pump with no shaft seal between pumps, and a mysteriously mis-set relief valve from the factory. But at least now the little machine seems to be running. Now I just need to put it to work or find someone who wants to take it off my hands for enough money to be worthwhile. I'll try to post some pictures here or a link to some for you all. I had a lot of this on the old site, so I won't go through the whole build process here, but will be happy to answer any questions people have.

Here are a few pictures of the so called Zombie Crusher...

Looks good. Did you use any plans? or did you design it yourself?

I remember the initial design posts you made back on the old MBN site..glad to see you carried this thru to completion. It's a one of a kind feeling to finally fire it up and drive it knowing all of it was created in your mind.-My mini articulated loader was the same deal,a lot of fun to collect parts and cut steel and finally build it. It's an education all in itself.
You do have the 'Get Smart' bubble windshield going on this machine now don't you?

I redesigned the Svet46 kit to add the tracks, the fender/tanks, and beef up the framing, so sort of a plan and sort of self-designed.

I have those two bubbles I picked up from Craigslist a while back, but they are not installed just yet. They are made of 1/2" polycarbonate but we're vacuum formed and have some texture to them so I need to polish them up to get adequate visibility if I end up putting them on the machine...maybe not so finished after all.

My dream for my next project is a flying saucer and one of those bubbles is reserved for that rediculousness if it ever happens. That's actually why I want to clear out the loader and make some room...I've got a new project burning in my head.

Looks very nice, not sure about the bubbly windshield though

Lookin good! Plans give a good general idea, but we all usually end up not following them to the letter and add something or leave something off, OR just can't find exact parts so do a "will work" substitute ! The end product and have it working are the most satisfying thing in the world.
I have seen guys start with a plan, and end up with something totally different! ---- I never have plans----just an idea and some parts, so have no idea what the finished machine will look like til done.
Thanks for posting the pix!!

The bubbly windshield parts are just sitting on the machine in the picture. The flanges just happened to be the same width as the front of the machine and it looked funny so Ii took the photo and then when I started the post stumbled across it. Thanks for all the kind words about my machine.

LOOKS GREAT
I Still need to paint all my projects. I make the mistake of testing them first then don't want to put them out of service to paint them. Now that I have a good working wet blaster to prep with I may get to it.

Yeah, after spending 10 years and waaaay more money than I care to remember on this project I bit the bullet and took it to a local shop before final assembly for powder coat. They cut me a bit of a deal for blast and powder coat because they thought it was really cool, but it was still spendy. I picked the two color job and built the bucket later so it got some tractor supply implement paint (blue) I had around instead, but it goes ok with the rest of it.