Bombi J64

[dochertyinbc]

I have a 1963 Bombardier J64. It has been previously converted to a Nissan D22 Diesel engine and a homemade hydrostatic drive. It has proven extremely difficult to find any information about this old beast. Does anyone out here have a j64, or know anything about them?

 

[pixie]

I doubt anyone can help you much with the engine or drive system since they aren't original but if you search ( upper right corner) for specific things you want to know about "SW48" you might find stuff.

 

[dochertyinbc]

I understand that the engine/tranny combo is one-off unique, but the machine itself seems to be quite rare. Google searches find nothing regarding 1960's J64s. This machine has only three wheels on each side and retains no evidence of ever having a factory hydraulic system in it.

 

[pixie]

It's "rare" because you are using the wrong name for it. It is identical to a SW48 in every way but the width.

Yours is ( I'm guessing) 64 inches wide but has 14" wide tracks just like a SW48. A J5 is 60 or 64 inches wide but has 16" tracks.

They all have the same engines and driveline and track set-ups if they haven't been corrupted.

It is true that they made fewer of the wider versions of the SW48, like SW54 but there are still quite a few. The naming policies at Bombardier were a little odd and not very linear which is why yours says J64. It's not a J5 but is wider than a SW48.

 

[dochertyinbc]

Hi Pixie and thank you for corresponding.

I call it rare because I have difficulty finding anything that looks like it and Googling for the year or the model number is mostly fruitless.

I call it J64 because that is how it is identified on the ID Tag (photo in first post).

Mine is 64" wide with 16" growsers, 17.5" track edge to edge.

I'm interested in what your machine in the photo above your name is?

 

[pixie]

One of the other identifying things on yours is the tub width (where your feet go) How wide ? More pictures please !
Quite a few SW48s had that cab style. How wide is the cab ?

The machine in my avatar is a Bombardier Muskeg tractor 1972. Tractor means the engine is in the center instead of at the front ( called a Carrier cause they have a rear deck) Muskegs have a double row of the same wheels that SW and J5 have. Lots of bearings !! Mine is a little unusual because of the cab.

I also have 2 J5s and a Skidozer.
Pic of J5 below.

If you want an education about Bombardier machines look for member " Bombardier J5 "

 

[dochertyinbc]

The tub is 64" wide. The tunnel is 24" wide. On the right hand side is a retrofit Evinrude marine tranny control linkage. The interior without the seat displays the hydrostatic valving unit. Beside the engine is the hydraulic fluid reservoir. That front tire is an automotive spare, the donut kind, free for the taking at my local auto wrecker yard.

I mostly plow snow and skid logs with "Bobby" the Bombi.

I will definitely look up member Bombardier J5, I like to learn all I can about the things that interest me.

 

[pixie]

So it's a "J5" with a cab. That pump under the seat spins a shaft to the differential in the front and it is still brake steer with the levers, correct ?

Mine is a similar age with the same thinner gauge tub. Both of mine the differential housing rusted out. The one pictured, I had a new section of tub made to fix that. The newer machines had no corrugation in the tub and are thicker steel.

 

[redsqwrl]

Pixie beat me too it! J5 with a winter cab, look just like jw6(x)

Sw series are side walk plows and share many components with their siblings

 

[Don Coyote]

Pixie beat me too it!

Hey..... that garage isn't going to build itself.

..... Back to work, slacker!!!

 

[dochertyinbc]

Interesting you say "with a cab", When I bought it some extra parts were included, a different fuel tank and a front cowling with old jeep style folding windshield, which the seller referred to as a summer cab. (no door hardware).

You are correct about the shaft and brake steer.

Thanks for your comments, I like learning and discussing these things.

 

[pixie]

Does your front cowling look like the one in my picture ? I don't believe a fold down windscreen was an original item.

Most J5s look like mine but when I used to peruse Kijiji and LesPac regularly, I saw quite a few with the winter cab. The doors seem a little awkward and I see yours are removed in one photo.

 

[dochertyinbc]

My front cowling is the same shape as yours except that it is the full width of the tub. I have been under the impression that the windshield was a user add-on. The extra fuel tank is a large capacity unit that is almost as wide as the tub.

I don't like the doors, they severely limit visibility, hold in too much heat, and things are noisier with them closed. Folded forward they also limit sight, it would be a lot better if they hinged suicide door style, but they are what they are, thus they usually sit against a wall somewhere.

I would post pictures but the pieces are currently under three feet of snow.

 

[pixie]

That's interesting about your front cowling and large tank.

Someone here... maybe @BombardierJ5 knows where there is a list of who the original purchasers of each unit were. I don't remember how far back it goes but it would be interesting who had yours set up like that.

The data tags must not be stuck on well. I think only about half of the 'older' J5s and SW48/54/xx have a data plate. Neither of mine have them. I think mine are from about 1959 or older because they are 60" wide with corrugated tubs.

You should check your differential fluid after using to see if the fluid is milky from water. There is a drain on the side underneath if you need to change it. Rust happens inside, too.