Cub Cadet Dozer Build S2:E7 Next Stop: Body Shop!

The mini dozer runs great! It's time to add some electrical features and begin working on fenders. Lots to do to transform this bare bones tracked vehicle into a functioning mini-dozer!
Using parts from two vintage Cub Cadet garden tractors, along with metal fabrication and welding work, we are building a mini dozer from (almost) scratch.
I use a Langmuir Systems Crossfire Pro plasma table with a Razorcut 45CNC plasma cutter and a machine torch to create many needed parts. At times we shift to the Bridgeport-clone knee/vertical mill or South Bend 10 inch lathe to complete a machining step. Occasionally, the South Bend shaper or the Logan lathe is called on for specialty work.
A Hobart Handler welder is my primary MIG welder, and it comes into play at nearly every step. If I'm not running the welder, an Oxy/Acetylene torch or the Eastwood Cut 40 plasma cutter is fired up for some molten metal removal.
Making a mini-dozer will add to the collection of equipment that I previously built, including the mini-motor grader and the tandem axle Cub Cadet dump truck/gator.
Dewalt and Makita grinders and drills, eVolution metal cutting saws, a Grizzly metal cutting band saw and Jet grinders and sanders see regular use in my projects.

[@tbearrails9983]

Don't forget the cup holder for that refreshing beverage!

[@derrillbalshaw1199]

Frank, round off the front and rear square corner edges of the track fenders, because they will gouge out some nice chunks of flesh if you catch them them in passing.

[@michaelkoon8371]

Looking very nice frank cant wait to see it done and working

[@bobhyde4793]

for safety's sake, always disconnect the negative first and reconnect the negative last. This is to prevent accidental grounding the positive with your wrench

[@williamcollins4082]

A few sparking moments an alternator or 2 an oh the electronic meltdowns that mistake has caused people !!!

[@victoryfirst2878]

My hats off to you fella. This is just great for sure.

[@timothymitchell4261]

Thanks Frank for another great video! You have all the toys and tools you need!

[@jeffreyshier9021]

It’s cathartic to stop and love on your pets.❤️

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

When I was working (retired now) and had a bad day at work, I'd come home and spend about 10 minutes with our dogs (different GSDs than these two) and it was like a total de-stressor.

[@jeffreyshier9021]

@@woodandmetalshoptime8048 indeed.

[@jasonsharp6639]

I was dreaming of making one of these then I saw your build pop up on my suggested videos and I must say that I hope to be as crafty as you when I finally am able to build my own. Awesome machine

[@CookinCasey]

Nice hair cut. LOL I really look forward to your next video each week. Thanks for sharing.

[@roywaite5793]

Looking great. Can’t wait till next week. Thanks for sharing

[@williambarnhartblacksmith414]

This truly is an awesome project. I got my new 108 running just yesterday! I was and still am ecstatic about it.

[@rodneywager2142]

Frank cool build. You'll get it to were you want it. That machine with a snow blower would be awesome. Nice work

[@johntvrdy6465]

Maybe you could put your footrest on each side where the white metal dash meets the frame. This would also give you some use of your legs when the machine pitches forward. Great work !

[@larrylane6512]

Liking it just as much as the grader

[@johnheard2814]

Watching more of the video another thought to look at. Take the seat and fender box and mount it on hinges at the back and if needed to get to the innerworks its out of the way and make the leg shields bolt to it so you remove minimal panels to work inside.

[@daveanderson2865]

Cool build. can't wait for more episodes.

[@123paul2]

Great job! Now it's time to build a front end loader.

[@doylerabjohn3435]

Looks great, The seat definitely is a bit high drop about 2in. I think would fit the build. Can't wait to see the tail lights.

[@aviator97msncom]

I was a little jealous of the shop..... then I saw the dogs.

[@Crewsy]

Access to your battery and other things under the seat is one reason why you should keep the seat hinged at the front but more importantly the seat was hinged at the front for safety. You lean back climbing a hill and you could right over backwards and fall off.

[@arthurkallansrud1950]

Nice looking dozer so far😊😊

[@jonhunt5408]

Looks fantastic. If I might offer you some suggestions? Weld your non structural welds on the fenders in the down hand position in one continuous bead for ease and appearance. If you want more strength then weld the underside in the flat position. Also your fender to frame angles should have the downs welded out to prevent cracks in the body panel from flexing. Thirdly for aesthetics and comfort, I’d cut the top 1.5” of the 90° at the top of the fenders out and install a 45° panel. It’s really coming together, and it will be a hit at shows I’m sure.

[@daveschroedersworkshop4479]

I think you should lower the seat 2 or 3 inches and lengthen the control handles about the same amount. Looks like your back would get sore if you're sitting there operating for long. Just got thinking about what my back would be telling me...

[@johnhall1614]

Welding is an art. I can weld decent if I am 100 percent comfortable. If I'm not in a comfortable position I can easily make a mess. Love your work thanks for showing all of this work along the way.

[@dieselwrench3621]

Can’t wait to see it push some dirt

[@bobrauschenbach4347]

Lower the seat 2+ inches, build yourself around your little powerhouse. Awesome Job Frank !!! {high light of my week, thanks}

[@Sludge73]

Looking great, I definitely feel the seat is a bit high. Thanks for sharing!

[@codemunkies]

when i was living with my buddy, he has a Rottweiler and we lived in a dense urban area, we had a fire dept. right down the street along with the police station so we heard sirens non stop throughout the day. Beamer, my buddies dog, ALWAYS howls to the sirens. doesn't matter what time, sometimes my buddy and i never heard the sirens, yet Beamer was howling away. It was the funniest thing in the world and love that dog so much. If he started howling, we knew some kind of emergency vehicle was coming by the house whether we heard it or not. Beamer is such a good pupper. i'm glad to know he isn't the only one who does it!

[@josephdecesaro1528]

As a truck driver one of the things you learn is seating position is VERY important not just for comfort but health. First you are sitting high for your controls, you had to hunch a bit even with the wood boards from last video. So I think you might need to lengthen your controls a few inches. I'm sure you know the longer they are bigger the swing so not sure how much taller you can make them. You should be able to keep your elbows off your legs for blood flow and your back a bit straighter to avoid strain. Second is even with the wood boards you are sitting a bit to high. You should be sitting with your lower thigh up and off the sit for blood flow. The aim is to be sitting with your legs with a 70 degree angle at the knee with no pressure from the seat on your lower thigh to avoid blood flow and clots in the lower legs. Now this is for long term sitting say more that 2 or 3 hours. So not sure how long you would be driving this but I think a 2 inch drop with a maybe an inch back and a inch raise in the feet with a slight angle back would make driving this for a few hours a nicer time. Anyway this thing is really nice so far and it's your project you do what you want. I just wanted to make sure you had so more useful info for the noodle time.

[@newaygotirewholesalers2702]

We have an old engine show up here in Buckley Mi. Would love to see your builds in person up here - Buckley old engine show - Always the third weekend in August. Love the creativity ! ! !

[@enriquemendoza8650]

Great video. Fantastic ideas.

[@daviddamico4288]

Looks good frank

[@lloydmiller5275]

Cool build, been watching every video. I suggest a foot peg or cradle mounted by the track tensioner to allow you to step over the track. And maybe a couple grab bars to assist getting on the Cadozer. Can’t wait to see this thing completed and your next Cadet project.

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

I actually installed a folding foot step on the idler support arm. You'll see it in an upcoming video.

[@nathannero9338]

Love this project! Maybe cut some hand hold in the front of the fenders? Could also put some arm rest pads like on older JD dozers. My biggest cosmetic comment is the tracks look too “open”. I feel like another idler would really make it look like a “big” dozer and possibly prevent the tracks from slapping. Thanks!

[@gordonwilloughby8793]

I would suggest LED headlights because of the limited life of sealed beam lights. Sealed beam are not as bright and don't last as long. Sealed beam also pulls more amps. I think the vibration or shock from putting the hood up and down brakes the filament because for the amount they are used they don't last long. I replaced the headlights on my lawn mower and garden tractor with LED. Much brighter.

[@davidoliver2826]

Looking amazing Frank ! As per other comments, in my opinion the seat needs to drop 2” and I would have the seat compartment to completely hinge out of the way for easier access. Such an awesome build though! Thanks for taking us all along on the journey!

[@davevincenty5438]

Can’t wait for next weeks video !! This build is going great Frank !! Keep them coming !!

[@alphonsotate2982]

YES IT IS beautiful you will be safe I LOVE IT THANKS FRANK I feel so much better .The tractor looks right too

[@Redneckmfg]

Frank, I've been watching this build from the beginning and WOW how it has taken shape... you have an amazing assortment of beautiful tools as well a great imagination to be able to accomplish such a work of art...

[@trevisnelson5960]

Next time your welding a box like that weld on the inside of it and so no one can see your welding but you made it look pretty good that way. Thanks for the this great video i can't wait for the next update.

[@metalworksmachineshop]

looks really good.. 👍

[@erickvond6825]

When you get ready to add grousers I would recommend you weld pieces of rebar across the width of the treds. You might also consider a chevron pattern as it might provide more lateral stabilization keeping your machine from sliding sideways. I've done something similar to this build in the past out of the necessity for the vehicle and the similarities are startling. Mine used a dual chain drive with center idler bogies. The bogies were on a tortion bar suspension system. I used industrial high pressure casters that I modified to fit into the carriage I made for them. It was built for rapid transit through forest fires to rescue firefighters and other people stranded in the path of danger.... I miss my job... I don't regret the time I have with my family though. If you ever plan to build another creation of this nature, you might consider splitting the non-driven axel off and putting the drive mechanisms side by side. It's going to make the overall machine a little wider but the linearity of travel is going to be much more balanced. Your hydrodynamic drive idea is a good one. While I used an electric gas hybrid the principal is the same which is independently driving both tracks. You would be amazed by what you can accomplish with 2 Tesla motors and a high power generator. Smaller engines need less air and batteries can overheat. They ultimately decided it was too expensive for mass production and canned the whole project. I shudder to think how many lives those would have saved. Peace be with you and don't ever give up.

[@Farm_fab]

Frank, if you want backup lights on the Cadozer, you could use LED reverse lights for a trailer with the rubber grommet. They might be cheaper than par 36 led headlights like in the grill.

[@jamesshade8845]

Very nice 👍.

[@MrSuzukiyamaha]

Talent

[@robertbettencourt7134]

You should really think about putting a roll cage in that way you could put a canvas surround for the winter with a plexiglas windshield in and heat it.

[@allenkroll737]

Hello Frank , from Australia I love watching your build the grader and the duel axel dumper are awesome it's going to be interesting to see it working , regards Allen 👍

[@hillonwheels8838]

Fender looks good and have a suggestion on them. Maybe take the outside corners off (protect your self from getting stabbed by them when bumped into) and weld some 1/4 inch round bar to the edge of the sheet metal to give it a finished edge that wont cut you if you have to grab it.

[@johnalexander4356]

It is looking great! I always get a smile when I see you've posted a new vid.

[@richa9719]

Wondered if making the seat flip forward might have provided better access. Hopefully the battery will come out. One other idea, I wondered if you made the control levers flop out like a zero turn mower’s do. You could get into your seat and then pull them in to drive. Love your project!

[@rudyyarbrough5122]

You are going to need some traction and I suggest welding one piece of rebar to each tread on the trailing edge. All dozers have these.

[@lakepinesfarm1394]

Did this work for your cub cadet dozer build?

[@williamcollins4082]

You may want to consider adding a power steering pump and remove the constricter washer for hydraulics ? Then 3 , 2 way controls (actuator valves) to control hydraulic cylinders. Finally 3 dual action hydraulic cylinders 2 large (up down for blade) 1 small for right left angle adjustment . Rather than building your own blade one from a snow plow an rehab it . There are also kits for snow plows that contain all the above. Round all those sharp angles on the fenders an save your pants . Oh the fenders if you add angle iron on tracks need to be a touch higher ? Just a few ideas ? Of which you've probably already thought of but ya never know...

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

The rear transmission had auxiliary hydraulic ports to operate the blade cylinders. You'll see me build a 6 way blade support system for a 5 foot 3 point hitch blade in upcoming episodes. Some unique advantages to the way I do it, actually. Stay tuned!

[@tomtruesdale6901]

Looking great Frank. As others have said might think about rounding off the fender corners. I think lowering the seat frame will still look right. Maybe add an expanded metal shelf under the seat for tool storage unless you think it would get too hot in there

[@truthfilterforyoutube8218]

You need to weld on small vertical plates to all those pads on the tracks. They will prevent slippage adding real traction !

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

I've added two pieces of 1/2 inch square bar stock to each track pad. You'll see that in an upcoming episode.

[@anthonybarron7296]

Frank; i think yes on the six way blade. I know your doing all the work and designing everything but I also know you can do it. And you know you'll be able to do a little more with the six way blade lol. And I also know it won't be for commercial use but it will be so much cooler to look at and operate 😉 i can't hardly wait hahaha it's so cool and the fenders look great. It does look like after you got up on it sitting in the seat that it does need lowered some you'll get it I know 😊

[@CookinCasey]

May I recommend a hinge across the front and the front seat front of the seat and then that way you can fold it up to service the battery and get to the rear end

[@johnschreiber8650]

Love this build, highlight of my week!

[@berniefudge4716]

Maybe a roller is next in line for your Cub Cadet line of equipment?

[@wwcr893]

Great job on this vehicle. I'm enjoying your videos. Lots of great engineering and workmanship. Suggestions, not that I know anything: Tilt the seat to the front so it won't block access to the battery and so it will not let you flip over backwards. Maybe lower the seat down between the fenders to support you when the tractor leans to one side, as on a slope. Also, since a track can potentially come off, don't put your feet between the track and the frame.

[@theriley1976]

I still say you need an inclosed cab for the grader and the dozer :)

[@j.c.7511]

you may weld the in side of the fenders this give you added strength

[@patiencepeeler7103]

Love ❤️ it sorry we doubted it was too heavy !!! It’s going to be grreat

[@blasterstumps7318]

You had me from "hey guys..." on this episode. Such a great build going on there. That machine is really coming along. I have to admit though that you welding in such close quarters with your woodworking supplies, gas can, battery and all that makes me worry just a tad.

[@trevordurham8043]

Love the build!! Fenders look good but personally I would 45 the corners on both sides, nothing like a steel 90 degree corner to the hip.

[@mealex303]

if you added some rubber at the base of either steering control stick it would help with sensitivity and vibration then also add those gear leaver rubber boots that cover the base and helps to centre shaft back in to neutral or middle. just a thought. I know it's not important for the project right now but u did say about not being happy with them and may help? great vids.👍

[@jimthode]

Nice! Just looking at the side I'd say the seat should be down about 2".

[@denl2526]

Great job, just a suggestion, would it be easier to hinge your seat to open over the left or right fender ,so you can climb in from the the rear of the machine using a step mounted to the rear? Climbing over things as we age gets to be a nuisance. Lol

[@OldBullRanch]

Try a mockup where the wings look like an allis chalmers b12 seat pan assembly

[@TheLizzardlicks]

gday Frank i would like to make 1 suggestion place some flat washer's under the seat / fender box to get it of the chassis to stop it cutting into the frame of the chassis with vibration , apart from that im loving what you are doing

[@patiencepeeler7103]

Thank you sir for posting

[@miltonduncan3145]

For 6 way just an idea, use a ball and hitch for a goose neck trailer. Mount the ball on the front of your push bar and the goose neck hitch on the lower back of the blade. A hydraulic cylinder mounted above and off set to one side of the push bar and above the ball hitch on the blade gives rotating movement. On one side of the push arm mount a three point hitch 3rd arm high on the blade and on the other side mount a hydraulic cylinder. Then just add your lift cylinder/s to the push arm/s and the blade can be hydraulically put in any position you want. Don’t know if I explained it well or not.

[@ChristopherAchilles]

If you've seen his grader build, you'll note that he uses a trailer ball set up on that as his blade pivot, so he knows all about using a ball pivot. :)

[@miltonduncan3145]

@@ChristopherAchilles this is the only one I’ve seen, was just trying to be helpful and not trying to be a sm*****s. I think what he’s doing is great, I’ve just worked on a few dozers. If I offended any one I’m sorry that was not my intent.

[@ChristopherAchilles]

@@miltonduncan3145 That wasn’t my intent either, sorry that it was taken that way! But go check out his grades build too, it’s great!

[@brycepiper938]

Looks really good, I have an old cat d4 and I know how dangerous the tracks can be. I’d put shields so your feet aren’t anywhere near those tracks. With your feet down on the track frames it makes me very nervous

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

Next episode will be the leg shields.

[@steeltree-fabricatingandcu3796]

A grinder and paint make a welder what he ain’t

[@claymore2k1T10]

Fantastic build, but my one concern, which completely negates the point of a tracked vehicle, is the total lack of ground clearance.

[@richardwilliams-pv3vv]

The one issue u will have is win u do growsers is they wont clear ur fenders they look prety close to the tracks but ether then that the biuld looks really good

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

3 inches clearance. Will not be an issue.

[@jasonmushersee]

built a 3pt hitch on my '76 c160 wheel horse the rear fender/seat is hinged & 1 strut holds it up just something different

[@vindivergilio3482]

Lookin good, Frank! You are kind of getting my 'gears' turning for building my own simular machine. We find out Saturday (2/19) if the offer on a 'new' house on a few acres we are looking at goes thru and if it does (everything is looking great on it so far, say a prayer), I told my wife in passing that a small machine like this would be perfect for landscaping, snow plowing, and other jobs, and I may just try and build one myself maybe. Plus it would be a great project to work on with my 2 boys (16 & 21). She rolled her eyes and mumbled a few things under her breath, but I think she knows I am serious. We already added a home built bucket loader to a 21hp Craftsman yard tractor that came out great, so a small dozer should be easy. What are you doing for hydraulics? Have you decided yet? Thanks for another great episode and we'll see ya in the next one. BTW, your dogs are beautiful and well behaved.

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

The rear hydrostat has auxiliary hydraulic ports. Only 600 psi at a couple gpm, but that's enough to operate the cylinders for the blade.

[@kenking5870]

Neat stuff!

[@johnheard2814]

Frank, just a couple suggestions for the dozer. On the back filler panel why not Lazer cut a IH symbol in the center?? For the fenders why not add some 2x3 box on the front and rear like on caterpillar equipment for your rear lights and front lights. Use two lights up front , one to point down to see the dozer blade in dark work and the other two point forward to aid in seeing where to go??? It's looking more like a real machine now! Still curious about the blade mount and if your going to make it a 6 way blade is a straight dirt blade???

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

6 way blade is coming! Fenders, paint, then some structural additions to the front to support the blade. A few more weeks. Stay tuned!

[@johnrogoschewsky6426]

Cut the front emblem out of 2 pieces of metal screw together to make new IH emblem.

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

I 3D printed a replacement, but your idea of a metal version would avoid the heat damage...I like the way you think! Just need to create the model in Fusion 360. Maybe I can import the printer file somehow. Need to think about that... Thanks for the suggestion!

[@MechatronCNC-HVM]

Great project 🙂 are you building a overhead roll over structure or building a Closed cabin? Looking awesome, keep up the good work 😎👍

[@russelltangren6883]

Need to add a cup holder on those fenders! Also is there enough clearance between the fender and the track to add vertical fins to the track for increased traction?

[@thomasbailey8306]

Your fenders should be higher so the grousers dont catch on them. Theres not much clearance right now..Great Video

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

3 inches. Looks less in the video but there is plenty of room.

[@insAneTunA]

It is looking great. You are welding too fast. Much slower welding is the key, with much less jerky movements, that gives the weld puddle more time to penetrate and flow, and the weld looks flat instead of creating a bead shaped weld on top of the material that you weld. It will be a much stronger weld as well, and afterwards you don't have to grind so much material. If you still get beads on top of the material that you weld no matter how slow you go you must crank up the power. And a comfortable position as you are welding can make a big difference as well. The best thing that you can do is to do a test weld as slow as you can without burning a hole with some leftover material before you do the actual work piece in order to get your welding speed and machine settings right. After a while you get experienced enough to know the right settings for a specific task. Big thumbs up and looking forward to the next episode. 👍🙂

[@fredcarlson5775]

Frank watching you getting in and out if it was me I would round the outer corners and add cushions to the top of the fenders so you don't hurt you self getting in I not telling you how build your dozer it's yours just an observation

[@bradleylantz1903]

Could you add pins to your levers to adust the height of levers and still allow them to be taken off

[@jeremiahbf117]

Don't forget to add a cup holder.

[@phillipowens1493]

I have been impressed with the development of the dozer, I am however very curious how the dozer blade support arms are going to be attached giving the current available space between the chasis and the track, also what mechanisism will be used for lifting and angeling the blade? I will keep watching with great interest.

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

You'll have to stick around and see how it turns out! Hydraulics will manage the blade positioning.

[@DS-Turbo]

That looks so awesome. It is something I would be proud of making because it does look just like a bulldozer. Curious what you'll be doing with the blade. That I think will make it look exactly like one. Hope it'll be totally functional

[@schroederb2007]

Make it into a killdozer! haha

[@RuggedArtistry]

Frank, I'm not telling you anything you don't already know but it doesn't matter whether you're building trucks, trailers, motorcycles or a bulldozer from Cub Cadet tractors, you always want a low center of gravity. You definitely want to lower the seat rather than raise the foot rests.

[@tacticalrabbit308]

I can hear from time to time the train whistles that's over 6 miles away

[@bwendt110able]

I am wondering why you didn't just use steel channel for the tracks instead of doubling up your plates?

[@lawrenceleighton122]

Lower the seat and use the fenders for arm rests.

[@ericallan1373]

Personally I don’t think 1” lower is enough. I would go just a hair over the front edge of the seat box.

[@martineastburn3679]

Have to be careful you don't have the back of your legs on an edge of metal. Seat pads shrink down with work.

[@340dart69]

Just looking at it do you have enough clearance for tread if you add some to the tracks

[@phillipowens1493]

could the dozer blade support arms also funstion ad footrests?

[@ohcrapwhatsnext]

What concerns me, is the calf area. If something gets lodged in the track and comes around and grabs your legs. You know what i mean?

[@woodandmetalshoptime8048]

Legs are completely enclosed by 3/16 steel. No risk there.

[@dentonhoward5086]

How about adjustable high and angle for footrest