Restore, Rebuild, Overhaul Ford CL-30

Don Shilling · Oct 3, 2011

OK, today I bit the bullet and decided to field strip my CL-30 and thoroughly rebuild it. New bushings and pins, hyd cylinder rebuild, replace all hoses, overhaul the engine, etc, etc. Sandblasting and repaint, after I get it all apart, will go a long way to justify the effort. After considerable research, I decided on this route instead of trying to purchase a newer track type machine. I think this way will be a bit less expensive also. So,,,,,, has anyone got a spare parts CL-30 laying around that I may purchase parts from? I've re-manufactured motorcycles, aircraft, antique autos, a tractor and a small bulldozer, but I'm interested any advise anyone has to offer. Don Shilling

Tazza · Oct 3, 2011

What sort of parts do you think you will need? not all parts will need to be bought from the dealer, hopefully save you a few pennies along the way.

Don Shilling · Oct 4, 2011

Tazza said:
What sort of parts do you think you will need? not all parts will need to be bought from the dealer, hopefully save you a few pennies along the way.

One item I would like to have is the original air cleaner that mounts on top of the oil tank on the left side. I presently have the stock one on the engine. I noticed that the two sprockets and chain that form the coupling from the engine to the pumps is very sloppy. I figure I can obtain them from Boston Gear Co. Would also like to get a top mount distributor and governor assy for the Wisconsin V4. The lower mount dist is a bitch to service on the CL30.

Don Shilling · Oct 5, 2011

Don Shilling said:
One item I would like to have is the original air cleaner that mounts on top of the oil tank on the left side. I presently have the stock one on the engine. I noticed that the two sprockets and chain that form the coupling from the engine to the pumps is very sloppy. I figure I can obtain them from Boston Gear Co. Would also like to get a top mount distributor and governor assy for the Wisconsin V4. The lower mount dist is a bitch to service on the CL30.

OK, new game plan. In order to rebuild this loader to the level I want, will require more money than I am willing to spend. Therefore, I will move over to the For Sale Forum.

Tazza · Oct 5, 2011

Don Shilling said:
OK, new game plan. In order to rebuild this loader to the level I want, will require more money than I am willing to spend. Therefore, I will move over to the For Sale Forum.

I guess that's one way to do it. Keep an eye out for something in your price range that doesn't take so much work to get back to a state you want it in.

Don Shilling · Oct 8, 2011

Tazza said:
I guess that's one way to do it. Keep an eye out for something in your price range that doesn't take so much work to get back to a state you want it in.

Well, I found another CL30 up in Missouri so now I should have enough parts to build one very nice machine out of the two. The one I just bought has the original engine from 1973, starts easy, runs smooth, and doesn't smoke. Even though the controls are slap wore out, the machine doesn't seem to have a lot of total hours on it. All the pins and bushings look very good and overall, it doesn't look to be beat up and mangled. Anyways, I'm going to take it down to bare bones and come back up with the best parts, new hoses, and a proper paint job.

Don Shilling · Oct 8, 2011

Don Shilling said:
Well, I found another CL30 up in Missouri so now I should have enough parts to build one very nice machine out of the two. The one I just bought has the original engine from 1973, starts easy, runs smooth, and doesn't smoke. Even though the controls are slap wore out, the machine doesn't seem to have a lot of total hours on it. All the pins and bushings look very good and overall, it doesn't look to be beat up and mangled. Anyways, I'm going to take it down to bare bones and come back up with the best parts, new hoses, and a proper paint job.

OK, here's something neat. This a link to my Photobucket album on the CL30. Check on it from time to time and maybe I'll have something interesting to look at. Please feel free to make any comments you like. http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford CL30 Skid Loader/

Tazza · Oct 9, 2011

Don Shilling said:
OK, here's something neat. This a link to my Photobucket album on the CL30. Check on it from time to time and maybe I'll have something interesting to look at. Please feel free to make any comments you like. http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/

The paint looks pretty good. Its nice having a spare donor machine for any parts that you need or are too worn to repair.

Don Shilling · Dec 2, 2011

During disassembly I'm finding numerous problems that would have failed in short order if I had only repaired as necessary and kept on going. This is the problem with buying used equipment and not knowing how it was maintained, if at all. Most of the "repairs" on this machine indicate that the "mechanic" would be better served sitting on a couch, eating potato chips, and watching football. Here is my progress today, the hyd oil is drained and now I'm ready to remove the oil tank, engine, and axles.

Tazza · Dec 4, 2011

Don Shilling said:
During disassembly I'm finding numerous problems that would have failed in short order if I had only repaired as necessary and kept on going. This is the problem with buying used equipment and not knowing how it was maintained, if at all. Most of the "repairs" on this machine indicate that the "mechanic" would be better served sitting on a couch, eating potato chips, and watching football. Here is my progress today, the hyd oil is drained and now I'm ready to remove the oil tank, engine, and axles.

Sadly this happens a lot. People just patch the problem. It works for a time but usually fails at a later date, usually causing more issues.
That's why they say, if its worth fixing, its worth fixing right. I try to make sure a repair is going to last, or else i'll be back later to re-fix it again.

skidsteer.ca · Dec 5, 2011

Tazza said:
Sadly this happens a lot. People just patch the problem. It works for a time but usually fails at a later date, usually causing more issues.
That's why they say, if its worth fixing, its worth fixing right. I try to make sure a repair is going to last, or else i'll be back later to re-fix it again.

The chain coupling can be made up with hubs and sprockets from most machine shops.
I like fixes that are better then new too. Often once it has been used you can see how the manufacturer should have done something better and the problem can be eliminated permanently with the right aproach.
You should convert it to a J2513 standard quick attach while you are at it.
Skidsteer.ca

Don Shilling · Dec 12, 2011

I got a chance to work on my loader today so I removed the engine and pump assy. This unit is secured with two bolts on the engine end and two bolts on the pump end. Wrenches were not really necessary since most of the fittings were very loose. The two bolts on the pump end were missing letting the pump rest in the cradle mount. Several of the hydraulic lines were not torqued very tight as well. The left rear axle had considerable up and down movement so when I found several ball bearings laying in the bottom of the chain case, it didn't take much searching to determine where they came from. I decided to drain the engine oil while I had it on the hoist and found the oil drain cap loose and only two or so threads holding it on. This machine was right on the verge of collapsing on me if I had tried to work it. Just goes to show not to trust an old, unknown machine until you have had time to look it over thoroughly.

Tazza · Dec 12, 2011

Don Shilling said:
I got a chance to work on my loader today so I removed the engine and pump assy. This unit is secured with two bolts on the engine end and two bolts on the pump end. Wrenches were not really necessary since most of the fittings were very loose. The two bolts on the pump end were missing letting the pump rest in the cradle mount. Several of the hydraulic lines were not torqued very tight as well. The left rear axle had considerable up and down movement so when I found several ball bearings laying in the bottom of the chain case, it didn't take much searching to determine where they came from. I decided to drain the engine oil while I had it on the hoist and found the oil drain cap loose and only two or so threads holding it on. This machine was right on the verge of collapsing on me if I had tried to work it. Just goes to show not to trust an old, unknown machine until you have had time to look it over thoroughly.

Looking forward to seeing more updates

Don Shilling · Dec 14, 2011

I steam cleaned the frame all over and inside the chain cases. The gas tanks have to be removed from the bottom so this is the perfect time to service these also. As soon as the temps get back in the 70's I'll sandblast everything and start painting.

Tazza · Dec 14, 2011

Don Shilling said:
I steam cleaned the frame all over and inside the chain cases. The gas tanks have to be removed from the bottom so this is the perfect time to service these also. As soon as the temps get back in the 70's I'll sandblast everything and start painting.

I wish i had a steam cleaner, it would make cleaning grease and grime off so much easier.

Don Shilling · Dec 30, 2011

Tazza said:
I wish i had a steam cleaner, it would make cleaning grease and grime off so much easier.

I won't be able to do much until spring but I can get a lot of little nit pic things taken care of this winter. I have a few modifications to do on the main frame before I sandblast it. Today, I traced off the decals and had my local sign shop make up a set of new decals for the CL-30. He saved the info to a file so if anybody wants a copy, give me a shout and I'll give you his phone number. http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/IMG_1576.jpg

Don Shilling · Dec 30, 2011

Tazza said:
I wish i had a steam cleaner, it would make cleaning grease and grime off so much easier.

I won't be able to do much until spring but I can get a lot of little nit pic things taken care of this winter. I have a few modifications to do on the main frame before I sandblast it. Today, I traced off the decals and had my local sign shop make up a set of new decals for the CL-30. He saved the info to a file so if anybody wants a copy, give me a shout and I'll give you his phone number. http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford CL30 Skid Loader/IMG_1576.jpg

Sodbuster · Jan 21, 2012

Don Shilling said:
I won't be able to do much until spring but I can get a lot of little nit pic things taken care of this winter. I have a few modifications to do on the main frame before I sandblast it. Today, I traced off the decals and had my local sign shop make up a set of new decals for the CL-30. He saved the info to a file so if anybody wants a copy, give me a shout and I'll give you his phone number. http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j13/rustywheels/Ford%20CL30%20Skid%20Loader/IMG_1576.jpg

I wish I had your ambition. I'm subscribing to watch the progress. Keep up the good work Don!

RJSStamps · May 9, 2012

Sodbuster said:
I wish I had your ambition. I'm subscribing to watch the progress. Keep up the good work Don!

Any updates here Don? Been watching this since I joined here and was curious how things are going since my machine is similar.

Restore, Rebuild, Overhaul Ford CL-30

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