After another couple years sitting, I've finally got some fuel system issues sorted on my model 12 grader (8T series, 1956 year I think, D318 Engine) and it's back to running and working well.  With it back on the move, it's renewed my interest in looking for a bunch of the missing bits, accessories and optional equipment.  I'll likely make a proper want ad in that section of the forum in a while, but in the meantime I'm also curious about some of the options, how rare they might have been, etc...

Beyond some of the common parts I'll be looking for, I'm rather curious about some of the options that I've found reference to in the various manuals on here...

I've been looking at the earlier (6V) cab heaters, which mount on the front of the seat/fuel tank, to the right of the gear shift levers.  I have no idea if many would've survived all these years, but I suspect something fairly equivalent would be easy enough to build, or something similar could be adapted.  The parts of this that I have questions about are the position of the hose bracket shown in the parts books, and where the coolant lines would have tied into the motor.  Does anyone have an existing one they could share some pictures or details of (Heater itself, hose bracket behind cab, and especially the fittings/locations to connect to the engine, etc)?

I see that there was an option called the 'power tire pump', which I imagine is safe to assume would be an air compressor.  Were these common at all?  Does anyone know/remember where they attached to the engine?  Does anyone actually still have one they could share some pictures/details of?  Could I expect to ever actually find one?

Lighting.  I see in some of the manuals that there was a separate little control box w/ammeter for lighting on some of these machines.  Mine has the ammeter with the main controls, and I believe a light switch back there as well, but I'm still curious about the add-on controls.  More curious yet about how original wiring would have been routed to places like the cab roof lights and for the tail lights, and where the included horn would have been mounted...  Again, if anyone could share pics or details, it would be much appreciated.

The road roller seems like another interesting attachment, which I assume would be rather rare and impossible to find anymore.  Curious anyways how this would have been attached to the machine.  Perhaps in place of the scarifier?

Would the windshield wiper options fit onto the standard 3-pane windshield, or was there a different window/frame assembly to allow for it?

Some of these machines had shutters for the radiator to allow for cold weather operation.  Did these mount in/to the standard radiator housing, or would I have to look for a whole different radiator assembly?

Also curious about the snow plow, and snow wing options and related assemblies, and how they tie into the basic machine.  (Moreso the stuff like the winch location & controls for the wing, the front plow seems to have better diagrams that show how it ties in.)

Hydraulic options?  Mine is equipped with the power steering and related pump/tank.  From what I can make out in some manuals, would it be the same pump used for other hydraulic options, but with a different tank setup and added valve bank?  Possibly a larger pump mounted in the same location?  I believe I've seen an engine mounted pump recently, between the engine and generator, but this was likely aftermarket?  Again, pictures of some of this in the wild would be much appreciated.


All things considered, my plans with this machine are to do a bit of a "working restoration".  What I mean by that, is that I'd like to nearly restore it to original, but will probably equip it with some modern bits like good LED lighting (Considering putting LED's into original style light housings to keep the original look...).  I'm already working on an adapter for a modern 12V alternator, just for ease of service and availability of parts, battery, lights, etc.  Pony motor is running great and has it's original electric start in place, so I'll happily keep it over a direct electric option.

Just for the sake of being complete, here's a quick list of all the other stuff I'll be looking to track down.  Though as mentioned, I'll make a proper want ad for these as I get to more actively looking for stuff...  In case anyone's curious, I'm located in Central Alberta, Canada.

Toolbox lid, hinges & latch.
Defroster fan (probably just settle for a new aftermarket equivalent & modify the mount).
Scarifier (Whole assembly, scarifier, gearboxes, driveshafts, control lever & possibly control gears/clutches).
Control lever knobs.
4-Wheel brakes parts (Mine just has the rears).
Moldboard side shift parts (I'm definitely missing parts, and the large shaft for it is bent & ugly welded).
Cab heater, lines and brackets.
Windshield frame (mine's pretty rotten).
Windshield wiper.
Hood, engine side skirts & hood doors.
Lighting system parts - light housings, light brackets, horn, possibly the add-on control box.
Snow plow.
Snow wing.
Hydraulic parts.
Hour/Service meter (Cartridge, or cartridge parts at least.  Don't really want to switch to an electric meter).
Blades (The main ones are easy, but not entirely sure about the curved ones at the ends of the moldboard).
Probably impossible, but the Tire pump and road roller would be cool too...

And finally, thanks in advance to any of our resident experts and experienced folks who might be able to offer me some of this info, pics and/or advice!

Hi, chalackd.
If we are talking about the same beast, the road roller fitted on the rear of machine.

The curved 'blades' at the ends of the moldboard are called 'end bits' and are still freely available, both from Cat and aftermarket sources.

Why mess around with your ugly, battered old moldboard side shift??? Fit a hydraulic side shift to it. And why stop there? Fit a hydraulic blade tilt cylinder to it as well.

Control lever knobs were the same as the standard gear shift knobs - SAE 1/2" UNF.

Somebody will likely come along to correct me but I think the rear wheel brake assemblies, complete with axle housing, also went on the front of the tandem case but on opposite sides - i.e., turn them 180 degrees to fit. I am not sure if there was a bigger master cylinder that went with this set-up.

With all that you are looking at adding to this machine, you might like to consider a Domor side elevator too - see attached link. www.ebay.com/itm/362612912302 I GUARANTEE that you would be 'the ONLY kid on the block who has one'.

Just my 0.02.

what you call blades are cutting edges and they are reversible. you blow the bolts off and turn them over to wear the other edge. these are also known as ground engaging tools.

as for a compressor since your updating to 12v electrics go and buy a 12v compressor set up from ARB etc much easier and simpler to install and you can mount it anywhere you like.

as for cab heating have a look at vintage air they do air con and heater systems for classic and vintage vehicles they might have something in the range suitable. you can always make a sheet metal box around it so it looks more the part or simply paint it yellow.

trainzkid88 wrote:

what you call blades are cutting edges and they are reversible. you blow the bolts off and turn them over to wear the other edge. these are also known as ground engaging tools.

as for a compressor since your updating to 12v electrics go and buy a 12v compressor set up from ARB etc much easier and simpler to install and you can mount it anywhere you like.

as for cab heating have a look at vintage air they do air con and heater systems for classic and vintage vehicles they might have something in the range suitable. you can always make a sheet metal box around it so it looks more the part or simply paint it yellow.

Never have I seen a reversible cutting edge for a motor grader. 
 

Unless you are running mountains 4 wheel brakes are not needed. The wiper works with the 3 pane window, you have to use a 10" wiper blade. The heater boxes are still around for 6v, if you switch to 12v run both motors in series and they do just fine with 12v. I ran the hoses along the side panels with the larger hose/wire loom brackets. Drawing a blank on where they hook to the engine. I added a gate valve in the cab between the fuel tank and the heater box to regulate the water flow/heat output. The horn mounts below the front right corner of the cab. The light wiring for the upper lights runs up the hollow front corner cab supports. Tail lights mount to the back of the factory light brackets. I used newer 12v halogen bulbs for headlights and newer style tailights. If you look you can find ones that fit the exact holes. I also added 2 led lights under the front and rear corners of the cab for extra light, almost hidden unless you look for them. You cant run scarifier and wing at the same time. they used the same driveshaft and control. The wing winch sits on the frame pad 3 ft in front of the cab, there should be 4 ears welded to the frame. Hood side panels are around used, just keep looking. I plowed snow for years and never had shutters, just good thermostats. If it got real cold I would throw an old Tshirt over the radiator, the suck fan wouldnt let it fall off. Only had to do it maybe two times. Hydraulics are the same pump with a bigger tank if needed. Look around there are quite a few of these old carcasses laying around for parts yet.

well i have. you flip them up side down and use the other side. and yes another old trick in cold climates was to use a hessian potato sack or a sugar bag. some vintage cars had a bit of canvas rolled up and mounted at the bottom of the rad grill all the time.

Hi, trainzkid88.
Like kracked1, I have NEVER seen reversible grader cutting edges. Yes, the curved end bits are reversible but I'm still looking for a reversible grader cutting edge. Yer see. there's a funny, even WEIRD, circumstance built into grader moldboards - they ARE NOT made to take reversible cutting edges the way that dozer blades or scraper bowls or loader buckets are.

Just my 0.02.

Hi Fat Dan here I live in Alaska and come by a 1954 8T I call ATUM. i have a small YouTube channel where I talk No. 12 Motor Graters ... come on by and check out some stuff if you like😁
There are several different types of air compressors, I think, one is run by an auxiliary driveline and one runs off the back of the generator. 
Living in Alaska winter brings a lot of darkness. Therefore I use a lot of Amps for lighting, heating and defrost fans. My system as been changed to 12V even the generator yet I still need more Amps. LED lighting may help so I'll check into changing them over.
The winter pulls a lot of Amps and an upgrade to 12V and more Amps were not far into the future on Motor Graders. Not sure if a radial blade fan pulls more power than a squirrel cage fan so ill check into that as well. It might behest you to look into more Volts and Amps but please you do you😎that why we are here.
I'd love to see pictures.
 
 

Hi, chalackd.
Kracked1 hazza point. The rear wheel only brakes work on the front drive wheels as well, courtesy of the connecting chains within the tandem chain case. 4-wheel brakes give you more actual braking power but did not alter the number of wheels being braked.

Just my 0.02.

Hi. I have many of the things you are looking for. Heater, v plow, wing etc. Have one parts grader and one runner for sale. Some stuff I would be willing to sell parts. Runner has plow/wing mounts on it and would be a package deal. Located 1 hr north of Medicine Hat. Shoot me an email if interested kirkriste at hotmail dot com.