Progress... and a setback

I decided to start removing the grain box today. Lots of rusted bolts, and a couple rounded off that had to get a visit from the hacksaw. The back section was the easy part. The grain dump just lifted out, leaving the two sections next to it. Those had two bolts each between them and the flatbed and the sides. The three rear sections came out fairly quickly. Next, I attacked the bolts holding the sides and front to the flatbed. Most of those were designed with "quick-release" handle/bolts. Unfortunately, after 40 years (the box is supposedly from the 1970's), the handles had softened and couldn't be used to remove them. Vice grips to the rescue - but that was a timely and frustrating task. The last four bolts were those holding the sides to the front piece. I climbed into the box to try to break them free and - the setback. The sides are welded to the front! I had thought that one side would be the upper limit of my lift-able weight, but two sides plus a front all together? No way. Time to have Billy break out the Sawzall Friday and cut it into pieces.

Felt good, if nothing else, to start working on Big Red...