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The tractor became the basis of a collection built by Frank, creator of the channel Wood and Metal Shop Time, in the United States: mini bulldozer, articulated 4×4 truck, and forklift were handcrafted to work on the farm, reusing machines that, according to him, would mostly end up in the junkyard as scrap.
A Cub Cadet tractor that could have ended up dismantled found an unexpected fate in the United States. Over the past few years, Frank, responsible for the channel Wood and Metal Shop Time, has repurposed old tractors and components in his own workshop to manufacture a mini bulldozer, an articulated 4×4 dump truck, and a handcrafted forklift intended for farm work.
The projects, presented by the American in videos and expanded internationally in May 2026, were not built just for display. The machines move earth, help maintain the property’s paths, and unload heavy materials. The forklift, for example, can lift approximately 544 kg to over two meters high.
From junkyard to daily work: the tractor became raw material for new machines
Frank did not start with new equipment or industrial sets ready for assembly. According to him, most of the tractors used in his projects were destined for scrap, which opened up space to disassemble, cut, adapt, and rebuild the vehicles according to the practical needs of the property.
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The chosen base was mainly formed by Cub Cadet units, a line known among small tractor collectors. Even modifying old specimens, the American claims to preserve and use weekly a Cub Cadet 108 manufactured in 1972. The proposal, therefore, is not to destroy rarities, but to recover machines with no prospect of use and convert them into functional equipment.
This logic transformed the tractor into a starting point for a small artisanal fleet. Instead of restoring each vehicle to make it similar to the original, Frank used engines, transmissions, chassis, and hydraulic components to create machines aimed at specific farm tasks.
The result draws attention precisely because the constructions were not limited to appearance. The mini bulldozer pushes earth, the forklift unloads steel plates, and the articulated truck transports materials on uneven terrain. Each adaptation was born out of a work necessity, not just a mechanical experiment.
Mini bulldozer was built to spin practically on its own axis
Among the machines developed by Frank, the mini bulldozer is one of the most unusual. To build the equipment, he used two hydrostatic transmissions from a tractor Cub Cadet, installing one set for the front and another for the rear of the machine.
The challenge was in the original functioning of these transmissions: from the factory, they operated with different performance for moving forward and backward. Frank disassembled the mechanisms and internally altered the sets so they could work equivalently in both directions. The modification allowed controlling the sides of the machine separately.
With two levers, the operator can propel one side while reducing or reversing the movement of the other. Thus, the small bulldozer performs tight maneuvers and can spin practically in place, behaving similarly to larger equipment used in construction and earthmoving.
The front hydraulic blade was also designed to enhance the vehicle’s utility. It has six working positions, allowing the earth to be directed to different sides during operation. In this way, the project ceased to be just a visual adaptation of an old tractor and started performing real functions in property maintenance.
4×4 Articulated Truck Required Complete Reorganization of Original Mechanics
Another standout project is the 4×4 articulated dump truck. To build it, Frank had to deeply modify the mechanical layout of the original tractor, repositioning components and creating a central articulation so that the vehicle could bend in the middle and adapt to terrain irregularities.
In this type of machine, the articulation improves maneuverability and allows both parts of the vehicle to better accommodate uneven areas. However, the solution also created a complex problem: the engine power needed to cross the movable point of the structure and reach the axles without compromising functionality.
During construction, the first alternative chosen to transmit this force did not withstand the test. Frank tried using an automotive constant velocity joint, but the component failed when the system reached over 3,600 rotations per minute, spreading grease throughout the workshop and forcing the project back to the drawing board.
Instead of abandoning the idea, he redid the connection using a traditional universal joint, considered more suitable for the elaborate setup. The episode shows that transforming a tractor into an articulated truck involves trial, error, correction, and applied mechanical knowledge in practice.
Handmade Forklift Lifts 544 kg and Became the Most Used Tool
Although the mini bulldozer has great visual appeal and the 4×4 truck gathers complex solutions, Frank indicates that the handmade forklift is one of the most useful machines in his collection. Also built from a tractor Cub Cadet, it was designed to lift heavy loads received in the workshop.
The disclosed capacity reaches approximately 544 kg, equivalent to 1,200 pounds, lifted to more than two meters in height. To balance the structure during lifting, the machine received a rear counterweight of about 226 kg. The combination allows the equipment to unload steel sheets used in the builder’s own projects.
The utility of the forklift helps explain why the collection goes beyond mere curiosity. A handcrafted piece of equipment capable of moving heavy materials reduces manual effort and offers a solution adapted to the routine of a rural workshop, provided it is operated with attention to limitations and safety conditions.
Besides the forklift, Frank also built a hydraulic grader used to maintain the property’s paths. This project emerged when he was still developing his welding skills and, even so, remains operational. The fleet demonstrates that an old tractor can gain completely different functions when it receives engineering, time, and practical purpose.
Handcrafted machines show reuse, but also require knowledge and safety
The transformation of discarded tractors into working machines combines creativity, material reuse, and mechanical mastery. Instead of acquiring ready-made equipment, Frank developed customized solutions for the activities he performs on his farm, learning from failures and adjusting each project according to real use.
This does not mean that any similar adaptation can be made without risks. Hydraulic systems, lifting structures, modified transmissions, and articulated vehicles work under high stress. A forklift that lifts hundreds of kilos or a bulldozer capable of pushing earth needs stability, structural strength, and careful operation.
Even with these challenges, the collection draws attention for giving new purpose to machines that could have been discarded. Frank’s next imagined project is a mini skid steer loader built from scratch, expanding a fleet that started with the reuse of old tractors.
From a tractor with no apparent future came a sequence of machines capable of performing concrete tasks. For those who follow handcrafted projects, the story raises an interesting question: is it better to preserve an old piece of equipment exactly as it left the factory or transform it into something useful to continue working.
The ability to lift 544 kg, practically spin on its own axis, and traverse uneven terrain has made these machines examples of mechanical reuse applied to everyday life. In your opinion, is transforming old tractors into new tools an intelligent form of preservation, or should these machines remain original? Leave your comment and join the discussion.
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