1983 IHC 4140 Skidloader

[jimwest]

I have a retired US Army IHC 4140 Skidloader. Runs great, but this past Winter, I noticed the gas tank or lines are leaking. Stored in my garage waiting on snow. I put probably 6 gallons of gasoline in, and then began to smell it. After 3 weeks or so, it is not down to about 2-3 gallons in the tank, when measured with a stick. Nothing on floor, so must be a small leak and all is evaporating. I don't see anyway to get the gas tank exposed. The flat plate on top (foot rest) doesn't seem to be welded, but I see no bolts. Any ideas on how to find and fix this. I believe it may have stopped now, so it may have reached the level of the hole. Thanks

 

[OldMachinist]

The IHC skidloaders were made by Hydra-Mac. Here's a place that specializes in the Hydra-Mac loaders. http://www.hackertsales.com/index.html They would likely be able to give you the info and parts you need.

 

[OldMachinist]

The IHC skidloaders were made by Hydra-Mac. Here's a place that specializes in the Hydra-Mac loaders. http://www.hackertsales.com/index.html They would likely be able to give you the info and parts you need.

Did a little more searching and found if you go to http://www.messicks.com/Caseparts.aspx click Case construction and put 4140 in the model field you can view and print all the parts diagrams for your machine. Looks like you might have to pull the seat panel to remove the panel over the tank.

 

[jimwest]

Did a little more searching and found if you go to http://www.messicks.com/Caseparts.aspx click Case construction and put 4140 in the model field you can view and print all the parts diagrams for your machine. Looks like you might have to pull the seat panel to remove the panel over the tank.

I have that same diagram, and it does look like bolt holes but I see no bolts. I emailed the company in the first reply, and have hopes they may answer next week. If I find bolts, and remove them, do you think the "stand" that surrounds the two controls comes off. I see a hole in the plate so somehow the stand must come off, and then the plate.

 

[OldMachinist]

I have that same diagram, and it does look like bolt holes but I see no bolts. I emailed the company in the first reply, and have hopes they may answer next week. If I find bolts, and remove them, do you think the "stand" that surrounds the two controls comes off. I see a hole in the plate so somehow the stand must come off, and then the plate.

I can only think of two things
1 Maybe they're countersunk flat head screws and paint/rust is covering them.
2 There are studs welded to the back side of the panel and you have to remove the seat and control panels to reach under to get to them.

 

[jimwest]

I can only think of two things
1 Maybe they're countersunk flat head screws and paint/rust is covering them.
2 There are studs welded to the back side of the panel and you have to remove the seat and control panels to reach under to get to them.

Thanks. I'll take another closer look. BUt when it warms up a little. 10 degrees there now. I pretty much see there must be bolts of some kind. But the "Stand" or "Tower" that holds the two levers worries me. I've tried to get it off in the past, just to clean it out of all the mulch and dirt, but could never figure out how. But I did not really need to so that, so maybe I just need to try harder. Thanks for the help.

 

[jimwest]

Thanks. I'll take another closer look. BUt when it warms up a little. 10 degrees there now. I pretty much see there must be bolts of some kind. But the "Stand" or "Tower" that holds the two levers worries me. I've tried to get it off in the past, just to clean it out of all the mulch and dirt, but could never figure out how. But I did not really need to so that, so maybe I just need to try harder. Thanks for the help.

You were right. I now see two hex-head bolts in the extreme front corners of the floor plate. So I'll give it a try. Hopefully it can wait until Spring and warm weather. It seems to have reached a level of about 2 gallons. The next problem will be if I can remove all this with the bucket still attached and down. The "guard" that is supposed to hold it in an upright position was gone when I got it. I appreciate your ideas. Thanks