Hauled firewood, guy wants to give me a tractor

I love old tractors and I saved one that sat outside 13 years. That said, a couple thoughts of caution…

A coworker noted that after buying a tractor for $3,000 and sinking $2,000 into it for repairs he then was able to sell it for $3,000.

Fixing the power steering will be essential with the loader on.

4wd is a game-changer in my terrain.

 

I'm looking for a tractor to keep at our other farm, our dad signed the property over to us several years ago. I have two 4x4s, one Kubota MX5100 and a John Deere 870 I keep at home. So, if I need 4x4 it's easily accessible. However, I am not wanting to leave either of them at the farm since all the neighbors and extended family have been conditioned to see my dad's stuff as community property. Especially when he and my step mom are traveling the country.

We've been weaning them off using the garage, lift, tools and equipment but doing it tactfully is taking some time. There are times I just need to move some stuff around with a loader, throw the brush hog on and hit a fence line or drag a single tree out of the field.

 

Pump (worst case) is around $400, could be as simple as a roller ($10). Power steering pump is $200. Not sure on lines, much of the system is steel and that is all fine. Rubber has three off the loader valve to steel lines along lift arm, six at the front for dumping/curling and return lines on lift. The latter two had been replaced when he had lift cylinders rebuilt, so I'd need to replace the remaining 4. Then there are two larger hoses off the main pump in front. I'm guessing $500-600 in hoses/fittings. I'd probably rebuild the curling cylinders while I'm at it since they can't be far behind the lifts.

The 3 point lift pump can be accessed through the top of the rear end housing, no splitting needed from what I'm hearing with the 6 speed shuttle shift. Tires actually look really good, no noticeable checking. I'll be cracking the drain plugs on rear-end and motor before any attempt at starting or moving. I want to see if water is in the system.

 

Grabbing a few deep cycle (free) batteries from a communications service company. I went to school with the owner. These are the backup batteries towers use in the event of an outage. He said these are changed out every 2 yrs for the service contract and kept charged the whole time in service.

Hopefully, they have enough kick in them to turn this baby over. After I grab the batteries I will head over to the tractor and start the farting around session.

 

That's what I have done for the last 35 years since I got out of the Army. I've tested, installed, engineered, designed, repaired, and quoted those DC power systems and batteries to Telcos all over the country. Those batteries should actually have a couple years left in them. They change them out early to ensure no failures. Some environments kill batteries more quickly than others but most companies try to stay ahead of the game. Those batteries are treated great normally, sitting at optimum float voltage till they are needed due to an AC outage. Most sites have a generator so even when discharged they aren't being abused.

 

It runs!

I tempted fate and the curl line blew.
At local service place now, hopefully they can dig up what they need. Rest of the lines will go to Euclid Hydraulics.

 

Runs is good!
Rubber Hydro lines need replacement anyway

 

Success!

 

Home yet!?

 

That is awesome! Congratulations. Keep us up to date!

 

Weighs in at 6060lbs 1/4 tank of fuel.

 

Glad you got it home. Looks like it tracks down the road pretty good. My TO-35 has been in my family since it was new and has been a reliable steady performer over the years although it never really saw any real tough ag duty. I was probably the first one to ever hook a plow on it. They were built to last for sure.

Hope it serves you well.

 

It tracks better than my 2012 Kubota, although a suspension seat is going on this baby! If the three point is as simple of a fix as the power steering and startup, there would be a bit extra in the budget and I might look at something better than what I was originally thinking about.

The steering wheel has oxidized and is degrading to the point that it looks like you played in a bag of charcoal when you're done driving this thing. I was thinking of trying Plasti-dip to seal that crap in. As anyone use that product in that type of manner?

 

I have not, but I don't think that will hold up very long. Congrats on the tractor.

 

Ordered a new steering wheel.

 

Can't we all just get along? Tractors of different lineages working together towards a common goal. Changing the main high pressure hose of the main loader/hoe pump. I'd say it has exceeded it's useful life.

It's tough for me to get to when the loader is down. Taking the loader off looks like a solid 3-4 hour job for me. Probably just as long to put back on. Decided to do it this way:







The 2x4s were really only there to "crack" if the loaders started dropping. Then I'd know to get out of there. I used a telecom boom truck segment and chain as a "jack stand". I did end up chaining the front axle on the Kubota and Massey together. They wanted to push away from each other when we tried lowering them. Chained together, there was very little chance of them coming down.

 

$115.00 later for one 3/4" hose and fittings.