Project Zetros

[Cab-over Pete]

It should go pretty much anywhere once the diffs are locked up
@Cab-over Pete, I switched the difflock solenoids over on all our Mercs, so you can engage the front before the back. Helps keep that nose uphill.

Get it chipped up, too, makes them a lot livelier and better on fuel, I got an extra 60hp on my Axor and it is a beast!

Not as sharp as yours in the black, mind, pleased it's not me keeping the lime-dust off her

I don’t think I’ll chip it, there’s more power there than I’ve ever had before.
The black paint will look grubby all the time I suspect, but beggars can’t be choosers!!

 

[Kevtherev]

Does that mean I’m now demoted to the 188 and Atkinson spreader?

 

[Cab-over Pete]

She is only saved for the best driver Kev. Be kind to her.

 

[mf7480]

I don’t think I’ll chip it, there’s more power there than I’ve ever had before.
The black paint will look grubby all the time I suspect, but beggars can’t be choosers!!

What sort of power is it? Is it a 4 cylinder or 6? Merc engine presumably?

 

[Kiwi Pete]

I don’t think I’ll chip it, there’s more power there than I’ve ever had before.
The black paint will look grubby all the time I suspect, but beggars can’t be choosers!!

It's about 4% less fuel in a day, give or take.

But such a great ride, you'll not realise that you've done a full day's work in the Merc

Have you had her over a weighbridge, or have I missed that bit?
Ours are too wide (dual 425's) but about 10,700 tare.
Actros 10,160, with a lighter stainless bin.

 

[AftonShepherd]

Nearly as bad as @Gator gate!

What was @Gator gate?

 

[Chae1]

I don’t think I’ll chip it, there’s more power there than I’ve ever had before.
The black paint will look grubby all the time I suspect, but beggars can’t be choosers!!

How about a remap!?

I know just the man for the job!

 

[Gator]

What was @Gator gate?

Ffs dont remind me

 

[Cab-over Pete]

It's about 4% less fuel in a day, give or take.

But such a great ride, you'll not realise that you've done a full day's work in the Merc

Have you had her over a weighbridge, or have I missed that bit?
Ours are too wide (dual 425's) but about 10,700 tare.
Actros 10,160, with a lighter stainless bin.

I think she was 8.4 bare chassis cab. Not weighed with the body on yet.
5. something on the front, 3. something on the back.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

What sort of power is it? Is it a 4 cylinder or 6? Merc engine presumably?

340hp Merc 6 cylinder turbo

 

[Cab-over Pete]

It's about 4% less fuel in a day, give or take.

But such a great ride, you'll not realise that you've done a full day's work in the Merc

Have you had her over a weighbridge, or have I missed that bit?
Ours are too wide (dual 425's) but about 10,700 tare.
Actros 10,160, with a lighter stainless bin.

Do you mean too wide for the weighbridge?

I’ve considered going duals on this but think I’ll go 750 single. There’s not the room for 26” wheels but I wish I could find an 800/24 of some sort. 750/45/22.5 seem the only option.

 

[mf7480]

Do you mean too wide for the weighbridge?

I’ve considered going duals on this but think I’ll go 750 single. There’s not the room for 26” wheels but I wish I could find an 800/24 of some sort. 750/45/22.5 seem the only option.

Michelin do a 1000/50 r25 in a megaxbib 2, presumably that’s too tall?

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Yes, too big.

 

[CORK]

@Cab-over Pete i don’t check the thread every week so apologies for the late post.

It’s an absolute credit to you, it’s magnificent. Best of luck with her.

You’ll have guys with pH7 land getting you in to spread just so they can see the Zetros in action!!!!!

Well done.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I was talking to someone earlier. I said I have no idea how a lime spreading contractor makes a living in the real grassland and livestock areas, because I just can’t get many of them to even consider having it.

 

[Renaultman]

I’ve spent the last few days faffing around doing about a hundred little bits and bobs, mostly on the spreader body.
Bit of a disaster, the window in the front was in totally the wrong place for seeing into the body from the cab, which is a bit essential. I considered a camera but instead put a window in the front, triple glazed and protected by a piece of Perspex, which will scratch easily but is replaceable.
Also mounted an access ladder, put the signs on the side, sealed round various places, etc.
I decided yonks ago to bolt the guides onto the underside of the body main front bearer, just needing to drill and tap the underside and bolt the self made guides on.
Well, what do you know, there’s only one piece on the whole thing that’s stainless steel, and that’s where my holes needed to be. It took me an entire day to drill and tap 8 holes 12mm. Broke and buggered several drills and practiced my swearing techniques.

Creative Sign and design came last week to put the wrap along the cab sides and I fitted the rest of the bits and bobs of signs.

Today, I’ve fitted the newly powder coated mudguard brackets and the drawbar. I didn’t send the brand new clevis hitch to be powder coated, but have just noticed it’s going rusty already.

View attachment 942186View attachment 942187

I got very despondent with it all the last two weeks. I just don’t seem to be getting anywhere. There are a few problems with the truck which I wasn’t told about so that’s concerning me. Everything works manually so there shouldn’t be any huge expense, but electronics are letting it down, as chuffing usual.

Only having an old open fronted shed with crappy knobbly concrete isn’t helping either, I’ve about had enough of working on it.

I hardly touched the machine two weeks ago. I gave up entirely thinking it would be ready for spring so concentrated on getting the Big A all up and running ready for the spring season, otherwise I was in danger of not having a machine at all!!

Hopefully get the body on tomorrow and then I’ll get her outside in the light and take a few more pics

I think everyone is having a few early year blues.
Hopefully the weather should improve soon and along with it our moods.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I know I’ve never been so grumpy. It’s no excuse but I’ve said to everyone here that it’s nothing to do with them!!

 

[Renaultman]

I know I’ve never been so grumpy. It’s no excuse but I’ve said to everyone here that it’s nothing to do with them!!

I think there are a lot of us in the same situation.

 

[Sharpy]

I was talking to someone earlier. I said I have no idea how a lime spreading contractor makes a living in the real grassland and livestock areas, because I just can’t get many of them to even consider having it.

Its mental, they would rather spend money on fertiliser and concentrates rather than the root of the problem. The bother round here is that 30 or 40 years ago everyone grew barley which got lime or it didn't yield, which was undersown back into grass, eventually it was that fields turn to be put back into barley (because it wasn't yielding) and it got lime again. It probably would have yielded fine if it got lime. Anyway folk don't seem to think grass needs lime.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I know, I’m fighting a losing battle.

That’s the root of my machinery decisions really. The amount of kit I’ve got is mad for the amount of lime I spread in a year, but maybe 80% of that annual total needs to be done from mid August to mid October. All on arable.