1970s PasseParTout restoration

[cbrookre]

This February, my son and I started a restoration process on my Grandpa's old 1970s PasseParTout tracked machine. My grandpa passed away in 1983 and this was parked in a field shortly after and has been sitting since. I was 9 years old and, at that time, the former WWII Sherman driver was my bigger than life hero. He took me everywhere with him, riding on his logging equipment. Such a fantastic guy. My 17yo son and I decided to take this on to honor his memory, and man what a testing experience! We are not experts in restoration by any stretch, so each step was a learning journey. We though at the begging that we had maybe a 5% chance of restoring it, as it has many custom parts that just cannot be found anymore!

Well, after 8 months of diligent work, seemingly dead end moments, frustrations and triumphs, we finally were able to reveal it to my Mom, who still tears up at the mention of him. He really touched everyone around him. We are so proud of the job that we were able to do on it! Enjoy what he used to call "The Red Coot"!

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[Cobra Jet]

Now that is pretty cool - especially the background story on how the restoration came to be.

 

[Strokerswild]

Good stuff. Projects like that are the best things to share with your son.

That thing is pretty cool, I can't say I've ever seen one before. How does the handlebar translate to steering the tracks? Usually such things have two levers, I'm guessing there's an oblong plate or such with a hole at either running linkage at the end of the steering shaft?

 

[cbrookre]

Good stuff. Projects like that are the best things to share with your son.

That thing is pretty cool, I can't say I've ever seen one before. How does the handlebar translate to steering the tracks? Usually such things have two levers, I'm guessing there's an oblong plate or such with a hole at either running linkage at the end of the steering shaft?

It is really a simple but elegant setup. At the bottom of the handles there are two sets of linkages, one of which activates the brake for each track independently and one that routes to a pivoting bar that activates a lever pushing a collar along the driveshaft that releases a clutch built into each sides brake. So you turn the handles and it simultaneously releases the clutch and squeezes the brake for that side's tracks. You can probably get a bit better idea with these pics.

 

[Strokerswild]

It's pretty close to what I was envisioning. Pretty slick setup.

 

[cbrookre]

It's pretty close to what I was envisioning. Pretty slick setup.

It definitely is! Though it was a bit tricky to get everything dialed in, where the clutch would dis-engage at just the right time as the brakes were being activated. If the clutch engaged too late then the brakes were being overly stressed and we risked wearing the clutch plate which is totally custom.

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