Vladislav

My browser logs in automatically, haven't noted anything new so far. Funny thing a friend of mine found out he couldn't visit Hemmings web site the other day. I tried and got "access blocked" either. Read explanations and learned it was because of some security programm. So looks like no one from Russia can visit Hemmings anymore. Everything allright with BMT and I hope it's all under control

If you go to Moscow I'd like to grip your hand. Currently I'm in the process of making my own R688 as cool as yours. Need no less than 2 years or more to get it complete. Hope I will be able to afford it

Kevin, Thanks the great for so much and detailed info. I wish I could spend enough of time to work it al over. But I browsed it in general and got a common view.

Paul, I sure noted the split along the back wall of the cab. Haven't seen the bolts in the video but thought they were there since you mentioned it. Just wonder is there a split over the windscreen also and how the roof remove is a service operation? Might be just a kind of manufacturing design about the cab with no application to please yourself with sunny rays. Thanks for those old pictures. Nice to see. Do you remember the date they were done?

Bob, if you really want I can supply you with a left hand drive one. Just should do it fast enough until ice is strong over Bering strait. Oh, and some cash from your wallet might be involved

A cool looking unit as I would describe it. Saw pics of them on the net before. Just haven't understood the way of conversion those "convertibles". How could you remove the roof or upper part of the cab to make it a cabrio?

Doesn't sound nice. Hope the pot room functions right. Good luck on a speedy and full recovery.

It's ex-WW2 truck

Seeing the 1st picture you posted - R-model, I was going to type "it sure worth compliments" But seeing the rest I realized I just don't have enough of the buttons on my keyboad to describe how neat you collection is Thank you for sharing with us. I just rest with a wonder of how much time and how many craftmans' labour hours or years were spent to make such beautifulization. Vlad

...and for the mixer pictures either.

Looks like someone made a good work. It took me a while scratching my head on the origin of that suit case. Don't know for sure but I guess they bought some kid's toy and got it naked. http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIREFIGHTER-Hood-Ornament-Mack-Bulldog-Desk-Mascot-/332106381340?hash=item4d5315381c:g:YmIAAOSwt5hYcdVa

Out of emotions !!!

Actually stud- and hub-piloted wheels have different size of the central hole. That's not a great difference to spot by an eye if you don't pay attention to it but it exists. Hub-piloted wheel has the ID a bit smaller to fit a hub snug. Or about snag. So the idea of fit stud-piloted wheels on hub-piloted hubs is wrong on its very matter. People do it but get out of shape. Correctly - off the center. I had experience of putting hub wheels on stud hubs. Redrilled the stud holes and made recesses over them. Did it with a drilling machine using pilot tool and got fine. Was worrieing of the central hole to not clear my "stud" hubs but got Ok due to some corrosion or wear. My story was a different one though. I preferred to keep the truck original. As for hubs you can swap them using the same bearing's inner fit (and offset?) hubs of a different truck and an off-brand one either. For the axles you have on your R I can tell you the bearings ## and sizes since I have the similar setup in my trucks. Front: inner MH212049/MH212011, spindle OD 66.8 mm (2-5/8"), outer 45280/45220 44.5 mm (3/4") Rear: inner 582/572 82.7 mm (7-3/8), outer 563/567 73.1 mm (2-7/8") Actually you don't need hubs with almost similar bearings. Just ones with bearings of similar ID's to fit your axle tubes.

Ufff, I would like to know the way to connect two parts of a frame rail avoiding welding or drilling of flanges. The only solution is seemed to me is to avoid frame modifications. Which I see no way to avoid though

When I was in school I was learned to say "eldest". Seems like my teachers didn't know anything about trucks.

They probably didn't have extra DIESEL at Manders

Which one for work?

I doubt they loaded gold. Looks more like chocolade

105 tons sounds too much for that boom indeed. Even if they are short tons. 100 feet is a long arm though.

Larry, The round alu tanks on my R are 24" OD. I suppose that size would work for the B and R-model tank brackets don't seem to me as a trouble to find. At least it seems to me such way from my point of observation On the other hand I surprizingly to myself have found some of them even overhere.

Wow! Shame on me I forgot to check the thread out. Thank you for spotting the pics of the hood mounts. It was not a smoked gun deal for me but a question I wanted to learn for a while. Now it's clear and the last shots you posted helped either. Glad to see more progress and pretty sure the look of it will be almost heart-breaking after the paint is on.

Tom, interesting to see the boobage, thank you for posting.

Gladys, VA

Welcome to the site! And one cool project you have. Sure plenty of work should be done but it could be done if you really want it. It's a rare animal indeed and is handy with its small size. Good luck on the project. Vlad

Very impressive and great looking machine! Wonder what is the crane capacity?