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Joe Spitz
New member
Username: Spitzj
Post Number: 1
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 69.210.104.23
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 08:28 am: | 
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I am new to 6x6's and just bought an Attex 400 Chief. I tried cleaning and looking for the year & serial number on the frame as shown in the owners manual but found nothing. Is there an alternative way to determine the approximate year of this machine? It has the 16 horse Tecumseh engine, T20 trans, and a well worn camouflage finish.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed that I have a mix of 4 lug and 5 lug wheels. It appears that all the tires are the same size. Could it be a mix of two different styles of axles? I am assuming that it would be of no great concern as long as all tires have the same circumfrence. Any comments, other than I should look closer before I buy? |
liflod
Junior Member
Username: Liflod
Post Number: 12
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 65.209.67.234
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 11:07 am: |
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How do you know its a 400 Chief? The 400 Chiefs were made between 1973 and 1975.
Get all the wheels off the ground and check for play in the bearings,axles and chains. This will show you whats loose and what needs fixed or replaced. And also check the condition of the lower hull. It's condition has the most infuence on the value of the machine. |
Joe Spitz
New member
Username: Spitzj
Post Number: 2
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 69.210.104.23
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 02:12 pm: |
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As for whether it's a 400 Chief, I am trusting what is on the side of it; just above the beltline. It appears to be an origional painted on emblem.
From what I've seen, the bearings / axles / chains are in good shape with the exception of the left rear chain idler; bearing was completely gone, with the idler gear riding the through bolt! Picked one up at the local farm / ag. outlet for under $15.
The lower hull on this one looks to be a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. I plan on pressure washing it inside & out to get a better idea.
Are these things supposed to have a removable body drain of some sort? I was considering fabricating one on the lower back panel to allow it to drain out after cleaning.
Thanks for any information. |
ej warden (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 67.50.136.215
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2005 - 08:06 pm: |
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there should be a VIN stamp on the frame... my Attex VIN ended with 81, so the assumption would be 1981. Look on the top of the frame, in the right rear of the machine.... |
Joe Spitz
New member
Username: Spitzj
Post Number: 3
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 69.210.104.23
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 06:52 pm: |
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I've looked; cleaned; looked again. I'm not seeing anything. Will look again tomorrow while replacing a couple of axle bearings. |
liflod
Junior Member
Username: Liflod
Post Number: 13
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 24.3.234.147
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 08:20 pm: |
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You may need some sandpaper to clean away any rust and extra paint, but the VIN should be there. |
Don Kinyon
New member
Username: Oldnatva
Post Number: 7
Registered: 04-2002
Posted From: 69.172.32.194
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 08:58 pm: |
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Sometimes the frame is in such bad shape that the numbers are illegible, but your machine was built somewhere from 1972 and 1975. Even if you find the numbers, there's no way to be sure the frame hasn't been replaced at some time. I've done a few swaps myself when the original frame was hopeless.
Your machine once had a hull drain on each side in the rear: just up from the bottom and near where the hull raises in the center. Many times you'll find the body cracked around them and someone filled the holes when they patched it.
Don |
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