I thought these photos of the refurbishment of our Fowler Challenger Mk 3 would be of interest. This machine has the Leyland 600 engine, and fitted with hydraulics from Moore Road Machinery, Aust. The blade height has been cut down a little when it first came to Tasmania, as the original was too heavy for reversing up steep inclines. It has been on the family farm since 1963, and has been always been in useable condition. We decided to make a new cab frame, give her a paint job and tighten up a few grouser plates. We also fitted a muffler under the bonnet which now makes the transmission sound louder, but I guess that?s because we can hear it now. We have some video which might find its way on You-Tube, will let you know when. Nigel.
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Fowler resto tas
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Re: Fowler resto tas
Great job you have done ther Nigel !!
Must of taken a lot of time and effort mate
Nick
Must of taken a lot of time and effort mate
Nick
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Re: Fowler resto tas
Hi Nigel,
Brilliant!! And thanks for posting. She must be 1952/4, Would have been orange originaly but looks great in yellow.
I see its the Meadows engine version. Have you needed any engine parts?? The Fowler transmission was always loud, you should hear it in an enclosed cab!
Great to see this tractor looking so good, I can apreciate the work you have put into it. I am restoring a slightly newer 1955 Fowler 33 its in the projects section on here.
Fred
Brilliant!! And thanks for posting. She must be 1952/4, Would have been orange originaly but looks great in yellow.
I see its the Meadows engine version. Have you needed any engine parts?? The Fowler transmission was always loud, you should hear it in an enclosed cab!
Great to see this tractor looking so good, I can apreciate the work you have put into it. I am restoring a slightly newer 1955 Fowler 33 its in the projects section on here.
Fred
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Re: Fowler resto tas
Thanks for the comments guys. Fred I am interested as to why you thought the Meadows engine. Is it because the exhaust outlet is at the rear? We have fitted a muffler under the hood with outlet at rear which keeps the exhaust away from limbs etc. I do have a Meadows engined unit as a spares unit minus the trans as we used parts from it in the mid 70s. As for the colour, there was some orange paint under the yellow but I thought it was undercoat.
When my dad bought the unit it was mostly grey, which had been painted over dark green. I suspect it served time with the army but not too sure of that. The Meadows unit is also yellow. Next job is to fit woven mesh protection around frame. Your challenger 33 should be almost running by now Fred eh? I have some spare Ryco oil filters that fit the Leyland 600, I think they will also fit the 680. Later, Nigel.
When my dad bought the unit it was mostly grey, which had been painted over dark green. I suspect it served time with the army but not too sure of that. The Meadows unit is also yellow. Next job is to fit woven mesh protection around frame. Your challenger 33 should be almost running by now Fred eh? I have some spare Ryco oil filters that fit the Leyland 600, I think they will also fit the 680. Later, Nigel.
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Re: Fowler resto tas
Hi Nigel,
Yes it was the exhaust which threw me. Looking at it again though the Meadows exhaust would have been on the opposite side too. I can see the engine block in your fifth photo now I've had a closer look.
My 33 isn't running yet I'm still waiting for valve guides to complete the heads. Those oil filters are hard to find now, I'm coming to the end of a case of them I bought years ago when I was running a few Fowlers.
Fred
Yes it was the exhaust which threw me. Looking at it again though the Meadows exhaust would have been on the opposite side too. I can see the engine block in your fifth photo now I've had a closer look.
My 33 isn't running yet I'm still waiting for valve guides to complete the heads. Those oil filters are hard to find now, I'm coming to the end of a case of them I bought years ago when I was running a few Fowlers.
Fred
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Re: Fowler resto tas
Hi All, Its been a while, thought an update was due. My Son has been clearing a spot of ground in prep for another paddock. The Fowler has been running great but for worn tracks starting to run off as it is a very steep bit of ground and is fine if going staight up or down but you need to go across sometime. Some years ago we fitted stone guards and they have been doing a great job of acting like track guides. The mounting bolts have broken off and need to be removed before we can refit the guards. Thinking we should do something about the worn chains so starting to look around for prices. I believe the Cat D4d chains are the same so hoping I can locate some at a good price.
Re: Fowler resto tas
Nice work.
Whereabouts in Tas are you?
D4 chains will fit so Ive heard, but getting good used D4 chains is hard = I know! I ended up buying new ones from Melbourne from EMS- cost me heaps!
Whereabouts in Tas are you?
D4 chains will fit so Ive heard, but getting good used D4 chains is hard = I know! I ended up buying new ones from Melbourne from EMS- cost me heaps!
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Re: Fowler resto tas
Hi Nigel,
Nice to see the Challenger looking good and earning its keep.
The track chains were identical on the Challenger 3, 4 and 33. they were the same as the Cat D7 of that era.
I think Cat. used the same chains from the wartime 7M, the 3T, 4T. 6T, 7C and 7D right through well into the 1960s.
Fred
Nice to see the Challenger looking good and earning its keep.
The track chains were identical on the Challenger 3, 4 and 33. they were the same as the Cat D7 of that era.
I think Cat. used the same chains from the wartime 7M, the 3T, 4T. 6T, 7C and 7D right through well into the 1960s.
Fred
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Re: Fowler resto tas
Hi Eric, I am in the Huon, southern Tas. Fred, we are checking chains out and found the dimentions of D7d shows 3/4" bolt holes instead of 5/8". All other sizes look good. Have a man checking sizes of D7c as they had 36 links, same as Fowler, where D7d had 37 links. He thinks they may have had smaller bolts. Waiting for reply. Nigel.
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