Latest 601 addiction addition...

[Mainer]

Had to feed the 601 parasite in me again...
This one in Alaska ... hoping to ship it down on the back of someone's rig... anyone know anyone coming back empty from AK?

1968 Thiokol 601 with new rubber, slave & master rebuilds, all mechanicals solid and checked out front to back. Now mainly down to cosmetic work. 300 engine with 4 speed manual.

 

[Bobcat]

Where?

 

[Mainer]

Where?

Fairbanks.

 

[bkvail]

Fairbanks.

Hmm - my brother-in-law has been hauling (long haul truck driver) in the Fairbanks area from Seattle area. I can't remember, but I think he comes back with a truck full though (trying to remember if he's full both ways!)

 

[socal4t12]

get the dash plate info, and register your cats (all 20 of them) so we can see whats left for everyone else to find/buy. registration for the thiokols is in the history category.

 

[bkvail]

ohh, just noticed the Thiokol badge on the front of it - know where I can get one of those? Our 61 has no badging what-so-ever. (The information tag on the dash is gone too unfotunately).

 

[Mainer]

So... FogT and I have been chatting about 601's up in AK and there was one that he saw a couple years ago that was for sale in Fairbanks. It was painted brown, etc... and we swapped email a bit more and then I picked up this blue one in Fairbanks. So, as we were still in pursuit of the brown one I looked closer at the photos... at the same time FogT was talking to guys and the brown one had been sold and it's where about unknown.

So, then I looked closer again and sure enough the blue 601 I just bought in AK was the brown one we were looking for! It also coordinates with the issue of there being a massive gas tank on top of the rig which bent some of the bars down due on the floor because the weight was all on the outside frame. The seller also told me it was initially brown. I had asked him then some questions but he didn't think it was the same one that I had a photo of.

Anyway, this 1968 601 was built for the Canadians...the Rangemaster...same everything as a 601 but badged on the side as Rangemaster but still Thiokol on the front and name plate inside is still standard Thiokol 601.

Anyway, thought it was kind of a funny story. Small world.

Here's the brown one that is my new blue one! Thanks for helping me out on looking for this needle in the igloo FogT! Looks like it was right under my nose!

 

[Mainer]

Thought I'd drop the link in for the 601 video. Such a great compilation!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=259972213427415746&hl=en

 

[bkvail]

so, you must have found a ride down for the cat then?

the khaki army cat is awesome! Is that one in your 'arsenal'??? (I can do green embroidery cats too, hehe - and could do a white star on the door too!!!)

 

[pixie]

Mainer, all this chat about brown ones and blue ones .... tell us about the green one !!!!!

 

[Mainer]

Yea, the green one (a 602) wanted to come home with me even though the price wasn't ideal. I had to have a 602. There's still one out West that I've got my eye (wicked low hours) on but this one has a nice history too. The redish/orange axles were just from when it was previously painted orange for the search & rescue. I got several internal pics and it's better than I thought. 602's are just too rare... I didn't know when another would come up so I had no choice.

 

[Mainer]

so, you must have found a ride down for the cat then?

the khaki army cat is awesome! Is that one in your 'arsenal'??? (I can do green embroidery cats too, hehe - and could do a white star on the door too!!!)

Definitely has to happen!!! I'll PM you for a khaki wardrobe!

 

[bkvail]

what year is the khaki 602?

 

[Mainer]

what year is the khaki 602?

1963

 

[Mainer]

Here she comes... to daddy... all bundled up nice.
No chance of broken glass here! Most of the mechanical systems were rebuilt and fresh coat of paint after being taken down to bare metal. Needs new track rubber (new supplied by seller) though. Once I get the grouser die fab'd I may just press out all new grousers while I'm at it.

 

[Snowcat Operations]

What a sweet babe indeed!

 

[Mainer]

So... after many days and logistical hoops...she's finally come to rest after a 5,600 mile journey. Yes, I know it's financially unsound but all's fair in luv & addictions.

Anyway, no escape hatch over the passenger seat... seems to be standard for the Rangemaster (same as a 601 but made for Canada with slightly different setup). The second Rangemaster and both have been hatchless. Just a point of interest. Light on top was removed for bridge clearance when it was stacked on a trailer that was on another trailer... and air let out of tires.

 

[Mainer]

Just picked this mog up... diversifying just a wee-bit (not away from the TM-cat family of course but dabbling with 4-wheeled snow-fun) ... I always wanted to try one of these things and see what it's like.... the reasons for the Case branding is just that... manufactured by Mercedes and imported by Case. Rear and front PTO's...all systems working like a clock. Now all I need is a front-mount snow thrower and I may be able to get thru some snow that I'd normally just cruise over with the 601. But I can go through water, rock crawling, etc... with this gal.

 

[MNoutdoors RIP]

Just picked this mog up... diversifying just a wee-bit (not away from the TM-cat family of course but dabbling with 4-wheeled snow-fun) ... I always wanted to try one of these things and see what it's like.... the reasons for the Case branding is just that... manufactured by Mercedes and imported by Case. Rear and front PTO's...all systems working like a clock. Now all I need is a front-mount snow thrower and I may be able to get thru some snow that I'd normally just cruise over with the 601. But I can go through water, rock crawling, etc... with this gal.

Pretty cool find Mainer what part of the country did it come from ?

 

[mtntopper]

My neighbor 12 miles down the road has one just like yours a Unimog branded Case except it has the rear carrier engine to drive the snowblower. It will throw snow for a long ways but with our wind in winter it does not last long. With both engines running it does use some diesel fuel. This past winter he finally gave up and started using his snow cat instead of trying to keep the road open.

 

[Mainer]

Finally something from the East coast! But originally it was West coast then last year transported East. Should be interesting... you (or others) have any interesting experiences with these puppies? Great videos on youtube for everything from master rooster-tail snow-throwing to big-rock crawling antics. Likely I'll see how much fun it is and how practical it may also be... may use it for road maintenance. Seems these have really been fantastic for all kinds of utility stuff that makes them almost like a tractor but yet more versatile....I really like the dual PTO design of front-and-back, diesel, etc.. With that being said, I'll eventually buy a tractor so I will most likely sell this unless I become addicted (hopefully not... I know a guy that has collected 32 of them!).

 

[Mainer]

My neighbor 12 miles down the road has one just like yours a Unimog branded Case except it has the rear carrier engine to drive the snowblower. It will throw snow for a long ways but with our wind in winter it does not last long. With both engines running it does use some diesel fuel. This past winter he finally gave up and started using his snow cat instead of trying to keep the road open.
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Sweet photos and use! Now I may have to hunt down similar gear as that looks like such a blast...and seeing the same model outfitted is wicked. There are some folks that share the roads so I may do it for the sake of 'goodness-and-light' and also to have fun gear.