Time for paint....how much to buy?

[Mikefromcny]

Hey guys, After today I can finally afford to have the 743 down for a week so I can paint it. I'm thinking 2 coats on everything. 1 quart of grey for cab 1-2 quarts of orange for rear door and rims 3 quarts - 1 gallon of white for rest of machine. Does this sound reasonable? I have painted a few antique tractors as far as experience goes.. Will be all bobcat paint. Have an ebay decal set that came with it when I bought it. Just looking to spruce it up. Any ideas/advice/input greatly appreciated.

 

[Plasticfan]

Hi Mike. I'm in the same boat, about to paint my BC, although it's going to have to wait until I move a lot more dirt. I've never done a BC but have painted a lot of cars and based on that I'd say your quantity estimates are spot on. I'm still wondering if I should pull the cab. Let me know what you think. If you come up with any other tips, this is a great place to share knowledge. Don

 

[Tazza]

Hi Mike. I'm in the same boat, about to paint my BC, although it's going to have to wait until I move a lot more dirt. I've never done a BC but have painted a lot of cars and based on that I'd say your quantity estimates are spot on. I'm still wondering if I should pull the cab. Let me know what you think. If you come up with any other tips, this is a great place to share knowledge. Don

Do your self a favour, pull the cab. Much easier to do it off the machine. I actually removed the computer on my 753G, so all you do is disconnect the harness to the dash.
It's never a fun project, the only way to do it right is to pull it right down, but how far do you go? It always makes it look better with a bit of paint.

 

[Mikefromcny]

Do your self a favour, pull the cab. Much easier to do it off the machine. I actually removed the computer on my 753G, so all you do is disconnect the harness to the dash.
It's never a fun project, the only way to do it right is to pull it right down, but how far do you go? It always makes it look better with a bit of paint.

Tazza, whats a good way to remove the cab? I've had it flipped up a few times, thats easy, but then what? unbolt the struts, flip it back down then unbolt the "hinges" and remove? I'm kind of a one man show. I was envisioning trying to pick the cab off the machine in the flipped up position. Someone here was talking about using a cherry picker, but I don't see how It could go up high enough. I probably will end up using my backhoe to do the picking. Thanks for any ideas

 

[Tazza]

Tazza, whats a good way to remove the cab? I've had it flipped up a few times, thats easy, but then what? unbolt the struts, flip it back down then unbolt the "hinges" and remove? I'm kind of a one man show. I was envisioning trying to pick the cab off the machine in the flipped up position. Someone here was talking about using a cherry picker, but I don't see how It could go up high enough. I probably will end up using my backhoe to do the picking. Thanks for any ideas

I was lucky enough to have my dad help me out.
First off, unbolt the two pivot bolts, make sure they are free to move. Some times they get stuck and they get stuck hard.
Remove the two buffers that are near the radiator, this will allow you to tilt the cab back a little more. Remove the pins on the struts at the cab with it fully tilted back. I had another machine that i hooked a chain to and lifted the cab off. WIthout the struts it si VERY heavy, don't be fooled. It's easy to move when tilted back, but let it start to come down, and it will come down hard.
If you have a lifting device, you can lower the cab, remove the bolts and lift it up.