I just finished my restoration of an ERTL #520 John Deere 4450 Pedal Tractor.
This was my tractor as a kid. I found it at my parent's house last year. I thought it would be cool to restore it and give it to my son. He will turn 2 this month. I was going to wait until he was older, but every time he saw it in my shop he would run over and try to get on it (w/o a seat. Ha). He was fascinated by it.
Fortunately, replacement parts are available at www.dakotatoyparts.com. I couldn't have done it without them. Also, I used Rustoleum John Deere Green spray paint.
In the end, this project cost just about the same as buying a new pedal tractor. Much of that was extra cost going into the trailer because I wanted it to be solid. Anyway, the tractor now has a story behind it.
I hope you enjoy the pics. (to make auto related, Here is my weekend truck)
A rat had made a nest inside so it was jam packed full of leaves and sticks plus remains of the rat itself.
The body is made of aluminum, but the components are made of steel. Rust destroyed most of them. Here is a replacement chain guard.
Here is a replacement front wheel post.
I was able to save the steering shaft and the front pedal assembly. I had to later replace the rear axle and sprocket because it was bent.
Aluminum body
Steering assembly
As a kid, I rode this tractor pretty hard. I broke the front creating a hole (later used by rat). I'm sure I could have found an aluminum welder that could have fixed it for me, but that would have cost more time and money. I see it as character. Ha.
Drive assembly
Final touch up paint
Added decals
Tractor complete
Here is the restoration of the trailer. It was in bad shape because it is sheet metal.
The bottom rusted out pretty bad. The holes just got bigger as I wire brushed it.
A guy who restores cars recommended that I use fiberglass mesh with acrylic cement. It worked very well. I applied a layer inside and out.
I really wanted the trailer to be solid so I bought a small can of Herculiner bed liner. He can haul rocks if he wants to. Ha.
This was my tractor as a kid. I found it at my parent's house last year. I thought it would be cool to restore it and give it to my son. He will turn 2 this month. I was going to wait until he was older, but every time he saw it in my shop he would run over and try to get on it (w/o a seat. Ha). He was fascinated by it.
Fortunately, replacement parts are available at www.dakotatoyparts.com. I couldn't have done it without them. Also, I used Rustoleum John Deere Green spray paint.
In the end, this project cost just about the same as buying a new pedal tractor. Much of that was extra cost going into the trailer because I wanted it to be solid. Anyway, the tractor now has a story behind it.
I hope you enjoy the pics. (to make auto related, Here is my weekend truck)
A rat had made a nest inside so it was jam packed full of leaves and sticks plus remains of the rat itself.
The body is made of aluminum, but the components are made of steel. Rust destroyed most of them. Here is a replacement chain guard.
Here is a replacement front wheel post.
I was able to save the steering shaft and the front pedal assembly. I had to later replace the rear axle and sprocket because it was bent.
Aluminum body
Steering assembly
As a kid, I rode this tractor pretty hard. I broke the front creating a hole (later used by rat). I'm sure I could have found an aluminum welder that could have fixed it for me, but that would have cost more time and money. I see it as character. Ha.
Drive assembly
Final touch up paint
Added decals
Tractor complete
Here is the restoration of the trailer. It was in bad shape because it is sheet metal.
The bottom rusted out pretty bad. The holes just got bigger as I wire brushed it.
A guy who restores cars recommended that I use fiberglass mesh with acrylic cement. It worked very well. I applied a layer inside and out.
I really wanted the trailer to be solid so I bought a small can of Herculiner bed liner. He can haul rocks if he wants to. Ha.
