Replacements for soldier B

[jeffhuey1n]

Hi

Thought I'd try starting a new thread about adaptive measures / tools and equipment used to replace the infamous "Soldier B". I'm a one person shop, and I've got some (OK a lot) of physical challenges. I have to come up with new ways or slightly modified ways of getting a two person, and sometimes even a one person job done.

These showed up on another thread but I think the ideas can come from all vehicle types.

Well here's the first Soldier B replacement, I use it for installing brake drums on Deuces. It's made from a transmission lift and a floor jack. The transmission lift has been modified by rearranging parts and is made to fit in the cup where the normal cup fits into.

 

[jeffhuey1n]

For most lifting jobs, I need somthing tall and capable of holding the piece/part in place. This soldier B is used for everything fom changing tires to removing and replacing generators. I got it from a sale (yard) for $50. It was supposedly made by Boeing for use on one of the missile systems. Can't verify this but it's a great help. I had to replace the cable and hardware but it works well as a medium lifter. I't won't lift a heavy engine, such as a Ford 351M but lifts almost anthing else. I've got more devices to post and as I pull them out I'll add them to the list.

 

[Goose2448]

Those are pretty cool. I know I have found my self in a spot where I could use a hand and no one is around. Being young and dumb I just figure out how I can just lift things usually resulting in a hurting back or something.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Neat ideas, I'm in the same boat, never anyone around. You learn how to work alone. I use the frontend loader on the tractor alot. I have an old book, that is nothing but ideas for help on the farm. Love that stuff.

Good Job!

 

[Goose2448]

That reminds me of the stories my uncle tells of when he ran his own company. They would have a blow out on the trailer on 75. Unload the skid-steer, pick up the trailer with the skid-steer, change the tire with the air wrench, and load the skid-steer back up and off they went in under 10 mins. This happened about 3-5 times a week.

 

[jeffhuey1n]

Those are pretty cool. I know I have found my self in a spot where I could use a hand and no one is around. Being young and dumb I just figure out how I can just lift things usually resulting in a hurting back or something.

Yup, did exactly that. Lifted one too many heavy parts just to get the job done. 25 years+ later, it's payback time.

 

[jeffhuey1n]

Neat ideas, I'm in the same boat, never anyone around. You learn how to work alone. I use the frontend loader on the tractor alot. I have an old book, that is nothing but ideas for help on the farm. Love that stuff.

Good Job!

Growing up, we didn't have much money, Dad was disabled and Mom took care of Dad. Whenever we needed something we either made it ourselves or it wasn't that important. We made a lot of odd ball stuff out what most people would call junk. One persons junk is anothers treasure.

Soldier B had to come to the rescue last night. I've got hendersonj's Brake self bleeder but needed a different adapter. Went though all my adapters and couldn't find anything that would fit. Then the bulb slowly started glowing...there is a bunch of fittings in the STE-ICE. I have a spare kit that's missing all the probes but it does have fittings. Opened it up and bingo, problem solved. Should have the brakes done today. I guess Soldier B is an open mind that can think outside the box when all other methods fail. Now if i could only get a copy of the book....What's the title?

 

[scrapdaddy]

Successful Farming: Ideas for All around the farm--second edition


1250 ideas that were put together by the editors of Successful Farming
540 illustrations. fun to read

 

[RodUSMC1962]

Farmers can make anything, if you can weld,you can make it.

 

[hndrsonj]

For soldier"B" use a pressure brake bleeder!

 

[jeffhuey1n]

For soldier"B" use a pressure brake bleeder!

And it worked like a dream, once i figured out that you have to prime the pump line before connecting it to the master cylinder..
Took twice as long since I had to purge all that air i pumped into it...I guess I aint the smartest tool in the shed.

I'll be dropping it off at your convenience, same timeish?

But for real, that brake bleeder is fantastic! Fill it with fluid, pump up the pressure to 10 PSI and start cracking valves in the TM sequence. One of the makers is Motive, PM me if you'd like the link but for $42 and shipping, hard to beat! And if you have an STE/ICE and an air chuck, you have all the hardware you need to make it all work. If you don't have the STE/ICE, no sweat, just have to raid the nearest hardware store with brass fittings, just remember to bring the matercylinder cap so you know what to get.

 

[hndrsonj]

Why did you need the STE/ICE/air chuck?

 

[papabear]

Hi

Thought I'd try starting a new thread about adaptive measures / tools and equipment used to replace the infamous "Soldier B". I'm a one person shop, and I've got some (OK a lot) of physical challenges. I have to come up with new ways or slightly modified ways of getting a two person, and sometimes even a one person job done.

These showed up on another thread but I think the ideas can come from all vehicle types.

Well here's the first Soldier B replacement, I use it for installing brake drums on Deuces. It's made from a transmission lift and a floor jack. The transmission lift has been modified by rearranging parts and is made to fit in the cup where the normal cup fits into.

You done good troop!
Now when ya get old...ya start getting even more wise and have more ideas...like recruiting young fellers to help ya do stuff!

It's sorta like Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer trick...make it look like fun and the younger fellers will jump right in and:

 

[jeffhuey1n]

Why did you need the STE/ICE/air chuck?

I apologize, I mispoke. I didn't need it, I had yours. The problem as you told me might happen was that the cap may be different. It was. Your cap was much smaller than what went on to my master cylinder. So I was going to have to disassemble your cap assembly and put it on my cylinder cap, of which I'm positive it would have fit. Because I have a somewhat spotty record of damaging things, I wanted to use your cap as a pattern and see if I could get some use out the STE/ICE spare kit to make my own cap so that when my bleeder shows up, I'll have everything ready for my next brake job...which won't be too long judging from the number of brakes cylinders that have blown out lately (everytime because of rotted rubber parts). And especially since i used up my last brake shoes and hardware kits. And if I broke something, it wouldn't cost anyone anything else...

I have an extra adapter (the kit comes with two) that's yours for the taking, if you'd like, to make one on a larger master cylinder cap.

 

[maccus]

...like recruiting young fellers to help ya do stuff!


Talking about soldier "B". Do as PB says and NEVER, NEVER ask your wife to help with the difficult tasks. Some can handle it but the paybacks are sometimes way too expensive. Like a long term tour in a bad place. When you correct a wrong action by wife soldier "B" and you see the tears starting to come, stop and go back to doing the task with only solder "A" or find a young feller as PB suggested.

This is rule number "1" in the OD Nuts survival manual.

 

[jeffhuey1n]

...like recruiting young fellers to help ya do stuff!


Talking about soldier "B". Do as PB says and NEVER, NEVER ask your wife to help with the difficult tasks. Some can handle it but the paybacks are sometimes way too expensive. Like a long term tour in a bad place. When you correct a wrong action by wife soldier "B" and you see the tears starting to come, stop and go back to doing the task with only solder "A" or find a young feller as PB suggested.

This is rule number "1" in the OD Nuts survival manual.

 

[dezert ratt]

I finished my soldier b for removing 5 ton hubs, whadda ya think¿

 

[dezert ratt]

 

[Goose2448]

For lifting heavy things when we don't feel like getting the floor jacks out....

 

[Beerslayer]

I finished my soldier b for removing 5 ton hubs, whadda ya think¿ View attachment 316033

Brilliant!